A review by luisasm
The Sunbird by Elizabeth Wein

4.0

Telemakos is the most impressive hero I have probably read ever. I spent the entire book marveling at the heroics he displays, only to discover at the end that he is only eleven. It's shocking and a bit terrifying to think about everything he goes through. It also provides a glimpse into the morals of political espionage. They send in a child to their work, they save the country, but Telemakos is irrevocably changed, and there's a great deal of guilt that the many adults around him feel. The added threat of the plague and what must be sacrificed strengthens that theme. The plot fell a bit short in this book, sometimes overly confusing or just stuffed in at the end, but Telemakos makes up for it himself. It almost doesn't matter, for Telemakos is such a great protagonist. He is both a child just wanting to connect with his father, but also extremely intelligent and aware of those around him. He contains simple desires to spend time with his family, but is burdened with the complex adult concerns of the country. He's fragile and strong, and he seems so much older than he is. I just want to read more about him. Be warned that these books are pretty dense, so you need to focus.