Quest for a Maid

by Frances Mary Hendry

Book Overview

Meg Wright is nine when she hides under a table and hears her sister Inge kill the King of Scotland by witchcraft, setting in motion a treacherous power struggle. This description may be from another edition of this product.

• Format: Paperback
• Language: English
• ISBN: 0374461554
• ISBN13: 9780374461553
• Release Date: April 1992
• Publisher: Farrar Straus Giroux
• Length: 288 Pages
• Weight: 0.61 lbs.
• Dimensions: 0.8" x 5.1" x 7.7"
• Age Range: 10 to 15 years
• Grade Range: Grades 5 to 10

Customer Reviews

Unlike any fantasy book I've ever read

This book surprised me and drew me in from the opening line, "When I was nine years old, I hid under the table and heard my sister kill a king." How could anyone resist an opening like that? Quest for a Maid follows its own guidelines about how a fantasy should be written. The evil villainess in this book is also the main character's idol. Our heroine has no magical powers or battle skills, only her wits and courage. Much of the book describes Meg's childhood, which lends the book a kind of innocence to contrast against the elder sister's intrigues. Meg, Davie, and Peem form an adventuresome and loyal trio. You may even find yourself liking the evil villain, though we see little of what she does. Much of this book is written phonetically, but after you get used to it, you'll find yourself thinking in a Scottish accent. This book will make you think twice about love, sin, and redemption. A rare book. Read and enjoy.

Fascinating story set it medieval Scotland

I accidently "rediscovered" this book a couple months ago, and it captivated me the second read as much as it had the first. The first time I read it, it had so much impact that 3 or 4 years and probably 100s of books later (yes, I read a lot) it was one book that I always remembered, even when I couldn't remember the title or author. When I accidently found it again while browsing the library book shelves, it was like finding an old friend! This book has an excellent and realistic portrayl of life in medieval Scotland, and really brings you into a different world. But also, the story is just really interesting and the characters are very well written. I loved seeing several years in Meg's life unfold and whatever was happening to her was always interesting to me, from the whale adventure, to sailing, to the witch sorcery, to living with Davy's family, to the actual 'quest for the maid' itself. I definatly reccommend this book to anyone interested in medieval times or Scotland, or someone who just likes a good story with adventure and a bit a romance. Though, if you are a reader who only likes really fast-paced books, it might not be for you, since while it does have exciting adventure parts, some parts are slower.

This is my favorite book!!! I've read it 13 times!!!

Reading this a age 11 changed my life. I was forever obsessed with the middle ages, and this filled every craving for my infatuation with Scotland, leaving me only desiring a sequel. Quest for a Maid is my favorite book, and I have read it over thirteen times, never tiring of it. I'm on the edge of my seat every time, and can never put it down once started. Words cannot express the wonder and magic of this book, with its quirky characters and hauntingly beautiful storyline full of humanity and suspense. More than a masterpiece, this book is comfort food for the soul.

Wonderful!

What a fabulous book this is! I read it out loud to my eleven-year-old daughter and 54-year old live-in love, and we were all riveted. We stayed up till eleven to finish it the night before my daughter went to camp! Great, complex characters (Inge, Meg, Sir Patrick Spens), gorgeous writing, thrilling plot--the big sorcery scene in the first chapter, the witch trial, the storm, the final struggle. I especially like the way Hendry suggests the medieval mind.

Exciting and unusual adventure story led by a heroine

I read this book to my 10 year old daughter. The heroine, Meg, faces all the challenges of just growing up and surviving in 13th Century Scotland, as well as an ambiguous relationship with her older sister who is a witch. The historical background is fascinating. Translation of some of the archaic vocabulary may be needed. The story is very original and quite gripping.