Until the Celebration

Until the Celebration

Company type	Novel
Industry	Literature, Science fiction, Fantasy
Founded	1977
Founder	Zilpha Keatley Snyder
Products	Science fiction and fantasy novel

Until the Celebration is a science fiction and fantasy novel authored by Zilpha Keatley Snyder, serving as the third installment in the Green Sky Trilogy.

The book's title signifies the interval from the Rejoyning—the merging of Kindar and Erdling, the two peoples inhabiting Green-sky—to the marking of its first anniversary. As the trilogy's final volume, it uncovers the deceptive foundations of Green Sky’s seemingly perfect society, transitioning the narrative into the realm of "Critical Utopia." Whereas earlier entries depicted an idyllic pastoral world, this conclusion reveals that a rigidly managed utopia is less sustainable than one embracing diversity.

The demise of Raamo D'ok, occurring during his attempt to safeguard the community, underscores that reconciliation and societal integration demand persistent dedication.

Plot summary

After unveiling the clandestine group Geets-Kel and detaining Erdlings beneath a magical root barrier, novice-master D'ol Regle kidnapped two children—Pomma D'ok from Kindar and Teera Eld from Erdling—with the intent to obstruct the Rejoyning, placing their lives in jeopardy. Utilizing uniforce, they successfully teleported D'ol Regle away, thwarting his scheme.

As preparations for the inaugural Rejoyning celebration advanced, Pomma and Teera emerged as celebrated figures. Nevertheless, they vanished suddenly, leaving behind a message from Axon Befal, leader of the hostile Erdling faction Nekom, demanding council submission or threatening their execution within ten days. Concurrently, Maala, a laborer enlisted by D'ol Regle, absconded with an ancient "tool of violence."

The ten-day ultimatum elapsed without incident. Prior to the unlikely festivities, Maala relinquished the weapon after losing confidence in D'ol Regle. Raamo D'ok advocated for its destruction by casting it into a subterranean lake; others favored retaining it as a bargaining chip against the Nekom. When proximity to the weapon caused Maala physical harm, consensus emerged to discard it. While leading a procession to dispose of it in the lake, Raamo fell into the water alongside the weapon, his death symbolizing resistance to malevolence.

A conspirator dispatched by Befal confessed an inability to kill Raamo and disclosed that Befal never captured Pomma and Teera; his threats were unfounded.

On the day of celebration, despite a somber mood, news arrived that Pomma and Teera had been located—they had concealed themselves to avoid public scrutiny and preserve their kiniport abilities. The story concludes with younger children inadvertently reawakening kiniport powers through play, suggesting a revival of this legendary energy.

Critical reception

Compared to earlier trilogy entries, Until the Celebration garnered less enthusiastic critiques. Kirkus Reviews acknowledged its "well-paced action" and consistently compelling character portrayals. Conversely, The New York Times faulted it for lacking focus, describing it as a dull recitation of political discussions that fails to captivate readers. Likewise, The World of Children's Books pointed out confusing narrative delivery and absence of a central protagonist, concluding that deficiencies in theme development, character depth, and plot structure rendered it an unsatisfying conclusion to the "Greensky" trilogy.