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Vesper Holly #4
The Jedera Adventure
Returning a library book is easy. Unless the book in question is a rare, valuable, very overdue library book. And it must be retumed to the famed library at Bel-Saaba in the North African country' of Jedera. And it's in the hands of Vesper Holly. Who's guaranteed to turn any seemingly simple errand into an exciting adventure.
Adventure it is! Feuding desert tribes, rough terrain, slave traders, and a biting camel all threaten Vesper as she leads a caravan toward the library. But the biggest threat of all is the evil Dr. Helvitius, who awaits Vesper in Bel-Saaba. Can Vesper stop the fiendish plot he's hatching and triumph over her archrival?
Adventure it is! Feuding desert tribes, rough terrain, slave traders, and a biting camel all threaten Vesper as she leads a caravan toward the library. But the biggest threat of all is the evil Dr. Helvitius, who awaits Vesper in Bel-Saaba. Can Vesper stop the fiendish plot he's hatching and triumph over her archrival?
152 pages, Paperback
First published April 27, 1989
6 people are currently reading
441 people want to read
About the author
Lloyd Alexander
134 books2,113 followersLloyd Chudley Alexander was an influential American author of more than forty books, mostly fantasy novels for children and adolescents, as well as several adult books. His most famous contribution to the field of children's literature is the fantasy series The Chronicles of Prydain. The concluding book of the series,
The High King
, was awarded the Newbery Medal in 1969. Alexander's other books have also won the National Book Award and the American Book Award. He was also one of the creators of Cricket Magazine.
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Displaying 1 - 25 of 25 reviews
May 10, 2014
When I decided to start my project of reading all the fantasy/adventure books I should have read when I was in middle school, one of the rules I set for myself was that whenever I started a series, I would have to see it through to the end (it's how I plan to force myself to get through The Golden Compass when I re-read it, because I remember disliking it for some reason when I first read it in seventh grade). I have two books left in the Vesper Holly series, and I'm still going to read them, but the fact remains that if I was reading this series as a kid, The Jedera Adventure would probably be the book that convinced me to abandon the series.
It's not bad, exactly - Vesper is still an awesome heroine, and I wish her series was more popular because little girls need these books very badly, and there were all the usual moments of action and humor, but this one just didn't thrill me. The central adventure is more like a long errand - the book starts with Vesper finding an old book that her father borrowed from a library in Jedera fifteen years ago, and decides that she needs to return it - and Vesper and Brinnie take a lot of detours that don't add much to the story. Smiler and Slider, last seen in The El Dorado Adventure, are back, and they're always fun, but the other companions aren't as interesting. There's a Romeo-and-Juliet-style couple, and the best that can be said of them is that their romance doesn't take up too much story time (the Romeo of the pair is intensely irritating, always yammering on about how "it is written" and he and Vesper's destinies are joined by a golden chain or whatever, and he reminded me very strongly of Jar Jar Binks). The other big character is a warrior with blue skin (don't ask) who decides to keep rescuing Vesper and Brinnie whenever they get into trouble because...of reasons. I don't actually remember why, he just does. All the portrayals of the Jederans manage to stay on the safe side of blatantly racist, so at least there's that. We do get a very uncomfortable scene where Brinnie and Vesper are kidnapped by slave traders and almost sold at an auction, and fortunately for this book's intended audience of ten-year-olds, the unsavory implications of the situation (that the men attempting to purchase Vesper will rape the shit out of her as soon as possible) is not discussed or even hinted at.
But the worst aspect of this book is, as always, Dr. goddamn Helvitius. I know I complain about him in every review, but that's because he's terrible in ever book. The good news is that here he doesn't show up until after page one hundred, but this makes it even more obvious that he didn't need to be in the book at all. His obligatory attempt to kill Vesper is his most ridiculous yet, when he and it ranks up there with "Put James Bond in a helicopter with a bomb inside and then leave" on the list of Most Ineffective Ways To Kill Off The Hero.
All in all, a firm resounding MEH. Hopefully the next book will be better.
