This was the first Madeleine Brent book I ever read and it remains my favorite. Once I read this as a teenager, I had to find the rest of her books.

This is the story of Jani, a girl who is raised by Sembur in the hills of Tibet. She is taken to England when he dies and eventually becomes part of a family. She never forgets Mister, the young officer who cared for her when she was a sick child.

This is a wonderful story and I recommend it highly to everyone! ( )

A strong female protagonist, adventure, settings in both the English countryside and Tibetan mountains, love, and the supernatural- this is right up my alley! So, why only 3 stars?

- I liked the use of Oracle through foreshadowing, and that the author repeated parts so the reader doesn't have to try to remember or look back (though I still did sometimes)

- The general writing style is just okay

- The middle of the novel reminded me a lot of Jane Eyre, which I liked, but made it somewhat predictable

- I do not like the portrayal of love in this book, uncompromising and unchanging (a person only loves one other in their life?)

- An adult falling in love with a 13 year old is creepy, though it does make it better that it's not acted upon until later

( )