Product Description

Product Details

• Amazon Sales Rank: #83321 in Books
• Published on: 2007-02-27
• Original language: English
• Number of items: 1
• Binding: Paperback
• 336 pages

Amazon.com Review
The boy magician Anand, his sassy partner Nisha, and their beloved teacher Abhaydatta reunite for a new adventure in Chitra Banerjee Divakaruni's second installment of her folkloric Indian fantasy series, The Brotherhood of the Conch. Anand, having discovered his vocation as Keeper of the Conch, now lives in the Himalayan Silver Valley, where he is training to become a Healer in the Brotherhood. While practicing the art of far-seeing, Anand receives a vision of a terrified wise-woman, pleading for help. Devastated by Master Abhaydatta's decision to leave him behind while he goes to the woman's aid, Anand convinces the conch to create a magic portal that he and Nisha can use to suddenly appear by Abhaydatta's side. Unfortunately, during the metaphysical hurtle, Anand is separated from Nisha and the conch and thrown back in time to an ancient Indian kingdom, where an evil sorcerer is planning the downfall of the royal family. What hope does Anand have of defeating the sorcerer, locating his friends, and returning to his own time without the powerful conch? The answers may lie in the depths of the Mirror of Fire and Dreaming...

Divakaruni maintains the spare, poetic tone, exotic setting, and diverse cast of quirky characters that made The Conch Bearer so appealing to young fantasy readers. Evoking the magic and mystery of India and the Far East, this classic quest story will be enjoyed by middle grade fans of Shiva's Fire by Susanne Fisher Staples and Dragon Keeper by Carole Wilkinson. --Jennifer Hubert

From School Library Journal
Grade 5-8--Arriving in the Silver Valley and being accepted into the Brotherhood as an apprentice healer was Anand's fondest dream come true. After he had defeated the sorcerer Surabhanu with his companions, Master Abhaydatta and Nisha, and restored the conch to the Brotherhood, no task seemed too difficult for Anand to face. He quickly falls into despair, however, when the simplest of spells escapes him. He wonders if he had made the right choice to be schooled in magic. During his first wind-watching session, he summons a black cloud that carries an ominous two-word message that hadn't been seen or heard for decades. A mysterious woman appears before him on the wall of the Hall of Seeing, pleading for help. To Anand's dismay, the elders of the council decide to answer the distress call by choosing another apprentice to accompany his mentor, Abhayadatta. Anand stays behind, reluctantly, but must take matters into his own hands when he senses his old friend is in trouble. Before all is done, Anand and the Company of the Conch will have traveled 300 years into the past through a magic portal where a new adventure awaits them. Can they defeat their new foes, the magician Kasim and his powerful jinn, and stop their diabolical plans to overtake the kingdom? Chitra Banerjee Divakaruni is masterly in her storytelling, blending elements of Indian folklore, mysticism, and fantasy into this magnificent tale (Roaring Brook, 2005), the sequel to The Conch Bearer (Roaring Brook, 2003). James Langton delivers a superior performance in a clear, raspy-free British accent. Female characters are fuller and livelier with a soprano pitch. An imaginative, engaging addition to fantasy collections.-Ann Crewdson, King County Library System, Issaquah, WA
Copyright © Reed Business Information, a division of Reed Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.

From Booklist
Gr. 5-8. The first book in Divakaruni's The Brotherhood of the Conch series, The Conch Bearer (2003), ended with boy-hero Anand's joyous initiation into the enchanted Silver Valley. In the second book, frustrations set in. He bungles his lessons and mentor Abhayatta passes him over for a new mission. A vision of Abhayatta in danger convinces the sacred conch to send Anand and his friend Nisha to their master's aid, but the magic goes awry, and when the three characters finally reunite, they're occupying alternate identities in the court of a nawab who ruled 300 years ago. As Nisha has amnesia and Abhayatta has lost his powers, it's up to Anand to rescue the court from a vengeful magician, a challenge that requires unlocking the secrets of a powerful magic mirror, finding the missing conch, and "sharpen[ing] his senses until they are keener than the keenest knife." In the end, the time-slip element seems more a device for introducing ever more sumptuous settings than a means of thoughtfully extending the fantasy. Still, the richly painted cultural details and the Harry-Potter-Goes-East handle will continue to gather an enthusiastic readership. Jennifer Mattson
Copyright © American Library Association. All rights reserved

Customer Reviews

The right blend of fantasy and reality
Anand is the Keeper of the Conch. He gave up his family and his home so that he can help the world, as a Healer in Silver Valley. His friend Nisha comes with him, the first ever female healer, and the master healer Abhaydatta is one of his instructors. As Anand struggles with his studies, he hears a warning from the wind and views an alarming scene on a wall. The Healers must take action; they know it is their duty to protect the world from the "evil that stirs." Abhaydatta and a young healer called Raj-bahnu embark upon a quest to find this evil, leaving a heart-broken Anand behind. However, just before he leaves, Abhaydatta gives Anand a pearl necklace that will change color if he is in danger. In yet another alarming scene, Anand views Abhaydatta beside a lake with an unconscious Raj-bhanu at his side. He knows they are in danger, but the pearls are nowhere to be found. The Healer's Council will decide upon a course of action in the morning, but Anand knows that by then it will be to late. The Conch agrees to transport Nisha and Anand to the lake, but something goes slightly awry. Can Anand find the Conch, Abhaydatta, and Nisha before evil destroys the world?

The Mirror of Fire and Dreaming expresses just how powerful love can be. Adventure, fantasy, and mystery intertwine to form an exciting novel with many important lessons. Chitra Banerjee Divakaruni has created a world of fantasy that involves so many of life's true feelings and emotions that it seems real; a world full of hardships and triumphs. Readers young and old who love an exciting novel will definitely enjoy The Mirror of Fire and Dreaming, and anyone searching for a book with just the right blend of fantasy and reality has just found the perfect tale.

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Magical!
This book, the sequel to The Conch Bearer, mixes the sense of excitement that every book needs, a wonderful use of magic realism (which is illustrated by the fact that Anand, the main character, travels from the present day India to the ancient India, who'se realistic features are marred by the fact that Anand is a magician) , an overhanging gloom and really, really, really great writing.

This was one of my favorite books and I would definately recommend it to anyone!!!

A series to treasure
With rich, sumptuous detail and admirable clarity Chitra Divakaruni draws us into the Conch Bearer Anand's journey for a second time. The difficulties faced and lessons learned by the Brotherhood of the Conch in this newest book combine to create an enchanting story. Both The Conch Bearer and The Mirror of Fire and Dreaming provide vibrant descriptions, especially concerning culture and food. These books are delightful adventures wholesome enough for any age group to enjoy. Happy Reading