Keturah and Lord Death - Softcover

Leavitt, Martine

Softcover

ISBN 10: 0889953708 ISBN 13: 9780889953703

Publisher: Red Deer Pr, 2006

Synopsis

U.S. National Book Award 2006 nominee for Young People's Literature

2007 Saskatchewan Young Readers' Choice Willow Awards nominee

Manitoba Young Readers' Choice Award shortlist 2008

Canadian Children's Book Centre Our Choice Starred Selection, 2007

Sunburst Award for Canadian Literature of the Fantastic shortlist

Booklist's Top 10 Youth Romances, 2007

White Pine nominee, 2008

"I will tell you . . . a story of magic and love, of daring and death, and one to comfort your heart. It will be the truest story I have ever told. Now listen, and tell me if it is not so."

Keturah Reeve is a beautiful young woman of sixteen who lives with her grandmother in a cottage near the forest owned by Lord Temsland. Keturah is renowned in the village for her captivating storytelling, and this beautifully woven novel is a response to a request from Keturah's eager audience for yet another of her fascinating tales. She tells of her experience of being lost in the forest, her eventual meeting with a dark figure on horseback who is Lord Death and her bargaining with him for her life-and for the lives of the villagers who are threatened by an onset of the plague.

With its richly textured medieval setting, Keturah's story exposes the tensions and desires of the villagers, the dangers that loom in their future and how they place Keturah's life in jeopardy. Keturah's escalating bargains with Lord Death allow her to protect her friends and reveal to them their true talents and destinies. But even as she negotiates with Death, she becomes more isolated from the people she is seeking to protect and seems less and less likely to achieve the dreams of her own heart.

The startling resolution of the novel confirms Martine Leavitt's reputation as a treasure of a writer, a storyteller who can weave magnificent spells. Leavitt confronts readers with issues and revelations that, while they occur in a setting far from their own experience, bear the intimacy of next door.

About this title

Review:

* "A dark, but uplifting story combining elements of fantasy as well as romance." --"School Library Journal," starred review

* "The romance is intense, the writing is startling, and the story is spellbinding. Readers will be carried away on the wind of Leavitt's words, and few will be able to guess how she finally ends her story." --"Booklist," starred review
"Lord Death, mysterious and gorgeous, and Keturah, brilliant and beautiful, will be irresistible to romance fans as well as those who like a bit of passion woven into their fantasy." --"Bulletin of the Center for Children's Books"

* "A darkly gorgeous medieval fairy tale. . . . Leavitt renders in Lord Death a character rivaling the finest gothic depictions. . . . A fine achievement." --Publishers Weekly, starred review

* "A dark, but uplifting story combining elements of fantasy as well as romance." --School Library Journal, starred review

* "The romance is intense, the writing is startling, and the story is spellbinding. Readers will be carried away on the wind of Leavitt's words, and few will be able to guess how she finally ends her story." --Booklist, starred review

"Lord Death, mysterious and gorgeous, and Keturah, brilliant and beautiful, will be irresistible to romance fans as well as those who like a bit of passion woven into their fantasy." --Bulletin of the Center for Children's Books

About the Author:

Martine Leavitt is an award-winning writer of critically acclaimed young adult fiction. Besides winning the prestigious MR. CHRISTIE AWARD and Benjamin Franklin Award. Martine's six previous titles have received numerous award nominations. Find out more about Martine at her web site www.martineleavitt.com.

About this edition

• Publisher: Red Deer Pr
• Publication date: 2006
• ISBN 10: 0889953708
• ISBN 13: 9780889953703
• Binding: Paperback
• Number of pages: 192