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Alice Hoffman
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The Foretelling: A Novel Kindle Edition

by Alice Hoffman (Author) Format: Kindle Edition
4.2 4.2 out of 5 stars 1,312 ratings
See all formats and editions
New York Times Bestseller: A lyrical, suspenseful coming-of-age story based on Greek myths of the Amazons, woman warriors living near the Black Sea.

Born out of sorrow in an ancient time of blood and war, Rain is a girl marked by destiny. Her mother, Alina, is the proud queen of a tribe of female warriors, yet she refuses to touch or even look at her only daughter. So Rain draws on the strength and knowledge of her Amazon sisters to learn the ways of her people: how to carve spoons out of bones, ride her white horse as fiercely as a demon, and shoot an arrow straight into the heart of an enemy.
 
Determined to win her mother’s love and take her rightful place as the next queen, Rain becomes a brave and determined fighter. But the dream of a black horse clouds her future, portending death. As one devastating battle follows the next, Rain hopes for a different life for her tribe beyond never-ending bloodshed. Peace, mercy, and love, however, are forbidden words in her language—can Rain teach her sisters to speak in a new tongue before it’s too late?
 
Inspired by Greek legends and recent archaeological discoveries in Russia and Ukraine, The Foretelling is a breathtaking achievement from the bestselling author of The Dovekeepers.
 
 
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  1. Print length
    192 pages
  2. Language
    English
  3. Publisher
    Open Road Media
  4. Publication date
    October 25, 2016
  5. File size
    3.9 MB
  6. Page Flip
    Enabled
  7. Word Wise
    Enabled
  8. Enhanced typesetting
    Enabled
  9. See all details
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  1. The weak are cruel, Cybelle said to me. The strong have no need to be.
    Highlighted by 169 Kindle readers
  2. Being anything other than what you truly are can only lead to sorrow and regret.
    Highlighted by 127 Kindle readers
  3. Some stories are born out of misery and ashes and blood and terror. Tell one of those and your mouth may blister. Your dreams may be turned inside out.
    Highlighted by 80 Kindle readers
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Editorial Reviews

From School Library Journal

Grade 6 Up–This atmospheric coming-of-age fantasy tells the story of a teenager who is destined to become queen of the Amazons. The product of a rape and shunned by her distant mother, Rain struggles to find her identity and prove herself. Her first-person narration is accessible while evoking a sense of otherworldliness. She talks of animals and people as sisters. The story unfolds at a measured pace with little dialogue, but the language makes it compulsively readable. Readers will be drawn in by Rain's attempts to win her mother's approval even as the teen begins to question the Amazonian way of life and see a new future for her people. Like the best of myths, this story finds truths in details and emotional insights. Not for everyone, but a treat for fans of Tamora Pierce and Hoffman's other novels.–Adrienne Furness, Webster Public Library, NY
Copyright © Reed Business Information, a division of Reed Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.

From Booklist

Gr. 7-10. "Some stories are born out of misery and ashes and blood and terror": Hoffman's fourth novel for young adults, told in spare, lyrical vignettes, is one of these. In an all-female tribe of warriors, who kill all male babies and reproduce through sex with prisoners of war, the daughter of the fierce queen yearns for her mother's approval. Burdened by stigma (Rain was "born in sorrow" after the queen's rape) and by dark prophecies, the girl finds comfort in honing her battle skills and in developing friendships with other outsiders. After her mother dies bearing her second child, it falls to Rain to determine the future of her community--and her own. Many teens, particularly girls, will identify with Rain's self-doubt even as the young woman senses within herself "a kernel of something that was made out of fire." At the same time, the alien setting and fablelike narration offer limited opportunity for readers to remain connected with the characters. This will particularly attract girls intrigued by the gender reversal premise and book-report writers drawn by the slender length. Jennifer Mattson
Copyright © American Library Association. All rights reserved

Product details

  • ASIN ‏ : ‎ B01KWK7R80
  • Publisher ‏ : ‎ Open Road Media (October 25, 2016)
  • Publication date ‏ : ‎ October 25, 2016
  • Language ‏ : ‎ English
  • File size ‏ : ‎ 3.9 MB
  • Text-to-Speech ‏ : ‎ Enabled
  • Screen Reader ‏ : ‎ Supported
  • Enhanced typesetting ‏ : ‎ Enabled
  • X-Ray ‏ : ‎ Not Enabled
  • Word Wise ‏ : ‎ Enabled
  • Print length ‏ : ‎ 192 pages
  • Customer Reviews:
    4.2 4.2 out of 5 stars 1,312 ratings

