The Boy from Ilysies

On a world light-years away, Earth is long forgotten, except for the knowledge protected in the vast libyrinth. But that knowledge was threatened by the Singers, who for generations beyond remembering have relied on oral storytelling. They sought to destroy the books in the libyrinth, which they thought would—if read—kill the words they sing, and the knowledge in their songs.

Now a Song has created peace between the Singers and the Libyrarians who work in the libyrinth. However, the libyrinth is quickly running out of food, and the survival of the ancient edifice and those who serve it may depend on Po, a young Ilysian who has had trouble adjusting to life at the libyrinth. Caught between his longings for acceptance and the Machiavellian tactics of his queen, Po is tricked into a crime that causes him to be cast out. He may return only if he retrieves a legendary artifact that may be the answer to all of the libyrinth's problems . . . or could turn the world into a barren, lifeless ruin. For Po, life has finally become exciting—but the cost may be his life, and the lives of those he loves.

“Themes of abuse of authority, the nature of prejudice and the power of the written word remain from the first book—but with tricky and interesting twists . . . [a] clever, thought-provoking book that has appeal for fans of serious science fiction and fantasy.” —Kirkus Reviews