The Fortunetelling

Hoffman, Alice. (2005). The Fortunetelling. New York, NY: Little, Brown & Co.
ISBN-13: 9780316154093
ISBN-10: 0316154091

·Plot Summary
Rain is of the Amazon warriors, the result of their Queen being raped by fifty men from another part of the world. Hated by her mother, who will not even look at her, Rain is being raised by Deborah, the Priestess, and the archers Asteria and Astella. Someday Rain will be Queen, but after adopting an abandoned bear cub (Usha), her people look at her differently. Her mother has taken a former slave as her lover, and the woman's daughter (Io) sees Rain as her sister. Once Rain finally accepts Io, the two spend all their time with Usha and Rain's horse. When Rain begins to lie about the kills she has made so that she does not have to join in the celebratory parties, her mother decides to have another daughter, someone new to be Queen. Her fortunes, however, remain steady. She dreams of a black horse, a sign of impending trouble among her people, although it does not prevent her from making friends with a boy (Melek) who is set free from slavery by the Amazon's most recent victory. In the end, Rain saves the new child, who turns out to be a boy, from the death intended for him. She gives him to Melek, then returns to her people to suppress an uprising that caused the assassination attempt that resulted in Io's death instead. Rain takes her place as Queen, ushering in a new life for the Amazon women, believing that make their own fortunes.

·Critical Evaluation
Fantastic novel for young women. Full of inspiration, especially for teens that are consistently led to believe that they can't fulfill their own dreams.

·Reader’s Annotation
Contains content that is of an adult nature.

·Information about the author
Alice Hoffman was born in New Jersey in 1952, and was an avid actress in school plays until the age of 20, when she discovered writing. She received a B.A. in English and Anthropology from Adelphi University, and an M.A. in creative writing. By the age of 25, she has written her first novel, Of Property.
She has written for several television series, published almost twenty-five novels for adults, hand six novels in the young adult genre. Her novels are based primarily on historical or paranormal themes. She lived in New York City from 1983 to 2003, but currently lives with her husband and children in Boston.

·Genre
Historical Fiction

·Curriculum Ties
Includes information on myths and ideas about the Amazonian warriors, as well as practices such as the use of bees in warfare, and by priestesses for their work.

·Booktalking Ideas
Myths and legends. Amazons.

·Reading Level/Interest Age
Grades 10-12/Ages 15-18

·Challenge Issues
N/A

·Why did you include this book in you’re the titles you selected?
I'm fascinated by myths with strong female characters. This book put a more human slant on the Amazons, making them seem more real.