Pendragon: The Pilgrims of Rayne by D.J. MacHale Review

by Claire E. White

Pendragon: The Pilgrims of Rayne by D.J. MacHale

Simon and Schuster, May, 2007
Hardcover, 560 pages
Ages: Young Adult

Ordering information:
Amazon.com

Bobby Pendragon, the Traveler from Earth, has made his way to the territory of Ibara, the next territory that he must save from the demon Saint Dane. Ibara at first seems like a paradise: set on a tropical island, the people lead simple lives, but are contented and happy. There are some odd aspects of Ibara: there is electricity, but no signs of industrialization. There is a ruling council of sorts which appears to make all the decisions for the people. Bobby meets a group of young rebels who oppose the island's conformity and don't want to comply with the council's ban against leaving the island. Bobby and the group (which calls itself the Jakills) steal a ship and head for distant shores. What Bobby finds there is so horrifying that it could have devastating consequences for all of Halla. In the meantime, Courtney Courtney Chetwynde has traveled back in time to First Earth, to find Mark Dimond, who has been totally taken in by Saint Dane and whose actions in the past could destroy Earth's future for good.

D.J. MacHale really turns up the heat in this eighth installment of the Pendragon adventure series. With dual narratives, the story switches between Courtney's adventures on First Earth as she tries to find Mark with the help of Gunny's acolyte, Dodger. Courtney and Dodger have adventures aplenty in New York City, circa 1937, including a terrifying confrontation with Saint Dane. Bobby's journey leads him to some terrible revelations and the surprise ending will have long-time readers literally gasping with shock. D.J. clearly knows exactly where this series is headed, and the pacing is perfect.

--Claire E. White