The Shamer's Signet

This is a wonderful series for teens and adults alike. I found this in the juvenile section of the library, but it is wonderful for moms like me. If you like the pace of Harry Potter books (especially the earlier ones) then you'll love the entire Shamer series. This is a fun must read.

Although this book switches character's point of view. It is excellent for both the adult reader as well as a shared reading selection to a class. The writing yields itself to be used as vizualization text, problem solution text, predicting/inferring, as well as writing prompts. I enjoyed it just reading it myself, however, I feel thatI will use it with my class this year.

Warning: Spoilers in text In this 2 novel of the Shamer Chronicles, Lene Kaaberbol continues the story that first started out in The Shamer's Daughter. 10 year old Dina, her family, and their assorted friends move to the Highlands for refuge from the Dragonlord, Drakan. The story first starts out with Dina and her mother on their frequent journeys that require the Shamer's services (a Shamer is able to look a person in the eye and shame them with past acts.)However, when traveling with a man that tricks them under the guise of a member of the Laclan Clan, an ambush catches both Dina and her mother by surprise, gravely injuring Dina's mother. When their mother proves to be recovering and okay, Davin, Dina's brother, swears to kill the man who betrayed and then tried to murder his sister and mother. Davin, who is 16 years old, is still confused about his adolesence and tries to make his family proud of him by learning the ways of the warrior. Unfortunately for him, everyone treats him as "the Shamer's boy" rather than the man he wants to be seen as. While Davin is away, secretly searching for the men who ambushed his mother, Dina finds out his plan and leaves her home to stop him. Soon after, Dina is captured by the very men who previously ambushed her and she shockingly discovers that the culprit is named Valdracu, cousin to Drakan. Her capture soon leads her friends to search for her, Davin being prominent among them. Meanwhile, a war is starting between Dina's clan (more accurately, the clan that protects her family) and the Laclan clan over a matter of killed sheep. The story then leads towards rescue attempts, the value of friendship, and the meaning of love. I believe that this is a great story because of the well written plot and the detailed writing. Kaaberbol understands the feelings of friends under pressure, teenagers, and love when it is strained. She takes her time writing and developing each section of the story before moving on to the next. Kaaberbol also knows how to keep the reader hanging and just waiting to turn to the next page. The only problem I have with the Shamer's Signet (the signet represents Dina's apprenticeship to her mother), is that the plot doesn't really have a point. By the end of the novel, most of the enemies are killed or imprisoned and the war is over. How does all this contribute to the actual series? However, not having read the sequels yet (The Serpent Gift and The Shamer's War), I will say that this was an excellent novel. A must read for teens because the writing is great and the literary quality, wonderful. Not a great book for kids because violence and cruelty are very prominent in this book.

Wow! I love this series. It just keeps getting better and better. Dina and Davin have more adventure in this book. I was left wanting more when I finished this book. This is a wonderly written story with great imagination. Yet it is something we can relate to. The look one is given when a teacher or a parent knows you have done wrong can bring shame to us even without the shamer's eyes. I think that even though I would call this book a fantasy it also holds so many truths. If you haven't read the Shamer's Daughter I strongly suggest you do and then read the Shamer's Signet. I can also tell you that book 3 and 4, The Serpent Gift and The Shamer's War, are just as good and maybe better. Read them all and enjoy!