Daughter of the Centaurs

Gr 6–8—Living in a rural, post-technological society in the distant future, Malora is ordered by her mother to leave on her dead father's horse and never come back when her community is attacked by the carnivorous giant monsters called Leatherwings. Malora lives in the wilderness, along with a herd of horses she cares for and loves, until they are captured by centaurs. Once in their city, she is treated as a pet and a relic of the almost-extinct human race. With their aromatherapy and gorgeous cloths, the creatures see themselves as being at the apex of culture. While there is a sense of danger and suspense at the start of this adventure, the pace eases once Malora arrives in the city. The protagonist and the centaurs who become her friends are clearly drawn. The desert setting is geographically ambiguous, with horses, centaurs, and a faun living alongside African animals, such as lions and ostriches. This first entry in a series might have appeal for horse lovers, although the centaurs are more human than equine, and may be enjoyed by enthusiasts of stories about mythological creatures.—Sue Giffard, Ethical Culture Fieldston School, New York City