- Hardcover: 203 pages
- Publisher: Orchard Books (NY); Reissue edition (April 1 2007)
- Language: English
- ISBN-10: 0439930103
- ISBN-13: 978-0439930109
- ASIN: 0439846773
- Product Dimensions: 21.5 x 15.3 x 1.9 cm
- Shipping Weight: 318 g
- Amazon Bestsellers Rank: #696,256 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)
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Product Details |
Product Description
From School Library Journal
Grade 5-7-- This suspenseful fantasy concludes the trilogy begun in Snow Spider (1987) and continued in Orchard of the Crescent Moon (1989, both Dutton). Like the others, it is set in a village in the hills of Wales, with their aura of mystery and danger. Much the strongest of the three books, Soldier draws heavily on the second part of the Mabinogion tales. In the first book, young Gwyn Griffiths was given responsibility for guarding a tiny chestnut-wood horse that contained the restless, angry spirit of Efnisien, the mad dark prince of the old tale. Gwyn is careless with the horse, and the prince's negative energy is inadvertently released. Immediately, it finds its way into the soul of a troubled Welsh soldier visiting in the village. Disturbing events ensue, and Gwyn knows who is responsible. He also knows that he must use his inherited magic powers to recapture it before greater harm is done. He tries several spells but the maleficence proves too strong for him. He calls on his grandmother, and on his friend Nia, the heroine of the second book, and on his ancient uncle Gwydion, the magician of Mabinogion fame. With their help, the spirit is recaptured and peace is restored. Nimmo has skillfully woven the ancient story into the modern one, making it accessible to those who do not know the legend. This satisfying fantasy introduces young readers to the genre, and to other works that draw on the ancient Welsh legends, such as those by Lloyd Alexander, Susan Cooper, and Alan Garner. --Virginia Golodetz, St. Michael's College, Winooski, VT
Copyright 1991 Reed Business Information, Inc. --This text refers to an alternate Hardcover edition.
Copyright 1991 Reed Business Information, Inc. --This text refers to an alternate Hardcover edition.
From Booklist
Each book in the Magician Trilogy takes place two years after the last and grows in length and complexity. Here, in the final volume, Gwyn, the young Welsh magician who first discovered his powers in The Snow Spider (2006), grows uneasy about his friend Nia and her family after their cousin, a soldier with a mysterious past, comes to live with them. As in Alan Garner's classic The Owl Service (1967), a Welsh legend seems to be working its dramatic power through the lives of contemporary characters. Although this has its confusing moments, ultimately, it's a rewarding fantasy, especially for fans. Carolyn Phelan
Copyright © American Library Association. All rights reserved
Copyright © American Library Association. All rights reserved
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Most Helpful Customer Reviews on Amazon.com (beta)
Amazon.com:
4.5 out of 5 stars (13 customer reviews)
4 of 4 people found the following review helpful
5.0 out of 5 stars
Best of the three book series, May 17 2000
By James Bow "Writer, The Unwritten Girl" - Published on Amazon.com
This review is from: Chestnut Soldier (Hardcover)
Jenny Nimmo's trilogy started by The Snow Spider, continued with Emlyn's Moon and finished with The Chestnut Soldier is all eminently readible children's fantasy literature for all ages. The series, however, has an interesting trait in that it appears to mature from one book to the next. The Snow Spider has the youngest feel of the series, with our hero just turned nine. The Chestnut Soldier deals with more mature themes as the hero turns thirteen. Coincidence?The Chestnut Soldier is the best of the series, with a strong writing style, complex characters and a good storyline. This series is rare, but well worth getting your hands on. I highly recommend it.
4 of 4 people found the following review helpful
5.0 out of 5 stars
Wonderful!, July 29 1998
By jennie42 - Published on Amazon.com
This review is from: Chestnut Soldier (Hardcover)
My mom brought the whole series back from England for me when I was about 11 years old, I'm 19 now and I wish I hadn't given away my copies! It's a wonderful book, especially for kids (and adults!) who are fascinated by myths and magic. I loved it!
3 of 3 people found the following review helpful
5.0 out of 5 stars
Gwyn's own family is affected and the entire town is in danger, Jun 10 2007
By Midwest Book Review - Published on Amazon.com
This review is from: The Chestnut Soldier (Hardcover)
Book three in the Magician Trilogy continues the saga of magician Gwyn, who faces further challenges to his magical powers when a wicked spirit escapes from a broken toy horse and unleashes havoc on his world. Gwyn's own family is affected and the entire town is in danger: can he summon the forces to fight a final battle? This concludes a trilogy begun in THE SNOW SPIDER; prior familiarity with the other hard-hitting fantasy stories will enhance appreciation of this concluding adventure for advanced elementary to early middle school grades.
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