Reviews . . .
Stroud earns each and every gasp and cheer he’ll garner from this very different sort of fantasy. Funny, exciting, thoughtful, and, most of all, timeless in the way of all tales worth spinning again and again.
Booklist (US) Starred Review December 2008
As always, Stroud writes like a dream, passing from instant amusement to a sense of real suspense with apparent ease. Those who eagerly awaited this next novel after his superb Bartimaeus trilogy will not be disappointed.
Books for Keeps (UK) January 2009
Stroud shows that the trope of the hero’s journey is as sturdy as ever in this compelling novel… Fans of his Bartimaeus Trilogy will, like the hungry Trows of valley legend, devour this book whole.
School Library Journal (US) Starred Review January 2009
Will the descendants of the “heroes”—long memorialized in bloodthirsty legend—abandon their peaceable recent traditions to turn their ploughshares into swords? Will protagonist Halli, the short, stumpy younger son of Svein’s House, survive nonstop action to realize his true nature? To Stroud’s credit, he keeps readers guessing—about plot turns, character revelations, and the novel’s philosophical implications—through many a deftly choreographed conflict… Much fun.
The Horn Book Magazine (US) Starred Review January/February 2009
Witty and cinematic storytelling propels Stroud's engrossing novel, set in a medieval world that recalls Norse epics—no gods, but plenty of heroes to go around…. Smart, funny dialogue and prose, revealing passages about the exploits of the hero Svein, bouts of action and a touch of romance briskly move the story along. Offering more than just a grand adventure (which the tale certainly is), Stroud explores the consequences behind legend-worthy acts of glory and the power and peril of blind faith and hero-worship.
Publishers Weekly (US) Starred Review December 2008
Product Description
Listen then, and I'll tell you again of the Battle of the Rock. But none of your usual wriggling, or I'll stop before I've begun ...Halli loves the old stories from when the valley was a wild and dangerous place - when the twelve legendary heroes stood together to defeat the ancient enemy, the bloodthirsty Trows. Halli longs for adventure but these days the most dangerous thing in the valley is boredom. He tries to liven things up by playing practical jokes. But when one of his jokes goes too far, he reawakens an old blood feud and finds himself on a hero's quest after all. Along the way he meets a ruthless thief, a murderous rival, and a girl who may just be as fearless as he is. Jonathan Stroud has created an epic saga with a funny, unique spin, and an unforgettable anti-hero.
From the Back Cover
Listen then, and I'll tell you again of the Battle of the Rock. But none of your usual wriggling, or I'll stop before I've begun...
Halli loves to hear stories from the days when the valley was a wild and dangerous place, besieged by the bloodthirsty Trows. He likes to imagine the night the legendary heroes joined together and fought till dawn to defeat the ancient foe.
Now farming has taken over from fighting Trows, and to Halli's bitter disappointment heroics seem a thing of the past. But when a practical joke rekindles an old blood feud, he sees a chance for a daring quest of his own.
He is joined by Aud - only daughter of the House of Arne - a girl every bit as reckless and headstrong as he is. Together they will challenge everything they have ever known and discover the truth about the legends, the valley, and themselves.
An epic adventure with unexpected twists, sinister enemies and a small but unforgettable hero.
About the Author
Jonathan is the author of the bestselling Bartimaeus trilogy, as well as stand-alone novels, Buried Fire, The Leap and The Last Siege. Jonathan worked as a children's book editor before becoming a full time writer. He lives in St. Albans with his wife and their two young children.
Product details
- First Edition First Printing
- Hardcover: 400 pages
- Publisher: Doubleday (1 Jan 2009)
- Language English
- ISBN-10: 0385614012
- ISBN-13: 978-0385614016
- Product Dimensions: 22 x 14.6 x 3.8 cm
