Dandelion Fire: Book 2 of the 100 Cupboards (Hardcover)

by N. D. Wilson (Author)
Key Phrases: central mound, dandelion fire, fat faerie, Badon Hill, Uncle Frank, Sergeant Simmons (more...)

Editorial Reviews

From School Library Journal
Grade 5–8—In this dense and worthy sequel to 100 Cupboards (Random, 2007), Henry York, having discovered that he, like his uncle Frank, actually comes from a world beyond the magic cupboards in his attic room, decides to enter it again. This is a last-ditch attempt to learn more about his origins and about the strange dandelion magic that has recently seared its way into his body. Henry, his cousin Henrietta, and the rest of his Kansas family end up scattered in different parts of the world from which both Henry and his uncle came, struggling against an evil witch and her powerful minion. The plot is complicated, and readers not familiar with the first book will be hopelessly confused. The shifting locations and the many characters and factions are bewildering, but most of the characters have such deliciously flawed and fascinating personalities that fans of that book will go with the flow, waiting to see what the next bend of plot might bring. A quiet and quirky humor warms up the proceedings as well, leavening even the most intense scenes. The ending is satisfying enough to serve as a series closer, but luckily for fans of this challenging but rewarding trilogy, there is still one more installment to come.—Eva Mitnick, Los Angeles Public Library
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Product Description
Henry York never dreamed his time in Kansas would open a door to adventure—much less a hundred doors. But a visit to his aunt and uncle’s farm took an amazing turn when cupboard doors, hidden behind Henry’s bedroom wall, revealed themselves to be portals to other worlds. Now, with his time at the farm drawing to a close, Henry makes a bold decision—he must go through the cupboards to find the truth about where he’s from and who his parents are. Following that trail will take him from one world to another, and ultimately into direct conflict with the evil of Endor.

N. D. Wilson and his wife live in Idaho. Also visit www.ndwilson.com.

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Product Details

• Reading level: Ages 9-12
  
• Hardcover: 480 pages
• Publisher: Random House Books for Young Readers (February 24, 2009)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 037583883X
• ISBN-13: 978-0375838835
• Product Dimensions: 8.3 x 5.9 x 1.7 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1.2 pounds (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.1 out of 5 stars See all reviews (15 customer reviews)
• Amazon.com Sales Rank: #32,386 in Books (See Bestsellers in Books)

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

9 of 9 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Can't put it down., February 28, 2009

By	Katie M. Hurt (Lynchburg, VA) - See all my reviews (REAL NAME)

The first time since I read Harry Potter that I have been tempted to keep reading rather than feed my family. I suggest getting multiple copies if you have more than a few kids, or you may also be tempted to steal from your children. Tons of excitement and great sentence structure in this delightful series.

8 of 8 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars A great read..., February 28, 2009

By	D. G. "santacruzbooks" - See all my reviews

Loved 100 Cupboards but the sequel, Dandelion Fire, kept me up all night! The influence of Chesterton, Lewis, and Tolkien cannot be missed in his writing. Like all of Wilson's books, I find them most enjoyable read outloud, so go find someone to read to!

6 of 7 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Enchanting Review: Dandelion Fire (Book 2), February 25, 2009

By	Enchanting Reviews "Lisa" - See all my reviews

DANDELION FIRE (BOOK 2 OF THE 100 CUPBOARDS)
N.D. WILSON
Middle Grade Fantasy
Random House Children's

Rating: 3.5 Enchantments

Henry York has two weeks left in Kansas with his Aunt and Uncle before he's going to be sent back to Boston and his parents--well, one of them, whoever gets custody in their sudden unexpected divorce. Two weeks to explore the cupboards and find out where he's really from and who he really is. Two weeks really isn't a long time to make his way through all the cupboards, a timeframe that gets even smaller when what looks like a freak accident seems to render Henry blind.

An imaginative tale, DANDELION FIRE is nothing like I've read before. From the unusual raggant, the creature that Henry believes was sent to find him, which has to mean someone in one of the cupboards is out there looking for him too. I have to admit, some of the early chapters were a little hard to follow since I hadn't read Book 1 in the series, but by the 100 page mark I was totally immersed in the story and actually enjoyed the parts with Uncle Frank and Aunt Dotty not too mention what was happening to Henrietta at times more than Henry. The story splits soon after Henry`s blindness, following Henry as he fights to get away from the mysterious and evil Darius and get back to the farmhouse; Uncle Frank and Aunt Dotty along with Anastacia and Penelope, along with a few surprise guests; and Henrietta, who finds herself alone in one portal, escaping from being held hostage and trying to find the only person she thinks can help her, Eli. Filled with vivid imagery, a compelling story that makes you wonder if things will work out and the entire family will ever be reunited again, fans of middle grade fantasy will no doubt enjoy this addition to the 100 Cupboards series.

Nathan D. Wilson holds a Master's degree in Liberal Arts from Saint John's College in Annapolis, Maryland (2001). He served as a part-time Lecturer at New Saint Andrews from 2001-2004, and was promoted to Fellow of Literature in the fall of 2004. He still teaches part-time. Visit him online at http://www.ndwilson.com/ and check out the 100 Cupboards website at www.randomhouse.com/kids/100cupboards

Lisa
Enchanting Reviews
February 2009