Reviews

Middle School Librarians:

"My middle school students are fantasy connoisseurs, and when they find a book that whets their appetite for the genre, they share it with all their friends. I know they like it because when one student turns it in, another is lined up to check it out. They love Lisandra’s action-packed Quixotic quest, and they relate to her angst, her self-doubt, and her journey of discovery and empowerment. As a librarian and former English teacher, I love the book because of its allusions to our rich literary history; my students love it because of its colorful, exciting world and its feisty protagonist. We’re looking forward to the next book!"

--Stephanie Courtney, Quail Valley Middle School, Missouri City, TX

"Bryant has the magical gift of creating not only a fascinating medieval-like world, but of populating it with main characters today’s teens can relate to. My kids love the books. Just a few reactions: “The Prophecy Keepers series is extremely hard not to read. With surprises at every turn of a page and wondrous wonders, the books are perfect for anyone both young and old.” (Monica S. Torrico, 7th Grade)

“Exciting and new, once you pick up the book you cannot put it down!” (Julia Chen, 8th Grade) Once you enter the world of Niwengeard, you will feel destined to follow Lisandra and her friends in their journey against the Darkness. A must-read for adventure seekers!"

--Tamara Celi, Lawrence Middle School, Chatsworth, CA

"I have finished both books and have only one complaint--but it is MAJOR. When I finished the first one I had the second one ready to go. I was HORRIFIED when I finished the 2nd and couldn't find out what happened next! When does #3 come out? I need some closure! I love Bryant’s writing and especially all the allusions to the great literature that I love!"

--Sundae Stubbs, Oakleaf Junior High School, Orange Park, FL

"The Prophecy Keepers and The Charm of Urizen are popular check outs in the library and I’m going to have to buy more to keep up with the demand. Lisandra is a character the students can relate to. She seems like a very ‘normal,’ contemporary teenager with the same issues our kids deal with---parents, chores, little brothers, and school pressure---and yet, she is destined for great things. This is a fun, adventurous series. We are looking forward to the next book!"

--Teresa Stauffer, Talbert Middle School, Huntington Beach, CA

"Following in the footsteps of J. R. R. Tolkien and Nancy Farmer, Melaine Bryant brings us the exciting adventure of a young girl who is chosen to carry out tasks that will ultimately decide the fate of her world in the battle against the Darkness. Will she be able to find the twenty-three keepers of the Ancient Prophecy? Who is friend and who is foe in the mission she reluctantly undertakes? Will she ever be allowed to return to her family and homeland? In the first book of a promised five, we join Lisandra on her journey through the kingdoms of Earde. A must read for anyone who enjoys the mystical, magical realms of Middle Earth."

--Mardi Fulop, Walnut Creek Intermediate School, Walnut Creek, CA

The Prophecy Keepers is set on "a complex world of fairies and humans and other magical beings…This is no common fairy tale, but has a tightly woven plot and is well researched (extensive dictionary at the end) and surprising in its many turns. You will find yourself reading the beginning chapters again after you are finished, for the clues you missed. Let's hope the series continues quickly!"

--Mary Jo Heller, Library Media Specialist, Einstein Middle School, Shoreline, WA

"The Prophecy Keepers is an extraordinary book. Right from the start the reader is engaged and easily wrapped into the unveiling story. The characters and their relationships are well developed and believable as is the fantasy world they are a part of. The references to famous and well know authors and books will entice readers to explore those stories as well. This book will quickly become a favorite among fantasy readers and I look forward to immersing myself into the next segment of this exciting adventure."

-- Jeanette Johnson, Oak Ave Intermediate School, Temple City, CA

"Goblins, fairies, dwarfs, and forces of darkness permeate this fantasy novel reaching out and capturing the reader right from the start. The protagonist, Lisandra, is blissfully unaware the she is the “gifted one” who will save Niwengeard from the kidnappings, the mysterious disappearances of the town folk and the crop failures that have increased thrice-fold over the last few years. The plot starts out simply with the disappearance of Loki, Lisandra’s brother, who is taken by Goblins in front of Lisandra. The goblins are only visible to Lisandra, not her best friend traveling with her. Thus begins a series of meetings with Goblins, both good and bad, and fairies trying to coerce Lisandra to follow the path that will either save them all or work to assist in the destruction of Earde. The Rise of Darkness and the time of the Third Destruction are near and gaining strength with each passing day. Forces of Dark and Light are in an epic battle to control the kingdom of Earde. Lisandra is urged to find the twenty-three keepers of the ancient Prophecy, but her reluctance remains for the significant portion of the book leading the reader to doubt her ability to take control of the situation. She does rise to the occasion after many doubts about her powers. A good attempt by this first-time novelist with sequels forecast at the end of this book. A glossary of words and their meanings is very useful for the reader as the spellings and the many word variations could be confusing. It is a recommended read for those wishing to supplement their fantasy collection."

