The Click of a Pebble
The Children of Zeus #1
by Barbara Spencer
Born into the carinatae, a race of shape-shifters and magical beings, Yöst believes his life in their island village wondrous – until death comes to call. In the guise of the local priest, who is determined to wipe the carinatae from the face of the earth, only Yöst and two young children, Zande, destined to be the next ruler, and Tatania, survive the massacre.
Aware the priest will not cease his search until they too are dead, Yöst begs sanctuary from Ramon, a gypsy farmer whose family fled the war in Spain and, unaware of their history, Ramon offers a home in return for work.
Unused to labour of any kind, Yöst strikes up a close friendship with Rico, the only son in a house full of girls, who helps him through the first difficult years. As their relationship strengthens and deepens, Yöst begins to think of staying and making his life there as a farmer … forgetting that as carinatae, his own date with destiny is fast approaching.
And so is death …
REVIEW
5 out of 5
This was an interesting fantasy, drawing the reader into a story where destiny waits for no one. Yöst has his entire world turned upside down, and ends up living a much simpler, harder life, forgetting his own destiny is fast approaching. I love how easy it was to get to know Yöst and the others, they have plenty of depth and feel like real people. Spencer has quite a talent for imagery, allowing the story to unfold before the reader’s eyes like a movie. I look forward to reading more in this series!
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ABOUT THE AUTHOR
In 1967, considering herself to be destined for a life of mediocrity, Barbara Spencer hi-tailed it to the West Indies to watch cricket, the precursor to a highly colourful career spanning three continents, in which she was caught up in riots, wars and choosing Miss World. She eventually settled in Somerset, to bring up a family, tap-dance and teach at the local swimming club. But, as her daughter says: ‘teaching swimming and tap dancing does rather lack the wow factor, Mum.’
After a dozen books for children and YA’s after another memorable visit to Amsterdam, Barbara changed tack and embarked on a series of books associated at various times with the city. Beginning with ‘The Year the Swans Came’ an historical romance, which was published in 2018. The Click of a Pebble, book 1 of the trilogy Children of Zeus, followed with Books 2 & 3, and finally the sequel to Swans: Sunset on Golden Wings in April 2021 which links up the stories of all the characters and brings them all to a conclusion.