The City in the Lake

by Rachel Neumeier

Book Overview

THE KINGDOM'S HEART is the City. The City's heart is the King. The King's heart is the Prince. The Prince is missing.Ever since the Prince disappeared, nothing has been right in the Kingdom. Something... This description may be from another edition of this product.

• Format: Hardcover
• Language: English
• ISBN: 0375847049
• ISBN13: 9780375847042
• Release Date: July 2008
• Publisher: Alfred A. Knopf Books for Young Readers
• Length: 294 Pages
• Weight: 0.95 lbs.
• Dimensions: 1.1" x 5.8" x 8.4"
• Age Range: 12 years and up
• Grade Range: Grade 7 and higher

Customer Reviews

lyrical, well-imagined story

This is the first published novel by Ms. Neumeier, whom I had the pleasure of meeting recently (we were fortunate enough to acquire a puppy from the family of Cavalier King Charles Spaniels referenced in the author bio). I agree with the other reviewers that while the book is said to be targeted for young adults, it's an engrossing read for so-called grownups as well. Like any contemporary fantasy story, it has echoes of other works in its characters, storyline, and imagery (I particularly thought I recognized "shadows" of Roger Zelazny's Amber series), but Ms. Neumeier has created a world of surprising depth and complexity for a first-time author. The prose is naturalistic and immersive, without veering into flowery puff. The story is well-constructed, and follows a satisfying arc that intertwines the journey of the heroine, 17-year old Timou, with powerful forces grappling over the future of the Kingdom - whose heart is the titular City. It's crisply written - not overlong, which is a wonderful thing in these days when the profession of literary editing seems to be in full retreat. And while there are some adult themes, and some scary imagery, were it ever made into a movie, it would not merit more than a PG rating. I mean this, too, as a compliment. As such, it can be a wonderful introduction to fantasy literature for the young reader - or just a very satisfying way to pass a few days for the more seasoned fantasy fan.

A Kingdom disrupted

Rachel Neumeier's THE CITY IN THE LAKE tells of a missing Prince and a Kingdom disrupted, where strange old magic has awakened and a new force has permeated the land. When Timou's father vanishes she discovers these changes are somehow linked to her, and she discovers mysterious powers are at work.

A fine adventure

This is a fantasy novel about a magical Kingdom and what happens when its beloved Prince, heir to the throne, mysteriously disappears while out riding in the countryside. Meanwhile, in a tiny village in a remote part of the Kingdom, a girl named Timou is growing up with her father, a mysterious mage named Kapoen. He willingly teaches her the ways of magecraft, but of her mother, whom Timou never knew, he will not say a word. The Prince's disappearance causes ill effects throughout the Kingdom, even reaching Timou's village, and eventually Kapoen sets out for the City in the Lake to offer his services to the King. When he does not return, 17-year-old Timou sets out after him, and that quest sets in motion the adventures that are the main action of the book. I haven't read a fantasy novel in years, but I liked this, Neumeier's first novel, a lot. Although aimed at a teenaged audience, it is sophisticated enough for adults to enjoy as well. It contains some violence and cruelty, but nothing gory or gruesome. And although it contains no sex, the subjects of the Kingdom are not ignorant of the birds and the bees; indeed, the first main character we meet is the King's illegitimate son, called Lord Bastard behind his back by one and all. All of which is to say this is no mere children's tale, but a thoughtful and thought-provoking adventure story. I recommend it.

Worth buying in hard cover

I am under Rachel Neumeier's spell with The City in the Lake. Reminiscent of C.S. Lewis' Chronicles of Narnia, I should say, Ms.Neumeier effectively traces a sophisticated fairy tale with elegant prose and unique characters. The City in the Lake weaves a magic all its own. I recommend this book for any fan of the Narnia books and those interested in the extraordinary.