This trilogy was just astounding. Gorgeous writing and original plot. ( )

The third in Wein's ‘Aksum' trilogy, this works perfectly well as a stand-alone novel. In these books, Wein mixes the history of Greek legend with Ethiopian history, creating an interesting and unusual milieu.
Telemakos, named after the son of Odysseus, is a half-Greek, half-Ethiopian boy, grandson of the Aksumite king, and nephew of the British princess, Goewin, who is the ambassador to Aksum (Ethiopia). Regardless of his unusual appearance, which sets him apart, Telemakos learns to hide and spy, becoming ‘invisible' in plain sight. When he comes across information regarding a dangerous plot by merchants to defy the quarantine which is the only thing keeping Aksum safe from a raging plague, the king must use Telemakos' talents to try to find out the traitors, even though the assignment is dangerous and he is only a child.
As I've mentioned about Wein's earlier books, this is ‘harsher' than most book marketed toward teens. There's pretty graphic torture, mutilation and enslavement, realistically portrayed. Telemakos is a strong character – someone who, though young, acts on his own principles, and bravely. Unlike in many ‘kids' books, both adults and young people are portrayed as real people, each with their own issues, interests, and problems in communicating with each other (sometimes to an extreme – Telemakos' father refuses to speak). Telemakos' growth into a young man and his struggle with his own family issues make this a great book for young people – but it's also a great, well-told story for any reader. ( )

This book is an easy read and a good adventure story. If you push through all the small and slow parts, it's a good read over all. 3Q2P The cover art is okay and I'd recommend this book to high school students and adults. I chose to read this book because I liked the cover. TaddK

I received this book from NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.

I chose this book not realizing it was the third in a series. I love Elizabeth Wein's writing and I was eager to read another of her novels after Code Name Verity - being a huge fan of historical fiction set in ancient times, the plot of this novel was icing on the cake.

I rate it four stars - I'm glad I read it and I can't wait to read the rest of the series! I'd definitely recommend it to anyone who enjoys middle grade fiction (though it's not for the faint of heart).

The sunbird, another name for the hummingbird, is the nickname given to Telemakos, the grandson of Artos (King Arthur of Britain) and Kidane (a high-ranking official in the Aksumite kingdom in the area now known as Eritrea). He is the son of Medraut (Mordred) and an Aksumite woman, and a beloved friend of the Aksumite ruler.

Telemakos, at the age of 11, is already in training to become a spy. His aunt Goewin, the British ambassador to Aksum, requests his help to ferret out a group of traitors to the kingdom who break her quarantine of the country in an attempt to keep Aksum from being consumed by the plague that has ravaged Britain and made its way across Europe.

The plot was engaging and the novel is fast-paced - Telemakos has to impersonate a trader and risks his life by crossing the salt desert in the Great Rift Valley mined by the Afar people (the hottest place on earth, the birthplace of humankind, and a place where salt is still mined to this day). What he experiences there is beyond what most mortal men could endure, let alone a child. This was perhaps the only drawback; he seems far too mature and too perfect of a character to make the story feel true to life, and everything wraps up just a little too neatly.

The intertwining of ancient African history with Arthurian legend was a bit confusing at first, having not read the rest of the series, but there is enough backstory given that this novel can be read standalone. It is fascinating and, for any fan of Arthurian legend, a wonderful indulgence in continuing the story. ( )

I absolutely loved this book -- I hardly know what to say about it at this point, except that it's amazing! I think everybody should read it....BUT I will add one caveat. I agree with [a:Karen Healey|2945301|Karen Healey|http://d.gr-assets.com/authors/1262678790p2/2945301.jpg] --Parts of this book are really hard to read, and haunt you for ages after you've finished reading. Here's what Ms. Healey says:

The character torture is sickening and it made me feel physically ill.

So if you are not a wimp like me and you can handle really very awful things happening to child protagonists, then I encourage you to read it.

That said, it's an incredibly powerful story, beautifully told, with amazing characters. I loved it. ( )