The Islands of Chaldea - Hardcover

Jones, Diana Wynne

3.86

2,353 ratings by Goodreads

Hardcover

ISBN 10: 0007542232 ISBN 13: 9780007542239

Publisher: HarperCollinsChildren’sBooks, 2014

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The brand new and final novel from the magical pen of ‘the Godmother of Fantasy’, Diana Wynne Jones; co-authored with her sister Ursula Jones.

How are you supposed to turn into a Wise Woman if your powers just won’t show up? Aileen is convinced she’ll never become as magical as her Aunt Beck.

Then one day her aunt is set a seemingly impossible mission. She must go to the island of Logra and rescue the kidnapped High Prince from the enemy, and Aileen must go with her. They set off along with Ivar, Aileen’s spoilt cousin, and Ogo his clophopping servant, recruiting on their way a huge and elusive cat, a monk with an uncannily wise parrot, and a boy inventor who keeps a pet lizard up his sleeve. But this is no band of mighty warriors, and the evil Lograns and their wizards have blocked their way with an invisible barrier in the sea. Aileen doubts that even with all the magic in the Islands of Chaldea, including Aunt Beck’s, they will be able to penetrate it.

But Aileen is about to discover that she could be more important to the mission than she realises. Perhaps it is her, above all, who is being drawn to Logra, and for a very special purpose...

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Review:

"The best children's writer of the last 40 years."--Neil Gaiman, author of Coraline

"In the realm of other-world fantasy, this season's gem is the late Diana Wynne Jones's The Islands of Chaldea, completed by Ursula Jones. Humour, wisdom and inventive genius suffuse the tale . . . challenging readers' minds while creating a full world of sympathetic characters."--Toronto Star

"Readers are treated to a nonstop plot, memorable characters, and signature DWJ touches. ... For younger readers, a worthy introduction to the delights of the late, lamented master fantasist."--The Horn Book

"Earwig is a plucky, albeit bossy, heroine, and the story is packed with wit and humor."--School Library Journal

"Only in an unorthodox children's book does a girl hope that she won't be ... taken away from the orphanage. But then, Earwig isn't your typical orphan. ... An amusing story in which it takes hard work as well as magic and cleverness to bring about a happy ending."--Booklist

"Beautiful and intricate...A strong, elegant fantasy [that] will linger with readers."--Bulletin of the Center for Children's Books

The best children s writer of the last 40 years. --Neil Gaiman, author of Coraline"

In the realm of other-world fantasy, this season s gem is the late Diana Wynne Jones s The Islands of Chaldea, completed by Ursula Jones. Humour, wisdom and inventive genius suffuse the tale . . . challenging readers minds while creating a full world of sympathetic characters. --Toronto Star"

Readers are treated to a nonstop plot, memorable characters, and signature DWJ touches. For younger readers, a worthy introduction to the delights of the late, lamented master fantasist. --The Horn Book"

Beautiful and intricate A strong, elegant fantasy [that] will linger with readers. --Bulletin of the Center for Children's Books"

From the Back Cover:

How are you supposed to turn into a Wise Woman if your powers don't show up?

When Aileen and Aunt Beck are sent on a secret--and suspicious--quest across all the Islands of Chaldea, Aileen worries she'll only be in the way. Her aunt Beck may be the most powerful magicworker in Skarr, but Aileen's powers still haven't shown up.

But the quest is not at all what it seems, and Aileen must puzzle out her own way after Aunt Beck angers another formidable sorceress. With the help of a (mostly) invisible cat, a (surprisingly) wise parrot, and a ragtag band of allies, Aileen will see her magic bloom. And she might even rescue her missing father and save a lost prince while she's at it.

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