Customer Reviews

The Battle for the Castle

5 star:		(15)
4 star:		(4)
3 star:		(3)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(2)

 

 

I thouhgt The Battle for the Castle was a good book. Infact it was probably my favorite book ever. In some parts of the book I was afraid and scared. In other parts I thought what a great idea. When i first got the book I thought, what is the battle for the castle. This sequal to the castle in the attic is the way to go when there is no other.

The Battle for the Castle takes place two years after the much-loved The Castle in the Attic. William Lawrence celebrates his twelveth birthday with his family and his best friend Jason Stubbs Hardy. The two boys are growing up, and one of the rituals of age is to jump a train. Jason, the athletic biker, succeeds, but William does not, and this gnaws at his mind. William receives the magical token featured in the first book from his old nanny, Mrs. Phillips, that can shrink and enlarge living things. He shows Jason, and they decide to shrink themselves for the grandiose castle in the attic, where another completely different world exists, one of knights, squires, and of course, monsters. William meets up with old friends (from The Castle in the Attic) and makes some new ones, the most important being Gudrin, a mystical blonde girl of twelve. The trouble starts when sightings of a ghost ship in the sea and mysterious bones in the river occur. Little did they know that hundreds of rats are on board the ship, and the rats threaten to eat up the entire castle and its inhabitants.

Good plot, but the events in it were a little...dry. Even though this is directed to a younger audience, the rats do not do a whole lot, and I am disappointed that their leader rat (the big one) is very simple minded. Also, where did the rats come from? Any correlation with the rats in William's attic? The rats' end is, I think, unsatisfying... the first half of the book is really good as it builds up the suspense, but by the second half, one would have thought nothing happened. Was there really a battle? I think there could have been a more grandiose battle because the characters basically hid the whole time.

Also, I admire William, Jason, and Gudrin, but sadly, the book does not delve into their characters enough to leave an impression on me. They have so much potential to be really awesome characters.

The Battle for the Castle is probably entertaining for the younger readers... but I (who happens to be a little older)? I want the excitement that makes The Castle in the Attic so good, and The Battle for the Castle simply does not capture the excitement like its predecessor did so well.

We listened to the cassette version of this book while traveling cross country. Our 8-year old son was entranced and wanted to listen to it again and again. It's a great story about the challenges of pre- and early adolescence wrapped up in a story of high adventure. Great listening. Oh yeah, the book is good too!

The Battle for the Castle was an awesome book. I thought it was one of the best books I ever read. I liked it because I love to be in suspense and this book had lots of suspense. I also liked it because it was easy to follow and to understand. If you liked The Castle in the Attic you'll love The battle for the Castle. Thats what I thought about The Battle for the Castle.

I am in third grade. My teacher read my class this book and the one before it to. Every time when my teacher would stop reading the whole class would beg her to read more. the author does a great job of stoping the chapter right at the really exciting parts.I LOVED it!!!!!!!!! Normally I don't like books about castles but this one I really liked!

It has been around 2 years since we read The Castle in the Attic which was one of the best adventures my son and I shared together. I was previously unaware that there was a sequel to this engaging book. After reading the first couple pages my son's came to rapt attention. "I remember this now," he said excitedly. He began remembering the charecters and adventures of the first story. Almost immediately we were captivated by this next adventure - familiar, but new. It was like coming home to the castle. Each chapter of Battle For the Castle brings a new depth of feeling and connection with the charecters - and, yes,each chapter opens to greater surprise and suspense. My son said feelingly, "I love this book." Even on Saturday morning when his favorite activity is to watch cartoons on TV, begged, instead, to hear "one more chapter!"

William (who received THE CASTLE IN THE ATTIC) is now approaching his 12th birthday, but dreading the townkids' dangerous rite of passage called Jumping the Trains. Although skilled in tumbling and gymnastics, he feels outclassed by Jason, his best friend, who is both taller and more athletic (on a bike). He secretly mourns the fact that he is shorter, fearing that his stature will predestin him to failure in the world.

Then William receives a special gift from Mrs. Phillips, his former nanny now living back in England. Although she had promised to destroy the statue of the evil wizard, Alastor, she changed her mind about disposing of the special Token. This coin depicting two-headed Janus possesses dramatic magical powers. Wiilliam confides the secret of his neglected castle in the attic to Jason, who is eager to make the trek through space and time to reach the medieval world, but not without some modern conveniences: two bikes, a flashlite and;
binoculars.

Their return is timely, for Sir Simon's realm is threatened by a floating horror; a skeleton ship inhabited by fierce rats. Accompanied by young Tolliver, who learns to ride a bike, and 12-year-old Gudrin, the boys undertake to rid the land of the nauseating rodent meance. But how much can one trust a fool--a court jester named Deegan? Is it wise of Sir Simon to depart for a tournament despite the ominous warning signs,
leaving the castle in such youthful hands? This sequel is light and fast-paced. One wonders if Winthrop will consider a third one, before the boys are too old for such fantasy games. Even if she does not, heed crypic messages, trust in feminine clairvoyance and don't forget to treasure your old toys!

This is a great sequel!!! I loved it! There is no return of Alastor but there is a very evil gang lurking about. Not only dose William go to Sir Simon's castle, but Jason comes too!!!
There is also 1 new character: But you'll have to read the book to find out who he/she is! ;)

This book was wonderful. In the book William proves that although he may be looked down upon he can still do great things. Also no one believes another character. This book has alot of action but it also sends messages about how the smallest or seemingly unsignifigant people can be great.

As William turns 12 years old, he wonders if Jason is still his best friend. Because in the past year Jason has grown a foot taller while William is still a little tiny shrimp.But when William has a chance when his former housekeeper sends him a magic token that once again takes him back to Sir Simon's castle in the middle ages, the time with Jason.There they face a dangerous army of rats and their gigantic leader.Once again William will return, as a hero in the castle. But now it is up to him to destory the rats and save the castle in the final battle for the castle. This book is very interesting and exciting book at the same time

Sammy Mohanty