Ages 10+

Maxwell Unger has always loved the night. He used to do brave things like

go tramping through the forest with his gran after dark. He loved the stories

she told him about the world before the Destruction-about nature, and books,

and the silver owls. His favorite story, though,was about the Owl Keeper.

According to Max's gran, in times of darkness the Owl Keeper would appear

to unite owls and sages against the powers of the dark. Gran is gone now, and

so are her stories of how theworld used to be. Max is no longer brave. The

forest is dangerous, the books Gran saved have been destroyed, and the silver

owls are extinct. At least, that's what the High Echelon says.

But Max knows better.

Maxwell Unger has a secret. And when a mysterious girl comes to town,

he just might have to start being brave again.

The time of the Owl Keeper, Gran would say, is coming soon.

This book grabbed me from the beginning, and I became so wrapped up in the

emotions of the characters that I couldn't put it down. It did remind me a bit

of The Hunger Games in the sense that the people are being repressed by a

controlling government. On a few counts I felt the storyline was a little predictable,

but I thought I had called one main turn of events at the end of

the book, and it totally surprised me! Overall, it was a very original story idea

from a gifted author. Max's befriending of the silver owl and the magic and lore

that go along with the silver owls were fascinating. I love owls!

I think my favorite character was Rose (and not just because that's my name!),

although I related to Max more. Rose helped Max become stronger and brave.

She's such a spontaneous and fearless character! I hope there is going to be another

book in the series. Great for fans of The Hunger Games!

Rating: Buy it!