The Ropemaker by Peter Dickinson

Tilja has grown up in the peaceful Valley, which is protected from the fearsome Empire by an enchanted forest. But the forest’s power has begun to fade and the Valley is in danger. Tilja is the youngest of four brave souls who venture into the Empire together to find the mysterious magician who can save the Valley. And much to her amazement, Tilja gradually learns that only she, an ordinary girl with no magical powers, has the ability to protect her group and their quest from the Empire’s sorcerers.

Another book I’ve read for the Mythopoeic Awards Challenge, this time it won the children’s section back in 2002.

Initially the book did grew on me, and as I settled in to the steady pace of the storyline I thought I was really going to enjoy it, but this is another one of those books that never really took off for me. Don’t get me wrong, it’s a decent book with nice characters, a decent plot line and is certainly suitable for a wider market than its children’s/young adult designation. But that was about it.

I’d like to say more about it, but really it never stirred any strong opinions in me, one way or the other.

Hey-ho… On to the next one.

[rating:65/100]

Buy, The Ropemaker, from Amazon.