--Paulette Goodman, Kennedy Jr. High School, Lisle, IL

"I enjoyed The Prophecy Keepers very much! It's a real page-turner. It's also very satisfying in terms of Bryant's creation of another world with its own customs, history, and language(s), which nonetheless has so many relationships with our own. Lisandra, though she lives in this world of magic and supernatural struggles, is a very recognizable and sympathetic teenager. There are many allusions to Old and Middle English, Homer, and Spenser. It's a much richer novel if you have this background, but it's not essential to understanding and enjoying it. Schoolkids who have never heard of Spenser will still be fascinated by it, as many people have been by Tolkien without being medievalists themselves. I'm longing to read the next one!"

--Dr. Priscilla Martin, St. Edmund Hall, Oxford

Reviews on Amazon

"This is an excellent book. It is a fast read, a real "page-turner." The characters are endearing, memorable, and three-dimensional; the dialogue is unstrained and real, and the action moves easily and fluently, without the pages of exposition common in a number of books these days. The story itself is engaging and fascinating--I couldn't wait to see what would happen next. The maps of Earde and the path of Lisandra's adventure are beautifully done. And underneath all of this is an intriguing level of symbolism and imagery--the sources of which are included in an "Origins" section at the back of the book. I would give this book 4.5 stars only because it has a little bit of a slow start. The prologue is interesting, and the first bit of the first chapter is quite exciting, but after that it was slightly difficult to get into right away--partly, I think, because it took me a little bit to get used to the unusual names (which could have been easier if I had flipped to the back of the book before I started reading, to take a look at the dictionary and pronunciation section). But don't let that deter you! It is a fantastic book. The good news is that it is only the first in a series of five; the bad news is that book two doesn't come out until next September. And given that The Prophecy Keepers ends with the words "to be continued...," it's going to be a long wait.

"Bryant is a perfectionist. She creates an entire world of races, geography, and languages, and then she hands you the guide book. Her characters are charming and believable and her story is gripping. You've not just bought a single title, you have invested in a story that will stay with you as the next installment promises to go even further into Lisandra's journey to discover her role in an ages old battle. Bryant's extraordinary and intuitive protagonist struggles between the wants of an average girl and the unique gift that has acted as a key to an alternative universe. Will she be able to save Earde from the Darkness? Will she be able to reconcile her new role in a world she barely understands?"

"Great story, much more smartly written than the usual fantasy fare. Very enjoyable and an easy read. Looking forward to the rest of the series!"

"If you are a fan of Lord of the Rings then you will love this book. It is packed with action and mystery that will keep you turning the pages. I for one cannot wait until the next installment - read at your peril the dark Queen could be looking for YOU..."-- G.P. Taylor, New York Times Number One best selling author, Mariah Mundi: The Midas Box

"Bryant masterfully breathes new life into the old [fantasy] formula with her richly imagined world and its history, mythology and languages...The Prophecy Keepers is a hard book to put down. It moves with powerful momentum, and each chapter brings surprising and unexpected mystery and adventure. The conflict in the story is between great forces, easily identified as good and evil, yet all the characters on both sides of the conflict are full and complex, and the relationships between them are real and well-developed. My only disappointment came right at the very end with three words: To be continued...

-- Moving Pictures Magazine

The Prophecy Keepers "is an excellent book, very well written, but what I liked most about it was how the author not only pours all of her inspirations into the story but does so in such a way that it will leave the reader wanting to find out more about the influences mentioned. Edmund Spenser, Homer, William Butler Yeats, Pliny the Elder and William Blake are all referred to and credited--throw in a healthy helping of Norse, Greek and Arabic mythology and you have a feast to whet the appetite of any budding fantasy reader/writer. The most impressive thing of all is the way in which Bryant has managed to bring all of this together in a way that not only works but also is extremely easy to read...I would not hesitate to recommend The Prophecy Keepers to adults, both young and old, who are looking for a great new fantasy series."

-- Fantasy Book Review