The Fortunate Isles

This book is an intriguing mix. Part coming-of-age story, part quest, with a vaguely fantasy-feel, it is not quite like any other book I have ever read (and I have read quite a few). The main character of the story, Eleni, is very matter-of-fact and practical, and, while she has pride, she does not let it get in the way of her common sense. Raised on one of the isles most distant from the capital, her life begins to change when Prince Helos comes to visit her island in an effort to muster troops for his father's latest war, further evidence that the Fortunate Isles have become increasingly less fortunate in recent years. She herself is of noble blood, she knows that much, but nothing else really, since her mother refuses to tell her who her father is. Eleni is different from other heroines, though, in that she doesn't really seem to care overly much either way about who her father is and, as she puts it, her having blue eyes never did her much good either way. Also, she has no great yearning to see the "world". However, a prophecy surfaces which the local priest and his helper, Andreas (Eleni's friend who she wouldn't mind being more than friends with) are certain refers to Eleni (who has her doubts about their conclusion that she is destined to be the Messanger to the Living God and thus the one to save the Isles) ends up sending her on a quest far from her village. She, Andreas, and Nikos the son of the wealthiest man on the island, embark on a journey for the royal city of Malama, and the mountain of the Living God. They encounter various mishaps, from slave traders to scheming village priests, and Eleni begins to realize that the Isles are in a lot more trouble than she had ever realized, and she may be the one who's supposed to do something about it afterall. With an interesting world and premise, humor, irony, and a story line is well-developed, fast-paced, and engaging and one of the most memorable "heroines" I've ever encountered, this book is a suprisingly good read, and if you are looking for something a little different in the quest/fantasty genre, I recommend that you read this book.