It's not bad, exactly - Vesper is still an awesome heroine, and I wish her series was more popular because little girls need these books very badly, and there were all the usual moments of action and humor, but this one just didn't thrill me. The central adventure is more like a long errand - the book starts with Vesper finding an old book that her father borrowed from a library in Jedera fifteen years ago, and decides that she needs to return it - and Vesper and Brinnie take a lot of detours that don't add much to the story. Smiler and Slider, last seen in The El Dorado Adventure, are back, and they're always fun, but the other companions aren't as interesting. There's a Romeo-and-Juliet-style couple, and the best that can be said of them is that their romance doesn't take up too much story time (the Romeo of the pair is intensely irritating, always yammering on about how "it is written" and he and Vesper's destinies are joined by a golden chain or whatever, and he reminded me very strongly of Jar Jar Binks). The other big character is a warrior with blue skin (don't ask) who decides to keep rescuing Vesper and Brinnie whenever they get into trouble because...of reasons. I don't actually remember why, he just does. All the portrayals of the Jederans manage to stay on the safe side of blatantly racist, so at least there's that. We do get a very uncomfortable scene where Brinnie and Vesper are kidnapped by slave traders and almost sold at an auction, and fortunately for this book's intended audience of ten-year-olds, the unsavory implications of the situation (that the men attempting to purchase Vesper will rape the shit out of her as soon as possible) is not discussed or even hinted at.
But the worst aspect of this book is, as always, Dr. goddamn Helvitius. I know I complain about him in every review, but that's because he's terrible in ever book. The good news is that here he doesn't show up until after page one hundred, but this makes it even more obvious that he didn't need to be in the book at all. His obligatory attempt to kill Vesper is his most ridiculous yet, when he and it ranks up there with "Put James Bond in a helicopter with a bomb inside and then leave" on the list of Most Ineffective Ways To Kill Off The Hero.
All in all, a firm resounding MEH. Hopefully the next book will be better.
November 2, 2019
I ended up liking The Jedera Adventure quite a bit more than I expected! I'm not sure why, but the cast of side characters here seemed more strongly defined. An-Jalil was the biggest standout character with the most interesting story, and the others were generally cute and likable. Vesper also feels a bit more human here, though she is no less the dashing and quick-thinking heroine. And it goes without saying that Brinnie is great fun as usual!
For me this has certainly been easily the best of the Vesper Holly books so far, and hopefully my high hopes for the rest will be justified!
For me this has certainly been easily the best of the Vesper Holly books so far, and hopefully my high hopes for the rest will be justified!
July 23, 2019
Super difficult to know how to rate because it has been a long time since I have read books at this level, but though it was really fun there were a few things that took away from my enjoyment.
It was a very fun read though. Pacing was super fast and for the first half I felt a bit frustrated that I couldn't really sink my teeth into any scene, but that is just personal preference and it probably was the right pacing for its intended MG/YA audience. Vesper Holly is also just a little TOO perfect of an eighteen-year-old girl for my taste.
The second half really came together in a powerful way and the author did an excellent job of weaving in multiple threads for a powerful/exciting climax which addressed all the foreshadowing of the first half. It was a real treat to read.
I'm very interested in reading the other books in this series and even revisiting this one down the road when I need a fun adventure/escape.
It was a very fun read though. Pacing was super fast and for the first half I felt a bit frustrated that I couldn't really sink my teeth into any scene, but that is just personal preference and it probably was the right pacing for its intended MG/YA audience. Vesper Holly is also just a little TOO perfect of an eighteen-year-old girl for my taste.
The second half really came together in a powerful way and the author did an excellent job of weaving in multiple threads for a powerful/exciting climax which addressed all the foreshadowing of the first half. It was a real treat to read.
I'm very interested in reading the other books in this series and even revisiting this one down the road when I need a fun adventure/escape.
July 12, 2022
Dr. Helvitius is one of the most boring villains in literature... and really when you get down to it, villainy is fundamentally boring. But that's why strong villains are often used sparingly. This would have been a good adventure to leave Helvitius out of entirely. His appearance felt random and disconnected from everything else going on in the story.
Vesper very much suffers from that Mary Sye syndrome of being too good at everything, too quickly liked by everyone, and not having enough real challenges, etc. At the same time, I do get how she functions as a knowledge is power example. I do like that her powers are essentially adventurous nerd. She learns enthusiastically, knows stuff, and applies it, and there is a strong sense of ethics and duty in her, which is fine with bucking convention while adhering to core virtues.
I still think her character falls a bit into the white savior trope. She pops in and helps "fix" things in less advanced societies. However, there's also strong anti-colonial messaging in the book, "The French need to leave Jedera" which is agreed by most characters including the French commander. And Vesper has a genuine enthusiasm for learning new cultures and far more open to seeing them as true equals than her guardian who is very much a cultural elitist.
She's not a terrible role model, just... like I suggested in my first review of the series, you might want to use it as a springboard into some deeper conversations.
I do appreciate in this particular book that they fix a smaller problem with a single city while acknowledging there are ongoing and bigger problems to address, and in that sense this book felt a bit more mature than previous entries, which is what made Helvitius showing up at all more disappointing. I do like that the twins have been able to progress and become a more official part of Vesper's "team". I feel like a little more could be done with them, but they're fun side characters.