About the author

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Alice Hoffman

Alice Hoffman

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Alice Hoffman is the author of thirty works of fiction, including Practical Magic, The Dovekeepers, Magic Lessons, and, most recently, The Book of Magic. She lives in Boston. Her new novel, The Invisible Hour, is forthcoming in August 2023. Visit her website: www.alicehoffman.com

Customer reviews

4.2 out of 5 stars
1,312 global ratings

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Customers say

Customers find the story engaging and interesting. They describe the book as a relaxing, entertaining read with an exquisite prose style and simple yet lyrical language. Readers appreciate the author's use of myth and anthropology to make the myth personal and emotional. The characters are well-developed and the protagonist forges her own path. However, opinions differ on the pacing - some find it engaging and intense, while others feel it lacks inspiration.

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Story qualityReadabilityWriting styleAnthropologyBeautyCharacter developmentPacing
49 customers mention "Story quality"35 positive14 negative

Customers enjoy the story. They describe it as a nice, short story that takes them to another place and time. The book covers years with a shrewd telling of coming-of-age truths within a framework of magic. Readers find it interesting and don't want it to end. The world-building is imaginative, and the characters are hard. While there is some action, the narrative is quiet, with little action even though there is fighting.

"...A beautiful and heartfelt tale that grasps the universal travails of women in a deeply constrained society. Gorgeous read." Read more

"...It's a quiet narrative, not a lot of action even though there is fighting...." Read more

"...book for a relaxing read, simple easy fare, a story that takes the reader to another place and time." Read more

"This is a wonderful young adult novel. It took me about a day to read. The story was interesting yet not the best Alice Hoffman book out there!..." Read more

36 customers mention "Readability"32 positive4 negative

Customers find the book easy to read and relaxing. They describe it as a great young adult novel with an entertaining story. The book keeps their interest and is worth reading by Alice Hoffman.

"...Gorgeous read." Read more

"Just the right kind of book for a relaxing read, simple easy fare, a story that takes the reader to another place and time." Read more

"...Great read." Read more

"...Moving poetic prose, a great read." Read more

24 customers mention "Writing style"24 positive0 negative

Customers enjoy the writing style. They find the prose exquisite, well-written, and easy to read. The language is simple yet lyrical, making for an enjoyable reading experience. Readers appreciate the creative writing and wording. Overall, they describe the book as a great read that makes it relatable and understandable.

"Just the right kind of book for a relaxing read, simple easy fare, a story that takes the reader to another place and time." Read more

"...Moving poetic prose, a great read." Read more

"...Her writing is vibrant and engaging and puts you in the middle of the story. This story will stay with me." Read more

"...It is an easy read but keeps you guessing. I didn't care for the ending. There was no great climax and it was a let down. Overall a good read-" Read more

11 customers mention "Anthropology"11 positive0 negative

Customers enjoy the book's use of myth and anthropology. They find it relatable, blending fantasy with female power and indomitable spirit. Readers appreciate the interesting facts melded with the story of an Amazon woman. The book is described as a great take on the Amazon myth and stories, embracing change.

"Wonderful story of an Amazon queen and her changing world on the steppes . Moving poetic prose, a great read." Read more

"Although some interesting facts were melded with a story of an Amazon woman, I found the novel fell short in some places and made me yearn for more...." Read more

"...An exciting historical novel that begs for a sequel, and I’ll be watching to devour the next installment." Read more

"...A history to relate to!" Read more

7 customers mention "Beauty"7 positive0 negative

Customers find the story beautiful and stark. They say it vividly brings the Amazons of legend to life, and portrays their core potential, power, and ability to stand alone.

"...A beautiful and heartfelt tale that grasps the universal travails of women in a deeply constrained society. Gorgeous read." Read more

"It is rare that a book awakens women to our core potential, power, poise & ability to stand alone- this book does, and more...." Read more

"Alice Hoffman takes the Amazons of legend and brings them vividly to life...." Read more

"A beautiful, stark story of a girl becoming a woman and learning to be a queen. The story is worth reading in one sitting; immerse yourself in it." Read more

7 customers mention "Character development"7 positive0 negative

Customers find the characters well-developed with personalities. The protagonist forges her own path and changes lives of her people. They appreciate the strong cultural foundation and women of strength and courage integrated into the story.

