Reviews

The Giant Under the Snow by Gary Blythe, John Gordon

franmoldaschl's review

adventurous emotional hopeful mysterious tense medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Plot
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Diverse cast of characters? No
• Flaws of characters a main focus? No

5.0

This book was written in 1968 but feels much more recent. 

And I absolutely loved Elizabeth Goodenough.

backpackfullofbooks's review

adventurous lighthearted mysterious medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? A mix
• Strong character development? No
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Diverse cast of characters? No
• Flaws of characters a main focus? No

3.5

mat_tobin's review

4.0

Published in 1968, Gordon's eco-fantasy rings so similarly to the work of Cooper and Garner with a rawer edge of Garner perhaps tipping towards the Cheshire man's themes. Three young secondary school students find themselves caught up in the reawakening of a dark force that lay buried beneath the turf and chalk.
When Jonk unearths an item that will bring it the power that it once lost, she calls upon her school friends, Bill and Arf to put things right. There is much more to this story in terms of lore and myth that I have not fully explored and I am drawn to re-read it. Gordon's writing is deft and economic and Blythe's illustrations inside are beyond compare. Definitely an alternative book to read at Christmas.

nigellicus's review

5.0

One shouldn't judge a book by its cover but i got this book because of the cover, though it wasn't even the cover of the copy I got from the library, but still, look at that cover it's brilliant. Three children find an ancient belt buckle and then find themselves caught up on the final stage of an ancient battle between good and evil, as you do. Granted the power of flight to help them elide the terrifying Leather Men they must thwart the ambitions of an ancient warlord, and a cracking adventure it is, too.