At seventeen, scholarly Paula embarks on an adventure - a trip to Istanbul with her merchant father, Teodor, to purchase an ancient artefact known as Cybele's Gift. Paula's fervent wish to rediscover the mysterious Other Kingdom, the realm she and her sisters visited as children, has been replaced by a more practical ambition: to become a trader in books and manuscripts. But the ways of the Other Kingdom are never predictable. Clues and whispers soon convince Paula that she has been set a magical quest - and that the person ...
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At seventeen, scholarly Paula embarks on an adventure - a trip to Istanbul with her merchant father, Teodor, to purchase an ancient artefact known as Cybele's Gift. Paula's fervent wish to rediscover the mysterious Other Kingdom, the realm she and her sisters visited as children, has been replaced by a more practical ambition: to become a trader in books and manuscripts. But the ways of the Other Kingdom are never predictable. Clues and whispers soon convince Paula that she has been set a magical quest - and that the person laying the trail may be her lost sister Tati. Competition for Cybele's Gift is fierce, and Paula and Teodor soon find themselves in deadly danger in the great Ottoman city. Their protector against worldly perils is their hired guard, Stoyan, a young man with secrets of his own. When the artefact is finally unveiled, Paula finds herself on a wild chase by sea and land, accompanied by an unlikely pair of companions in adventure. Puzzles, riddles, tests of strength and of loyalty lie before them, and the price of failure is death. Along the way, there are lessons to be learned in wisdom, trust and love.
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Publisher:
Alfred A. Knopf Books for Young Readers
Published:
2008
Language:
English
Alibris ID:
17999698290
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Seller's Description:
Fair. Book is in acceptable condition. May have shelf wear edge wear and spine wear but a very readable copy. May not come with supplemental materials if applicable. Does not include original dustcover jacket. Possibly Ex Library Copy.
Publisher:
Alfred A. Knopf Books for Young Readers
Published:
2008
Language:
English
Alibris ID:
17959094088
Shipping Options:
Standard Shipping: $4.64
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Seller's Description:
Fair. An acceptable and readable copy. All pages are intact, and the spine and cover are also intact. This item may have light highlighting, writing or underlining through out the book, curled corners, missing dust jacket and or stickers.
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Seller's Description:
Good. Minimal signs of wear. Corners and cover may show wear. May contain highlighting and or writing. May be missing dust jacket. May not include supplemental materials. May be a former library book.
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Seller's Description:
Very good. Connecting readers with great books since 1972! Used books may not include companion materials, and may have some shelf wear or limited writing. We ship orders daily and Customer Service is our top priority!
Publisher:
Alfred A. Knopf Books for Young Readers
Published:
2008
Language:
English
Alibris ID:
17811411683
Shipping Options:
Standard Shipping: $4.64
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Seller's Description:
Condition Good: Book is used and in good condition with some wear from use. This may include stickers on cover, wear to dustcover/missing dustcover, inside cover, spine, slight curled corners, stains, and wear to the fore edge. All orders ship via UPS Mail Innovations. Shipping can take up to 14 business days from first scan to be delivered.
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Seller's Description:
Very good. Connecting readers with great books since 1972! Used books may not include companion materials, and may have some shelf wear or limited writing. We ship orders daily and Customer Service is our top priority!
Choose your shipping method in Checkout. Costs may vary based on destination.
Seller's Description:
Good. Connecting readers with great books since 1972! Used books may not include companion materials, and may have some shelf wear or limited writing. We ship orders daily and Customer Service is our top priority!
Let me begin by saying that for me, nothing can ever compare to Marillier's glorious book: Daughter of the Forest. It is my favorite story and I believe Marilliers greatest work. That being said, this book enchanted me. My personal preference leads me to lengthy novels of adventure, romance, and fantasy of epic proportions. So with a nasty cold and no expectations, I cuddled up with Cybele's Secret, expecting an enjoyable read but nothing more. My brother once asked me this question: If you could live out a book, being its main character, and once the book was finished, return back to your reality, what book would you choose?
I have thought on this question for a long time. At first I thought it would be easy. It wasn't, for in most of my favorite books, the protagonist endures things I would never wish too. But then I read Cybele's Secret. Silly, I know, and call it girlish fantasy, but this story is astoundingly akin to my daydreams and fantasies as a young girl. I remember making up stories of being captured by pirates or opening a portal to another land full of fair folk. Reading Cybele's Secret made me feel 12 years old again. As soon as I finished the last page, I was eager to open the book up and read it once more. Warm and nostalgic. Certainly a favorite.