Sŏndŏk, Princess of the Moon and Stars
Author | : Sheri Holman |
Publisher | : Scholastic Inc. |
Total Pages | : 212 |
Release | : 2002 |
ISBN-10 | : 0439165865 |
ISBN-13 | : 9780439165860 |
Rating | : 4/5 (65 Downloads) |
Book excerpt: THE ROYAL DIARIES is pleased to introduce historical novelist, Sheri Holman, who makes her debut on the list with a captivating story of fourteen-year-old Princess Sondok from seventh-century Korea. During the seventh-century, the land which is now Korea was fraught with political and religious intrigue. The country was split into Three Kingdoms, each fighting for supremacy: Silla, Koguryo, and Paekche. Besides the warring kingdoms, there are three religions in conflict: Shamanism, the ancient female-dominated faith wherein Shamanist priestesses wield great power at court, foretelling the future, performing important national rituals, and healing sickness; Buddhism, the contemplative State religion; and Confucianism, a recent import from powerful China.