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The Wolves Chronicles #1-3
Joan Aiken Omnibus: Wolves of Willoughby Chase / Black Hearts in Battersea / Night Birds on Nantucket
Excellent Book
Hardcover
First published January 1, 1995
121 people want to read
About the author
Joan Aiken
331 books601 followersJoan Aiken was a much loved English writer who received the MBE for services to Children's Literature. She was known as a writer of wild fantasy, Gothic novels and short stories.
She was born in Rye, East Sussex, into a family of writers, including her father, Conrad Aiken (who won a Pulitzer Prize for his poetry), and her sister, Jane Aiken Hodge. She worked for the United Nations Information Office during the second world war, and then as an editor and freelance on Argosy magazine before she started writing full time, mainly children's books and thrillers. For her books she received the Guardian Award (1969) and the Edgar Allan Poe Award (1972).
Her most popular series, the "Wolves Chronicles" which began with The Wolves of Willoughby Chase, was set in an elaborate alternate period of history in a Britain in which James II was never deposed in the Glorious Revolution,and so supporters of the House of Hanover continually plot to overthrow the Stuart Kings. These books also feature cockney urchin heroine Dido Twite and her adventures and travels all over the world.
Another series of children's books about Arabel and her raven Mortimer are illustrated by Quentin Blake, and have been shown on the BBC as Jackanory and drama series. Others including the much loved Necklace of Raindrops and award winning Kingdom Under the Sea are illustrated by Jan Pieńkowski.
Her many novels for adults include several that continue or complement novels by Jane Austen. These include Mansfield Revisited and Jane Fairfax.
Aiken was a lifelong fan of ghost stories. She set her adult supernatural novel The Haunting of Lamb House at Lamb House in Rye (now a National Trust property). This ghost story recounts in fictional form an alleged haunting experienced by two former residents of the house, Henry James and E. F. Benson, both of whom also wrote ghost stories. Aiken's father, Conrad Aiken, also authored a small number of notable ghost stories.
She was born in Rye, East Sussex, into a family of writers, including her father, Conrad Aiken (who won a Pulitzer Prize for his poetry), and her sister, Jane Aiken Hodge. She worked for the United Nations Information Office during the second world war, and then as an editor and freelance on Argosy magazine before she started writing full time, mainly children's books and thrillers. For her books she received the Guardian Award (1969) and the Edgar Allan Poe Award (1972).
Her most popular series, the "Wolves Chronicles" which began with The Wolves of Willoughby Chase, was set in an elaborate alternate period of history in a Britain in which James II was never deposed in the Glorious Revolution,and so supporters of the House of Hanover continually plot to overthrow the Stuart Kings. These books also feature cockney urchin heroine Dido Twite and her adventures and travels all over the world.
Another series of children's books about Arabel and her raven Mortimer are illustrated by Quentin Blake, and have been shown on the BBC as Jackanory and drama series. Others including the much loved Necklace of Raindrops and award winning Kingdom Under the Sea are illustrated by Jan Pieńkowski.
Her many novels for adults include several that continue or complement novels by Jane Austen. These include Mansfield Revisited and Jane Fairfax.
Aiken was a lifelong fan of ghost stories. She set her adult supernatural novel The Haunting of Lamb House at Lamb House in Rye (now a National Trust property). This ghost story recounts in fictional form an alleged haunting experienced by two former residents of the house, Henry James and E. F. Benson, both of whom also wrote ghost stories. Aiken's father, Conrad Aiken, also authored a small number of notable ghost stories.
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Displaying 1 - 8 of 8 reviews
May 19, 2015
After seeing the films I just had to read the complete series. See my review on my book blog: http://quirkyreader.livejournal.com/2...
March 30, 2020
This is an omnibus comprising three books, all of Aiken's 'Wolves' chronicles. I always feel a bit odd about reviewing collections and in this case I am going to say that I love the artwork on this omnibus, I think the three stories work together very well in a single volume, (though I needed some time between the first and the second) as they have some charcaters in common. Simon is a secondary character in the first book The Wolves of Willoughby Chase but becomes the primary character in Black Hearts in Battersea while in 'Black Hearts' Dido Twite is a secondary character but becomes the primary in Night Birds on Nantucket.
The writing remains consistently, light and fun with most adults being caricatured or at least very odd, there are a few elements of magical realism - in the wolves in England for example. There is also an element of fantasy as the whole series occurs in an alternate reality where the king is different. Now, I suppose this meant something more significant in the 1960's when they were written. I personally don't have a clue why one would bother creating a period of English history which never happened, when the only actual difference is that the king is Scottish James III, but then, I am not English and I suppose that there is a real significance there. In any case, it allows the bad guys in all three books to be 'Hanoverians' who want a different king - George I, who actually ruled I guess? So all books are consistent with regard to the bad guys.
A lot of fun to read, all three, but I am going to review them as separate books.
The writing remains consistently, light and fun with most adults being caricatured or at least very odd, there are a few elements of magical realism - in the wolves in England for example. There is also an element of fantasy as the whole series occurs in an alternate reality where the king is different. Now, I suppose this meant something more significant in the 1960's when they were written. I personally don't have a clue why one would bother creating a period of English history which never happened, when the only actual difference is that the king is Scottish James III, but then, I am not English and I suppose that there is a real significance there. In any case, it allows the bad guys in all three books to be 'Hanoverians' who want a different king - George I, who actually ruled I guess? So all books are consistent with regard to the bad guys.
A lot of fun to read, all three, but I am going to review them as separate books.
August 31, 2021
Why don't more contemporary people know about these books? They are luminous for kids or adults. Such a fun set of adventures by the most ratty and resourceful of characters.
June 26, 2025
A book I wouldn't normally read but must admit I enjoyed. Easy reading and just goes to show how cruel family members can be.
July 7, 2014
These three books (and the series that follows) are childhood favourites of mine, which I continue to love as an adult. The novels are based on an alternative history of British history and I love the weaving and retelling of actual history, mythology and creation. The plots are outlandish, imgainative but fun and somehow believable despite the ridiculosity of them at times (assasination via setting a palace on giant rollers for example) and the language is fun and vibrant. Interestingly, my favourite character from the entire series was the least likeable when she was first introduced but who grows as the series progresses and developes a colourful and powerful character. Would recommend this series for the young, the young at heart and those who enjoy mythology and alternative histories.
August 8, 2011
Joan Aiken writes excellent action-adventure stories for the young adult (and young at heart) reader. I was instantly hooked by "The Wolves of Willoughby Chase," which reminded me a lot of "The Little Princess," only this heroine escapes and strikes out on her own! Part quest, part adventure and all heart, this story has stayed with me even many, many years later. This omnibus edition includes the 2 sequels. Highly recommended!
May 26, 2013
Not sure what to think of this book. It got me in and I read it quickly but still felt removed from it. It did remind me of other adventure stories with a bit of Jane eyre.
January 18, 2015
Reread recently. The adventure wasn't as compelling to me as a adult, but I enjoyed the language and characters.
Displaying 1 - 8 of 8 reviews