Bright Shadow
Simon & Schuster, 1985
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audio book narrated by
Virginia Leishman
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What’s this book about?
In a single day, Morwenna goes from being the lowliest servant in the king’s castle to the most powerful person in the land. She has become the wizard, the bearer of the last five wishes in the kingdom, but with her new gift come rules. She cannot wish for more wishes, she cannot wish for anything for herself, and if she speaks of them to anyone, both she and the wishes will be gone!
Story Behind the Story
I recently wrote about my book, S.O.R. Losers, and how it was the fastest book I ever wrote: one day. Now I’ll write about Bright Shadow, which from the time I first started to write it, until publication day, required fourteen years.
I cannot recall what triggered me to start this book. I suspect I was reading fairy tales to my two older boys. It contains two aspects (common in fairy tales) that made it hard for me. It is a fantasy, and I had never written one before. It was also a fantasy which had, as its core, a dying gift of wishes, a kind of riddle.
Reviews
“TNewbery Honor author Avi turns out another winner with this fanciful tale featuring a cast of woodland creatures… . While the themes about tyranny and heroism are timeless, Avi leavens his treatment with such 20th-century touches as Poppy’s jive-talking boyfriend and Poppy’s own romantic vision of herself as Ginger Rogers. An engaging blend of romance, suspense and parody, this fantasy is well-nigh irresistible.” (Publishers Weekly)
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