The Witch of Clatteringshaws

Starred review from January 24, 2005
This highly satisfying offering from Aiken (The Wolves of Willoughby Chase
), who died last year, continues the chronicle of the resilient Dido Twite, taking up the tale soon after the action chronicled in Midwinter Nightingale
. Hoping to save her friend Simon from his stultifying existence as newly crowned King of England, Dido journeys to Scotland to find someone (anyone!) with a greater claim to the throne. Meanwhile, just outside of the Scottish village of Clatteringshaws, in a converted restroom in a disused coach park (this far north it seems that Dido's alternate version of England has more in common with today's version than it usually does), a lonely witch broods over a youthful mistake and keeps half an eye on the progress of Fred, the orphaned child she found a home for 15 years before. After numerous twists and turns, not to mention several satisfyingly close calls (all narrated at whiplash pace, in crackling, comical language), Aiken resolves matters in typically grand fashion: impostors are exposed, secret identities revealed and, on top of all that, a peaceful solution is found for an army of Wends that has invaded from overseas. Aiken's generous parting gift to her readers is Dido and Simon's "happy ending," which leaves the door open, in readers' minds at least, for a future of further adventures. Ages 10-up.

January 1, 2005
Gr 5-7 -In this latest installment in "The Wolves of Willoughby Chase" saga, Dido attempts to rescue Simon, now king of England, from that tedious role, by seeking out an alternate heir. She and her friend Piers set off to the remote village of Clatteringshaws to find Malise the witch, sister of Father Sam (former hermit, now Archbishop of Canterbury), who may be able to help with the search. While the combination of giant flying otterworms and an invading army of Wends that can be fended off by a sturdy game of "hnefatefl" (a Wendish board game) may strain the plot's credulity, Aiken somehow brings this story off with panache. Readers soon realize that her characters are just as amused by events as they are, swinging the story away from the ludicrous into a jolly romp of a fantasy. Similar to Gerald Morris's Arthurian legends in its dry, sarcastic humor, this tale is a quick read that resonates with many well-known elements of folklore and history, hallmarks of Aiken's offbeat yet satisfying fantasies. While not a stand-alone volume, "Clatteringshaws" will please those who have read earlier titles in this series; they'll be glad to continue with Dido and Simon's adventures." -Caitlin Augusta, The Darien Library, CT"

Copyright 2005 School Library Journal, LLC Used with permission.

December 15, 2004
Gr. 4-7. Dido Twite returns for another adventure in that alternate-history version of England, where her old friend Simon now serves, reluctantly, as king. In search of an alternate heir to the throne, Dido and her pal Woodlouse journey to Scotland, where they search for a royal lad abandoned there as a baby. They carry out their plan to its surprising conclusion, while Simon leads the English army and displays an unexpected knack for kingship. With elements reminiscent of Charles Dickens' novels, Andrew Lang's fairy tales, and Monty Python's sketches, the story romps to its satisfying ending. Readers familiar with the earlier books will enjoy references to past adventures, but newcomers can easily follow along. Though Aiken died in January, her work lives on. The Dido Twite series, which began in 1963 with " The Wolves of Willoughby Chase," is an outstanding example.(Reprinted with permission of Booklist, copyright 2004, American Library Association.)