The second book in The Oracle Prophesies trilogy picks up shortly after the conclusion of The Oracle Betrayed (Greenwillow / HarperCollins, 2004). Parallel plots alternate throughout. They follow Mirany, a priestess fighting to stay one step ahead of the deadly political intrigue rampant in the city, and ten-year-old Alexos, host body to the god, as he travels with four mismatched companions to find the Well of Songs. Mirany and Alexos’s individual stories are clearly distinct, and readers will find both brimming with suspense. As in the first book, the ancient Greek and Egyptian setting is wholly convincing, and character development keeps pace with the action-packed plot. Although Sphere of Secrets succeeds as a stand-alone fantasy, addicted readers will be impatiently awaiting the trilogy’s conclusion. (Age 13 and older)

Everything has gone wrong.

The drought should have ended, but the land is still parched.

Mirany should be savoring her role as priestess, but someone may be trying to poison her.

Seth should know to stay away from smuggled goods, but his greed has led him to blackmail.

Alexos should stay and rule as the Archon, but his plan is to journey to the Well of Songs -- a place from which no one has ever returned.

Everything is wrong. And in the midst of such chaos, The Two Lands should collapse. But an ancient map carved into a silver sphere may be enough to make things right and save their world.