As a digital subscriber, you’ll receive unlimited access to Horn Book web exclusives and extensive archives, as well as access to our highly searchable Guide/Reviews Database.
To access other site content, visit The Horn Book homepage.
To continue you need an active subscription to hbook.com.
Subscribe now to gain immediate access to everything hbook.com has to offer, as well as our highly searchable Guide/Reviews Database, which contains tens of thousands of short, critical reviews of books published in the United States for young people.
Thank you for registering. To have the latest stories delivered to your inbox, select as many free newsletters as you like below.
No thanks. Return to article
(4)
4-6
After power-hungry archaeopteryx Kawaka attacks valley eaglet Dandelion's family, golden eagle prince Fleydur brings her into his society, where many consider her to be inferior. While she tries to belong, Kawaka and his allies plot to take over all of Sword Mountain, and it's ultimately up to Dandelion to stop them. A well-paced and exciting, if predictable, tale of an underappreciated character saving the day.
(4)
4-6
Illustrated by
Jo-Anne Rioux.
Wicked archaeopteryxes want to enslave the other birds, and only he who bears the Hero's Sword can stop them. Teen author Fan's nimble use of fantasy tropes and Christian symbolism doesn't prevent this quest from constantly contradicting its own pacifist message: "peace cannot be forced," says the Christ-like Wind-voice while fighting for the sword created to "bring peace to the world."
(4)
4-6
Illustrated by
Mark Zug.
Turnatt, a wicked megalomaniac hawk, has enslaved all the other birds to feed his dreams of power. The warring cardinals and jays join forces in order to survive and summon the mythic, Christ-like Swordbird to defeat Turnatt. The oft-repeated message of peace is lost in all the bloody duels, but the quest is exciting.