Vesper very much suffers from that Mary Sye syndrome of being too good at everything, too quickly liked by everyone, and not having enough real challenges, etc. At the same time, I do get how she functions as a knowledge is power example. I do like that her powers are essentially adventurous nerd. She learns enthusiastically, knows stuff, and applies it, and there is a strong sense of ethics and duty in her, which is fine with bucking convention while adhering to core virtues.
I still think her character falls a bit into the white savior trope. She pops in and helps "fix" things in less advanced societies. However, there's also strong anti-colonial messaging in the book, "The French need to leave Jedera" which is agreed by most characters including the French commander. And Vesper has a genuine enthusiasm for learning new cultures and far more open to seeing them as true equals than her guardian who is very much a cultural elitist.
She's not a terrible role model, just... like I suggested in my first review of the series, you might want to use it as a springboard into some deeper conversations.
I do appreciate in this particular book that they fix a smaller problem with a single city while acknowledging there are ongoing and bigger problems to address, and in that sense this book felt a bit more mature than previous entries, which is what made Helvitius showing up at all more disappointing. I do like that the twins have been able to progress and become a more official part of Vesper's "team". I feel like a little more could be done with them, but they're fun side characters.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
July 10, 2017
The Jedera Adventure, by Lloyd Alexander, was a good book. It is about Vesper Holly and her guardian Brinnie’s adventure to the North African country of Jedera. After Vesper finds an overdue library book that was her father’s, and, according to Brinnie, can’t be mailed because it is too important and old, she and Brinnie decide to make the trip to return it. They encounter many obstacles along the way, including an encounter with an old enemy.
The Jedera Adventure is the fourth book in the Vesper Holly series, and they are always good. Vesper Holly is more or less a female version of Indiana Jones, and in my opinion, she is even better than Indiana Jones! The books always start with a really simple thing, in this book it was an overdue library book, that turns into a dangerous and extravagant adventure.
The one thing that makes these books even cooler than they already are, is the fact that they are set in the late 1800s to early 1900s, a time when young teenage girls didn’t go on dangerous adventures around the world. She doesn’t care if she gets dirty, and if she is in a sticky situation, she will fight people with her on hands.
One thing that I enjoyed seeing in this book that has not yet happened in the three other books, was Lloyd Alexander brought back a villain from one the past books; Dr. Helvitius. Dr. Helvitius is Vesper and Brinnie’s most dangerous enemy, and has tried to kill them before in The Drackenburg Adventure. In this book, he attempts it again, but fails.
The Vesper Holly series is really good, and each book only gets better. It is a great book for girls to read about one of the closest female characters that has been made to Indiana Jones. Although the series ended after six books, I will definitely finish the series off, and read the last two books left.
The Jedera Adventure is the fourth book in the Vesper Holly series, and they are always good. Vesper Holly is more or less a female version of Indiana Jones, and in my opinion, she is even better than Indiana Jones! The books always start with a really simple thing, in this book it was an overdue library book, that turns into a dangerous and extravagant adventure.
The one thing that makes these books even cooler than they already are, is the fact that they are set in the late 1800s to early 1900s, a time when young teenage girls didn’t go on dangerous adventures around the world. She doesn’t care if she gets dirty, and if she is in a sticky situation, she will fight people with her on hands.
One thing that I enjoyed seeing in this book that has not yet happened in the three other books, was Lloyd Alexander brought back a villain from one the past books; Dr. Helvitius. Dr. Helvitius is Vesper and Brinnie’s most dangerous enemy, and has tried to kill them before in The Drackenburg Adventure. In this book, he attempts it again, but fails.
The Vesper Holly series is really good, and each book only gets better. It is a great book for girls to read about one of the closest female characters that has been made to Indiana Jones. Although the series ended after six books, I will definitely finish the series off, and read the last two books left.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
June 3, 2021
In The Jedera Adventure, Vesper Holly must return a long overdue book to a library in the Sahara Desert. The journey to get there is very dangerous, and many people want to hunt Vesper and her friends down. But with the help of an experienced desert tribe leader, the journey might just be possible.
I recommend this book to anyone who likes action, adventure, and mystery. It is slow at parts, and sometimes the characters are annoying, but other than that it was very exciting and captivating. The suspense woven throughout it keeps the reader intrigued the whole time, and the ending is very satisfying.
I recommend this book to anyone who likes action, adventure, and mystery. It is slow at parts, and sometimes the characters are annoying, but other than that it was very exciting and captivating. The suspense woven throughout it keeps the reader intrigued the whole time, and the ending is very satisfying.
