The Book of the Sword: The Darkest Age II [Hardcover]

A.J. Lake (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: May 1, 2007 | Age Level: 9 and up | Grade Level: 4 and up | Series: Darkest Age

In COMING OF DRAGONS, Edmund and Elspeth received strange and powerful gifts that would lead them on a dangerous quest. Edmund has the vision of the Ripente - he can reach inside the minds of others and see what they see. Elspeth can draw upon the power of an enchanted sword and gauntlet when she is in danger.
Now, the sword is speaking to Elspeth, leading her to a final showdown with an ancient god. But the journey they must take into the Snowlands is a perilous one, filled with haunting ice spirits, terrifying dragons and others who are aware of their presence in this remote realm. These two unlikely heroes must decide who they can trust and who means them harm. Elspeth's magical sword has brought them closer to their destiny than they realize, and it's up to them to succeed - at any cost.

Editorial Reviews

Review

From Kirkus Reviews

A better-than-average middle volume that keeps the story rolling along nicely. --Kirkus Reviews

 

From CurledUp.com

A deep mystery is set up, done in such a way that it assumes intelligence on the part of a young reader, rather than spelling it all out the way so many books written for kids do….Thoroughly enjoyable. --CurledUp.com

About the Author

A. J. LAKE is a former teacher with a lifelong interest in the period of British history known as the Dark Ages. She is inspired by mountains, storms and places of ice and snow. And she secretly hopes that dragons are real. She is also the author of Coming of Dragons.

Product Details

• Reading level: Ages 9 and up
  
• Hardcover: 240 pages
• Publisher: Bloomsbury USA Childrens; First Edition edition (May 1, 2007)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 1599900394
• ISBN-13: 978-1599900391
• Product Dimensions: 8.1 x 5.4 x 0.9 inches
• Shipping Weight: 12 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.2 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (6 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #1,184,581 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)
  • #95 in Books > Children's Books > Fairy Tales, Folk Tales & Myths > Norse

More About the Author

A. J. LAKE is a former teacher with a lifelong interest in the period of British history known as the Dark Ages. She is inspired by mountains, storms, and places of ice and snow. And she secretly hopes that dragons are real. Visit her online at www.thedarkestage.com.

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

1 of 1 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Book of the sword: The darkest of age Book 2, February 18, 2010

By 

Robert Snoke "Reader Rob" (Orlando, FL) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

Amazon Verified Purchase

This review is from: The Book of the Sword: The Darkest Age II (Hardcover)

A riveting series that keeps you wanting more. Very well written and very easy to follow plot. Plot is dark in mystique in the battle of innocence against good and evil The Book of the Sword: The Darkest Age II

1 of 1 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars 4 1/2 stars, really, May 14, 2008

By 

A. L. Bryant "card-carrying bibliophile" (Florida, USA) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: The Book of the Sword: The Darkest Age II (Hardcover)

I read the first book, mostly intrigued by the characters and the realism with which their adventures were told. I'm a sucker for a shipwrecked prince/girl pirate duo and these two are particularly endearing. Going into this second book, I was pleasantly surprised to see good character development along with the nonstop action. Again, the realism made it a really fun, exciting ride. Lots of imagination here--give it a chance!

4.0 out of 5 stars I enjoyed the tense action, the powers, the battles, and the dragons., May 7, 2011

By 

The Book Runner (USA) - See all my reviews
(TOP 1000 REVIEWER)   

Amazon Verified Purchase

This review is from: The Book of the Sword: The Darkest Age II (Paperback)

Review written by 14 year old girl:

The Book of the Sword is the second book to The coming of Dragons and just as amazing as the first. I gave right in to the pull on my curiosity and dove head first into this exciting tale of dragons, magic crystal swords, telepathic powers, lonely, wandering souls who eat their victim's blood, and an ancient god named Loki who has been chain beneath a mountain for centuries.

The book starts in the king of Wessex's castle where Elspeth and Edmund and half the kingdom are celebrating the arrest of the evil wizard Orgrim. All of a sudden the roof begins to tear away from the walls and a dragon comes through snatches up Edmund and Elspeth and flies off towards the Snowlands. They manage to escape the dragon, as well as wound it, and then they travel for a little while before they run into a pack of wolves. With the help of a young girl named Fritha they killed all the wolves. Fritha invites them to stay with her and get some warmer clothes which they accept. Their journey was rough and they overcame many obstacles to reach their destination. In the end Loki deceived Elspeth by appearing as her dead father and making her cut the chains with her sword instead of his throat. Loki escaped his prison and set the mountain on fire then moved on causing destruction. His plan: DESTROY THE WORLD. Now Elspeth and Edmund must go and find him again and this time they must kill him.

This book was so much fun to read. I enjoyed the tense action, the powers, the battles, and the dragons. I really admire A. J. Lake for her incredible writing abilities and I'm sure that anyone who reads these books will enjoy them a lot.

This book was fantastically written and good for any girls 9-14 years old.

Would I/Did I buy it? Yes
Would I read it again? Yes
Would I recommend it to friends? Yes