The Humming of Numbers

This is book is a gorgeous story of two young people in early Ireland. The story is told from the POV of Aidan, a seventeen year old Novice Monk. That said, I think this book would mostly appeal to women and girls, because the romance is at the heart of this lovely tale. It is a slim book, and easy to read in a single setting. Because of mild sexual situations (tastefully done), IMHO this book is more appropriate for older teens. Moms (such as me!) will love it as well.

I was hooked into this book instantly and read it in one sitting. In the midst of reading oodles of fantasy while judging an award, I found the magical element of the numbers refreshingly unique. The wood witchery, too, not to mention the historical details. My favorite thing, though, was the sizzling chemistry between the two 10th-Century teenagers. I thought it was very truthfully rendered, romantic and suspenseful. :-)

Author Joni Sensel follows up her novel Reality Leak, a quirky contemporary fantasy for middle-graders, with The Humming of Numbers, an historical YA love story rich in lore, action, and mystery. Aidan is a teenaged monk-in-training who meets a mysterious young woman named Lana. He is captivated by her in a way only he can feel and hear -- she hums of the number eleven, a very special, exotic number. Lana, in turn, is drawn to Aidan, and he soon learns she has special "powers" of her own -- she is a witch. In a world long past, when barbarous Vikings could attack at any moment, books were a precious commodity worth dying for, and young love was often forbidden, Aidan and Lana band together to fight for their families, their villages, and their right to be together.

If you are looking for something different to read, pick up a copy of THE HUMMING OF NUMBERS. Several things combine to make it a quite unique reading experience. First, there is the setting - the 10th-century in a Celtic monastery. Most books I've read lately have been set in 2008 and have included the latest in modern technology. In THE HUMMING OF NUMBERS, the main character, Aidan, is in training to become a scribe. He lives at the abbey and is a novice monk. His days are spent following their strict rules and dreaming of the day he will be able to work magic with his calligraphy pen. Next comes the magic. Aidan possesses a mysterious talent. He associates numbers with everyone he meets. It's almost as if each person emits an aura (hum) that communicates to Aidan. The story begins one day in the abbey when Aidan hears an eleven. Until that day he has never heard anyone above a ten. Most of those he meets hum the number three. From the moment Aidan meets Lana, her special number and her lovely face become the focus of his attention. As the story unfolds, it also becomes clear that Lana has her own unique magic, and Aidan hopes her magic can be used to save the lives of those around them. Another element that adds a different dimension to this story is the presence of raiders attacking and pillaging the countryside around Aidan's abbey. Aidan's life is spared when he is sent on an errand away from the abbey. Lana insists on accompanying him, so she is safe as well. When the two realize the horrors that have destroyed the villages and killed many, they offer to use their talents to rescue the local lord's kidnapped young son. Complicating matters is the fact that Lana is actually the illegitimate child of the local lord and has been sent away to the abbey as punishment. THE HUMMING OF NUMBERS is truly an escape into another time and place. It is filled with likeable characters whose lives revolve in an entirely different direction than ours. This book gives readers a peek into the past, into the world as it once was. Reviewed by: Sally Kruger, aka "Readingjunky"

I was drawn into this book by the whole idea of the "humming" of numbers, that some people may see (or hear) the world differently. The characters are interesting and the storyworld is extremely well drawn. You get a real sense of the dangers and wonders of tenth century Ireland. Be careful, I hit a point in this book where I just couldn't put it down -read until 1 a.m. to finish the story. The characters' problems are compelling and you will really want to know what happens next.