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The Waterless Sea Kate Constable Arthur A. Levine Books © 2005 |
In the sequel to The Singer of All Songs, Calwyn
and her party continue their journey to bring peace to Tremaris. The novel
opens with Calwyn in her new home of Ravemey, an island where they bring
rescued chanters. In order to safely teach the children, the characters wish
to build a college of chantment. Patiently, they wait for Darrow’s return from
his own journey; however, when a greater need arises, Calwyn and her friends
are whisked away to Merithuros, Darrow’s land, without him. When Darrow
returns, he decides to go after the others in hopes of giving them aid. As
Calwyn travels across the desert, their guide Heben is “recruited” to her
party. First, they rescue Heben’s sister from the Palace of Cobwebs, where
they meet Amagis, the mysterious ambassador. Later, they rescue Heben’s
brother from the Black Palace in Hathara, a place where Darrow’s deepest
secrets lie. In an adventure that calls for friendship and bravery, Calwyn and
her friends must work together to overcome a new enemy and restore justice and
order to Merithuros.
The Waterless Sea is a novel best suited for readers from ages twelve and up. It has a great storyline with various events and characters that surprise readers after they become accustomed to the novel. The novel also serves as an excellent sequel that outdoes the first part of the trilogy. It furthers the reader’s knowledge of the setting and characters, deepening his or her interest in the novel. I find the novel comic because of Keela, the royal courtiers, and the palace manners. The main characters’ friendship is heart warming, and Darrow and Calwyn’s love for each other is romantic. Nevertheless, the depressing parts of the novel dealing with Halasaa’s sickness and the chanter children’s misery bring tears to readers’ eyes. Author Kate Constable’s technique of inserting segments of Darrow’s past into the journey through the desert allows the reader to understand Darrow’s feelings and personality. In my opinion, this makes the sequel more interesting and furthers my appreciation of the novel.
The Waterless Sea is a novel best suited for readers from ages twelve and up. It has a great storyline with various events and characters that surprise readers after they become accustomed to the novel. The novel also serves as an excellent sequel that outdoes the first part of the trilogy. It furthers the reader’s knowledge of the setting and characters, deepening his or her interest in the novel. I find the novel comic because of Keela, the royal courtiers, and the palace manners. The main characters’ friendship is heart warming, and Darrow and Calwyn’s love for each other is romantic. Nevertheless, the depressing parts of the novel dealing with Halasaa’s sickness and the chanter children’s misery bring tears to readers’ eyes. Author Kate Constable’s technique of inserting segments of Darrow’s past into the journey through the desert allows the reader to understand Darrow’s feelings and personality. In my opinion, this makes the sequel more interesting and furthers my appreciation of the novel.
~Rebecca Theophanous, Boardman High School, Grade 11