The Oracle Betrayed Book One of The Oracle Prophecies by Catherine Fisher

The Oracle Betrayed takes place in a fascinating land that is suggestive of ancient Egypt. As the story begins, the Three Lands are being shattered by drought-- and you might as well pour yourself a glass of cool water because this is a thirsty read.

At first, it appears that this problem is going to be fixed. The 'the god reborn' (Archon) has agreed to sacrifice himself so that the Goddess of Rain will once more favor the land. However, rather than end the suffering, the god's death sets the stage for a round of political and religious chaos when the false Speaker of the Temple and the general strive to put a false figure in the position of the Archon, or god-on-earth. Someone they can control!

The setting for this trilogy is just wonderful. It involves a society with priestesses, multiple gods, and a spirit world that meshes seamlessly with the 'real one'. There's one god, for example, who every generation takes residence in a 10 year old boy. After this boy is found, he moves to the temple where his every basic need is seen to. In olden times this design worked well, but now, with the coming of an ambitious general and an Oracle-priestess who cannot hear the oracle, the god is kept in isolation from the people. This, of course, is what allows for the political shenanigans.

The characters run the gambit in this book. Everyone from a power hungry general, Argelin, to the young scribe, Seth, who is too smart for his own good, to the meek temple priestess, Mirany, who actually can hear the god, to the gods themselves.

Overall, I thought that the world building was very well done. I was intrigued by the culture and found the religion fascinating. The writing was good-- the brief pieces from the god's perspective downright poetic.

If there was any short fall, I'd say that it was that the characters weren't fully developed in this first book. Which is to say that I didn't always find their motivations clear. Still I rushed out to snag book 2 which I can tell you was even better. The characters began to really live and the adventure really took off.

Talking Points:::
The Oracle Betrayed has some excellent writing, some brilliant concepts, and some good solid world building.

The pacing in this first book might be a little slow for some MG (middle-grade) readers, but they should stick with it because the 2nd book picks up the pace with a lively adventure.

Older Adults (like myself) who like YA fantasy will probably find it satisfying, although they should know that the characters motivation isn't always fully explored.

Overall, I think this book will appeal to those readers who like intricate settings.

Pam
Somewhere in the X-burbs