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Description edit see section history

Harry, bored with her sheltered life in the remote orange-growing colony of Daria, discovers magic in herself when she is kidnapped by a native king with mysterious powers.

Summary edit see section history

Harry Crewe, the Homelander orphan girl, was not unhappy in her new home. Her foster parents were more than kind, and life in Istan was easy. But a voice in Harry's ear whispered that hers was another destiny, that the home of her heart was not here, but among the Hillfolk, among the... read more (warning: may contain spoilers)

Harry Crewe, the Homelander orphan girl, was not unhappy in her new home. Her foster parents were more than kind, and life in Istan was easy. But a voice in Harry's ear whispered that hers was another destiny, that the home of her heart was not here, but among the Hillfolk, among the descendants of Lady Aerin, she who once wielded Gonturan, the Blue Sword.

Characters/People edit see section history

Show all 37 characters
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Setting & Locations edit see section history

Damar/Daria

Organizations edit see section history

  • Homelanders: People of the Homeland empire which has colonized the Darian continent. Known as Outlanders by the Hillfolk
  • Hillfolk: The natives of Daria or Damar who have taken to living in the Hills
  • The King's Riders: Group of well-trained, loyal, trusted riders and swordsman who are closest to the king
  • The filanon: People of the trees who live high in the mountainous forests and are very skilled archers

First Sentence edit see section history

SHE SCOWLED AT HER GLASS of orange juice.

Glossary edit see section history

  • korf: A cultivated grain
  • dilbadi: Band of wandering tinkers
  • ilpin: Broad-leafed tree
  • torthuk: Blue evergreen tree
  • pimchie: Rosy-pink flowers
  • kelar: Also known as the Gift, the magic possessed by certain members of the Hillfolk
  • Meeldtar: The Water of Sight, which has certain magical properties, such as bringing visions of the future
  • zotar: The largest tent, belonging to the king
  • barkash: The normal tents of the Hillfolk
  • pituin: The stable tents
  • dalgut: A cheap, poorly made tent
  • britti: Desert lark
  • dhogos: Blacksmiths
  • parisi: Leatherworkers
  • malak: A hot brown drink
  • sola/sol: Titles of rank indicating a place as royalty, like lord or lady
  • tari: Small, low tents
  • sorgunal: A stimulant that may be added to food
  • derth: A green spice that grows on a low bush with leaves of four lobes
  • nimbing: A spice of crushed dried berries of the nimbing plant
  • fleek: A bird that looks like pheasant but tastes like duck
  • Laprun trials: Competition testing the skills of horsemanship and swordsmanship
  • Damalur-sol: Lady Hero
  • kysin: A type of official or referee of the Laprun trials that wears red
  • baga: Butcher, term used to describe one who cuts their opponent during the Laprun trials, which is a sign of clumsiness
  • churakak: Duel of honor which is won by cutting the sash of one's opponent
  • billitu: Lady-lover
  • disi: Silly child
  • gulkonoth: Stone, also Corlath's family name
  • nalan: Faithful
  • korim: Forever; an herb used to make a salve that prevents scars from fading
  • tudorsond: Scarred hand, also a name for the king
  • thidik: A person of blood that is half-North
  • gursh: Boar
  • folstza: A hunting-cat. Ten times larger than a domesticated cat.
  • filanon: People of the trees. Archers who speak to their arrows, which will turn corners or leap obstacles to please them.
  • kaftpa: Traditional small cakes thrown at weddings. They were good luck for anyone who could catch one and eat it.
Show all 37 glossary entries

Series & Lists edit see section history

This is book 1 of 2 in Damar. (standard series)

Followed by The Hero and the Crown.

This book is in Newbery Honor Roll. (community list)
This book is in Young Adult. (community list)

Authors & Contributors edit see section history

  1. Robin McKinley (Author)

First Edition edit see section history

Original Language: English
Publisher: Greenwillow
Country: USA
Publication Date: 1982
ISBN: 0-441-06880-4
Page Count: 320

Awards edit see section history

Classification edit see section history

More Books Like This edit see section history

   
  • Pegasus
  • Beauty
  • Spindle's End
  • Sunshine
  • The Hero and the Crown
  • Chalice
  • Rose Daughter
  • The Door in the Hedge
  • Dragonhaven

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