Sandell, Lisa Ann. Song of the Sparrow. New York City: Scholastics Inc., 2007. 383 pages. (Fantasy)Sixteen year old Elaine is a woman, the only woman who lives in the army encampment led by young Arthur. Her father and brothers, friends and crushes, march off to each battle with their heads held high, leaving Elaine behind. Only she does not stay. She follows them and watches as the battle unfolds before her eyes, eyes that were not meant to see such horrid things. A woman’s eyes. And after each battle she heals her adopted brothers with herds and leaves. She mends their clothes and cooks their meals. Although she lives with many, she is alone. She is alone with these men whom she loves, but they could not truly understand her as a woman would.
Then Gwynivere comes along in her fancy dresses and tightly laced shoes and proves the opposite of the female friendship Elaine was wishing for. Only when the girls are faced with the future deaths of their loved ones can they work together to save them.
Although this book was interesting, it was a little too different. It was almost told in verse and this caused many necessary details to be left out leaving me with not enough to develop a good mental picture of the things in this book. Also, the events that turned out to be the very core of this book seemed rushed and not well planned out. The writing style seemed inexperienced and not thought out enough. This book turned out to be somewhat of a disappointment, and I do not recommend it.
Reviewed By: DancingPenguin96
