From School Library Journal
Grade 5-8-- Dakin, 15, is pretty, talented, and has a mind of her own. At age ten, she had set herself three goals: to go to the farthest-away mountain, to see a gargoyle, and to marry a prince. When she hears a voice from the mountain calling her, she responds at once. She is to free the mountain from the evil that has controlled it for 200 years , find the missing Ring of Kings before the evil Master does, and return it to the Prince. Dakin charges ahead and does what must be done, mostly using her own courage but with some help from enchanted beings. In completing her quest, she also accomplishes her own goals, including getting her prince, although not a royal one. This book is less engrossing than Banks's very successful Indian in the Cupboard (Avon, 1982). Dakin is too good, and the outcome too predictable (her prince is an enchanted frog at the story's beginning). The ending rambles on too long after the destruction of the evil, and the message--that evil can take over if good people are afraid to stand up to it--is stated too often and obviously. Also, the text is condescendingly riddled with italicized words that detract from the flow of the story. (And laughter does not "peel . ") For fantasy that holds the attention, it is hard to beat Lloyd Alexander's The High King (Holt, 1968) and Susan Cooper's The Dark Is Rising (McElderry, 1973). --Virginia Golodetz, St. Michael's College, Winooski, VT
Copyright 1991 Reed Business Information, Inc.
Fifteen-year-old Dakin finds adventure, mystery and challenges when she decides to be the first to explore the magical Farthest-Away Mountain. Banks smoothly portrays all the characters with seamless transitions between each part. Many of the voices are of fantasy creatures. She gives the enchanted gargoyles sad, haunting wails, mimicking the real sounds that would occur if wind traveled through their spouts. Her menacing troll thunders his loud, frightening words, tempered by Banks's touch of humor and a cockney accent. For Dakin's voice, she adds a sweet innocence and strong determination that reflects the brave heroine's true soul. P.A.J. An AudioFile Earphones Award winner. (c)AudioFile, Portland, Maine
--This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.
