The Teeth of the Gale [Paperback]

Joan Aiken (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: May 1, 2007

Now eighteen, Felix sets out across the mountains of Spain to rescue three children kidnapped by their father. Along the way, he hopes to see his true love, Juana, who has entered a convent. But his rescue party is being followed, and Felix fears he and the children are being led into a trap.

Editorial Reviews

From Publishers Weekly

In this suspenseful sequel to Go Saddle the Sea and Bridle the Wind , both set in early 19th century Spain, a mature Felix returns, prepared for adventure. Three children have been kidnapped by their father, an escaped political prisoner who is hiding in the mountains. Will Felix be able to free them? Even knowing these are "wild and heartless times" because of King Ferdinand's terrible reign, he agrees to try. The trip will give him a chance to see his love, Juana. From the start, it seems that the little party is being followed. The horses are poisoned, and there are further ominous signs of a plot. Whom can they trust? Have they been sent into a trap? Intrigue is Aiken's stock-in-trade, and there is plenty to be found in this novel. While readers may sense a lack of underlying theme and wish for a greater development of Felix's affection for Juana, they could hardly ask for a more diverting, action-filled plot. As usual, Aiken writes with endless inventiveness and ease. Ages 12-up.
Copyright 1988 Reed Business Information, Inc. --This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.

From School Library Journal

Grade 7 Up A stirring continuation of the adventures of the resourceful orphaned heir who, at 12, ran away from his Spanish grandfather's estate to seek his English father's people in Go Saddle the Sea (Doubleday, 1977; o.p.); and a year later made a shipwrecked return, in Bridle the Wind (Delacorte, 1983). It is a more mature Felix, now 18, who develops an understanding of his responsibilities as he meets physical dangers and political intrigues when his studies are interrupted and his help asked in regaining custody of children kidnapped by their mad fatheran escaped political prisoner. His elderly aunts fear that it is all a political trap to confiscate the estates, as grandfather is a known liberal, whose friends and views are out of favor with the restored monarch turned reactionary. But one member of the rescue party is Juana, the Basque girl whom Felix lovesrespectfully, since she has entered a conventand hopefully, since she has not taken final vows. Full of action, interesting characters, and made-real places, this forms a well-meshed conclusion to earlier episodes and an intriguing glimpse into Spain in the 1820s. (Author's historic notes and reading list are appended.) These books get better with each reading; share them with the adults. Ruth M. McConnell, San Antonio Public Library
Copyright 1988 Reed Business Information, Inc. --This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.

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Product Details

• Reading level: Ages 12 and up
  
• Paperback: 352 pages
• Publisher: Graphia (May 1, 2007)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0152060707
• ISBN-13: 978-0152060701
• Product Dimensions: 6.9 x 5.2 x 0.9 inches
• Shipping Weight: 6.4 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.3 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (3 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #598,290 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

More About the Author

Joan Aiken (1924-2004) was the daughter of Pulitzer prize winning poet Conrad Aiken and started writing herself from the age of five. During her lifetime she published over one hundred books for children and adults, including the acclaimed Wolves of Willoughby Chase series. In the UK she received an MBE from the Queen for her services to Children's Literature.

This year sees the publication of a brand NEW story collection - The Monkey's Wedding - with previously unpublished material that shows Aiken on top form. This collection of funny, spooky, unexpected but classic Aiken stories has received wonderful reviews and will delight her readers. See below for details.

Her work continues to be adapted for film and television; she is established as a consummate storyteller,and recognized as one of the best loved authors of the twentieth century.

"The Wonderful World of Joan Aiken" is at www.joanaiken.com

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

1 of 1 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Great sequel to the others, September 15, 2004

By 

Sarah Cooper "eclectic123" (Melbourne, FL United States) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: The Teeth of the Gale (Hardcover)

I read Go Saddle the Sea and Bridle the Wind years ago and didn't even know this third book existed until recently. On finally reading it, it was a very satisfying ending to everything. A great adventure that ties up all its loose ends and is a great snapshot of Spanish life during a difficult historical period. One warning though - there are a lot of deaths. Not saying who, but it could be a bit disturbing.

3 of 4 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Interesting and exciting, June 25, 1999

By A Customer

This review is from: The Teeth of the Gale (Hardcover)

While out of print, this book is worth looking for. It has a twisting, intriguing plot that winds up to an interesting, happy conclusion, and is full of excitement as well as a lot of fascinating historical details of Spain. It is the third and final book of a series beginning with Go Saddle the Sea, and the second is Bridle the Wind. Read this book and you will want to read the two that came before it.

4.0 out of 5 stars Historical Excellence, September 16, 2010

By 

P. Rowley-brooke (Ireland) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

Amazon Verified Purchase

This review is from: The Teeth of the Gale (Paperback)

One of the more believable and the best children's writer of the 20th century, Joan Aiken writes about Felix, now 18, in the final instalment of the trilogy set in early 19th century Spain that is riven by factions. One of the main aspects of her writing is that she doesn't hold back & shy away from killing off people you'd expect in others twee world to miraculously escape. In this novel Felix is set up by a friend of Juana (from Bridle the Wind) to try & attack his liberal grandfather who is under suspicion from the court of the newly restored King Ferdinand. Here he's asked to rescue the friend's children from her rebel husband but, in reality, she wants him declared insane so that she can inherit his estates rather than have them forfeit to the crown. There are many twists & turns but Felix triumphs in the end.