Burns, Mary M. Review. Horn Book 62 (July/August 1986): 447. Burns praises Alexander's ability to create a believable country, admiring the author's ability to combine the real and the imaginary into a plausible reality.

Chamberlain, Leslie. Review. Voice of Youth Advocates 9 (December 1986): 232. The use of dialogue is the focus of this review, in which the author takes particular notice of the contrast between Brinnie's formal speech and Vesper's colloquial directness.

Clark, Hattie. Review. Christian Science Monitor (July 3, 1986): 36. Clark praises the novel for its fine language, which is never patronizing in its vocabulary, and for giving the reader not merely an exciting adventure but also much to reflect on.