The Lost Gate
Danny North knew from early childhood that his family was
different, and that he was different from them. While his cousins were
learning how to create the things that commoners called fairies, ghosts,
golems, trolls, werewolves, and other such miracles that were the
heritage of the North family, Danny worried that he would never show a
talent, never form an outself.
He grew up in the rambling old house, filled with dozens of cousins, and aunts and uncles, all ruled by his father. Their home was isolated in the mountains of western Virginia, far from town, far from schools, far from other people.
There are many secrets in the House, and many rules that Danny must follow. There is a secret library with only a few dozen books, and none of them in English — but Danny and his cousins are expected to become fluent in the language of the books. While Danny’s cousins are free to create magic whenever they like, they must never do it where outsiders might see.
Unfortunately, there are some secrets kept from Danny as well. And that will lead to disaster for the North family.
He grew up in the rambling old house, filled with dozens of cousins, and aunts and uncles, all ruled by his father. Their home was isolated in the mountains of western Virginia, far from town, far from schools, far from other people.
There are many secrets in the House, and many rules that Danny must follow. There is a secret library with only a few dozen books, and none of them in English — but Danny and his cousins are expected to become fluent in the language of the books. While Danny’s cousins are free to create magic whenever they like, they must never do it where outsiders might see.
Unfortunately, there are some secrets kept from Danny as well. And that will lead to disaster for the North family.
(summary from goodreads.com)
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Oh yes, another Card book with another underage teenage boy with more power than he knows what to do with. I don't think I've ever noticed his "type" before - how unobservant of me! I enjoyed this book, as I do most Card books. The main character was a little too young for me, but thankfully they age pretty quickly. I really enjoyed the world he created, the way he used to incorporate myths/gods/magic into contemporary society. It took me way too long (um, the end of the book?) to realize that the character of Wad (I figured out who he really was the whole time) was in "Westil" or some similar place rather than earth, even though it was pretty obvious. Duh. There were a few "Oh my glory stop hitting us over the head that this is an ADULT book" moments, not very natural feeling.
It will be interesting to see where this series goes. And again, like all Cards, there is the potential for some awful Closure. (Yes, Closure absolutely NEEDS a capital letter. It's vital.) Come on, Card, you can do it. For the first time in your book history, please close a series in a nice neat pretty bow.
Mom note: As
a mother of readers, I also
want to make a note to myself (and others if they care)
why I would or
would not have my children read this book, because honestly, sometimes I
forget. This is an adult book, so everything is NOT within YA strictures.
Violence: mild; Profanity: yes; Sex: present but not descriptive
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