Feast on fantasy

Beddor, Frank: The Looking Glass Wars
Egmont, 2005

Alyss Heart is the heiress to the throne of Wonderland. One day her evil aunt Redd kills Alyss’s parents and she has to flee Wonderland. Alyss ends up in our world in the 1900’s. She is adopted by the Liddell’s family and renamed Alice. Later on, she gets to know Charles Dodgson aka Lewis Carroll who garbles Alyss’s story to his liking. Wonderland is an occupied land ruled by Queen Redd. Alice-Alyss starts to remember her true origin and knows she has to return and reclaim her heritage. This novel isn’t suitable for very young or sensitive readers because of its goriness.

Carroll, Lewis: Alice’s Adventures in Wonderland
Walker Books, 2001

Alice follows the busy white rabbit to his hole and falls down to another world where everything is quite extraordinary. Join Alice in her adventures through Wonderland. You’ll meet more talking animals, see the Queen of Hearts playing the strangest croquet and attend the Hatter’s mad tea party. There are many editions of this classic story available. (jp)

Colfer, Eoin: Artemis Fowl
Viking, 2001

Only twelve years old, Artemis Fowl is the youngest member of very well known criminal family. Artemis wants to get back his family’s lost treasures, so he decides to kidnap the brave dwarf inspector Holly Short. Artemis holds her hostage to get fairies’ gold treasure. However, nothing is that simple when you are against fairies. (jp)

Doyle, Malachy: Amadans
Orchard books, 2004

Jimmy and his friend Nita find badges with strange words on them. There’s something about amadans. Jimmy’s Grandad seems to have a vague memory of amadans but he won’t tell. Jimmy can’t find anything concerning amadans in the dictionary either. When Jimmy and Nita log on amadan web pages something yucky is there to greet them. The ugliest fairy screams “paralyse you!” and suddenly it pushes his long ice cold fingers through the screen and touches Jimmy and Nita who both freeze. The Amadan Kingdom is in turmoil and the Queen needs desperately help.

Jones, Diana Wynne: The Merlin Conspiracy
Collins, 2004

Roddy Hyde is living in the world called Island of the Blest. There Merlin the wizard is responsible for the magical well-being. Roddy and her friend Grundo find out that there is a conspiracy stewing to overthrow the king in order to change the balance of magic. In another world, Nick Mallory leads an ordinary life. Suddenly he notices that the fantasy world he has dreamed of has come true and his world entwines with Roddy’s. These exciting adventures are written from both characters’ points of views. (jp)

McAllister, M. I.: Urchin of the Riding Stars
Bloomsbury, 2005

Red squirrels, hedgehogs, moles and otters live happily together on the secret island of Mistmantle. Until the king and queen start losing their authority and evil Lord Husk and Lady Aspen are ready to overthrow the monarchy. The animals of Mistmantle need to fight back. Urchin, who was found on the shore as a baby, has an essential part in this dangerous effort and he doesn’t know of the mighty prophecy made in his name before he was even born.

McNish, Cliff: The Doomspell
Dolphin paperbacks, 2001

Rachel and her brother are ripped through the wall and hurled on to an icy world of Ithrea. An evil blood-red skinned and tattooed eyed Witch Dragwena reigns the planet. She keeps children as her slaves and prevents them from growing up. When Rachel notices that she has extraordinary powers Dragwena is really excited. She has finally found someone she can use for her purpose to spread evil hatred to other planets as well. Will the powers of evil intrigue Rachel?

Prior, Natalie Jane: Lily Quench and the Black Mountains
Puffin, 2004

Lily Quench is a brave girl who descents from the long line of dragon slayers. In the first adventure (Lily Quench and the Dragon of Ashby) she befriends with Queen Dragon. In this second part of the story they are set forth for a dangerous journey to the Black Mountains because the Black Count and his army are about to attack Ashby. There is only one thing that can save them. A magical blue lily, which grows in a terrible place called Dragon’s Downfall. To get there they have to pass the statue that lures people to their deaths.

Temperley, Alan: The Magician of Samarkand
Macmillan Children's Books, 2004

Anahita is a beautiful daughter of the finest shoe and saddle maker Kashgar. One day a magician named Zohak Ali comes to town. He has decided to have Anahita as his wife. Zohak Ali promises Anahita’s father five hundred gold coins, which he could have on their wedding day in three weeks. Anahita rejects the old and evil magician, which makes him really angry. He conjures up cruel spells and magic tricks to get his revenge.

Tolkien, J. R. R.: The Lord of the Rings, part one: The Fellowship of the Ring
HarperCollins, 2001
(many other editions as well)

Frodo Baggins is a hobbit only half of human beings length. Frodo’s only relative Bilbo goes to his last adventure and leaves Frodo his dearest golden ring. From this starts a long and exciting adventure where you can meet new friends and frightening enemies. The story is told in three parts and the following parts are The Two Towers and The Return of the King. If you want to know how Bilbo gets the ring in the first place read also The Hobbit (or) There and Back Again. (jp)