September 15, 2019
The Vesper Holly Adventure series continues in exciting and entertaining fashion. Immensely enjoyable and written with Lloyd Alexander's usual masterful skill. Although there's a certain pattern that emerges from book to book, each one remains remarkably fresh and engaging. Great fun and good reading.
August 13, 2017
There's adventure for you.
August 1, 2022
Just more simple, light-hearted fun. Can't really go wrong here unless you're looking for it.
August 1, 2023
A perfectly acceptable adventure for kids, with kidnappings and desert hijinks. It reminds me of the Black Stallion books.
September 26, 2023
I really don't care what other people say.This is one of my favorite books ever.
February 22, 2017
This narrator dude (basically Marcus Brody from Indiana Jones) manages to be so annoying that it's actually kind of impressive.
August 18, 2014
This book from Llloyd Alexander sat waiting patiently for me to pick it up for years. I'm glad it waited. It was a captivating read full of adventure, intrigue and mystery. Set in the sand swept country of Jedera, it is full of both North African and Arabic references. The star of the story is 18 year old Holly Vesper, a Nancy Drew type who's both smart and beautiful. She travels to Jedera with her guardian to return a long overdue library book written by a Jederan scholar. While there, they make the acquaintance of many interesting characters, some who help their quest, others who try to hinder it. All in all, it was a fun read. Recommended for higher level readers as the vocabulary is a little challenging at times.
February 7, 2024
Vesper Holly finds an over-due library book amongst her father's possessions. She feels duty bound to return it. Unfortunately, the book belongs to a library in Bel-Saaba, Jedera. Vesper, accompanied by her guardian, Brinton Garrett, travels to the Middle East. At every turn, Vesper meets danger head on. She saves the life of a magician, teams up with the French Foreign Legion, and meets An-Jalil, a powerful desert nomad. She and Dr. Garrett thwart the efforts of a slave dealer. They are forced to fly an airplane made by the infamous Dr. Helvitius. Vesper crash lands in Bel-Saaba during an uprising of the townspeople. Will the book ever be returned to the library in Jedera?
©2024 Kathy Maxwell at https://bookskidslike.com
©2024 Kathy Maxwell at https://bookskidslike.com
August 22, 2016
With this novel, Alexander's series falls squarely back into the mediocrity zone. While nowhere near as irritating as the El Dorado installment, Jedera just isn't anywhere near as fun as Drackenberg was. I will continue reading these books because they're brief and amusing, but this whole series is pretty flat. Like a serial television show, it plays out the same rough plot over and over with very little novel development, drawing on the strength of the characters to generate its value. At this point, I find Brinnie funny but predictable and generally quite useless, and Vesper is more of caricature sketch than a character. Alexander's signature wit is occasionally on display in this piece, but one really doesn't get the sense that he was trying very hard...
April 2, 2009
This series is like Indiana Jones, girl style. When the heione's parents die, she goes to live with her father's co-partner/gardian. She has many adventures in excotic lands which usually end up in life and death situations.
Ratings (out of 10):
Plot: 9 {little hard to follow if you are younger than 12}
Characters: 9
Writing Style: 9
Adventure: 10
Originality: 10
Total: 49/50 (A)
Ratings (out of 10):
Plot: 9 {little hard to follow if you are younger than 12}
Characters: 9
Writing Style: 9
Adventure: 10
Originality: 10
Total: 49/50 (A)
June 9, 2011
I didn't really care for it. The first half of the book was written terribly. The second half was a little better beacuse there was more interaction between the characters. The story itself was...ok. It was fine until they threw that flying machine in the end...what? overall poorly written, and bad plot.
August 5, 2011
Vesper and Brinnie travel to a fictional north African French colonial country to return a rare and valuable library book which she finds among her father's possessions. A quick and exciting read, I liked the library connection and the traveling parts best in this fourth book in the Vesper Holly series.
April 9, 2008
I remember reading this during my Lloyd Alexander kick... I read all the Vesper Holly adventures plus a good chunk of his other books. I found three of the Vesper books at a giant book sale and plan to re-read them.
July 16, 2011
This one may be my favorite. You get recurring secondary characters, lots of charisma, Romeo and Juliet of the high desert, and a villain who says things like, "None of your clever but ultimately futile tricks!"
July 29, 2012
Vesper never disappoints.
September 11, 2012
Good series.
February 3, 2014
Cute story! The characters were charming, and their escapades entertaining.
March 10, 2015
Charming story and characters, as always!
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February 7, 2017It kept me on edge the whole time.
Displaying 1 - 25 of 25 reviews