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Midwinter Nightingale
Midwinter Nightingale
Sep 30, 2024 2:16 AM

Author:Joan Aiken

Midwinter Nightingale

King Richard, son of James III lies gravely ill and there are rumours that the king's enemy, the Duchess of Burgundy, is preparing an imminent invasion. The ancient crown of Alfred must be found so King Richard can pass it on to his successor. Is Simon, Duke of Battersea and friend of the king, next in line to the throne or will the evil werewolf Baron Magnus Rudh succeed in his plot to make his son, Lot, king? To add further complications, Dido Twite, held prisoner by the Baron and the Duchess, does not know the whereabouts of either Simon or the dying king: can she escape in time to find and warn them of the treachery afoot? This adventure with a truly galloping plot and breath-taking situations will delight all fans of Joan Aiken's books

Reviews

A swashbuckling drama that shows that Aiken's imagination never dimmed

—— Nicolette Jones , The Sunday Times

Playful, urgent and wildly inventive, Aiken's language is always potent. Readers with a taste for mystery and complexity will find much to savour

—— Publishers Weekly

As fantastic as any of its predecessors . . . Richly imagined and superbly told, this adventure is a welcome extension to the series and will doubtless gather new readers to boot

—— John Malam , Manchester Evening News

A writer of wild humour and unrestrained imagination

—— Oxford Companion to Children's Literature

Everyone should read Terry Pratchett. Maybe it should be part of the National Curriculum?

—— Families

The story is inventive in its carefully worked-out central conceit, often very funny, and dotted with some genuinely scary bits.

—— Publishers Weekly

Mouth-watering attention to names and place names add greatly to the story's enjoyment factor.The story itself - part saga, legend and adventure - swings along at a fair old clatter. Terry Pratchett's writing is vivid and immediate . . . For young readers unaware of Pratchett's oeuvre, The Carpet People is a fine introduction

—— Junior Bookshelf

The concept is fascinating and is told with Pratchett's customary wit plus touches of cynicism. It's a winner

—— The School Librarian

I feel it’s a new dimension in imagination and the prose is beautiful. It is exciting and adventurous.

—— The Irish Times

Mouth-watering attention to names and place names... adding greatly to the story's enjoyment factor. The story itself - part saga, legend and adventure - swings along at a fair old clatter. Terry Pratchett's writing is vivid and immediate. He wastes no time. There is little padding. The swiftness of the storyline is everything.... For young readers unaware of Pratchett's oeuvre, The Carpet People is a fine introduction

—— The Junior Bookshelf

Wacky, weird stuff which should make you think twice about crossing the living room!

—— TV Hits Magazine

It's a winner

—— School Librarian

[Linda's] eponymous Lob, made of rain and wind, of time gone and time waiting, embodies regeneration

—— The Irish Times

Laced with poems, and beautifully illustrated, this is a magical story of believing in the unknown

—— Guardian

If you must have more contemporary fantasy for your almost-teens, then the bogglingly prolific Terry Prachett has a new junior Discworld title: I Shall Wear Midnight

—— The Independant on Sunday

Although I Shall Wear Midnight, the fourth volume in the Tiffany Aching books by master of fantasy worlds Terry Pratchett is marked as being for younger readers, this is a book that older fans can't help but enjoy. Full of puns, allusions and some very odd characters, including Tiffany's ex, this is a book to laugh your way through.

—— Caroline Franklin , Newbury Weekly News

There are suprising revelations about other acquaintances in this action packed story with dark moments lightened by humour, not least from the wonderful Nac Mac Feegles. Full length novel for older, capable readers.

—— Primary Times

Teen witch Tiffany is one of Pratchett's most formidable creations yet

—— Time Out

As Tiffany tackles domestic drudgery and the monstrous villain, Pratchett brings us reflections on the role of women, the dangers of religion and the follies of society. And, writing at the height of his powers, he makes us laugh a lot

—— Nicolette Jones , The Sunday Times

Pratchett's trademark wordplay and humor are much in evidence, but he's also interested in weightier topics, including religious prejudice and the importance of living a balanced life. Tiffany Aching fans, who have been waiting for this novel since Wintersmith should be ecstatic

—— Publishers Weekly

There are suprising revelations about other acquaintances in this action-packed story with dark moments lightened by humour, not least from the wonderful Nac Mac Feegles

—— Primary Times
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