Synopses & Reviews
Martine Leavitt offers a spellbinding story, interweaving elements of classic fantasy and high romance. Keturah follows a legendary hart into the king's forest, where she becomes hopelessly lost. Her strength diminishes until, finally, she realizes that death is near. Little does she know that he is a young, handsome lord, melancholy and stern. Renowned for her storytelling, Keturah is able to charm Lord Death with a story and thereby gain a reprieve but only for twenty-four hours. She must find her one true love within that time, or all is lost. Keturah searches desperately while the village prepares for an unexpected visit from the king, and Keturah is thrust into a prominent role as mysterious happenings alarm her friends and neighbors. Lord Death's presence hovers over all until Keturah confronts him one last time in the harrowing climax.
Review
"The romance is intense, the writing is startling, and the story is spellbinding....Readers will be carried away on the wind of Leavitt's words, and few will be able to guess how she finally ends her story." Booklist (Starred Review)
Review
"Keturah's quest is lovely if...not so original, but her unexpected solution to the puzzle leads to a thought-provoking and unabashedly sentimental conclusion." Kirkus Reviews
About the Author
Martine Leavitt has written young-adult novels that have won many awards and honors in the United States and Canada. Most notable are two Canadian awards: the Mr. Christie's Book Award for Tom Finder and the Governor General's Literary Award for which Heck Superhero was a finalist. She earned an MFA in writing for children from Vermont College. Though Martine was born in Canada and lives in High River, Alberta, Canada, she is a U.S. citizen.