When thieves find an abandoned child lying in a monster's footprint, they have no idea that their wilderness discovery will change the course of history.
Cloaked in mystery, Auralia grows up among criminals outside the walls of House Abascar, where vicious beastmen lurk in shadow. There, she discovers an unsettling-and forbidden-talent for crafting colors that enchant all who behold them, including Abascar's hard-hearted king, an exiled wizard, and a prince who keeps dangerous secrets.
Auralia's gift opens doors from the palace to the dungeons, setting the stage for violent and miraculous change in the great houses of the Expanse.
“Overstreet paints vividly imagined scenes and develops his characters and story with thought-provoking insights into human motivations.” — CBA Retailers+Resources
“[Overstreet weaves] a story filled with an intriguing plot; vivid characters; and, most importantly, imagination.” — Church Libraries
“Overstreet writes gorgeous and gritty fantasy that leaves us wanting more.”—Youth Worker Journal
“If you’re a fan of fantasy such as Lord of the Rings or J.R.R. Tolkien, than you'll love Auralia's Colors, an awesome tale for young and old alike.” — The Midwest Book Review
Film critic and author Overstreet (Through a Screen Darkly ) offers a powerful myth for his first foray into fiction. The kingdom of Abascar is cloaked in gloom, sentenced to an ongoing "wintering" by a jealous queen, in which colors have been done away with and are only allowed in the royal court. But young Auralia, found as a baby by the river and raised by outcasts, has a talent for finding colors everywhere and bringing them to life in a way no one has ever seen before. The fate of the kingdom rests on what Auralia chooses to do and how the king responds. Overstreet creates a world with not only its own geography but its own vocabulary-it is haunted by beastmen, home to cloudgrasper trees, vawns (something like dinosaurs) and twister fish. There are Christian bones to the story-particularly in the mystery of the beast called the Keeper, who is "always moving about, but he likes to hide just to see who'll come seeking"-which may be too obvious to some and not at all clear to others. Overstreet's writing is precise and beautiful, and the story is masterfully told. Readers will be hungry for the next installment.(Sept.) Copyright 2007 Reed Business Information.
Average Rating: 4 out of 5 stars(4 out of 5 stars)
8 of 9 Reviews Showing:(View All Reviews)
4 out of 5 stars
Reviewed by Avid reader (FL), June 29, 2009
Auralia's Colors is a bit different of a fantasy than I am used to. It was somewhat darker than the stories I usually read. I found it in our local library and decided to try it out. the story was well written but I found the descriptions of the villains in the last chaper quite disgusting (kids may not want to read that chapter)and I definitely don't like it when a character I have come to like dies (I won't say who). But I hope that the later books in this series have a bit lighter a tone than this one. such books as this can depress me at time and afterward I must find a lighter book to read. But it is good to fight boredom or read on a rainy day.
Try it. Who knows. you might like it more than I do. I just get tired of the dark tones in the movies, books, or just life in particular sometimes. I read as an escape. I preferr to escape into something wonderful and exciting. This book just didn't quite fit the bill for me.
4 out of 5 stars
Reviewed by j (Oregon), December 19, 2008
Two Gatherer thieves find an abandoned child lying in a massive footprint near the river. They take the girl back to the village where she grows up wild and mysterious amongst the Gatherers, those unworthy of living inside the walls of House Abascar. The girl, Auralia, has a unique gift, the ability to weave breathtaking colors from the world around her. When Queen Jaralaine issues a proclamation that sends all of House Abascar into a colorless season of winter, Auralia’s gift becomes illegal.
As Abascar’s Winter stretches year after year Auralia grows up, nearing the age of sixteen when all enter House Abascar for the Rites of Privilege to show what gifts they might offer the kingdom. As the Rites draw near, Auralia must decide if she will go and reveal her gift to the king or if she will remain safely hidden in the forest all her days. Either way, her choice could mean the end of life as she knows it.
Auralia’s Colors was a unique book. The writing was beautiful. I couldn’t read it as fast as I like to read. It had many point of views, but the author brought them all together in the end in a wonderful way that fulfilled most of the plot lines, but left several dangling so that I have to read the next book to find out what happens. It was entertaining, creative, and unique. Recommended.
3.5 out of 5 stars
Reviewed by Jacquelyn (Canada), October 30, 2008
Stylistically and thematically I found the book captivating. Although it was enthralling, I had to put the book down due to some unnecessary violent and suggestive content. This was disappointing because it was so good otherwise!
4.5 out of 5 stars
Reviewed by MJ (Georgia, USA), October 22, 2008
What an interesting story Jeff has woven together through the novel of "Auralia's Colors". This is a story to set sometime aside to read and let it soak in. I will bet that this is one that would even fascinate my husband to read.
Sections in this book lost my interest, and I wanted to walk away, but I am glad that I did not because all in all it was quite an enjoyable journey and I plan to read the rest of the Threads as they present themselves.
I found the atmosphere for me was very reminiscent of Stephen Lawhead", especially his lately series including "Hood", "Scarlet", and in 2009 "Tuck".
As a Fantasy novel, this is one of those that you fall into and forget about what is real and what is not. That is one of the hardest parts for me, but once I click into the world, I do not want to leave. I'm so glad that I have "Cyndere's Midnight" that I can jump into right away.
If you enjoy Lawhead, or Toilken, or Madeleine L'Engle, I do believe that you will find enjoyment through the creative prose that is practically poetry in the writings of Jeffrey Overstreet.
0 out of 5 stars
Reviewed by Loraine (Florida), March 24, 2008
I was very disapointed in this book.
It was really dark.
There were a couple of scenes and descriptions that could have been left out.
I ultimatly had to put the book down.
5 out of 5 stars
Reviewed by L. Clark (roch. hills), January 14, 2008
oh my goodness. This is such a wonderfully woven story line. I can hardly wait for the three other strands. I've got to know what happens next.
I want to see where Auraila is from and where she went. :D I hope she gets 'you-know-who' too! *squees*
5 out of 5 stars
Reviewed by Cheri (Clay), December 07, 2007
So if you’re a fan of fantasy such as Lord of the Rings or J.R.R. Tolkien than you’ll love Auralia’s Colors an awesome tale for young and old alike. Enter into the fantasy world of fangbears, river wyrms, bamble pigs and ride upon varns. As the dream world unfolds you too will be swept up and enchanted by the marvelous imagery of “Auralia’s Colors”. The author Jeffery Overstreet takes you into an awesome dream in this his first fantasy novel that is not only colorful but flows so smoothly you will not want to awaken.
5 out of 5 stars
Reviewed by Bethany (Cloquet, MN), November 29, 2007
Good fantasies are few and far between. I thoroughly enjoyed reading Auralia’s Colors, and recommend it to anyone in the mood for a fantasy. I am very much looking forward to hearing more about the people of Abascar.
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