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River Secrets
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Read River Secrets
The Books of Bayern: Book 3

River Secrets (2006) (edit title/settings)

by Shannon Hale (Author) (edit contributors)

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Description edit see section history

Razo has no idea why he was chosen to be a soldier. He can barely swing a sword, and his brothers are forever wrestling him to the ground. Razo is sure it's out of pity that his captain asks him to join an elite mission--escorting the ambassador into Tira, Bayern's great enemy. But when the... read more

Summary edit see section history

The story begins as the main character, Razo, is watching a meeting. The king and queen of Bayern speak with a Tiran ambassador and agree that they should exchange ambassadors to promote peace between the two countries. After the reception, Razo is chosen to be one of twenty soldiers from... read more (warning: may contain spoilers)

The story begins as the main character, Razo, is watching a meeting. The king and queen of Bayern speak with a Tiran ambassador and agree that they should exchange ambassadors to promote peace between the two countries. After the reception, Razo is chosen to be one of twenty soldiers from Bayern's Own to join the ambassador in Ingridan, the capital of Tira. Razo experiences self-doubt and believes that their captain only chose him because of his participation in the war. As winter creeps into Bayern, the ambassador, Lady Megina, and twenty of Bayern's Own leave for Tira. On the way, Razo finds a burned body hidden in the trees near a river. After talking with his captain, they assume that Enna might be burning again--either that, or the burner might be from Tira, because the body was placed where it could be easily seen by the Tiran escort group. When the party arrives at Ingridan, they are taken to Thousand Year's Palace, where they are introduced to Lord Belvan and Lady Dasha, their host and hostess.

Razo finds more burned bodies and still doesn't know who the burner is. After being beat up by one of Tira's soldiers, he goes to his captain requesting to be sent home. Talone rejects his plea, and asks him a series of random questions. After answering them all correctly, Razo is told that he has excellent observation skills, and is given the job of spying to find the murderer. Razo proceeds to watch and spy on everyone. A week passes and the Tiran party challenges Bayern's Own to a mock swordfight. Razo is humiliated with defeat and the Tiran soldiers mock him. Then Finn speaks up and tells them to challenge Razo with a long-ranged weapon, his sling to their spears. Razo hits every target and discovers that he's the best sling Bayern had.

Summer approaches and the Tiran soldiers and all the nobles leave for the coolness of the country. Razo goes out to buy shoes and meets the prince of Tira. The prince tells him that he has no true power, except the power of the people's opinion. Razo proceeds to spend most of the summer with the prince so that people can get used to seeing Bayerners. They then dye their boring white robes that all Tiran wear rich and deep colors. Next thing they knew, everyone was wearing their Tiran robes with Bayern dyes. But it's not enough to extinguish their hatred for Bayern. Then Razo and Dasha go to the burner's secret place and are captured. They fight back and were nearly killed until Enna and Finn come to help. After being saved, Geric and Isi (King and Queen of Bayern) come to see the vote for or against war (they arrive too late, but come just in time for the celebration) with Isi's sister Napralina. Soon Finn makes a fool of himself by playing the harp and singing to Enna shriekily in front of many people, and Enna finally decides to marry him for that. After the dinner, Razo and Dasha figure out their future while on a boat ride.....

Characters edit see section history

  • Razo: A witty, clumsy, loveable 17-year-old boy who helped protect Enna while she burned in the war. He believes that Captain Talone made a mistake in choosing him for Bayern's Own because he can't fight well. He struggles to prove his worth to his comrades by solving the case of the burner. His eye of observation is very exceptional.
  • Enna: Enna a gifted fire speaker who burned most of the Tiran army during the war. Enna has a sharp tongue and is very outgoing, and is Razo's best friend. She volunteers to go to Tira in an attempt to prove that she can be useful for something besides destroying. She is in love with Finn but their relationship is strained throughout most of the book due both to Enna's refusal to marry Finn and the fact that Finn "won't make a fool of himself" for her.
  • Finn: Add a description of this character.
  • Captain Talone: The captain of Bayern's Own. Talone in general hides his emotions, but he is very devoted to Isi and Geric.
  • Dasha: a daughter of a Tiran nobleman who catches the eye of Razo.
  • Isi: Isi is the queen of Bayern (although she was born in Kildenree) and is best friends with Razo, Enna, and Finn.
  • Geric: Isi's husband and the compassionate king of Bayern, who is also close friends with Razo, Enna and Finn.
  • Tusken: Isi and Geric's infant son; the heir to the Bayern throne.
  • His Radiance - the prince of Tira: His Radiance is extremely childish and doesn't seem to realize the tension between the two nations. He is petty and carefree and befriends Razo when they run into each other at a marketday. The people of Tira are very fond of their prince, in spite of the fact that he has virtually no power in the nation. Neither Enna nor Finn particularly like His Radiance, but they protect him to keep the peace in Tira.
  • Captain Ledel: The Tiran captain.
  • Tumas: Pork Chop eared bully always spewing threats.
  • Conrad: Faithful soldier, member of Bayerns Own, close confidant with Princess Isi.
  • Lady Megina: Cousin of the Prince, chosen to be ambassador to Tira.
  • Victar: Tiran soldier
  • Lord Belvan
  • Brynn
  • Veran
  • Pela: pastry girl
  • Talone: Captain of Bayerns Own and originally from Kildenree but came to Bayern with Isi.
Show all 19 characters
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Quotes edit see section history

