Time of the Eagle by Sherryl Jordan

Time of the Eagle was a disappointing read for me. It's a sequel to Sherryl Jordan's 1996 novel Secret Sacrament, that I loved. Part of that was probably the tragic ending, with hope left but little else. The Time of the Eagle is the culmination of that hope: the story of Gabriel's daughter Avala. Like her father, Avala wants only to be a healer - and like him, destiny has other ideas. The book opens with her coming-of-age ceremony, when she is 16, and the prophecy that it is she who shall bring her people freedom, and to all, peace.

Things get started when she ends up forcibly accompanying an injured Igaal man to his tribe's home. Avala wants him well, and to get home herself. But things don't go as expected, and Avala is claimed as slave by the tribe's chief. Unfortunately, this is the only bad thing that happens in the book.

Oh, there are battles, but Avala does not lose any one dear to her. Her sacrifice is little. This is summed up for me in a particular scene after Avala has ended up in a secret haven of scholars - Namorans like her father, who believe in her and her quest and who teach her. When travelling back to her Igaal tribe, one warns her against pride. Avala's immediate response is an arrogant one. Then she thinks about it and decides he's right. She thinks about it. She doesn't almost bring disaster upon them by thinking too much of herself.

Sure, it's good she takes people's advice, but she never does anything wrong, and the ending is such an unreservedly happy one that I cannot believe it. I think it is a fantasy that the revolution should be won so easily - and just because the past was troubled doesn't make up for that. Of course, those less cynical that I may see it differently. I feel like I'm getting too old for some stories.