Oracles of Delphi Keep

Author: Victoria Laurie

Publisher: Delacorte Press

Publication Year: 2009

Most of the readers will be: Middle school girls and boys.

Reader's Advisory: Rick Riordan's Percy Jackson series is another great example of modern fiction drawing on classical mythology.

Summary:
Ian Wigby and his ward (sort-of sister), Theodosia Fields, live in a well-kept orphanage located near the White Cliffs of Dover. While treasure hunting in caves near the cliffs they discover mysterious writing, a silver box, and a terrible beast. Their discoveries launch them, and several other key people in their lives, into a quest which takes them to London and Morocco. They are directed by the long-dead Oracle Laodamia. Her scattered and hidden prophecies, in addition to Theo's ever-growing talent at seeing the future, may give them the power to prevent World War II and the rise of dark powers that feed on human suffering.

My favorite passage:

Ian crested the top stair and looked about. The light was dim, but he knew exactly where he wanted to hide his silver box. There was a bench built into the wall at the top of the stairs, with wooden slats for a seat. He could hide it in the bench until it was safe to bring it out and inspect it. As he reached for the loose slat, however, he took just a moment to study the box. He turned it around in his hands, admiring its detail. It was beautifully crafted and rested on four balled silver feet. He shook it gently and he could feel the small vibrations of something rattling inside. Curious, he tried to open the lid, but as hard as he tugged on it, it wouldn't give way.
With a sigh he decided it was best to leave it for now and attempt to pry it open later. He then quickly pulled up the slat and placed the box at the bottom of the bench. A few seconds later he was dashing back down the stone steps and through the door to the hallway, where Theo was waiting impatiently.
"All done," he said to her. "Thanks for keeping watch."
"You're going to get yourself into big trouble one of these days," she admonished.
"Not with you to look after me," he replied with a grin as he gave her hair another tousle.
Her face softened and she pushed his hand away with a smile. "Someone's got to look after you," she said. "Otherwise you'd go without supper so often you'd starve to death."
Ian was instantly reminded of the dinner plate she'd snuck up to him, and he realized she was no longer holding it. "Speaking of eating, what did you do with my dinner?"
"I had to hide it in the loo when I heard Madam Scargill on the stairway." Theo disappeared into the lavatory and Ian was horrified as he watched her come back out with his food.
"You hid it in there?"
"Would you rather Madam Scargill see me standing at the lavatory door with it?" Theo snapped.
"Good point," he agreed. "Now, go on and finish your own supper," he said, taking the plate from her. "And say hello to the earl for me."
Theo gave him a small smile. "I'll tell him it's your birthday and perhaps he'll come upstairs to visit with you."
"That'd be brilliant, thanks!"
The two parted and Ian headed back into his room, where he ate his birthday supper in peace and quiet and watched out the window for the Earl of Kent and his companions. (pg 52-53)

What I really think:
First off I wanted to explain about my opinion on which young people will be interested in this book. Although there is a male protagonist (usually something that attracts male readers), I get kind of a girly vibe from the story. It could be because of the very strong (both in personality and power) female characters like Theo, Lady Arbuthnot, and the posthumous presence of the Oracle Laodamia. I'm not saying boys won't read it, but I strongly suspect it will appeal more to girls.

Stories drawing on classical mythology seem to be pretty popular right now in the middle grades. I like that Laurie did things a little differently by mixing up her Greek influences with Phoenician and even Druid. Things can get a little confusing at times, but overall the mythology behind the story is magical and compelling.

Now, the fact that Theo has predicted World War II is a little eye rolling. I was enjoying my little fantasy world without it getting too real. Perhaps now would be a good time to mention that the author isn't really British. The biography on the back flap says that as a child she lived in England for a year with her family. Overall, I think she did a pretty good job with the setting and characters considering that she isn't a native (and I'm practically an authority since I just spent a year in England myself). But this World War II business - you see it in British literature ALL THE TIME. There is a good reason for that. The war was much more personal for England than it was for America, so I can understand the need to keep working through those emotions.

I think what really got me was the vilifying of German-sounding characters. So, in a book set around World War II there is no getting around the fact that Germans are going to be the bad guys. BUT what about the Austrian couple who work for Caphiera (one of the mythological bad guys, or bad lady as it were)? They speak with thick accents, adopt children in an attempt to hunt down Ian and Theo, and lead to the deaths of both those children. Was that really necessary? Couldn't they have been French or American or even British?

Lets not get too carried away with hating on the Germans and people who sound like them, okay?

This book appears to be the first in a series. A lengthy quest is set out for Ian and his companions, but they only complete part of it by the conclusion of the novel.