From Publishers Weekly
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.
From School Library Journal
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.
