From School Library Journal
Grade 5-7 - In this latest installment in "The Wolves of Willoughby Chase" saga, Dido attempts to rescue Simon, now king of England, from that tedious role, by seeking out an alternate heir. She and her friend Piers set off to the remote village of Clatteringshaws to find Malise the witch, sister of Father Sam (former hermit, now Archbishop of Canterbury), who may be able to help with the search. While the combination of giant flying otterworms and an invading army of Wends that can be fended off by a sturdy game of
hnefatefl (a Wendish board game) may strain the plot's credulity, Aiken somehow brings this story off with panache. Readers soon realize that her characters are just as amused by events as they are, swinging the story away from the ludicrous into a jolly romp of a fantasy. Similar to Gerald Morris's Arthurian legends in its dry, sarcastic humor, this tale is a quick read that resonates with many well-known elements of folklore and history, hallmarks of Aiken's offbeat yet satisfying fantasies. While not a stand-alone volume,
Clatteringshaws will please those who have read earlier titles in this series; they'll be glad to continue with Dido and Simon's adventures.
- Caitlin Augusta, The Darien Library, CT Copyright © Reed Business Information, a division of Reed Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.
--This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.
From Booklist
Gr. 4-7. Dido Twite returns for another adventure in that alternate-history version of England, where her old friend Simon now serves, reluctantly, as king. In search of an alternate heir to the throne, Dido and her pal Woodlouse journey to Scotland, where they search for a royal lad abandoned there as a baby. They carry out their plan to its surprising conclusion, while Simon leads the English army and displays an unexpected knack for kingship. With elements reminiscent of Charles Dickens' novels, Andrew Lang's fairy tales, and Monty Python's sketches, the story romps to its satisfying ending. Readers familiar with the earlier books will enjoy references to past adventures, but newcomers can easily follow along. Though Aiken died in January, her work lives on. The Dido Twite series, which began in 1963 with
The Wolves of Willoughby Chase, is an outstanding example.
Carolyn PhelanCopyright © American Library Association. All rights reserved
--This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.
