By Colorado Kids Advisory Board member Rachel Moore

Title: The Cup of the World
Author: John Dickinson
Publisher: David Fickling books
Number of Pages: 418

The Cup of the World is the first novel published by John Dickinson. The main character is Phaedra. She is the daughter of her father, Ambrose, who is a warden in Trant. Ever since her mother and all of her brothers and sisters passed away she was visited in her dreams from a man named Ulfin. Ulfin is a lord of a town called Tarency who is always leading the battles. When her father begins looking for a new wife Phaedra chooses to starve herself, it is Ulfin who appears in time to save her from this death.

In their dreams they would be walking in a vast land. In these dreams Phaedra would discuss what was bothering her while Ulfin gives her his advice. In these dreams every time at the end of their dream they would drink from a beautifully carved gold cup. Slowly as the story progresses she falls in love with Ulfin. It is then she has to make a difficult choice between her home and her father and Ulfin and a new life. In a dream Ulfin tells Phaedra, "On the eight day of the New Year, wait for in this place at the eight hour after noon. If I come in that hour I shall give you what help I can. If I do not I cannot help you at all"

Phaedra accepts Ulfin's help and heads to Tarency her future home but also to a life full of sorrow. Her father dies. Ulfin is away all the time in war. But she acquires a new friendship with Eleanor DiManey. Later finding out she is having a child. With her life all mixed up soon she is wondering what price had Ulfin paid for such a great power. Reader you are destined to find out.
The Cup of the World by John Dickinson is one of the few books I felt that was way too advanced for me. I wouldn't recommend this book for a reader of my level and maybe even a grade higher. I was confused. I understood most of the problems but, the solutions weren't as clear to me. It was like fog was hiding my way from seeing through. Even though it was hard for me it would be a good book for more experienced. It had a great and always left me wondering what would happen next. I would say it would be a girl's book since the main character was a girl. This book makes you wonder what going to happen next over and over. Even though it was difficult to understand it, it is a wonderful book and I'm sure I'll reread it when I'm older.

I liked the plots of the story with them coming rapidly it sent you wondering what else can go wrong but then another one comes into the picture. I also enjoyed the setting of the story. It was in castle times and when people are accused of being witches and then sent to trail to be killed or redeemed if there is a miracle. The starting of the book takes place in a trial. I also loved the characters. There were a bunch that were interesting and kept you focused. Some I could relate to. Even though this book is quite complex I enjoyed it and appreciated these attributes.

Some books that were similar to this that I enjoyed were Dealing with Dragons by Patricia Werde, Inkheart by Cornelia Funke, and the Harry Potter series by J.K. Rowling. These all follow the fantasy theme. The Series of Unfortunate Events follow the sad theme. (February, 2005)