Customer Reviews

The Teeth of the Gale

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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.

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.

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.