"...Born from sorrow, the protagonist forged her own path and changed the lives of her people and herself." Read more

"I enjoyed the character, Rain, and felt her personality was well developed...." Read more

"This book flowed well and the characters were well developed. It is an easy read but keeps you guessing. I didn't care for the ending...." Read more

"...The world building was imaginative and the characters will be hard to forget. A good read if a short one." Read more

8 customers mention "Pacing"5 positive3 negative

Customers have mixed opinions about the pacing. Some find the writing engaging, intense, and emotional, while others feel it lacks inspiration and the ending is dull.

"Intense.... Like Wonder Woman and Dothraki of Game of Thrones combined. I wonder what happened to Melek and the Black Horse?..." Read more

"...However, it lacks the true punch of say, The Silence of the Girls by Pat Barker, or The Women's Way by Jenna Glass...." Read more

"...Her writing is vibrant and engaging and puts you in the middle of the story. This story will stay with me." Read more

"...on the legends of Amazon women, it makes the myth personal and emotional. It's quite beautiful." Read more

Told like an ancient fable! Unique writing style.
4 out of 5 stars
Told like an ancient fable! Unique writing style.
“The Foretelling” is the first novel I’ve read from acclaimed author Alice Hoffman. I’ve already bought another book of hers because this one was just so good! It tells the story of a girl named Rain, who is the daughter of a Queen. Her name means sorrow, because she was conceived from her mother being raped by 50 men. Because of that, the Queen is very cold and unloving towards her, and Rain must live with that. In this tale, Rain lives in an ancient time where Amazon warriors ruled the lands and slaughtered men with ease. But Rain is confronted with visions of a different destiny for her people. One that moves against everything she’s ever known. It’s a dark, coming-of-age story but it is very relatable and accessible. I found the writing style especially unique. It was told like an old fable or how someone would tell their story out loud. The author really allows the reader to imagine the unspoken details, and that’s what I loved most about it. Some may view the author as “telling” instead of showing, and I think that was the perfect choice, because I was able to speed through it without being bogged down with fluff and filler. It’s a quick read (I finished the book in a few days) and it’s unputdownable! It has a slow and repetitive start, but it gets better and better. Definitely recommend this unique story!
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Top reviews from the United States

  • Nancy J. Cohen
    5.0 out of 5 stars Foretelling: a story to begin other stories
    Reviewed in the United States on August 13, 2020
    Verified Purchase
    In a world of warrior women, Rain is born in sorrow, the product of her young mother’s rape by 50 cowards. He mother the Queen seems to have no love for her. In Foretelling, Rain learns what it is to be a ruler and the great sacrifices her mother, likely as her foremothers did, must make. Usha the Bear sister, Sky the horse sister, and Io the sister of her heart guard her on the journey to queen hood. A beautiful and heartfelt tale that grasps the universal travails of women in a deeply constrained society. Gorgeous read.
    9 people found this helpful
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  • hejiaoning
    4.0 out of 5 stars A very easy read
    Reviewed in the United States on August 27, 2019
    Verified Purchase
    I didn't expect this to be the type of book where you end up losing sleep because you have to see what happens. It's a quiet narrative, not a lot of action even though there is fighting.
    The story is a tribe of Amazon women and what happens when a Queen dies. The main character is the heir and the story takes us thru how she is raised. The ending wasn't what I expected, but was perfect for the story.
    8 people found this helpful
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  • W
    3.0 out of 5 stars A easy relaxing read
    Reviewed in the United States on January 19, 2021
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    Just the right kind of book for a relaxing read, simple easy fare, a story that takes the reader to another place and time.
    2 people found this helpful
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  • Marissa Shortt
    5.0 out of 5 stars Lovely and haunting
    Reviewed in the United States on August 8, 2024
    Verified Purchase
    Tales of Amazon women have always intrigued me, and this story of Rain and her ascension to Queen was excellent. For a short book, there's so much to relate to personally for me. Feeling unloved by her mother, not following the path of her sisters, and forging something new for herself are familiar to me. The depiction of it and the relationship of the Queen and Rain shows how not all mothers love their daughters, even the Amazons. Great read.
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  • Rabh Marrach
    4.0 out of 5 stars A dream like narrative based in the Bronze Age
    Reviewed in the United States on May 5, 2021
    Verified Purchase
    Written in a narrative style that isn't for everyone, this rather short tale gives insight into a primitive society of Amazon horse nomads. Told by Rain, the Queen-to-be who was conceived by a rape, she develops into a grown woman who must decide what path she will take.

