For others, knowing that it is medieval fiction might be reason enough. Premise/plot: How much do YOU need to know about a book before reading it? For some, knowing that it is Kate DiCamillo's newest book might just do the trick. She was a goat who formed peculiar and inexplicable antipathies, taking an intense dislike to certain individuals. Because of this, the goat was able to send the monksįlying great distances through the air. Goat would come from behind and butt them in the backside as hard as she Their guard, thinking that perhaps, somehow, Answelica had changed, the

WhenĪpproached, she would merely stare into the distance as if she wereĬonsidering something profound.

Of the goat’s favorite games was to lull the monks of the Order of theĬhronicles of Sorrowing into a sense of complacency by arranging herįeatures in a benign and indifferent expression. įirst sentence: Answelica was a goat with teeth that were the mirror of her soul-large, sharp, and uncompromising.

Words and literacy are an important part of the story, as is a mother’s love.The Beatryce Prophecy. This story has a feel of fable and fairytale, driven by words on a page written many years before. Revenge and power is what drives them, and even though Beatryce could be driven by the same emotions, she chooses another way. Whilst Beatryce’s way of kindness and calm tames not only a grumpy goat but brings fierce loyalty from others, a villainous King and Counsellor plot her downfall. Set in medieval times, with several threads of story cleverly connecting in true DiCamillo style, The Beatryce Prophecy reminded me of one of her Newbery Medal winners – The Tale of Despereaux. Not one of swords, blood or revenge, but one of love. As her memories return to her, she decides her own destiny. These skills are another reason she must hide from the King. The search is on for Beatryce.īeatryce has skills she shouldn’t have, deemed important by her mother many years before. The King himself knows of this prophecy, and he had it all under control – until he doesn’t. There is a prophecy – one in fact that he penned himself many years before. When an opportunity arises for them to leave, they ensure she will never return.īrother Edik knows why the others fear her so. The rest of the monks want rid of her, and the goat too if possible, but Brother Edik hides her by shaving her head and dressing her as a monk. From this moment Brother Edik cares for the little girl, marvelling how she has tamed the vicious goat. One of these monks named Brother Edik, finds a little girl curled up asleep in Answelica’s stall, the goat’s ear in her hand. She lived in a monastery with many monks who feared her temper, horns and teeth.

The beatryce prophecy book review