Stoneheart #2: Ironhand - Audio [Audiobook, CD] [Audio CD]

Charlie Fletcher (Author)

Book Description

Age Level: 9 and up | Grade Level: 4 and up | Series: Stoneheart

The statues and gargoyles of London continue their epic battle as young George Chapman struggles to save his friends and fulfill his destiny.

Format: 8 CDs, Unabridged

Edie and the Gunner, a statue of a World War I soldier, have been captured by the Walker, and it’s up to George to save them. But first he must deal with the three strange veins, made of marble, bronze and stone, that have begun to grow out of his hand and curl around his wrist. Legend has it that unless he successfully completes three challenges, the veins will continue up his forearm, and eventually pierce through his heart.

As George struggles to face the choice he has made, he is determined to use his power for good, even as others wish to harness it for evil.

Editorial Reviews

From School Library Journal

Grade 5–9—In this sequel to Stoneheart (Hyperion, 2007), George, 13, Edie, 12, and the Gunner continue to flee from the Walker, a man cursed to walk the Earth forever, and from "taints," evil, soulless statues. George has accidentally upset the balance in this alternate London, a place where statues can get up and roam. Edie is kidnapped by the Walker, who wants to use her talents as a "glint," someone who can touch stone or metal and see into history, and to lure George into his malignant grasp. Meanwhile, the Walker has also dumped the Gunner, a World War I statue and self-appointed protector of the children, into the depths beneath the city. If the Gunner cannot return to his statue base by midnight, then he will never walk off his plinth again. George, alone and confused by his new status as a potential "maker," someone with the ability to create statues, sets out to rescue Edie and keep the Gunner from losing his "life." Ironhand is a well-written, fast-paced, and suspenseful fantasy. Fletcher successfully draws readers in with action and a continuously developing backstory for each of the characters. However, though the author includes a brief overview of the first book, this one does not stand on its own.—Jessica Miller, New Britain Public Library, CT
Copyright © Reed Business Information, a division of Reed Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved. --This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.

From Booklist

In his reading of this sequel to Stoneheart (2007), Dale displays his mastery of vocal characterizations ranging from a blustery, sputtering friar to an imperiously proud Roman-era queen. Intrepid heroes George and Edie, caught in a world of warring Spits (statues representing humans) and Taints (statues of monsters and mythical creatures), attempt to rescue their friend, who is in the clutches of a supernatural figure. Dale’s voice is appropriately creepy and evil when depicting this supernatural character. George is further challenged by his need to fight three duels in an attempt to keep three veins on his arm from eventually piercing his heart. Dale sometimes overdoes the narration and hams up the action, but his dramatic reading fits well with this tale, which barrels headlong until the end, setting up listeners for the final title in the trilogy. Grades 5-8. --Karen Cruze

See all Editorial Reviews

Product Details

• Reading level: Ages 9 and up
  
• Audio CD
• Publisher: Scholastic Audio Books; Unabridged edition (May 1, 2008)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0545027462
• ISBN-13: 978-0545027465
• Product Dimensions: 1 x 5 x 6.2 inches
• Shipping Weight: 8 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.6 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (8 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #1,301,179 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

More About the Author

Charlie began by studying an MA in English Literature at St Andrews, Scotland. From there he went on to work for the BBC before going to the University of Southern California School of Film and Television in Los Angeles to study screenwriting. He lived and worked in America for seven more years before recently returning to live in Scotland. Charlie has written for TV, film and also done a spot of journalism now and again, before turning his hand to write Stoneheart -- his first novel for children. Charlie Fletcher lives and writes in Edinburgh with his wife, two children and a terrier called Archie.

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

10 of 10 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars No disappointment here, June 8, 2008

By 

S. Kay Murphy "Heretic" (Mt. Baldy, CA USA) - See all my reviews
(VINE VOICE)   

Amazon Verified Purchase

This review is from: Stoneheart Trilogy, Book Two, The: Ironhand (Stoneheart Trilogy (Hardback)) (Hardcover)

Bravo to Mr. Fletcher. Those of us who fall deeply in love with certain books always proceed with trepidation when we are about to crack open the next installment in a series or trilogy--and perhaps we are a wee bit more critical of subsequent books because our expectations are so high. Suffice it to say, I was not disappointed in the least with Ironhand, loving it as much and reading it as quickly (must say sorry here to the kitties for the afternoon I read nonstop for 2 hours and was late feeding them--oops--bad mama human) as I did Stoneheart. What I love is this: Fletcher gives us plot and tension and suspense and the pages turn quickly. But he also gives us characters, 'real,' complicated characters, with adults who sound like adults and children who ring true as children. Add to that the little historical bits thrown in every once in awhile (but not so's you'd know it--and most kids certainly won't pick up on them--my apologies, loves, not trying to insult your intelligences, but there it is). One caveat: There are dark scenes. I get uncomfortable with knife-wielding adult males around little girls. But that Edie... well, let's just say, she is the epitome of a strong female. Gotta love her. In fact, she is by far my favorite character. Wish I'd had her as a role model growing up. I've got her now, though--and can't wait to see what happens next. Come on, Charlie, get that last book finished!!!

5 of 5 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Good, engaging, gripping action story, February 12, 2009

By 

Ben Pershouse (Boulder, CO) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Stoneheart Trilogy, Book Two, The: Ironhand (Stoneheart Trilogy (Hardback)) (Hardcover)

Ironhand is the sequel to Stoneheart, and I was worried that it might be a letdown after such an amazingly good first book - but it wasn't!
Both books are good, they almost stand alone, and they are full of deep and complex patterns and issues. The really great part about this book (and Stoneheart) is that the plot and the story are gripping and any, or all, deeper meanings wait patiently on the sidelines for you to muse over when not reading the action packed books. I can't wait for the third book.
This series seems likely to end up on school reading lists and summer booklists; in spite of magic and fantastic elements (or maybe because of the way Fletcher uses these elements) there is so much common ground for adolescents to relate to via the characters and plot.
The final thing that makes these books sooo very good is the way that the author succinctly describes things and events in a way that makes you really feel them. There were parts that made me shiver at the evilness taking place - and not becuase of a bodycount or gore or foul language - the sheer persuasive writing grabs you and gives you the creeps about the bad characters and makes you root for the good guy. Have fun reading these books!

1 of 1 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars good all around, April 11, 2009

By 

M. Mendes (Garberville, CA) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Stoneheart Trilogy, Book Two, The: Ironhand (The Stoneheart Trilogy) (Hardcover)

I bought this book for my 10 year old son, hes just starting to like reading but it's still a fight to get him to read most of the time. He read the first book in this trilogy last school year and loved it. When I got this one for him he read the whole thing in TWO WEEKS!!! He loved it and can't stop talking about it.