The Gorgon's Gaze (Companions Quartet) (Bk. 2) [Paperback]

Julia Golding (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: January 2007 | Age Level: 10 and up | Grade Level: 5 and up | Series: Companions Quartet

Magical Mallins Wood is under threat from developers. Unknown to everyone but the members of the top secret Society for the Protection of Mythical Creatures, the wood is the home of the last gorgon, a creature so deadly she can kill with a look. Col's difficult mother is the gorgon's Companion - a human with a special bond with the gorgon - and she's determined to save it. So determined, that she'll allow the evil shapeshifter Kullervo to help her, even if it means having to sacrifice her son to him. But Kullervo wants more than to help the gorgon. He wants universal power, and he needs Col's best friend Connie to get it. Col's mum tells Col that she wants to meet this powerful girl. But is it a trap? And, if so, who is the hunter, and who the hunted?

Editorial Reviews

From Booklist

The second installment in the Companions Quartet moves along at a brisk pace. Connie, a rare and powerful Universal companion, is taken away to live in isolation with a great-aunt who is adamantly opposed to the Society for the Protection of Mythical Creatures. Meantime, the evil Kullervo manipulates Connie’s friend Col into furthering the shape-shifter’s deadly schemes. Readers who enjoyed book one will welcome the second helping of Golding’s conservation-minded storytelling and multidimensional characters. Grades 4-7. --Diana Tixier Herald --This text refers to the Hardcover edition.

Review

`[Of Book 1, Secret of the Sirens]: '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 Over Sea Under Stone.' Amanda Craig

`Crackles with tension' TES

`[Of Book 1, Secret of the Sirens]: '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

See all Editorial Reviews

Product Details

• Reading level: Ages 10 and up
  
• Paperback: 352 pages
• Publisher: Oxford University Press (January 2007)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0192754610
• ISBN-13: 978-0192754615
• Product Dimensions: 7.8 x 5.1 x 1.2 inches
• Shipping Weight: 8.5 ounces
• Average Customer Review: 4.7 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (3 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #1,491,583 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

2 of 2 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Wow - exciting book, August 6, 2009

By 

B. Jacobs (Ashburn, VA United States) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: The Companion's Quartet, Book Two: The Gorgon's Gaze (Hardcover)

I am a parent, presumably reading this series to preview it for my kids. But I am enjoying it so much. I found this book to be even more exciting than the first. It is the continuation of Connie's life as she learns to deal with being a universal. She learns that along with special gifts comes great responsibility. I love the action in this book as well as the messages. It has a wonderful environmental message, without coming off as too preachy. The book delivers messages about taking care of your friends, taking responsibility for your own actions, environmental awareness, and accepting people for who they are. Although it is a kids book, I enjoyed it enough to run out and grab the next one.

5.0 out of 5 stars Superb sequel!, May 16, 2010

By 

Spears - See all my reviews

Amazon Verified Purchase

This review is from: The Companion's Quartet, Book Two: The Gorgon's Gaze (Hardcover)

The second book in the Companion series is great! This book reads so much faster than the first because the story is already set in book one. We are introduced to more mythological characters that are quite familiar. There seems to be more action in this story, which I prefer. I'm very eager to read the third book. I have 4 boys who also read and loved this book. They are big Percy Jackson fans and this series really helps them continue their love of mythology!

1 of 3 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Great!, April 18, 2007

By 

Mr. P. A. Kingdon "Firefly" (South/West in England) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: The Gorgon's Gaze (Companions Quartet) (Bk. 2) (Paperback)

I thought this book was an exellent sequal. I was a little surprised when I found out that Connie was about 12. Otherwise, though, it was good. I really wanted to smack Connie's aunt, she was so MEAN! I can't believe she ruined the only photo of Scark. But near the end, Col's dad was sort of horrible towards Connie when.....

I'll let you find out why....