  • “"Over there!"(fire starts)"Over there!"(fire starts)”
    Razo, Finn.
  • Popular Highlights from Kindle Customers
  • The prince beamed. “What a noise we’ll make among the drab and dull, how we’ll...Wait, I want more green. I hope I did not imply I only wanted your colors. We can’t turn a cold shoulder to green, and blue, and purple, for the sake of all ordered things, how can you dismiss purple? Celi, call Nom back and tell him of my need for purple!”
    Highlighted by 10 Kindle customers
  • Five Brothers Wrestle Razo, Little Man Underfoot, Razo the Rug, Razo Our Tiny Foe.
    Highlighted by 9 Kindle customers
  • “I’m sorry, Finn. I’m a wooden-headed dummy.” “Don’t be so hard,” said Finn. “You’re just a straw-brained scarecrow.”
    Highlighted by 9 Kindle customers
  • “Shame,” said Razo. “I for one am raring to see what kind of frightening mongrel would be your offspring. Finn’s wide shoulders, Enna’s black hair, Finn’s large hands, Enna’s scheming look...”
    Highlighted by 9 Kindle customers
  • “Yet another glorious meeting? I’m really tempted, Isi, but you know my schedule right now is—” “There’s food.” Razo leaped up. “I’m right behind you.”
    Highlighted by 8 Kindle customers
  • “I am?” Razo took the metal spoon from her hand and looked at himself in its silvery bowl. “Nah, I couldn’t be. Bayern aren’t this good-looking.”
    Highlighted by 8 Kindle customers
  • First Talone tells him that he has the keen eye of a spy, then he is the best slinger Finn ever saw, and now he makes people relax. Why did everyone take so long to tell him these things?
    Highlighted by 6 Kindle customers
  • Razo realized he had never seen them kiss before. He tried not to watch, but the sight of people kissing drew his eyes like a fistfight in a marketplace or a gurgling baby smiling right at him. When he tore his gaze away, he felt even more awkward when it fell on Dasha.
    Highlighted by 6 Kindle customers
  • He might even hop up and down as Enna had, but without the kissing Finn part.
    Highlighted by 5 Kindle customers
  • “I want to play a song for my love, Enna,” he said. Razo heard Enna emit a tiny sound, much like a squeak. Either Finn’s fingers missed half the right notes or the tune was as near to the sound of a wounded cat as Razo had ever heard. After what he could only guess was an introduction, Finn sang.
    Highlighted by 5 Kindle customers
Show all 11 quotes from this book

Setting & Locations edit see section history

Bayern, Tira

First Sentence edit see section history

"Razo hopped up and down, but he could see only backs of heads."

Table of Contents edit see section history

Prologue

Chapter 1
Chapter 2
Chapter 3
Chapter 4
Chapter 5
Chapter 6
Chapter 7
Chapter 8
Chapter 9
Chapter 10
Chapter 11
Chapter 12
Chapter 13
Chapter 14
Chapter 15
Chapter 16
Chapter 17
Chapter 18
Chapter 19
Chapter 20
Chapter 21
Chapter 22
Chapter 23
Chapter 24
Chapter 25
Chapter 26
Chapter 27
Chapter 28
Chapter 29

Series & Lists edit see section history

This is book 3 of 4 in The Books of Bayern. (standard series)

Preceded by Enna Burning, and followed by Forest Born.

Authors & Contributors edit see section history

  1. Shannon Hale (Author)

First Edition edit see section history

Original Language: English
Publisher: Bloomsbury USA Children's Books
Country: Add the country of publication.
Publication Date: 2006
ISBN: 1582349010
Page Count: 304

Notes for Parents edit see section history

Reading Level: Young Adults

Wonderful book! Exciting and a wonderful addition to The Goose Girl. You must keep reading till Forest Born. I sure hope Shannon Hale keeps writing great stories about truly strong and amazing girls and their friendships.

Books with Additional Background Information edit see section history

   
  • The Goose Girl
  • Enna Burning

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