Elizabeth A. David

Travel with Sonya as she finds herself stranded in a strange world with no modern conveniences and a frightening, yet ill-defined, power floating around inside the minds of the Ruling Family members. Zorena, chosen heir to the Rule of Anatawen, the most powerful realm on the Vastness of Loraden, at once endears herself to Sonya and simultaneously infuriates the impetuous adolescent. Still, Sonya cannot stop herself as she becomes entwined in the struggles between good and evil in this place, especially when she discovers the presence of another person from her world who is fighting for the other side. Suitable for children, 11+

Beth David fell in love with fairy tales before she could even read. The tales of Hans Christian Andersen still hold a special place in her heart. During the 1970s, Ms. David was in high school and J.R.R. Tolkien’s ＂The Lord of the Rings＂ became hugely popular. She first read the Trilogy and ＂The Hobbit＂ for a literature class. When she was 21, Ms. David decided to write her own fantasy novel with strong women characters, a rather obvious omission in the popular fantasy of the time. Zorena was born. (So was Sonya.) Over the years, many forces conspired to keep this tale from the public. It first made the rounds of the ＂traditional＂ publishers in 1980-something. In 2003, with new technology available which makes printing books more affordable, Ms. David decided to publish the book herself. The characters had refused to die after more than 25 years in the drawer. So she figured it was only right to give them a chance at a real audience. So far, the response has been positive. In the words of the author: ＂It has been a one-hundred-percent, unmitigated blast (that’s a ’70s word for a really fun time).＂ Both adults and younger readers have enjoyed the book. There is little violence and no strong language (a few mild expletives, but no ＂f＂ word). In short, the author wanted her 11-year old niece and younger nephews to be able to read the book without causing a big family fuss. Beth David has worked in various aspects of advertising in the Boston area since 1978. She now runs her own small (very, very small) advertising agency. She also publishes a weekly newspaper, almost singlehandedly. Ms. David has been a feminist since the first time she was told that only boys could do something she wanted to do. She has been a feminist activist since 1989 and her feminist philosophy is proudly displayed throughout the pages of ＂Zorena and the Medallion of Corandu.＂