GREENGROVE CASTLE

In this intriguing story, a futuristic England has broken up into 39 "castles" after some unspecified tumult. These are individual self-governed communities whose leaders are lodged on estates reminiscent of castles. Reader Sophie Ward skillfully captures young Eleanor's emotional growth when she is drafted into the elite Castle Seven. Her experiences learning horsemanship, sword fighting, and diplomacy are convincingly portrayed as Ward moves our heroine along from a shy, hesitating girl to a forceful, dynamic young woman who must ultimately save the day in a skirmish with outsiders. Thorne creates an interesting and original story line in this first of the 39 Castle series. D.G. © AudioFile 2005, Portland, Maine [Published: DEC 05/ JAN 06]