The Land of the Silver Apples (Richard Jackson Books (Atheneum Paperback)) [Paperback]

Nancy Farmer (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: August 25, 2009 | Series: Richard Jackson Books (Atheneum Paperback)

Sometimes magic doesn't always do what one intends...especially when one is a bard-in-training.   A New York Times bestseller.

Editorial Reviews

From Booklist

*Starred Review* Safely returned from his perilous stint among Northmen, 12-year-old Jack reflects, "That's the nature of adventures. . . . They're nasty while they're happening and only fun later." For readers, though, there's satisfaction in both the nasty and the fun, and this sequel to The Sea of Trolls (2004) offers full measures of both. After Jack learns that his often-bratty little sis is a changeling (and that his real sister likely dwells with hobgoblins), a misguided exorcism results in Lucy's disappearance. Then the young bard must descend into the out-of-time Land of the Silver Apples to retrieve both of his lost siblings. In that richly imagined realm, surprises include a reunion with shield-maiden Thorgil as well as creatures whose appearances deceive—shape-shifting knuckers; hideous yet likable hobgoblins; and lovely, soulless elves, whose inability to grow or age tinges their existence with tragedy. Occasionally, one wishes for a greater range of emotional tone to the predicaments, which plunge Jack into deep despair perhaps too consistently, but Farmer beautifully balances pell-mell action and quieter thematic points, especially the drawbacks of immortality and the wild tangle of Christian and pagan traditions in eighth-century Britain. Like the druidic life force Jack taps, this hearty adventure, as personal as it is epic, will cradle readers in the "hollow of its hand." Mattson, Jennifer --This text refers to the Hardcover edition.

Review

"Jack, Pega, and Thorgil prove strong and capable in ways they themselves never suspected, and readers will look forward to the final installment." -- Kirkus Reviews, Starred Review

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Product Details

• Paperback: 528 pages
• Publisher: Atheneum Books for Young Readers; Reprint edition (August 25, 2009)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 141690736X
• ISBN-13: 978-1416907367
• Product Dimensions: 8.4 x 5.8 x 1.1 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1.1 pounds (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.5 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (17 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #44,847 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)
  • #1 in Books > 4-for-3 Books > Children's Books > Literature > Fairy Tales, Folk Tales & Myths > Norse
  • #15 in Books > 4-for-3 Books > Children's Books > History & Historical Fiction > Fiction > Medieval
  • #67 in Books > 4-for-3 Books > Teens > History & Historical Fiction > Historical Fiction

More About the Author

Nancy Farmer has written three Newbery Honor Books: The Ear the Eye and the Arm; A Girl Named Disaster; and The House of the Scorpion, which, in 2002, also won the National Book Award. Other books include Do You Know Me, The Warm Place, the Trolls trilogy and three picture books for young children. She grew up on the Arizona-Mexico border and lives with her family in Arizona.

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

10 of 11 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars The rare, wonderful middle book., October 1, 2007

By 

C. Mangone (Kansas City, MO) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: The Land of the Silver Apples (Sea of Trolls Trilogy) (Hardcover)

I love this woman. I love every single thing she's written, albeit some more than others, so I am admittedly very biased when it comes to her works.

The book takes place after The Sea of Trolls when, among other things, Jack's sister Lucy is taken by elves and he has to travel underground to their lands to get her back.

The Land of the Silver Apples is such a good middle book. The story moves along at a great pace, and not once did I want to put it down. She has a delicate touch with the religious issues inherent in writing in this time period (Christian vs. Druidic vs. Nordic), and writes each in such a way that none of them are put down. It's quite lovely to not have to put up with an author hammering their beliefs down my throat.

I also adored her take on elves. I've never seen anything like it. Very refreshing and original, things quite lacking in the general portrayal of elves.

All her vivid, distinct characters are what really what give this book it's umph, though. Jack has matured, though he still has a lot of growing up to do, and seeing the great variety of characters through is alternately wise, sympathetic, jealous, and juvenile-ly hateful perspectives is just wonderful. A great amount of the cast from the Sea of Trolls returns, and the new additions to the cast are fully-fleshed and original.

The only disappointment I had was that there wasn't a greater role for the Picts. Or, rather, the Pictish Beast. ...it just seemed odd that one of the chapter headers was a Pictish Beast, it's mentioned once in a chapter, it's in the glossary, but... there's nothing else on it. Well, I guess it's such an indistinct beastie that I can say I wouldn't have wanted to tackle it myself.

All in all, another amazing book from an amazing author. I'm waiting on the edge of my seat for the next book!

15 of 18 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars A wonderful sequel to a great book., September 3, 2007

By 

S. James (Seattle, WA USA) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: The Land of the Silver Apples (Sea of Trolls Trilogy) (Hardcover)

Thoroughly enjoyed this book and didn't want it to end. The characters were very lifelike and had me thinking about them long after I put the book down. I did not like this quite as much as The Sea of Trolls but that is because of the wonderful Vikings. I loved the Vikings and the honesty with which they were written.

I am an adult and I read these books at the recommendation of my 12 year old son. I think girls would enjoy it too with the strong female characters.

3 of 3 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Great literature with an unusual message, May 18, 2008

By 

Reader - See all my reviews

This review is from: The Land of the Silver Apples (Sea of Trolls Trilogy) (Hardcover)

A beautifully written novel with a unique combination of high adventure, 8th century history, and fantasy that children will love. Note that it carries an unusual message for a children's book, embedded in its plot and summarized on page 476: "Christianity is only one leaf" among "many branches on the Great Tree" of life.