Alison Goodman’s most recent novel, The Two Pearls of Wisdom, won the 2008 Aurealis Award for Best Fantasy Novel. Her first novel, Singing the Dogstar Blues, won the 1998 Aurealis Award for Best Young Adult Novel, and was short-listed for the 1999 Victorian Premier’s Literary Award for Young Adult Fiction. It was also listed as a Children’s Book Council Notable Book and an American Library Association Best Book (2004). Her second novel, a crime thriller for adults titled Killing the Rabbit, was also recently published in the USA by Bantam and received a High Commendation in the 8th Davitt Awards. Alison was the 1999 DJ O’Hearn Fellow at the University of Melbourne, holds a Master of Arts, and teaches creative writing at postgraduate level.
Alison Goodman
Two Pearls of Wisdom
Under the harsh regime of an ambitious master, candidate Eon is training to be a Dragoneye – a powerful lord able to master wind and water to protect the land. But Eon also harbours a desperate secret – Eon is, in fact, Eona, a young woman who has endured years of disguise as a boy for the chance to practise the Dragoneye’s art. In a world where women are only hidden wives ro servants, Eona’s dangerous deception is punishable by death.
Still in disguise, Eon’s unprecedented talent thrusts her into the centre of a lethal struggle for the Imperial throne. Summoned by the Emperor to the opulent and treacherous court, Eona must learn to trust her power and find the strength to face a vicious enemy who would seize her magic and her life.
Inspired by ancient Chinese lore and sharing the wonders of films such as Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon, this thrilling novel of deadly politics, sexual intrigue and dazzling swordplay is set in a brilliantly envisioned world where both appearances and loyalties can prove so very deceptive…
Awards Shortlists 
