RSS Add-Me
The Perilous Gard by Elizabeth Marie Pope
 | The Perilous Gard Elizabeth Marie Pope Date: 2001-10-29 — 5.95 — Book Rating: |
Due to an AAR message board rec, I picked up a copy of this old Newbery honor winner by Elizabeth Marie Pope. What an interesting book this is! I'm continually amazed at what a treasure trove YA lit is. I go there whenever I'm burned out on romance or regular fiction, and I can always find something imaginative or funny or touching.
The Perilous Gard is the story of Kate Sutton, lady in waiting to Princess Elizabeth (who is under house arrest by her sister Mary). Kate's foolish sister Alicia writes an ill-advised letter to the Queen complaining of the conditions in Elizabeth's house, and Kate gets blamed for it and shunted off to be under house arrest herself at the old manor house, Perilous Gard. Kate is very bright and doesn't believe the tales of fairy folk and magic and baby stealing that the townspeople tell her, so when strange things begin to happen, she swiftly comprehends that dangerous things are afoot - kidnapping, murder, chicanery, and old, old religious rites. But she doesn't expect to get swept into those rites herself...or bring anyone with her into the danger.
I have to say - wow! This book is really imaginative. I love how the author takes the old myths of the fairy folk and gives them new (or older, depending on how you look at it) sinister meaning. (I also really like that in this book Christianity doesn't equal evil.) I started this book yesterday and have had real difficulty putting it down to work or sleep. It's so nicely taut and suspenseful.
I also like that Kate is so bright - she's not taken in for a moment by the superstitions or the old stories, and she knows how to be brave, bold, and devious when the situation requires. There is a romantic subplot that involves a boy she meets at Perilous Gard, and that is nicely done; the two of them fall for each others minds and characters since they are unable to see each other for much of the story.
And, oh, the ending on this one: perfect! Very sweet. Well done!