The Broken Thread- Linda Smith
Being a great fan of the Tales of Three Lands trilogy, I looked forward to reading this novel but was saddened to find that the author passed away in 2007. The Broken Thread encompasses all that good fantasy should embrace. It has excellent character development, an amazing and believable world, and a great problem to solve which demands much of the protagonist. When Alina finally is called to be a weaver on the Isle of Weaving, she knows she is fulfilling her destiny. Allowed for the first time in the weaving room, she sees a broken thread and uses a strand of her own hair to effect a repair, without any idea of the disastrous set of events it would set in motion. That simple change meant that the past would be changed and it was vital for Alina to go back to that time and set things right. When she actually came to understand what was needed in order to do that, she had to make some painful decisions. I wish so much there was a sequel to this book as Alina’s life would be so interesting to follow. The small body of work by this author deserves a place on shelves and hearts everywhere.
This has been nominated for the 2009 Snow Willow awards.
Fantasy, Middle Years, Snow Willow, YA | Comments (4)4 Responses to “The Broken Thread- Linda Smith”
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I agree! I LOVED this book! Part of the reason this book drew me, was that I am needleworker myself and the premise with the weaving I thought was a great way to introduce the dilemma. That being said, the rest of the book was great as well!
Those of us who knew Linda Smith’s previous work were delighted to see a new book from her and like you jane, i was really sad to see that this was a posthumous publication. Linda really knew how to create a believable fantasy world where the characters and setting become very “real”. I would have loved to read a sequel to Broken Thread.
Hi Jane,
I’m Linda Smith’s sister and I want to thank you for the wonderful review you gave The Broken Thread (and your nice comments about her Tale of Three Lands trilogy). I felt her loss deeply since we were the best of friends, as well as sisters, and having Broken Thread published was some consolation. She’s left a wonderful legacy in her books.
By the way, I’m a librarian too, for a Faculty of Education so share your passion for children’s books. I’m so thrilled that you’re a teacher-librarian (they’re an unfortunately dying-breed in this province). Where are you located?
Thank you so much for your comment- your sister’s work is much loved in our circles. I’m in Saskatoon, Saskatchewan where teacher-librarianship is alive and well.We have been very fortunate ans have worked hard to stay on the cutting edge of the direction of education in our province. I do wish you well in your great loss and know that Linda will be remembered through her literary contributions.