Beyond the North Wind [Library Binding]

Bradshaw maximizes the power of this taut fantasy adventure by grounding it in classical mythology. Aristeas, a Greek poet, is spirited off on a mission by Apollo. Captured by a couple of Arimaspians, a one-eyed people living under a terrible curse, Aristeas discovers that their powerful queen is planning an attack against the griffins. Instinctively, Aristeas knows that he must warn these winged beasts of impending ambush, yet feels it is also his duty to save the war-mongering Arimaspians. To resolve this seemingly paradoxical task, he calls on his magical powers, his sheer determination and his stalwart griffin friend, Firegold. As the opposing sides move into action and magic begins to take its course, the plot builds to an exciting climax. The mix of beasts and humans, of the mythical and the magical, results in a happy synergism. Especially well portrayed is the griffin nation, its mores and foibles, history and culture. Ages 10-up.
Copyright 1993 Reed Business Information, Inc.

Grade 5-9-- A few lines from the Histories of Herodotus provide characters for a cheerful fantasy-adventure. Aristeas, a young poet armed with a powerful but firmly limited gift of magic from the god Apollo, is drawn east of his native Greece by a sense of terrible danger, "a catastrophe that he was somehow expected to prevent." Entering the country of one-eyed Arimaspians, he is immediately captured by two of these ignorant giants as a prize for their flesh-eating queen. Aristeas escapes them to join forces with their archenemies, the griffins, who communicate telepathically and shelter him in their mountain fortress. Persisting through battles, spells, and transformations, the reluctant hero arrives at last at the idyllic land beyond the North Wind. There, the wise Hyperboreans suggest a way for Aristeas to save both Arimaspians and griffins from mutual destruction. Unpretentiously informed by the Greek idea of fate, served up with a smooth conversational style and a dash of humor, this light entertainment makes a sweet but not entirely necessary addition to fantasy collections. --Margaret A. Chang, North Adams State College, MA
Copyright 1993 Reed Business Information, Inc.

In return for freeing the cruel, one-eyed Arimaspians from the curse of brutality, giving them back their eyes and tears and, in the process, saving the peaceful griffins from them, Apollo gives Aristeas magic and music but also dooms him to wander the world. As in some of her adult books, Bradshaw (the well-received The Dragon and the Thief, 1991, and its sequel) relates an adventure rich with myth and history. Aristeas, a different kind of Odysseus, blinds his Cyclopses by opening their true eyes, breaking a self-imposed curse in which they gave up compassion and creativity in return for hideous strength. The griffins are saved from the ravages of humans by being transported beyond the north wind, where peace and harmony rule; and the poet Aristeas (whose description of the Arimaspians was quoted by Herodotus) can no more return ``home'' once his eyes (and mind) are opened than a plant can return to seed. Contemporary parallels--with despots; with nature's need to be cared for with simple humanity; with the recognition that compassion may be more powerful than knowledge--are inescapable. Bradshaw imagines the ancient world as it might have been--and also tells a rousing and engrossing adventure story. (Fiction. 10+) -- Copyright ©1993, Kirkus Associates, LP. All rights reserved.

After learning that the evil Arimaspians and their witch queen plan to destroy the Issedones, Aristeas comes to the aid of his friends. By the author of The Dragon and the Thief.