Snow, Fire, Sword

For readers who enjoy fast-paced and surprising fantasy fiction, SNOW FIRE SWORD is a treat. It's an exciting story with a mixture of fantasy and the modern day. Its two protagonists, Adi and Dewi, are brought together when dark forces begin to terrorize their country, taking Adi's teacher and Dewi's father. Armed only with the knowledge that they can defeat the evil with the powers of snow, fire, and sword, the two children struggle to save their world from tyranny. The best thing about SNOW FIRE SWORD is the story itself. Masson sets a quick pace, her characters stumbling from one adventure into another chapter by chapter, keeping the reader glued to the page. There are enough twists and turns along the journey to keep readers guessing as to the ultimate outcome. Unpredictable and tightly plotted, it's a hard book to put down. Making the story all the more engaging are the two main characters. Adi and Dewi are sympathetic and well-developed, with inner conflicts and emotional turmoil to deal with as well as their external problems. Their actions are believable for their age, but also admirable for their courage. They make mistakes as anyone would, but mistakes that fit their personalities. Young readers will find them easy to relate to despite the magical world they live in. The world itself is another of SNOW FIRE SWORD's strengths. It is a world both intriguing and unlike any other. Adi and Dewi's country has modern elements like cars and radios, as well as fantastical aspects like communications with the spirit world and magical rings. It's all colored by a strong Asian influence, most likely based on the author's Indonesian heritage, which adds richness and a unique touch to the already fascinating society. SNOW FIRE SWORD is a great read for fantasy lovers of all ages, and with its modern elements may appeal even to readers who shy away from traditional fantasy. Reviewed by: Lynn Crow

Adi is an apprentice to a master craftsman who makes kris, traditional swords imbued with spiritual power. He and his master are on a journey to deliver a new kris to the Sultan when his master is taken by hantumu, evil beings garbed all in black who ride motorcycles. (Nazgul on motorbikes?) Lying bound in a rice field, Adi is rescued by Dewi, the daughter of a dukun, a kind of healer or shaman. Dewi's father is also taken by the hantumu, and Adi and Dewi are charged by the spirits to find Snow, Fire, Sword and defeat the evil sorcerer that is plaguing the land. The spirits don't know what Snow, Fire, and Sword are, nor do they know who the sorcerer is. Together, Adi and Dewi set off on a quest to find Snow, Fire, and Sword and save the land. They are helped along the way by various beings, both human and supernatural, but in the end, Adi and Dewi must find the courage to stand up for all that is right and true. Snow, Fire, Sword is a beautiful and mythic journey through an Indonesia that is a little bit mythical, a little bit modern, and a little bit fantasy. It's a world where the ancient spirits of Indonesian and Arabic myths coexist with motorcycles, helicopters and an absolutely-adorable slightly-supernatural car. The cover of the book sports a blurb from Lloyd Alexander, which seems appropriate, since the book reminded me a lot of some of Alexander's best, such as The Iron Ring and The Remarkable Journey of Prince Jen. Adi and Dewi are interesting and likeable young people. Dewi longs for adventure, but finds that real adventure is much harder than she expected. Adi is content with his life and loves his master; he is driven by a sense of helplessness and shame that he couldn't help his master when the hantumu took him, and is determined to save him this time. The story is exciting and filled out with a rich cast of wonderfully-envisioned supporting characters. I can't say too much without giving things away, but suffice it to say that this is a story of personal heroism and sacrifice on many levels. The Indonesian and Arabic names of people and places made the book a little difficult to read at first for someone who isn't used to them, but after a while you adjust and the reading gets easier. It's well worth taking the time to adjust to the differences and get into the book.