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Wise Child (Doran, Bk 1)
Wise Child - Doran, Bk 1
Author: Monica Furlong
In a remote Scottish village, nine-year-old Wise Child is taken in by Juniper, a healer and sorceress. Then Wise Child’s mother, Maeve, a black witch, reappears. In choosing between Maeve and Juniper, Wise Child discovers the extent of her supernatural powers—and her true loyalties.
ISBN-13: 9780394825984
ISBN-10: 0394825985
Publication Date: 11/18/1989
Pages: 240
Reading Level: Young Adult
Rating:
  • Currently 4.1/5 Stars.
 45

4.1 stars, based on 45 ratings
Publisher: Random House Books for Young Readers
Book Type: Paperback
Members Wishing: 1
Reviews: Member | Amazon | Write a Review

Top Member Book Reviews

reviewed Wise Child (Doran, Bk 1) on + 9 more book reviews
Helpful Score: 4
Wise Child, a yong spoiled Scottish girl, is left parentless after her
grandmother passes away and the only villager who will take her in is
Juniper, the village herbalist and healer -and evil Witch- according
to Father Fillan. Scared, but secretly curious, Wise Child begins her
new life as a "Doran", where she learns how to live in rhythm with the
earth, according to the stars, the plants, and the energy and patterns
of nature. Life with Juniper is not easy, growing plants, and making
potions is hard work, and she is tempted by the offer of an easy life
from the powerful Sorcerer Maeve who is known to cause harm to anyone
who gets in her way. This sorcerer also happens to be Wise Child's
mother, who had abandoned her many years ago. Not sure who she should
live with, Wise Child is torn, but far more serious is the sickness
that comes to the village, and the rumors that Juniper is the cause of
this plague. Will the Dorans escape the dangerous situation? Although
this story is a "historical fiction" I can imagine that this is how
Witches may have lived a few hundred years ago. I would also recommend
this book as a simple way to introduce a positive and realistic
concept of Witchcraft, and the misunderstandings and intolerance that
surround it, to a curious individual of any age.
reviewed Wise Child (Doran, Bk 1) on + 32 more book reviews
Helpful Score: 1
Anyone into fantasy or lore will love this book. Its a must read taht goes fast. The last page will make you need toread teh next book. Counting the the pre book this is the second book.
reviewed Wise Child (Doran, Bk 1) on + 27 more book reviews
Helpful Score: 1
This was a pretty good book about magic and witchcraft. Fans of fantasy should like it.
reviewed Wise Child (Doran, Bk 1) on + 6 more book reviews
Helpful Score: 1
A treasured series in our household. Beautifully written and filled with magical insight. Waiting till our daughter is old enough for us to read it to her.
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frogslady avatar reviewed Wise Child (Doran, Bk 1) on + 86 more book reviews
This book is hard to categorize. The main character is young, so it does fall in YA. The book is set in fairly realistic old Scotland, where there is still a memory of old magic, but the new Christian religion is taking over. But in this book "magic" actually does exist. The main character is taken in by a "doran" which is something like a druid, someone who feels the pattern of all life and finds their place in it. But her mother is still living, though she abandoned the child years ago. For some reason, she tries to take the child back, and almost succeeds, because she is a sorceress. So we have a sorceress, who is truly cruel, an intolerant priest, and a pagan who believes there is no conflict between appreciating the pattern of all life and belief in Jesus. Interesting to see how the girl makes choices as she grows up in this setting.


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