Heart of Valor

by L.J. Smith

Book Overview

When an earthquake shakes California, Alys, Janie, Charles and Claudia suspect it isn't just a typical earthquake. A year and a half after their journey into the Wildworld, they believe that the Passage between their world, the Stillworld, and that parallel universe of legend and danger may no longer be stable. With their parents overseas and the great sorceress Morgana Shee traveling north to find the epicenter of the quake, the siblings are left on their own. But peril lurks around every corner. A magical attack sends the Hodges-Bradley kids' on a journey that will test all of their skills, including Janie's sorcery and Claudia's ability to communicate with animals. Morgana's archrival, Thia Pendriel, is waiting. With Heart of Valor, the Forgotten Gem she has stolen, Thia's power is almost limitless--and she is ready to spring her trap.

• Format: Paperback
• Language: English
• ISBN: 1416998411
• ISBN13: 9781416998419
• Release Date: May 2010
• Publisher: Aladdin Paperbacks
• Length: 352 Pages
• Weight: 0.56 lbs.
• Dimensions: 0.9" x 5.1" x 7.6"
• Age Range: 8 to 12 years
• Grade Range: Grades 3 to 7

Customer Reviews

A Wonderful Book

This book is the sequel to L.J. Smith's first book, "The Night of the Solstice." In it, four siblings come together to help the sorceress Morgana Shee, who is the only hope of their world's safety. I enjoyed this book more than the first one because it combines Arthurian lore, other legends, and an original plot, which is a talent L.J. Smith has continued to show in her more recent books. Unlike her recent Night World series, these books were more for children than young adults, and focus more on fantasy than romance. They are wonderfully simple, with an easy-to-follow format, but contain things that even adults can enjoy. Unfortunately, relationships and characters, especially the underused Morgana, are not explored very deeply, but this book is perfect for readers of any age...especially fans of magic and legends.

This was an absolutely thrilling book.

I read the whole book in a matter of 3-4 hours, I just couldn't put it down! I'm dissapointed that I could never (and still can't) find one single copy of Night of the Solstice. I have read Heart of Valor a countless number of times. L.J. Smith is the only adolescent author that I buy and read their books nowadays (I'm 16, but I started reading adult novels when I was 7). That is really something too, and I give all of her books that I have read great! reviews.

I loved this book because it was very well written!

I think that this book IS L.J Smith's greatest! I liked it because it combines a world of fantasy and magic, where anything can happen, and the Arthurian legends (my favorite) with the modern world, where magic is not believed in by most people. All of the characters are very real and unique, and serve a purpose in this exciting book. The fantasy element in this book isn't too unbelievable and overwhelming- it makes you think that maybe the story doesn't seem so impossible. I was actually disappointed after I finished this book, because I wanted it to keep going on! I know it is wishful thinking, but I am still praying for a third book to make this duet of The Night of the Solstice and Heart of Valor a trilogy!

Wow! L. J. does it again!

I luved this book! It was another stunning example of L. J. Smith's great talent for writing , and it combined great characters and one of my favorite legends. keep up the good work!

A New Twist on the Arthur Legend

For some reason, I seem to be reading more and more Arthur books completely by accident. This book was really good. I wish I could have read the first book, Night of the Solstice, but it is nowhere to be found. Anyway, four siblings become heroes of Wildworld through their own inclinations. This one will get you hooked.