The Night of the Solstice [Paperback]

L.J. Smith (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: November 20, 2008

In another age, the pathways connecting Earth to the Wildworld were sealed, forever separating humans from the shimmering parallel universe where legends still live. A great sorceress, Morgana Shee, guards the solitary gate between the worlds. She alone holds the secret of Fell Andred, her mansion built directly on the Great Coastal Passage, whose mirrors are the last doorways to enchantment.

Editorial Reviews

From School Library Journal

Grade 5-7 Mirrors serve as passageways between worlds in this fantasy which travels between suburban California and the Wildworld, where magic still reigns. The great sorceress Morgana, guardian of the only remaining passage between our world and the Wildworld, has been imprisoned by the evil magician Cadal Forge. Once a year, at the winter solstice, the passage opens; now that it is unguarded, Cadal plans to come through and enslave the world. Before this can happen, seven-year old Claudia, her older sister Alys, and the twins Charles and Janie must reach Morgana and free her. Smith has a good ear for children's dialogue and family dynamics. In the presence of magic her writing flows less naturally. The beings of the other world, although colorfully described, are simply not as alive as the children are. Still the fast pace and well-sustained sense of urgency and suspense will hold readers' attention. Ruth S. Vose, San Francisco Pub . Lib .
Copyright 1988 Reed Business Information, Inc. --This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.

About the Author

L.J. Smith is the NYT Bestselling author of the Night World and The Vampire Diaries series.  She has written over twenty-five books and lives in California.

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Product Details

• Reading level: Ages 12 and up
  
• Paperback: 244 pages
• Publisher: Simon & Schuster Books for Young Readers (November 20, 2008)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 141698965X
• ISBN-13: 978-1416989653
• Product Dimensions: 8.5 x 5.5 x 0.6 inches
• Shipping Weight: 11.2 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.3 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (23 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #1,605,017 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

More About the Author

Let's see, I've known that I wanted to be a writer since I was about six, when a teacher praised a horrible poem I'd written. I wrote my first book in high school, finishing it in my first year of college. Then I became a special ed teacher before I was able to become a writer full-time. That's about it!

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

8 of 8 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars The best book L.J. Smith wrote, possibly the best book ever!, July 19, 2000

By 

Leah Suslovich (Brookline, MA USA) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

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This review is from: The NIGHT OF THE SOLSTICE (Hardcover)

The fact that this book is out of print is a crime. This is the first book L.J. Smith ever wrote and the best -- you get the benefit of her amazing writing style and wonderful plots without the required romance. (I know some people like the romance, but the lack of it adds to the suspense.) Four children are called upon to free a trapped sorceress and help stop a mad sorcerer from taking over earth. The sorcerer lives in another world which can only be entered through mirrors in the sorceress's home. Guided by the sorceress's familiar, a fox, they make several terrifying ventures into the other world while trying to deal with problems in their own world. The characterization in this book is the best that L.J. Smith has ever done, and the pace never lets up.

11 of 14 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars one of the best, December 25, 1999

By 

Macy (Maryland) - See all my reviews

This review is from: The NIGHT OF THE SOLSTICE (Hardcover)

This book along with its sequel Heart of Valor are, in my opinion, one of the best L.J. Smith has written. It has the element of sorcery, fantasy and adventure that's just great. I loved all the characters, Janie and Elwyn being my favorites. When you read it, the world L.J. Smith describes comes alive almost and it feels you really Are Alys at times. My favorite scene is when Charles is in Elwyn's wood because she is just SUCH a nicompoop. Anyways, READ IT! i wish they would print it again with Heart Of Valor because i'm sure it would do very well. I wish L.J. Smith would write a sequel to Heart Of Valor however (also a great book) because... it feels like it needs one.

2 of 2 people found the following review helpful:

3.0 out of 5 stars Good book for younger readers, NW is better for older ones, July 17, 1999

By 

[e-mail] (Louisiana) - See all my reviews

This review is from: The NIGHT OF THE SOLSTICE (Hardcover)

I enjoyed reading this book but you can tell it was really geared toward the younger readers. I really couldn't get attached to any of the characters except many Janie and Morgana. The vixen was a nice addition to the group too. The mirrors was a great part of the book and I enjoyed reading about the spells.

Night World series is a much better selection of reading material for older readers as myself, so maybe that's why I didn't enjoy Night of the Soltsice as much as I should have...