book data
82 ratings, 3.94 average rating, 9 reviews
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published
January 6th 2005
by Red Fox
binding
Paperback, 239 pages
isbn
0099477394
(isbn13: 9780099477396)
description
Readers who have followed Dido Twite's escapades in BLACK HEARTS IN BATTERSEA and NIGHTBIRDS ON NANTUCKET will welcome her return in her wildest adven...more
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other reviews (showing 1-20 of 102)
bookshelves:
childrens-fantasy,
childrens-fiction,
joan-aiken
Read in November, 2003
recommends it for:
Fans of Victorian Melodrama, Joan Aiken fans, Lemony Snicket Readers...
This title marks the point at which Aiken's Wolves Chronicles becomes somewhat complicated, in terms of publication date vs. narrative chronology. Although it is the sixth book published (excluding Midnight Is a Place), it backtracks a little in the chronology, occurring just after the events in Nightbirds on Nantucket and well before Dido Twite returns to England in The Cuckoo Tree.
It follows the indomitable Dido Twite, who finds the ship on which she is sailing ...more
It follows the indomitable Dido Twite, who finds the ship on which she is sailing ...more
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own,
read-pre-12-07
Read in November, 2004
Another story in the continuing adventures of Dido Twite. In this installment, Dido is put in more danger than ever before, as she and the crew of the Thrush receive summons to New Cumbria in Roman America (South America in our world). The queen is tyrannical but nonetheless a British ally, so Dido and the crew must find a way to retrieve the queen's stolen lake. As always, things are even more complicated than they at first seem, and Dido makes some fantastic and gruesome discoveries before the...more
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Read in January, 1982
recommends it for:
precocious children, young adults, adults who enjoy similar fantasy
I have kept and re-read this book many times. At last count it was about 15 times! I enjoyed the stories, the twists, the strength of the characters, and the enticing challenges they were presented with. It drew tears and fear, and I indeed fell in line with Dido. A compelling read, even with adult eyes, yet appropriate for younger children who are advanced readers.
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bookshelves:
kids-and-wannabe-kids
recommends it for:
kids and wannabe kids, king arthur fans
A fabulous reinvention of the King Arthur legend, in which Guinevere has taken refuge in South America and is keeping herself alive (how?) to await the return of her husband. Throw in our heroine Dido, rocs (as in Sinbad), giant cats, and the stolen lake of the title, and you have an eerie book for smartie kids.
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bookshelves:
7up,
aiken,
quests-
Read in April, 2008
Quite possibly even better than Black Hearts in Battersea. Certainly equal to it. DIDO IS AMAZING. Love the setting and I love how everybody fuckin' DIES. Only thing I'm not sure about is this King Arthur business. Really weird, man... but funny.
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bookshelves:
middle-grade
Read in September, 2008
Great historical fantasy. Mysterious and exciting, but not too scary for middle-graders. One of my favorite authors when I was a kid, though I hadn't read this one before.
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quotes from this book
"They came to the high stone shaft with the face of Sul; they descended to the terrace below. And here Caradog waited, leaning on his silver-tipped rod and eying the horizon, until the delicate slip of the new moon moved out from behind the shoulder of Mount Damyake, with the mysterious, shadowy ghost of the old moon cradle inside it, like an egg inside its egg cup.
"Now it is time," he said.
"Blame it!" expostulated Dido. "It ain't <i>right</i> for me to die! Have you thought of that, mister? You're and <i>old</i> gager; you've lived nigh on fourscore years, I shouldn't wonder. You did a whole lot of things and learned a lot o' stuff --- though mussy knows, you ain't put it to very good use. But I haven't hardly done <i>nothing</i>! And I ain't learned much, neither, except the use of the globes that Mr. Holy taught me, and how to curtsy and cut up whales."
At the thought of Mr. Holystone her voice, to her shame, began to wobble dangerously; she stopped speaking and drew a deep breath.
"Cease repining, child, and go down those steps," said Caradog. "Do not quarrel with your destiny. If Sul wishes you to die, then it is your time."
Dido remembered the story that Bran had told about the man who picked up the necklace. Well, if it is my destiny, she thought, best not to make a pother about it."
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