After a criminal gang attacks his caravan and he loses his identity as a Brahmin, Arjun resigns himself to his new life as a soldier, becomes an elephant driver, and searches for his kidnapped sister. Distributed by Syndetic Solutions, Inc.

Move the location half the world away and 1200 years in the future, substitute the elephants with horses and half of the characters with cowboys, and this sprawling saga set in seventh-century India could be a classic western. Here are knaves and fools, bullying officers and poetic tenderfoots; a wise, crusty old cowpoke--er, mahout; even a heroic steed (elephant) for the protagonist to kiss on its noble brow. Arjun, 14, is journeying to the city of Kashi to continue his Brahman studies when dacoits (bandits) attack his caravan, kill his uncle and seize his mute sister Gauri to sell her into slavery. While trailing Gauri, Arjun, too, is captured, then sold into the army. Thus begin his peregrinations throughout India, first as an infantry grunt, then archer, mahout, famous warrior, prisoner of war, slave, spiritual seeker and finally esteemed temple stonecarver. At times the narrative gets mired down in dry exposition, and the myriad of characters, Indian deities and words can be confusing, but for the most part Bosse (The Examination) keeps the pace up and the goings-on absorbing. Throughout he brings to life a faraway place and time with a glittering panoply of detail, sure to fascinate readers with a taste for the exotic. Ages 10-up. Copyright 1995 Cahners Business Information, Inc. From: Reed Elsevier Inc. Copyright Reed Business Information

Gr 6-9--Set in the seventh century, this novel is filled with the local color and mores of rural India. Arjun, 14, and his younger sister are traveling to the city when their caravan is attacked by bandits and they are separated. Arjun is sold into the army, and from then on the story is about his survival, his search for his sister, and his travels from one experience and opportunity to the next. Born into the Brahmin class, the boy loses this privilege when he is captured and sold, and must learn much about humility and prejudice. He is instructed in the care and training of elephants, becomes a mahout and a legendary warrior, is wounded in battle, and again taken prisoner, this time becoming a stone carver. Bosse is a master of description and historical detail, and gives the story a remarkable sense of contemporary reality even though it is set many centuries ago. The plot covers several years of Arjun's life, portraying him as a young man who has learned much and achieved more than he ever imagined that day when he set out on the caravan. The text is filled with vivid battle scenes; charged emotions; and strong characters, both human and elephant. A satisfying coming-of-age story.Nancy E. Zuwiyya, Binghamton High School, NY Copyright 1995 Cahners Business Information, Inc. From: Reed Elsevier Inc. Copyright Reed Business Information

Gr. 8-12. As in The Examination and Captives of Time (1987), Bosse creates a rich and detailed world in this story of a young Brahman of seventh-century India. Fourteen-year-old Arjun is traveling with his younger sister and uncle when their caravan is attacked by bandits. Arjun escapes the slaughter, only to be sold into the army, where he becomes an elephant driver of great renown. When his beloved elephant is killed in battle, Arjun is captured and becomes a slave, but he eventually develops a new life and talent as a master stonecutter of religious sculptures. This is a deeply spiritual novel that challenges the readers to contemplate large issues--fate, God, and one's place in the world. It is also an exciting story, a seamless blend of fiction and history that skillfully incorporates the complex social, political, and religious structures of ancient India. Arjun's struggle to make sense of the random disasters of his life will speak eloquently to teens seeking their own raison d'etre. (Reviewed December 1, 1995)1886910014Debbie Carton From: Syndetics Solutions, Inc. Distributed by Syndetic Solutions, Inc.