The Or’in of Tane

Readers are whisked into planet Chiron where Māori mythology is woven into a fantastical world. The Or’in of Tane is book one of three books in a series called Chronicles of Aden Weaver. Eleven-year-old Aden, who is not only part of a shapeshifting tribe of dragonflies/humans but also the son of its chief is being raised by his grandparents and he starts to discover he has been kept in the dark of some large family secrets and at the heart is the Or’in of Tane a stone which was gifted by Tane Mahuta and that has been missing for thousands of years.

The fantasy world of Chiron that Yvette Carol has created is quite unique, albeit somewhat complicated. Is the world of Chiron a fantastical version of New Zealand? With some characters having Māori names and Māori mythology being key to the plot? Or do they seem somewhat out of place in the world of shapeshifting insects? While I struggled to get the setting firm in my mind, I think young readers will be captivated by the juxtaposition of these two worlds being intertwined and become swept away by the adventure that Aden and his friends find themselves in, eagerly awaiting the chance to read the next book in the series.

Perfect for fantasy loving 9-13 readers.

Title: The Or’in of Tane – Book One: The Chronicles of Aden Weaver

Author: Yvette Carol

Publisher: Shining River Press

ISBN: 978-0-473-52425-8

RRP: $20

Format: Paperback

Publication: 2020

Ages: 9-13

Advisory warnings: No

Reviewer: Louana McCormack, Librarian, Opaheke School, Auckland

How are you recommending this book? Recommended

Opening sentence: Aden peered through the bars holding him prisoner.

You can buy this book here