Helpful Score: 1
The third in Weins Aksum trilogy, this works perfectly well as a stand-alone novel. In these books, Wein mixes the history of Greek legend with Ethiopian history, creating an interesting and unusual milieu.
Telemakos, named after the son of Odysseus, is a half-Greek, half-Ethiopian boy, grandson of the Aksumite king, and nephew of the British princess, Goewin, who is the ambassador to Aksum (Ethiopia). Regardless of his unusual appearance, which sets him apart, Telemakos learns to hide and spy, becoming invisible in plain sight. When he comes across information regarding a dangerous plot by merchants to defy the quarantine which is the only thing keeping Aksum safe from a raging plague, the king must use Telemakos talents to try to find out the traitors, even though the assignment is dangerous and he is only a child.
As Ive mentioned about Weins earlier books, this is harsher than most book marketed toward teens. Theres pretty graphic torture, mutilation and enslavement, realistically portrayed. Telemakos is a strong character someone who, though young, acts on his own principles, and bravely. Unlike in many kids books, both adults and young people are portrayed as real people, each with their own issues, interests, and problems in communicating with each other (sometimes to an extreme Telemakos father refuses to speak). Telemakos growth into a young man and his struggle with his own family issues make this a great book for young people but its also a great, well-told story for any reader.
Telemakos, named after the son of Odysseus, is a half-Greek, half-Ethiopian boy, grandson of the Aksumite king, and nephew of the British princess, Goewin, who is the ambassador to Aksum (Ethiopia). Regardless of his unusual appearance, which sets him apart, Telemakos learns to hide and spy, becoming invisible in plain sight. When he comes across information regarding a dangerous plot by merchants to defy the quarantine which is the only thing keeping Aksum safe from a raging plague, the king must use Telemakos talents to try to find out the traitors, even though the assignment is dangerous and he is only a child.
As Ive mentioned about Weins earlier books, this is harsher than most book marketed toward teens. Theres pretty graphic torture, mutilation and enslavement, realistically portrayed. Telemakos is a strong character someone who, though young, acts on his own principles, and bravely. Unlike in many kids books, both adults and young people are portrayed as real people, each with their own issues, interests, and problems in communicating with each other (sometimes to an extreme Telemakos father refuses to speak). Telemakos growth into a young man and his struggle with his own family issues make this a great book for young people but its also a great, well-told story for any reader.
