The Crown of Dalemark - Softcover

Jones, Diana Wynne

Softcover

ISBN 10: 0192752774 ISBN 13: 9780192752772

Publisher: Oxford Univ Pr, 2003

Synopsis

Mitt has fled from the South, but finds that North Dalemark is just as full of spies and tyrants. And now he is trapped by an order to kill Noreth - a young girl who has proclaimed herself the heir to the crown of Dalemark. If he doesn't murder her, he risks the lives of his friends.

* Diana Wynne Jones is recognized as being one of the most outstanding writes of fantasy in recent times.

* The Dalemark Quartet books are for good readers who have enjoyed the Christopher Chant books by the same author. The books contain the same ability to immerse the reader with real child characters having magical adventures in an imaginary world.

* This genre of fantasy writing is currently very popular due to the success of the recent 'Lord of the Rings' film.

* Diana Wynne Jones has won the Guardian Award for fiction and has written over twenty novels in less than twenty years.

About this title

About the Author:

Diana Wynne Jones has won the Guardian Award for fiction and has written over twenty novels in less than twenty years.

From School Library Journal:

Grade 6-9?While this fantasy is rich with fascinating scenes and details, it's unlikely that those who haven't read the first three books in the series will be willing to unravel the labyrinthine plot. The story's engaging first part concerns Mitt, a sensitive, courageous young man who speaks his mind. An earl and countess assign him the unpleasant task of murdering Noreth, a teen who believes it's her destiny to seek the ring, cup, and sword that will allow her to unify the land and become queen. The author then leaps ahead 200 years and introduces Maewen, 13, who is sent back in time to impersonate Noreth. Maewen is quite clueless about her purpose, but adjusts to the strangeness of being in the past and on a quest remarkably quickly. Her followers accept her as Noreth without suspicion?proving Wynne Jones's observation that people see what they want to see. There is an interesting uncertainty about whether the directive voice Maewen hears in her head is good or bad (it turns out to be that of the evil magician, Kankredin), and the concept of the Undying (godlike humans) is intriguing, as is the powerful role given to musicians. Some of the characters are very real and likable, but the events and reasons that sustain them are rather mind-boggling and tenuous. The moments of wittiness and tension make reading the novel a pleasure at times, but there is an omnipresent scattered feeling that results in a somewhat baffling whole. The long glossary is helpful.?Vanessa Elder, School Library Journal
Copyright 1996 Reed Business Information, Inc.

About this edition

• Publisher: Oxford Univ Pr
• Publication date: 2003
• ISBN 10: 0192752774
• ISBN 13: 9780192752772
• Binding: Paperback
• Number of pages: 352