Basilisk by N. M. Browne (1-58234-876-6)
This is one of THOSE books. One that grabs you and won’t let you go. One that reminds you why you read books. One that takes you to another world and lets you live there for awhile. One that you can’t put down and yet don’t want to end.
This is the story of Donna, who lives in a decaying society where all people must be plain and humble and no one has enough to eat or stay warm. It is the story of Rej, who lives in the combes below the ground, and dreams of seeing the sun. And it is the story of the dreams of flying as golden dragons that they share. But it is also the story of darkness, torture, hatred, and the basilisk.
This is a dark story that should not be given to little children. It has sexuality, evil and death. But for teens of the right age, it will be a gripping read that they will long remember.
Now I am off to find more of N. M. Browne’s books!

Boston Globe — Childish things
An article on Phillip Pullman and his books from a writer that really gets it!