Wolves Chronicles
4 primary works • 9 total works
Book 1
Book 5
Book 8
Book 9
This historical fantasy, first published in 1962 and now reissued in its original format, takes place in 1832 - in a period of English history that never happened. For Good King James III is on the throne, and the country is ravaged by wolves who have migrated through a newly opened Channel Tunnel.
Her mission to bring an expert on games back to an ailing King James III in London takes Dido Twite to a small tropical island, where she is caught up in the conflict between a conniving city dweller and the more subtle powers of the native forest people.
Bound to keep a promise to her dead uncle, Is travels to the mysterious north country to find two missing boys, one of them a prince, and to discover why so many children in London are disappearing.
Arun returns to his mother's house on Cold Shoulder Road, only to find it deserted and flood-ravaged. Some say she's run off with a Silent Sect, other whisper that she's a witch, and Mrs Boles mutters fearfully about the Emjee and the Handsel child, but dares say no more. With the help of his indomitable cousin, Is Twite, Arun sets off in search of Admiral Fishkin - their only key to discovering the real truth, whatever it may be...
In northern England in 1842, fourteen-year-old Lucas leads a lonely, monotonous existence in the house of his unpleasant guardian until the unexpected arrival of an unusual little girl presages a series of events that completely change his life.
Simon, hero of The Wolves of Willoughby Chase, comes to London to study painting. He finds it a sinister place seething with plots, a town of dark alleys, mysterious meetings and still odder disappearances, of the grandeur of eccentric dukes and the evil of conspirators.
Dido faces fire, flood and execution as she unravels New Cumbria's dark secrets. But has she met her match in the shape of the country's tyrannical queen, whose secret of eternal youth seems suspiciously linked to the lack of children in the land.
King Richard, son of James III, lies gravely ill and there are rumours that the king's enemy, the Duchess of Burgundy, is preparing an imminent invasion. The ancient crown of Alfred must be found so King Richard can pass it to his successor. Is Simon, Duke of Battersea and friend of the king, next in line to the throne or will the evil werewolf Baron Magnus Rudh succeed in his plot to make his son, Lothar, king? And will Simon's friend Dido, who is being held captive by the Baron and the Duchess escape in time to find Simon and the King before it is too late? This latest adventure - with a truly galloping plot and some breath-taking situations - will delight all fans of Joan Aiken, one of Britain's best-loved children's authors. 'Playful, urgent and wildly inventive, Aiken's language is always potent. Readers with a taste for mystery and complexity will find much to savour. ' - Publishers Weekly.
The Witch of Clatteringshaws lives in Scotland in a disused Ladies Convenience - not at all convenient, the plumbing having long been smashed. In London, Simon Battersea, unhappily settled on the throne of England, is forced to live in St Jame's Palace with his good friend, Dido Twite. Never has Joan Aiken's wild imagination been more in evidence as Dido, travelling north to investigate a false claimant to the throne, is confronted by abandoned children, monsters and murderers, while Simon has to defend his country against invading Wends. Their instinct to go north is a good one for it is the witch, Malise, who provides the key to everyone's troubles in a wonderfully swift and extravagant climax. A tremendous read and a truly satisfying ending to the Dido and Simon saga.