On a visit to a remote European kingdom in 1872, a fearless sixteen-year-old orphan and her guardian research an ancient legend and become enmeshed in a dangerous rebellion.
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From Publishers Weekly
With this new novel, Alexander adds another delightful adventure to his many popular and award-winning books. (His Prydain Cycle was adapted for the recent Disney movie, The Black Cauldron.) This time, the intrepid protagonist is 16-year-old Vesper Holly. She's a precocious orphan from Philadelphia who sets out to prove her scholarly father's theories about the national legend of Illyria, a small Adriatic nation. It is 1872 and Illyria's ethnic conflict is brewing into a revolution. Vesper is caught up in the intrigue, and proves a shrewd and valiant ally. She reconciles the king and the rebel leader, thereby preventing a war, and in the bargain finds the historical evidence she seeks. The appealing characters and the nice blend of challengesintellectual and moral as well as physical are matched by lively storytelling.
Copyright 1986 Reed Business Information, Inc.
Copyright 1986 Reed Business Information, Inc.
From School Library Journal
Grade 5-9 Vesper Holly at 16 is an intrepid heroine too candid for 19th-Century comfort and more than a match for the villains she meets in this charming fantasy adventure. Whisking her staid guardian Brinnie off to Illyriaa tiny kingdom on the Adriaticto investigate one of her late father's theories, she involves them both in a search for treasure, an attempted revolution and a conspiracy to murder Illyria's King Osman. With the help of the rebel leader Vartan and in spite of Brinnie's habit of trusting the villains, Vesper solves an ancient puzzle and shows rebels and proud King how to make peace. A touch of romance adds the finishing touch. Narrated by loyal, rather naive Brinnie, the story moves briskly from one crisis to another until the final, quite satisfying resolution. The language holds hints of 19th-Century expression without being overdone, and the contrast between Brinnie's formal habits of speech and Vesper's directness adds humor. Each character is sketched briefly but clearly, and the relationship between guardian and ward is developed nicely throughout their adventures, each showing a growing regard for the other. Young readers may find it hard to relate to middle-aged Brinnie's voice, but none will complain of lack of action. Sara Miller, White Plains Public Library, N.Y.
Copyright 1986 Reed Business Information, Inc.
Copyright 1986 Reed Business Information, Inc.
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Miss Vesper Holly has the digestive talents of a goat and the mind of a chess master. Read the first page
Front Cover | Copyright | Excerpt | Back Cover
Miss Vesper Holly has the digestive talents of a goat and the mind of a chess master. Read the first page
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Customer Reviews
Most helpful customer reviews
By John
Format:Paperback
I've been a Lloyd Alexander fan for a long time. His Westmark Trilogy and Prydain Chronicles are certainly some of my favorities for their high adventure, dry wit, and extraordinary depth. I've even exchanged letters with Alexander. Needless to say, I've been excited to begin the Vesper Holly books for a long times, and while this one is not quite up to the level of Westmark and Prydain, I am not disappointed.
Vesper Holly is quite a girl. She has a knack for getting into finding trouble and adventure. In this novel, she drags her Uncle Brinnie to Illyria and into a civil war with its roots in ancient mythology. Together, Vesper and Brinnie have to try to unite the country by bringing together the king and the leader of the rebel forces. Of course, the plot contains a lot of murder attempts and quick escapes and mysterious plot twists. It's certainly a fun, fast ride.
There is a lot that's great about this book. I'm always a stickler for good high adventure, and the humor, action, and characters of The Illyrian Adventure provide that. The only problem with the book is that it stops there. Where Prydain and Westmark have underlying messages about such things as political philosophy, the nature of heroism, and the ability of love to cut through the chaos of the world, this book did not have that depth. Certainly, read this book, but read Westmark and Prydain first.
By A Customer
Format:Paperback
The Illyrian Adventure wasn't a bad read. If you like a little bit of adventure along with a small amount of mystery you should read this book. I thought the characters were a little mixed up, the girl, Vesper, is rather naive and her uncle Brinnie is even worse. The characters have no depth, but the story line is good.
By Livi Clare
Format:Paperback
The Illyrian Adventure is one of Lloyd Alexander's very best books. As an eighteen year old student applying to universities, I have written entrance essays on this book. I wish that I had read it when I was younger. It is an excellent book about a fearless heroine, and it has that truly inspiring flavour of all of Alexander's work. Not only is it fun to read (I've lost track of how many times I've read it this year), but it leaves you with a yearning to get up and go, to follow dreams. Vesper Holly is a wonderfull role model, if I ever have children, this will certainly be one of the first books I'd want them to hear. Go Vesper!
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4.2 out of 5 stars
Most recent customer reviews
2.0 out of 5 stars
It is an ok book
I did not like The Illyrian Adventure because I didn't like because the main character. Vesper is a know it all. Read more
Published on Feb 17 2004
3.0 out of 5 stars
A fun book, but lacking the depth of Alexander's other works
Please don't misinterpret the three star rating -- I certainly enjoyed _The Illyrian Adventure_ considerably. Read more
Published on Dec 25 1999 by Joy Kim
5.0 out of 5 stars
This book should be read everyone, youg or old!!!
This is the first book (and the best) of the Vesper Holly series. Everyone will love Vesper and her sense of adventure. Read more
Published on April 30 1999
5.0 out of 5 stars
VERYVERYVERYVERYVERYVERYVERYVERYVERYVERYVERY GOOD!!
Lloyd Alexander rules!! This book is exciting and adventurous. LOVE IT!!
Who is Nilo, really? Why did he just happen to show up at exactly the right time the Vesper and... Read more
Published on Dec 15 1998
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