On Fortune's Wheel: Amazon.ca: Cynthia Voigt: Books

Product Description

From Publishers Weekly

Late one night 14-year-old Birle, the innkeeper's daughter, dives into the river in rash pursuit of a supposed thief, promptly falls in love with this runaway Lord of the Kingdom and embarks with him on a world-spanning adventure. Birle and her Lord are shipwrecked on a barren coast, rescued by pirates, sold into slavery and, after many other tribulations, narrowly escape and head for home. On Fortune's Wheel , set in the same imaginary world as Jackaroo , is a lush narrative woven from elements of classic fairy tales and legends. Newbery Medalist Voigt has provided enough plot for two or three tales, compelling characterizations, keen psychological insights and a surprising, deeply rewarding ending. This novel truly has something for everyone. Ages 11-up.
Copyright 1990 Reed Business Information, Inc. --This text refers to an alternate Hardcover edition.

Product Description

There are some who say that the Lady Fortune
has a wheel, and all men are fixed upon it.
The wheel turns, and the men rise, or fall,

with the turning of the wheel.

Birle has agreed to be wed to the huntsman Muir as an escape from the drudgery of life at her father's inn -- but the moment she looks into the bellflower blue eyes of the man she comes upon stealing one of her father's boats, Birle knows she cannot marry Muir. Even after she discovers the mysterious stranger is Orien, a Lord and as unreachable to an innkeeper's daughter as a star, Birle is determined to travel with him as far as he will allow.

Their travels take Birle to a world far from home, a world where Lords may become slaves, where Princes rule by fear, and where Fortune's Wheel turns more swiftly and dangerously than Birle could have imagined.

Newberry Medalist Cynthia Voigt's second novel of the Kingdom, set two generations later than Jackaroo, is a memorable combination of thrilling adventure and heart-stopping romance. --This text refers to the Mass Market Paperback edition.

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Customer Reviews

39 Reviews

5 star:		(31)
4 star:		(6)
3 star:		(1)
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Average Customer Review

4.7 out of 5 stars (39 customer reviews)

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4.0 out of 5 stars "A Good Book", Dec 8 2006

By	Lauren G. (Racine, Wisconsin) - See all my reviews

This review is from: On Fortune's Wheel (School & Library Binding)

14-year old Birle is unhappy living her life working at her father's inn. She is supposed to wed Muir,the huntsman,the following year but has no desire to do so. She follows a man she sees steeling her fathers boat. Birle then learns that he isnt a thief but a lord. Together they set out on a journey towards an unknown destination. They are shipwrecked and rescued by pirates who sell them into slavery. Birle becomes a slave to a kind hearted philosopher. Orien,the lord, does not encounter such luck however. He is sold to the mines and marked for death. He manages to escape but is in bad condition. Birle,her master,Yul (a kind but simple-minded giant),and Orien escape the city. Yul and the philosopher go their separate ways leaving Birle to take care of Orien. In the forest, Birle and Orien realize their love for one another. When they finally reach home,Birle decides she doesnt want the life of a lady, and with the permission of the Lord's grandfather leaves (with child), without telling Orien.

The ending is predictable, yet unpredictable. I really enjoyed this book. It is filled with adventure and a romance that will bring you to tears. great book.

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5.0 out of 5 stars A wonderful read, Jun 7 2004

By	Grietjie "grieterjaps" (Tampa Bay, FL USA) - See all my reviews

This review is from: On Fortune's Wheel (Mass Market Paperback)

This, the second installment in the Kingdom saga, is wonderful to read. The main character is intelligent, and has a mind of her own. Her loyalty to Oriel is interesting, and her relationships and struggles feel real. This is not the typical girl, and she's quick to show the stuff she's made of. I believe that anyone who enjoys fantasy/adventure would enjoy the entire saga, and I really enjoyed the ending. All the characters have depth, and are easy to relate to. The look at how fortune works, how you can be an earl one day and the next day a slave, or an ignorant girl one day and a prized Lady next, is very interesting, and well thought out. The entire plot is compelling.

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5.0 out of 5 stars "There are some who say Lady Fortune has a wheel...", Aug 11 2003

By	Bethany (New Jersey) - See all my reviews

This review is from: On Fortune's Wheel (School & Library Binding)

Fourteen year old Birle, an innkeeper's daughter, is not content with her life. One night she sees a thief stealing her father's boat, and pursues him. She finds out the thief is really a lord, unreachable but very loveable. Much to Orien's (the lord) chagrin, Birle accompanies him on a journey they will remember forever. They become ship wrecked on a deserted island, only to be rescued by pirates and sold into slavery. Birle gets the good fortune of being the slave to a philosopher, who is extremely kind. Orien is not so lucky. He is sold to the mines, where it is said that everyone dies and no one escapes. However, Orien manages to escape, right about the time the city where Birle is in bondage is going to war. With the help of Birle's master and Yul, a gaint man but simple minded, they escape slavery and the impending war. Birle nurses Orien back to health, and in the forest they realize their love for one another. They return to Orien's kingdom, and soon Birle and Orien are caught up in the hustle and bustle of life. Birle is unhappy to be a lord's wife, and voices her requests to Orien's grandparents that herself (and her coming child) can leave the kingdom-forever. Birle lives by herself in her grandparent's cottage, growing a garden and tending to her daughter, Lyss. Orien visits her in the night to tell her that they are wed, and that he loves her, and yadda yadda yadda...and they all live happily ever after.
Now it may seem like I didn't enjoy this book, but I did-I really did. I love fairy tale stories, and this one was no exception. I thought the romance level could have been played up more, but whatever. The action scenes were pretty awesome, and the book vaguely reminded me of ancient Greece for some reason. If you like adventure and romance, you'll like this book.

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Most recent customer reviews

1.0 out of 5 stars Well written with bad morals
This book is well written, with a good story line. But I find it very troubling that the main character of the story is immoral and never feels bad about it throughout the whole... Read more

Published on April 22 2003 by Connie Thomas

5.0 out of 5 stars On Fortune's Wheel Book Review
This novel, written by Cynthia Voigt, explores the adventures and dangers experienced by an adolescent girl named Birle, and her companion Orien. Read more

Published on Nov 5 2002 by Sarah

5.0 out of 5 stars On Fortune's Wheel Book Review
This novel, written by Cynthia Voigt, explores the adventures and dangers experienced by an adolescent girl named Birle, and her companion Orien. Read more

Published on Nov 5 2002 by Sarah

5.0 out of 5 stars a great book
On Fortune's Wheel by Cynthia Voigt was an amazing book. Cynthia Voigt's characters were believable, compelling, and well thought out. Read more

Published on Oct 12 2002 by Emma