''The Gorgon's Gaze'' is a fantasy novel by British writer

Julia Golding Julia Golding (born 1969), pen names Joss Stirling and Eve Edwards, is a British novelist best known for her ''Cat Royal'' series and '' The Companions Quartet''. Biography Born in London, 1969, she grew up on the edge of Epping Forest. She orig ...

. It is the second book of the '' Companions Quartet'', and it continues the story from the previous book, ''

Secret of the Sirens ''Secret of the Sirens'' is a fantasy novel by British writer Julia Golding. It is the first book of the ''Companions Quartet''. The other three books in the Tetralogy, quartet are ''The Gorgon's Gaze'', ''Mines of the Minotaur'', and ''The Chim ...

''. The rest of the quartet includes ''Mines of the Minotaur'' and ''

The Chimera's Curse ''The Chimera's Curse'' is a children's fantasy novel by British writer Julia Golding, first published in 2007. It is the fourth and final book of the Companions Quartet. The rest of the quartet includes '' The Gorgon's Gaze'', '' Mines of the ...

''.

Plot summary

''The Gorgon's Gaze'' takes place after the events in ''

'', and follows the story of Connie and Col. Mallins Wood is under danger, and it is home to the only gorgon left in the world. Connie might be able to help, but she has been taken away by her great-aunt Godiva. Connie's parents have asked Godiva and her brother Hugh to stop their world travels to take Connie away from Evelyn and "wean her off of the Society." Thus, Connie is now living in the town of Chartmouth with Godiva and Hugh, where she's denied contact with any mythical creatures. Meanwhile, Col is introduced to the Gorgon, his mother's companion species. On his second visit, Col is taken over by a mysterious creature – one who appears to be a

Pegasus Pegasus ( grc-gre, Πήγασος, Pḗgasos; la, Pegasus, Pegasos) is one of the best known creatures in Greek mythology. He is a winged divine stallion usually depicted as pure white in color. He was sired by Poseidon, in his role as hor ...

, but does not feel like one. Col finds himself to be the property of Kullervo, an evil shapeshifter. Connie must go to save her friend, while remaining safe herself and not letting her great-aunt know she is gone.

Characters

* Connie Lionheart – 12-year-old girl, recently moved to Hescombe, Society member, Universal Companion, companion to Argand and Kullervo; many-greats-granddaughter to one of the first Universals, Suzanna Caldicott ** Argand:- A baby

dragon A dragon is a reptilian legendary creature that appears in the folklore of many cultures worldwide. Beliefs about dragons vary considerably through regions, but dragons in western cultures since the High Middle Ages have often been depicted as ...

, or "dragonet". She has a golden hide, which makes her resistant to fire and heat. Connie's companion. ** Kullervo:- An evil shapeshifter, enemy to the Society. Wants to destroy mankind. Companion to Connie. * Colin (Col) Clamworthy:- 12-year-old boy, resident of Hescombe, Society member, member of the Two-Fours, Companion to the

species, specifically Skylark ** Skylark:- A young pegasi. Society member in the company of the Two-Fours, Companion to Col * Sean "Rat" Ratcliff:- Friend of Col's. A non-Society member. He takes care of injured animals, and is the owner of a dog named Wolf. * Aneena Nuruddin – Connie's best friend, always looking for the latest scoop. Though she is always determined to get a way that suits her, she is a good friend at heart and a great ally to have by one's side when your crazy great-aunt is determined to keep you prisoner. * Jane Benedict – Connie's best friend, smart and ever the peacemaker. Though she may be non-Society, she is always a good friend to have and keeps a sensible head in the worst situations. * Evelyn Lionheart – Connie's aunt, resident of Hescombe, Society member, member of the Two-Fours, Companion to the

Banshee A banshee ( ; Modern Irish , from sga, ben síde , "woman of the fairy mound" or "fairy woman") is a female spirit in Irish folklore who heralds the death of a family member, usually by screaming, wailing, shrieking, or keening. Her name is c ...

species * Mrs. Clamworthy – Col's grandmother, resident of Hescombe, Society member, member of the Elementals, Companion to the

Water Sprite A sprite is a supernatural entity in European mythology. They are often depicted as fairy-like creatures or as an ethereal entity. The word ''sprite'' is derived from the Latin ''spiritus'' ("spirit"), via the French '' esprit''. Variations on ...

species, specifically Issoon. * Mack Clamworthy:- Col's father, traveler, Society member, member of the Sea Snakes, Companion to the

Kraken The kraken () is a legendary sea monster of enormous size said to appear off the coasts of Norway. Kraken, the subject of sailors' superstitions and mythos, was first described in the modern age at the turn of the 18th century, in a travelogu ...

species. Cassandra Lang's ex-husband. * Cassandra Lang:- Col's mother, traveler, ex-Society member, Companion to the

Gorgon A Gorgon (Help:IPA/English, /ˈɡɔːrɡən/; plural: Gorgons, Ancient Greek language, Ancient Greek: Γοργών/Γοργώ ''Gorgṓn/Gorgṓ'') is a creature in Greek mythology. Gorgons occur in the earliest examples of Greek literature. W ...

species. Mack Clamworthy's ex-wife. * Ivor Coddrington:- Society member, member of the Elementals, Companion to the Weather Giant species, specifically Hoo. He is also the Assessor for the Society, and, at first, denies Connie admittance into the Society. * Godiva Lionheart:- Connie's great-aunt, firmly against the Society, ex-Society member, Companion to the Tree Sprite species. * Hugh Lionheart:- Connie's great-uncle, laid back and easygoing fisherman, overall nice uncle

External links

Official Companion Quartet website
{{DEFAULTSORT:Gorgons Gaze 2006 British novels 2006 fantasy novels British fantasy novels Novels by Julia Golding Oxford University Press books