Beyond the Valley of Thorns

This is book two in the Land of Elyon trilogy and the third book by Carman I have read set in Elyon. Carman creates an amazing, believable, alternate world. As I read more and more of Carman's writing the more I enjoy and appreciate his skills. Elyon is the Semetic for God or Most High. It has been used in fiction by Ted Dekker as a name for God allegorically, and for Carman it is the name of the world or land. As I progress through his books, the more similar I see that his writings are to Lewis's Narnia. As such, these are great stories for the whole family. This book takes place a year after The Dark Hills Divide. A year ago beloved leader Thomas Warvold passed away, the plan to capture Bridewell have been foiled and the walls connecting the towns of Bridewell, Ainsworth, Lathbury and Turlock have come down. Now a year later it appears Warvold had plans for Alexa Daley, and others. Alexa is delivered a letter and told she has a mission to perform and she cannot tell anyone she is leaving. She must leave another letter prepared for her father and be on her way to yet another adventure. Alexa joins forces again with Yipes the dwarf, Odessa the wolf, Squire the Hawk and Murphy the squirrel. They have been entrusted into the hands and guidance of John Christopher a former convict, who will guide them through the wild, and along the way they join forces with a Giant named Armon. They are charged with the task of sneaking into a well-guarded land, freeing a captive and overthrowing the Grindall. However, whenever great tasks are attempted, a price must be paid, and in this adventure the price will be very high. You must join Alexa and the team that has been gathered around her as she travels across the land of Elyon to fulfill the request of her beloved Warvold. But many challenges and surprises are in store for our small band of adventurers. Just a forewarning though - this book ends with a cliff-hanger, or should I say, we at the bottom of the cliff salivating for the next book! Other of Patrick Carman Books: The Dark Hills Divide - The Land of Elyon Book 1 Beyond the Valley of Thorns - The Land of Elyon Book 2 The Tenth City - The Land of Elyon Book 3 Into The Mist - The Land of Elyon Prequle Stargazer - The Land of Elyon (September 2008) The House of Power - Atherton Book 1 Rivers of Fire - Atherton, Book 2 Saving Mr Nibbles - Elliot's Park Book 1 Haunted Hike - Elliot's Park Book 1 (August 2008)

I read this book and it was amazing and it lead on the story from the first book and made the third even more amazing when becuase the third feel into place when you read the second and wouldn't hae been a great suppense and mystery as it was with out knowing what happened in the second it wouldn't have made sense and it made the firsteven better when it lead the story from the first becuase the first book was amazing!I give it a definite thumb up read it it's great!

Have you ever had a huge responsibility? In Beyond the Valley of Thorns, a great book by Patrick Carman, Alexa, a thirteen year old girl who lives in The Land of Eylon, has been chosen to return the last jocasta (a magical stone that can give you all power) to safety and on the way protect it from evil ogres who want it for their master, Victor Grindall (an evil man who is trying to take over The Land of Eylon) . It seems like this is a huge responsibility but it's not like this hasn't happened before. This book is the second book in a trilogy. Along the way there are many people and animals that join Alexa on her journey to return the jocasta. Will Alexa and her friends get the jocasta to safety and defeat all of the ogres? Will they all live to tell the tale? Find the answers to these questions when you read Beyond the Valley of Thorns! If you like fantasy books this is a great book for you!

This, much like "The Dark Hills Divide" is one of those rare books that has the ability to entrance both children and adults alike. Again the story is very well written with the nice feel of well told magical fantasy, making it a wonderful second entry in this series that has me eagerly awaiting the final book in this trilogy. One year after her pervious adventures, Alexa finds herself returning again to Bridewell. After having overcome the trials of one year ago and helping to expose the man who tired and bring Bridewell to its' knees from within Alexa finds herself facing a threat from outside Birdewell. With the walls that once surrounded most of the cities down, this threat can prove an even bigger challenge to overcome. Though Alexa will not be alone on this quest, as she is quick to find two old friends Yipes and Murphy who are eager to aide in her quest. A quest which is given to her in a old letter from her lost friend Warvold, a letter written over a year ago but one she was only to be given this year. Following the instructions Alexa is able to find another of the magical stones that let's her once again speak to her animal friends, but it is also this stone that she must guard as it is the one the enemy desires, the last of it's kind and rumored to be the most powerful. Now instructions left beyond by Warvold, Alexa and her motley crew of old and new friends must find a way not only to protect the last of these magical stones but to stop the evil itself from spreading and if possible defeat it all together.

Welcome back to the Land of Elyon! A year has passed, and 13-year-old Alexa Daley is once again traveling with her father to one of the town meetings. But this journey is so very different from that of a year ago, for the towering walls that protected them for so long have been removed. Now Alexa can see for miles in all directions, but the dangers lurking on the edge of the forest can see her as well. It doesn't take Alexa long to reunite with her dear friend, Yipes. He sneaks into the library through the secret passageways, bringing with him a year-old letter of instructions and a map from their dead friend, Worvold. Alexa and Yipes follow the map to a hidden cave where some questions are answered and even more questions are raised. As they learn about the impossible task they must accomplish, Alexa is presented with the last Jocasta, a glowing stone that grants her the ability to speak with the animals. This is the very stone that their enemy hopes to claim as his own. Alexa fears she will be helpless against the evil dangers that threaten their lives, but she soon finds strength and courage in both old and new friends who join her for the mission. This mish-mashed group of heroes --- including an ex-convict, a majestic wolf, a beautiful hawk, a tiny man, a young girl, a spastic squirrel, and a gentle giant --- set out on a dangerous quest to save their beloved world. Author Patrick Carman narrates an imaginative tale filled with exciting adventures, bizarre creatures, hilarious dialogue, and colorful descriptions. This second book in the trilogy will pull fans back into Carman's world of Elyon with a page-turner of a journey that just won't quit. Fans will impatiently anticipate the third installment, THE TENTH CITY.