The Beast of Noor

THE BEAST OF NOOR by Janet Lee Carey
Category: Paranormal
Age Recommendation: Grades 6+
Release Date: 7/11/06
Publisher: Atheneum
Reviewed by: Carrie Spellman
Rating: 5 Stars

Miles and Hanna Ferrell live in the country in Ennes Isle, just outside of Shalm Wood. Miles wants nothing more in life than
to go to Othlore and be trained in magic. He's been studying with the Falconer, but he feels like his teacher is holding him
back more than he's helping. If only the Falconer would teach Miles a few spells... Hanna just desperately wants to feel
normal and safe. But between her different colored eyes, the legend surrounding her family, and especially since the return of
the Shriker, it doesn't look like normal or safe are in Hanna's future.

Stranded in a cave to escape a surprise storm, Grandpa tells them again the legend of the Shriker. He tells them how the
Shriker used to be a brave and faithful dog, until he ways betrayed by his own master and cursed by death himself. Now, as
the Shriker, he hunts human prey every full moon. The master who betrayed him, Rory Sheen, happens to be an ancestor of
Miles and Hanna. Now that he's back the brother and sister won't be safe in the village, and no one is safe in the woods
once the sun goes down.

When Miles tries to take matters into his own hands, things get more than a little out of control. Suddenly it's up to Hanna to
save him. Hanna was always the quiet one. The one who stood back and let Miles handle things. The one who asked for
the happy tales by the fire, because the others scared her too much. Now, she's right in the middle of the scariest one of
all, and if she ever wants to see her brother again she'll need to find a lot of inner strength, and quickly.

This is a great, creepy, interesting tale. I don't know how comfortable I would be hearing it at a fire on a dark night.
Granted, I'm a big wimp, but that's only part of the point. It's scary enough for those who are looking for that, but it's also a
great story, which is what good legends are. There's a fair amount of fantasy, a little magic, personal discovery, even a
sweet little love story woven in. There's a little bit of something for everyone. Perfect for a stormy, foggy night, curled up
with hot chocolate, warm and safe in your house.