The Sunbird

By Elizabeth Wein

Rating: 4 1/4 stars

Reviewed by Noelle

In this excellent adventure set in the kingdom of Aksum (now Ethiopia), Telemakos, named for a hero in the Odyssey, is a young boy with excellent tracking, hiding and listening skills. Telemakos' country has imposed a quarantine to try and head off the deadly plague, but still, illegal trading continues, spreading the disease. His aunt, the British ambassador Goewin, knowing of Telemakos' skills, suggests to the emperor that he become a spy to find out the people behind the illegal trading. And once his life as a spy begins, Telemakos soon finds his life full of danger and excitement, which escalates when he undertakes a perilous mission to the salt mines of Afar to try and come face to face with the man behind it all. Can a mere boy be able to live for months among his enemies undetected as a spy? With engaging characters and the eloquent background of an African kingdom of old, plus a tie-in with Arthurian legend, this book is hard to put down. Readers will enjoy the story, the emotion, and be satisfied by the worthy conclusion. Other books with the same characters include The Winter Prince, A Coalition of Lions and The Lion Hunter (see review).