A Riddle of Roses

Steve Pitt is a Toronto-based freelance writer and an award-winning journalist. He has written many young adult and children's books, including Day of the Flying Fox: The True Story of World War II Pilot Charley Fox.

Meryl, a young orphan, desperately wants to become a great Celtic bard
just like her mother, but times have changed. In the old days, people
became bards by seeking out amazing adventures that would inspire them
to write great poetry and music. Now, would-be bards just go to bard
school where they learn to recite poetry written by other bards.

Seeking a shortcut through the drudgery, Meryl reads a forbidden
manuscript and gets caught. To teach her obedience, Meryl’s guardians
order her to spend a year working as a servant. Meryl, however, is too
impatient to spend a year chopping wood and hauling water, and decides
to try to become a bard the old-fashioned way—by striking out on her
own and seeking adventure. Meryl’s journey takes her through an
Arthurian countryside populated by unfriendly people, mischievous
fairies, and a talking bush. Meryl succeeds in having amazing adventures
but she is still not sure if she will ever be a great bard like her
mother.

This fine first novel by Caryl Cude Mullin seems like a blend of J.R.
Tolkien and the ancient Welsh Mabinogion, with a dash of the
Sorcerer’s Apprentice thrown in for spice. Despite the fantasy
setting, Mullin does a superb job of making Meryl a credible heroine.
Meryl’s take-charge personality is a welcome relief from the
damsel-in-distress stereotype. Highly recommended.