The First Battle of the Morning

Moulton's first novel is standard fantasy fare, about a boy living in a world reminiscent of those created by Monica Hughes. Torin, recent possessor of the Medallion, a symbol of authority, is beset by frightening visions of doom. Called to help at the birthing of his winged mare, Saba, Torin sees the first of his visions come true: the foal born is part-Egg, more lizard than winged horse. The Teachers, who dominate the planet, are summoned, and Torin is told to report with Saba to the Teachers' city as soon as the horse is healed. But Torin is afraid, and when his mother tells him to hide in the Blue Forest, he and Saba flee. More visions pursue him, as well as the Teachers, threatening to destroy his understanding of himself and his worlda world built upon hideous deceptions. And only Torin, as the long-awaited Mind Child, can save Morn from its genetically-induced nightmares. Unhappily, Moulton's world is populated with creatures already encountered in many other fantasy stories, and the character of Torin is never realizedhe is too weak to carry the novel's familiar plot to its never-doubted conclusion. Ages 12-up. (Nov.)