Chimera's Curse (Companions Quartet) (Bk. 4) [Paperback]

Julia Golding (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: March 6, 2008 | Series: Companions Quartet

It's a long hot summer. Temperatures are soaring and a strange creature has been spotted on Dartmoor. Connie Lionheart and her friends soon discover that the creature is a chimera. When it attacks Connie, leaving her gravely wounded, Col and Rat must rescue her from hospital: she needs treatment beyond the knowledge of mortals. But a weakened Connie is easy prey for the evil shapeshifter Kullervo. He believes that, finally, the time is ripe for him to seize her Universal power, gather his army of mythical beings, and wipe out humanity. The battle between him and Connie will be a fight to the death. And the prize will be the future of mankind.

Editorial Reviews

Review

`[Of previous books in the Quartet:] 'I rated this book 5/5 because the story is so brilliant you simply have to read it. I would strongly advise this book so just buy it and read it!!!!!!!!' Jenii, age 10

`This book is the most excellent book I have ever read.' Amazon review

`If you are looking for a book for a child of junior age or above (or their Mum or Dad!) who enjoys fantasy fiction, then this would definitely be a great choice.' Amazon review

`This has all the ingredients of a must-read series' Publishing News

`I really like it - it reminded me of Susan Cooper's ver Sea Under Stone' Amanda Craig

`Crackles with tension' TES

`[Of previous books in the Quartet:] 'I rated this book 5/5 because the story is so brilliant you simply have to read it. I would strongly advise this book so just buy it and read it!!!!!!!!' Jenii, age 10

About the Author

'Secret of the Sirens' longlisted for the 2007 CILIP Carnegie Medal. Winner of the Ottakar's Book Prize and shortlisted for the Smarties Award and the Costa Book Award for 'The Diamond of Drury Lane' published by Egmont. In the 'Companions Quartet': 'Secret of the Sirens', 'The Gorgon's Gaze' and 'Mines of the Minotaur'. Stand alone: 'The Ship Between the Worlds'.

Product Details

• Paperback: 352 pages
• Publisher: Oxford Childrens (March 6, 2008)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0192754637
• ISBN-13: 978-0192754639
• Product Dimensions: 7.7 x 5 x 1 inches
• Shipping Weight: 9.1 ounces
• Average Customer Review: 3.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (2 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #2,111,084 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

More About the Author

My journey to becoming an author has been a roundabout one, taking in many other careers. I grew up on the edge of Epping Forest (Essex, UK) and was that dreamy kind of child who was always writing stories. After reading English at Cambridge, I decided to find out as much as I could about the wider world so joined the Foreign Office and served in Poland. My work as a diplomat took me from the high point of town twinning in the Tatra Mountains to the low of inspecting the bottom of a Silesian coal mine.

On leaving Poland, I exchanged diplomacy for academia and took a doctorate in the literature of the English Romantic Period at Oxford. I then joined Oxfam as a lobbyist on conflict issues, campaigning at the UN and with governments to lessen the impact of conflict on civilians living in war zones - a cause about which I still feel very passionate.

Married with three children, I now live in Oxford between two rivers, surrounded by gargoyles, beautiful sandstone buildings and ancient trees. I plan my books while walking our dog, Caspar, on Port Meadow by the Thames or Isis.

My first novel, 'The Diamond of Drury Lane', won the Waterstone's Children's Book Prize 2006 and the Nestle Children's Book Prize 2006 (formerly known as the Smarties Prize). I was also chosen by Waterstone's in 2007 as one of their 'Twenty-five authors for the future'. 'Empty Quarter' was longlisted for the Carnegie Award 2009; 'Wolf Cry' in 2010. In the US, 'Secret of the Sirens' won the honor book medal of the Green Earth Book Award.

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

3 of 3 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Truly masterful, February 7, 2009

By 

DJMEC - See all my reviews

This review is from: The Chimera's Curse (The Companions Quartet) (Hardcover)

I cannot believe that no one has reviewed this book yet. I thought it was absolutely amazing. I think this book ends the series in such a cool way. I couldn't have asked for a better ending. It all comes together in the end and I just adore it. I also love that Golding leaves it open for a possible sequal. I would LOVE for there to be more books of this series. When it comes to fantasy book series', my favorites go in this order:

Harry Potter (of course)
The Sisters Grimm (really addicting)
The Companions Quartet

I highly recommend all three of these book series. They are all series that I would read over again because I love them so much. Thank you Ms. Golding for creating such a fantastic world. My hat is off to you. :)

1 of 3 people found the following review helpful:

1.0 out of 5 stars YA book review, May 18, 2010

By 

kaitnchris "luv2read" (Long Beach, CA USA) - See all my reviews

Amazon Verified Purchase

This review is from: The Chimera's Curse (The Companions Quartet) (Hardcover)

4th book in Companions Quartet. Why did it have to end? Underlying message about saving creatures from human mishaps in the ecology is great discussion especially presently witht he huge oil spill. Could have used some more personality depth in the side characters. However, for a fantasy book that is not dark, but includes magic, and friendships, a fairly decent read.