Born with enchanted powers that brand her a Misfit in her paranoid post-holocaust world, Elspeth Gordie gets herself sent to Obernewtyn, where, rumor has it, a reclusive doctor is developing a cure for Misfit abilities. But Obernewtyn is not what it seems, and Elspeth must grow up quickly learn to control her powers. ReviewsIn the tradition of Andre Norton and Marion Zimmer Bradley, Carmody embarks on a promising new series featuring telepathy, empathy and other psychic talents. On an Earth nearly wiped out by radiation and chemicals that have whitened the sky and poisoned the land, surviving humans have built a semi-agrarian culture. Though their own religious leaders, the Herders, have paranormal powers, they persecute the mutated Misfits, whose psychic abilities they view as a form of subversion. Thus, Elspeth Gordie, an orphan, conceals her exceptional abilities (prophetic visions, the ability to communicate with animals) from the other workers around her. Nonetheless, she is discovered and taken to the legendary Obernewtyn, an isolated town reputedly full of horrors. But instead of the tortures she expects, Elspeth finds friends and learns of the harmful experiments performed elsewhere upon talented Misfits and of the destructive powers that may have survived the Age of Chaos that ruined Earth. Though most of Carmody's characters are clearly bad or good, she avoids blatant stereotyping by imbuing many with conflicting interests. She also presents the Herders' primitive culture in considerable and vivid detail, from Elspeth's arduous ride through the Western Mountains to a farmer's daily life of toil and gossip. Despite their abilities, the Misfits are at the mercy of their superstitious culture and those who run ObernewtynÄa plight that generates convincing plot turns. This is the first novel by Carmody, an Australian children's writer, to appear in the States. Readers will look forward to more. (Sept.) Copyright 1999 Cahners Business Information. In a post-holocaust world of enforced pastoralism and strict adherence to a religion that bans technology, a young woman labeled a misfit or mutant finds herself condemned to a prison farm known as Obernewtyn. There, she encounters others with psychic powers like her own and discovers a dark secret concerning the mysterious triumvirate who control the destinies of the young people assigned to their care. An award-winning author of children's books in Australia, Carmody crafts a thought-provoking tale of courage and sacrifice that should appeal to adult and YA readers alike Copyright 1999 Cahners Business Information. "A promising new series." --"Publishers Weekly"
"A major work of fantastic imagination. Through the breadth of her vision, the depth of her characters, and the strength of her language, Carmody has created a world completely realized in all its details and completely persuasive." --Lloyd Alexander
"A brave, multi-talented girl, her interesting friends, and animal characters with minds of their own-this book is a dream date for me." --Tamora Pierce
"A thought-provoking tale of courage and sacrifice." --"Library Journal"
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– Customer review on 02/02/2008 
