Watermark Books and Cafe

In the Swampsea there are two kinds of people: those who can see the Old Ones -- the spirits of nature and the monsters -- and those who can't. Generally speaking, those who can see the Old Ones are witches. The one exception is the Chime Child, a person who is born on the stroke of midnight and whose purpose is to sit in on the trials of the witches. But no one else. So, because Briony Larkin can, that must mean she's a witch. At least, that's what Stepmother always said. There's even proof: Briony called up the wind, which made her twin sister Rose fall and that's why she's not completely normal. And Briony called up Mucky Face, the spirit of the river, to injure Stepmother which made her sick, and would have killed her if the arsenic didn't. 

No, Briony isn't happy. And she can't love. Not even her sister. Not even her father, who has left his children alone for so long. But then Eldric comes along, bringing with him light, and laughter, and perhaps most importantly, change. 

It's a complex book, as Billingsly slowly peels back the layers of not only the story but also Briony's psyche. But, even though it's slow-going at first, there's enough to tantalize even the most impatient reader. There's mystery: about Stepmother's death, about Briony, about Eldric, about Father. Then there's the one that Rose carries and drops hints about all through the book. And, of course, there's romance. It's not a fiery one, full of sparks and swoons, but rather my favorite kind: one where the characters start slowly, are friends first, and then grow into something more. It's twisting and turning, pushing and pulling, drawing the reader into an alternative history that's both fascinating and terrifying at the same time.   

Very much worth the accolades it's getting.  

Review by Melissa Fox

Chime (Hardcover)

By Franny Billingsley

$17.99

ISBN-13: 9780803735521
Availability: Usually Ships in 1-5 days
Published: Dial, 3/2011

Other Editions of this Title

---