Provence, in the south of France, is one of those parts of the world that can truly be called a paradise. But history teaches us that paradises are coveted, and fought over, and those sun-dappled vineyards and river valleys have also seen millennia of invasions and violence, strangers coming time after time to lay claim to it. Accompanying his photographer father to the celebrated city of Aix-en-Provence, near Marseilles, 15-year-old Ned Marriner finds himself drawn into a centuries-old battle as dangerous, mythic figures ...
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Provence, in the south of France, is one of those parts of the world that can truly be called a paradise. But history teaches us that paradises are coveted, and fought over, and those sun-dappled vineyards and river valleys have also seen millennia of invasions and violence, strangers coming time after time to lay claim to it. Accompanying his photographer father to the celebrated city of Aix-en-Provence, near Marseilles, 15-year-old Ned Marriner finds himself drawn into a centuries-old battle as dangerous, mythic figures from the Celtic and Roman conflicts of long ago erupt into the present, claiming and changing lives. The larger-than-life figures of a 2,500-year-old romantic triangle seem to be in the world again, and Ned and his family and friends are shockingly drawn into their tale on one night when the borders between the living and the dead are blurred and fires are lit upon the hills ...
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Near Fine in Near Fine jacket. Book An Excellent Copy-Signed By The Author On The Title Page. Signature Only. A First Edition, First Printing, With The Corresponding Number Line. Book Is In Near Fine Condition. Boards Are Clean, Not Bumped. Fore Edges Have A Tiny Bit Of Shelf Wear. Interior Is Clean And Legible. Not Remaindered. Dust Jacket Is In Near Fine Condition. Not Chipped Or Crinkled. Not Price Clipped. Dust Jacket Is Covered By Mylar Brodart. Thanks And Enjoy.
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Near Fine in Near Fine jacket. Size: 6x1x9; We're happy to combine shipping to save you some money. We're also always buying collectible book collections. Contact us for details. We're happy to provide pictures of any and all books for you, please just ask! Canadian first edition, first printing. Contains number line 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10. Jacket is in Near Fine condition. Jacket is NOT price clipped. Covers are clean and bright. Edges are sharp. No tears or creases. The book itself is in Near Fine condition. The binding is straight and tight. NO remainder mark.
Not in a good while have I been so slammed with plot and historical detail as I was by "Ysabel," by Guy Gavriel Kay. Ned, a realistically portrayed teenager, is abruptly drawn into a situation so confusing and urgent that events get moving with unstoppable speed long before he or the reader has a chance to process what the heck is going on. Many times I had to go back to earlier parts of the book when the importance of a tiny expository detail suddenly become clear and I needed a refresher. It is important to note, however, that this does not in any way prevent "Ysabel" from being a highly readable, enthusiastic novel with satisfyingly high stakes. I also appreciated the web of character relationships; Ned is not the lone teen hero who goes it alone in the face of disbelief from all sides. Instead, his family and friends have their parts to play and they are more than mere set dressing to populate Ned's background. All in all, I very much enjoyed this contemporary historical fantasy (there's a confusing genre for you), so don't be discouraged if you are utterly confused at the beginning of the story. Events clarify a little as the plot rushes onward, making for a rewarding read.