© 2008 Henry Holt and Co.,
Being one of those who is always on the prowl for cheap
books to introduce me to new authors, I must admit I don’t just lap up books
because they are free or nearly so—something has to appeal to get me to give it
a try. The Humming of Numbers had several of those qualities: I found it at a
dollar store (you know, those stores where “everything’s a dollar”), it was
young adult fiction which has a certain appeal because it usually reads quickly
and there is less need to turn on the inner censer at language or graphic
descriptions, and it was set in an ancient English abbey (promising a faith
element that appeals to my preachery side). What I found was something that
gave me ups and downs in my reading moments.
Aiden, a novice monk who is nearing the time of taking his
final vows, wants to join the abbey’s Scriptorium to copy and illuminate
scriptures. Lana, the illegitimate daughter of the local Lord, is taken to the
abbey to work a penance for attempting to defraud pilgrims with false relics.
They are an unlikely pair indeed, but when Viking raiders attack it falls to
these two young people to save their community. Aiden hears numbers humming
from everyone and everything that has life (a talent he has suppressed all his
life because no one believes him, and worse will ridicule him for), and Lana
practices wood witchery. These traits will draw them together and help them win
the day in the end.
The story is well-written and woven into the fabric of time
with great skill. It is a compelling story of mystery, magic, and mayhem that
promises to hold the attention most readers. I can applaud Sensel’s use of
wordcraft to its fullest. Even in her description of Lana and her birth
situation, there is an unquestionable use of language. Her story-building
skills and characterization as well as descriptive passages call for the reader
to read, read, read. Nothing can be more important for an author than to
entrance their reading audience to this point.
Even so, I am disturbed by a couple of things that I
encounter in the book. First, as a YA novel, there are some passages that would
cause me to hesitate in recommending it to audiences younger than fifteen.
While there are no blatant sex scenes, there is an implication toward them.
Another, probably more, disturbing thing for me (as a pastor/man of faith
reading the book) is the address of Christian faith throughout the book. It
seems that (with at least some historical foundation) the established monks of
the abbey are seen as stern and given to retribution on behalf of God. On the
other hand, the witch of the story is seen as having a more genuine faith.
Because of this I give this book three out of five reading
glasses.
—Benjamin Potter, September 28, 2012
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