    The narrative is dream-like with little conversation and mostly told from Rain's POV. The Amazon myth is flushed out with a full society of women. This tale will interest mostly those who have some familiarity with the Bronze Age, archeology, and the cultural heritage we know from what they left behind.

    However, it lacks the true punch of say, The Silence of the Girls by Pat Barker, or The Women's Way by Jenna Glass.

    While I enjoyed the story, as someone long familiar with horses, I felt the horse knowledge (especially considering this is a nomadic tribe of horsewomen) was lacking. There was nothing there that a non-horse person couldn't have written: bridle, stirrup, riding. Nothing about real horse care, horse illnesses, or even riding itself other then Rain could do trick riding.

    It was too odd for me to believe that the Amazon group was so warlike that they didn't understand compassion or mercy. Really? Those aren't modern concepts and I find it hard to believe that a group of women living together wouldn't understand these ideas no matter how primitive the culture. Instead of being social construct, it was really about Rain's mother's attitude which should have been clarified a bit better I think.
    15 people found this helpful
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  • Mary Golden
    5.0 out of 5 stars Unique, moving tale of early Life in the Neolithic.
    Reviewed in the United States on June 15, 2021
    Verified Purchase
    Wonderful story of an Amazon queen and her changing world on the steppes . Moving poetic prose, a great read.
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  • GodIsVictorious
    5.0 out of 5 stars if you loved "Clan of the Cave bear" series& "Mists of Avalon" you will love this...
    Reviewed in the United States on October 7, 2019
    Verified Purchase
    It is rare that a book awakens women to our core potential, power, poise & ability to stand alone- this book does, and more. Imagine subsistence survival of a tribe of women, after the last ice age, without a brutal patriarchy. This is that book. It is an antidote to the cloying romance novels whose chief message seems to be that that penultimate goal of life is great sex, marriage, children and you'll never have to think again unless it is to support your clan from a perverted, casually cruel king. This book helps one to remember a time of goddess worship; that inner core of strength, knowing, creation, & destruction. Enjoy your awakening!
    11 people found this helpful
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  • Heather Rossiter Lilly
    4.0 out of 5 stars Enjoyable
    Reviewed in the United States on November 2, 2020
    Verified Purchase
    This is a very nice short story based on Russian/Ukrainian folk lore. It’s a coming of age story of the daughter of the Queen of an all female warrior tribe who envisions a life different from the harsh and unmerciful one she has been raised in. The ending felt a little abrupt, but all in all it was a worthy read.
    2 people found this helpful
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Top reviews from other countries

  • Apricot
    5.0 out of 5 stars The Foretelling
    Reviewed in Canada on November 20, 2016
    Verified Purchase
    With so much technology in our lives, we are slowly allowing our traditions, our generational stories, and the old "wives tales" from our female line; to yellow and slowly fade to the point that the writing is hard to see. The Foretellng welcomes us, has silent guests, to witness the lives of the Amazonian tribe - specifically through the eyes of " the soon to be queen " - who struggles in her relationship with her mother, her own belief in their traditions and " making a place for herself" out from under the shadow of all that have come before. It really is inspirational for all age groups - cause we all have shadows.
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  • sue book worm
    4.0 out of 5 stars Good!
    Reviewed in the United Kingdom on March 15, 2019
    Verified Purchase
    Alice Hoffman is one of my favourite authors. I literally read anything she writes. The Foretelling is a young adult novel. It's a tale of warrior women and a prophecy of a young Queen-to-be. Good for older children.
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  • Amazon Customer
    4.0 out of 5 stars Four Stars
    Reviewed in Canada on March 24, 2017
    Verified Purchase
    It was an awesome book.
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  • Gilis
    4.0 out of 5 stars Four Stars
    Reviewed in Canada on March 23, 2017
    Verified Purchase
    Good easy read.
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  • Sean Talbot
    2.0 out of 5 stars Historical
    Reviewed in Canada on November 8, 2020
    Verified Purchase
    Disappointing read for me. I didn't find the story to my liking and the blurb made it sound so great.

    I just wasn't feeling this book as I found tbe story also lacking for me. I was hoping for so much more.
    Report

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