Wolves Chronicles, Book 2
While Simon was in London with Bonnie and Sylvia (see Wolves of Willoughby Chase), he met Dr. Field who promised to secure Simon a place at the Riviere Art Academy. Unfortunately, when Simon returns to London, the doctor has disappeared. His landlords, the Twites, deny any knowledge of a Dr. Field, but Simon sees his friend's artistic style in a sketch on Dido Twite’s wall. Then, Simon discovers an arsenal in the Twite's basement and overhears treasonous talk about Hanoverians and Picts. He finds his friend Sophie (a dear friend from the orphanage) installed as lady's maid to Duchess Battersea and meets Justin, the Viscount Duke of Battersea and grandson of Marius Riviere, the founder of the academy. When Simon restores a painting at Battersea Castle, it reveals a boy who bears a striking resemblance to Sophie. After this discovery, the Duke and Duchess narrowly escape death when their opera box goes up in flames. Then, Simon discovers that Mr. Buckle, Justin's tutor, is Dido Twite's uncle, and just as Dido begins to tell Simon about Dr. Field, someone knocks him on the head. He wakes up on board the Dark Dew with Justin and Dido as companions. More harrowing adventures lead to an astounding discovery about Simon and Sophie's true identity.
Hanoverians, Picts, and Twites…oh my!! When the villainous Twites plot to overthrow good King James III and destroy the house of Battersea not even their own flesh and blood is safe. Aiken expertly blends many plot lines into an exciting book filled with conspiracy, danger, and loyalty. Black Hearts provides an excellent segue between Wolves of Willoughby Chase and the next several books about Dido Twite.
I think this series is every bit as good as Percy Jackson or Artemis Fowl. It’s got a strong female protagonist, but the high action will keep boys interested. The Wolves Chronicles certainly isn’t chick lit!!
Eight to Twelve Year-Old Boys and Girls will love it!
The Dido Books
Nightbirds at Nantucket
The Stolen Lake
The Cuckoo Tree
Dido and Pa
6 comments:
Great review. I know just the boy who would like this series. I think I will start him off.
Good to hear, Alex! Let me know!
I read this for the first time when I was eight, and am now on my third copy because of so much re-reading!
Ooh, I love Joan Aiken's stories! My first book of hers is The Witches of Clatteringshaw. It was brilliant. I adore Dido and Simon, too! I haven't found many reviewers or fellow reader-friends who've read Aiken. So I'm really happy today. :)
I'm able to get students to read the first in this series, but the others languished on the shelves until they started to smell bad. It was with great reluctance that I let them go, but we needed the shelf space. Sigh.
@Charlotte: Three copies! That's great!
@Claudine: Thanks for your comment, you fellow fan you!!
@Ms. Yingling: Too bad. It might be the covers. They aren't very exciting.
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