{"product_id":"the-islands-of-the-blessed-by-nancy-farmer-588k","title":"The Islands of the Blessed by Nancy Farmer","description":"\u003cp\u003eIn this much-anticipated conclusion to the Sea of Trolls trilogy, Notland is no place to seek one's true calling. Or is it?  Editorial Reviews  From School Library Journal Grade 5-9--This concluding volume of Farmer's trilogy opens with a storm that brings new adventures and challenges for apprentice bard Jack, who is now 14. A destructive, restless spirit has been drawn to his village by the presence of a magical bell, and Jack, his friend Thorgil, and the Bard set out on a journey to the magic Notland, home of the mermaids, in order to set the spirit to rest. As in the previous books, there are challenges and enemies aplenty, and readers will enjoy revisiting characters from those titles, including Jack's changeling sister. The conclusion brings the characters to a new understanding of their own pasts and strengths. Jack and Thorgil's often-rocky relationship gives humor and humanity to both characters, and the Bard continues to be enticingly magical. As always, Farmer excels at the details that bring a magical world to life, from food to smells to travel inconveniences, and her merfolk are inhuman and powerful. Readers who appreciate strong fantasy with mythic roots will find this an intriguing read.--Beth L. Meister, Milwaukee Jewish Day School, WI END  Review It's a wondrous tale of hobgoblins, mermaids and sea hags, Saxons and Northmen, old gods and young bards, thoroughly steeping readers in Norse mythology. It's also a long, beautifully written tale, expertly weaving together several story lines and informing readers new to the series of crucial plot points from the previous volumes. -- Kirkus Reviews, Starred Review  About the Author Nancy Farmer has written three Newbery Honor books: The Ear, the Eye and the Arm; A Girl Named Disaster; and The House of the Scorpion, which also won the National Book Award and the Printz Honor. Other books include The Lord of Opium, The Sea of Trolls, The Land of the Silver Apples, The Islands of the Blessed, Do You Know Me, The Warm Place, and three picture books for young children. She grew up on the Arizona-Mexico border and now lives with her family in the Chiricahua Mountains of Arizona.\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"Book Express","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":41828453056586,"sku":"588k","price":10.0,"currency_code":"NZD","in_stock":false}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0618\/9101\/8826\/files\/588k_1_b0a370f6-2267-47b4-85a6-25f536e29fa6.jpg?v=1764425823","url":"https:\/\/www.bookexpress.nz\/products\/the-islands-of-the-blessed-by-nancy-farmer-588k","provider":"Book Express","version":"1.0","type":"link"}