The Chimera's Curse (The Companions Quartet) [Hardcover]

Julia Golding (Author)

Book Description

Age Level: 10 and up | Grade Level: 5 and up | Series: Companions Quartet

Connie Lionheart is the only Universal Companion, able to communicate with all of the mythical creatures hidden in our world. She’s the most important member of the secret society sworn to protect the bonds between humans and creatures. But the shape-shifter Kullervo wants to use her power to wipe out humanity. Connie must stop him, but how? There are no simple answers in the exciting conclusion to this award-winning eco-fantasy series by a Nestlé Prize-winning author.
 
"Come to the mark. Come to me. You know you must. Connie surfaced from sleep, struggling like a swimmer caught in weeds, thrashing to reach air. When she woke, she found the bedclothes twisted around her. She threw them off and sat up to gulp some water from the glass on her bedside table, her handshaking slightly. The voice had crept into her dreams again: the voice of Kullervo, the shape-shifter, her enemy—and her companion creature. He said the same thing each time, repeating the message again and again so that she could hear its echo during the daylight hours as well as in the stillness of the night. She knew where he wanted her to go: he wanted her to meet him at the mark he had made deep in her mind, the breach in the wall between her and his dark presence. But she would not give in to him."

Editorial Reviews

Review

This installment is the most action-packed of the series, and Connie's fans will be on the edge of their seats from page one. --VOYA, December 2008

This series is unique in the way it sketches broad dangers--vast population and the end of humankind and both real and mythical animals (who are real here)--in a tranquil style of prose that's unlikely to frighten readers but is helpful for seeing environmental analogies. ... Intelligent. --Kirkus Reviews, October 2008

`This book is the most excellent book I have ever read.' Amazon review<br /><br />`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<br /><br />`This has all the ingredients of a must-read series.' Publishing News<br /><br />`I really like it - it reminded me of Susan Cooper's Over Sea Under Stone.' Amanda Craig<br /><br />`Crackles with tension.' TES<br /><br />`[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

Julia Golding’s debut novel, The Diamond of Drury Lane, won the Nestlé Children’s Book Prize and the Ottakar’s Children’s Book Prize in the U.K. She lives in Oxford, England. While working as a diplomat in Poland, Julia Golding traveled high and low, from the Tatra Mountains to the bottom of a Silesian coal mine. She later joined Oxfam as a lobbyist on conflict issues, campaigning at the United Nations and with governments to lessen the impact of war on civilians living in war zones.

Visit the world of The Companions Quartetand learn more about how to help protect the environment at: www.companionsclub.co.uk and www.juliagolding.com.

Product Details

• Reading level: Ages 10 and up
  
• Hardcover: 307 pages
• Publisher: Marshall Cavendish Corp/Ccb (November 1, 2008)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0761454403
• ISBN-13: 978-0761454403
• Product Dimensions: 8.1 x 5.2 x 1.3 inches
• Shipping Weight: 15.2 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 3.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (2 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #1,014,780 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.