Review Detail

Reader reviewed by chrissy

Gathering Blue is the tale of Kira, a young girl orphaned in a heartless, uncaring society. Kira's mother has died of a sudden illness, and, after the customary four days in the Fields watching her mother's body as the spirit left, the girl returns to their home only to find it burned to the ground and the land claimed by another woman. Kira's father died before she was born and her mother had only been allowed to keep the baby because her grandfather was an important person in their community. In this community, strength and work are very important, and someone like Kira, who was born with a physical disability, was usually taken from her family and left to die in the Fields. This culture where no one attempted to help even a family member, much less a neighbor, is what Kira faces after her mother's death.

Kira is not like other young girls, though. Her mother has taught her how to sew and weave and she has demonstrated a natural talent for weaving life into simple threads. The Counsel of Guardians recognizes this talent and takes her under their protective wing. The Counsel provides food and shelter to her in exchange for embroidery work on the robes of the Singer, the storyteller and history-holder of the village. It is here that Kira meets Thomas the Carver and young Jo. She is also visited regularly by Matt, who is several years younger and of a much lower station in life. This young boy becomes Kira's strength and constant source of amusement and laughter