Lily Quench and the Hand of Manuelo

Lily Quench #6

by Natalie Jane Prior, Janine Dawson (Illustrator)

Something strange is happening in the Black people are disappearing, government equipment is being stolen and destroyed, and the miners are in revolt. Countries occupied for centuries by the Black Empire are declaring their independence, and General Sark is powerless to stop the rebellion. A mysterious Robin Hood like figure known only as Manuelo is thought to be responsible. Fighting under cover of darkness and always in disguise, Manuelo is never seen by anyone other than his closest associates, so Lily Quench goes underground—literally!—to find out exactly who he is and what he is fighting for. . . .

Genres: Fantasy, Dragons, Childrens, Adventure

176 pages, Paperback

First published January 28, 2004

About the author

Prior was born in 1963 in Brisbane, Australia, where she also currently lives with her husband and daughter. Her first fiction book, 'The Amazing Adventures of Amabel', was published in 1990 and her internationally successful children's fantasy series, 'Lily Quench', has been published in more than twenty countries. Prior's work has been a finalist at the Children's Book Council of Australia Awards as well as being honoured and named as notable. Her work, 'Fireworks and Darkness', won the 2003 Davitt Awards for best young-adult novel and her work, 'Lily Quench and the Lighthouse of Skellig Mor' won the 2003 Aurealis Award for best children's short fiction. She has also been nominated for an Aurealis Award on three other occasions for best short fiction, long fiction and young-adult novel.

Reviews

[Lady Tea · Rating 5 out of 5]

Rating: 5 / 5

I think part of what's so great about this book is just how much action takes place in this story, interwoven with key revelations that apply both in this book and the next.

We're introduced to a new cast of characters as well, and essentially from the first chapter, which details an escape of four miners from the mines in the Black Mountains, the action never stops.

Whether separated or together, all of our characters get their fair share of action in this story, and it even touches on key topics like revolution and freedom, the importance of learning lessons and even being prepared to let go of loved ones--though there's nothing that drastic that happens in this book itself, thank goodness.

A lot goes into continuing Lily and Queen Dragon's story, as well as a lot of setup for the book ahead. The dramatic moments that happen with Lily and Lionel have to fight for their lives whilst flying atop Queen Dragon was particularly exciting! (And the whole revolution happening in the mines, of course.)

All in all, it's a great read and a beloved treasure to add to this series. Now, one more book left to finish off the series--the much-anticipated search for King Dragon!

[Sarah · Rating 3 out of 5]

I'm really hoping there is some big review with Manuelo in the final book, but this installment in the series was a bit unsatisfying. We get to go back to the Black Mountains, but other than someone potentially using the Eye Stone (which Lily and Queen Dragon don't close off, and nobody plans to guard, and we never figure out who), there aren't a lot of connections back to earlier books. The story starts out of the blue with four escaped miners who just happen to be a wide range of characters, and there is double crossing that is maybe triple crossing as they fight for the mines, but Lily and her crew end up on different sides throughout it all, and nobody is quite who you think they might be. Long story short, it's a lot of action without much plot advancement.

[Ben · Rating 1 out of 5]

just when i thought they couldn't get any worse the writer makes this book drag on and the plot is just terrible and i an not dissing anybody how likes this books i am just giving my onest opinion what a terriable way to end the collection

[SBC · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was great, and given that I hadn't read the first 5 books it was quite easy to slip into and catch up on the character relationships. Refreshingly written with a simplicity of style yet plenty of character development and interesting plot movement. I liked the setting a lot, too.

[Euphemia]

2nd time reading, a very mystery ridden book compared to the others in the series