Voices is a blend of historical fiction and fantasy. The peace-loving trades people of Ansul have been subjugated by the empirical warriors of Ansudar (similar to ancient empires). The House of Galvamand protects a secret library from the soldiers and priests controlling the city. A generation after the conquest took place Memer is learning of the esteem in which the old library was held and of an oracle that exists within the household. By a chance meeting with the master of the household she begins to pursue her education. Visitors who have come to entertain the Gand (local ruler), and secretly find the library, trigger a chain of events that may allow them their independence again.

I found this to be a powerful book. My teenaged son didn't care for it, possibly because the pace was slower than what he tends to read, possibly he just didn't like the subject matter. He thought the writing juvenile. It didn't seem so to me, just lagging in some parts.

related-empire, war, oppression, freedom, libraries, reading, knowledge, ignorance, slavery, prophecy RL=YA