''The Chimera's Curse'' is a

children's A child () is a human being between the stages of birth and puberty, or between the developmental period of infancy and puberty. The term may also refer to an unborn human being. In English-speaking countries, the legal definition of ''child ...

fantasy Fantasy is a genre of speculative fiction that involves supernatural or Magic (supernatural), magical elements, often including Fictional universe, imaginary places and Legendary creature, creatures. The genre's roots lie in oral traditions, ...

novel by British writer Julia Golding, first published in 2007. It is the fourth and final book of the

Companions Quartet Companions Quartet is a book series A book series is a sequence of books having certain characteristics in common that are formally identified together as a group. Book series can be organized in different ways, such as written by the same autho ...

. The rest of the quartet includes ''

The Gorgon's Gaze ''The Gorgon's Gaze'' is a fantasy novel by British writer Julia Golding. It is the second book of the ''Companions Quartet'', and it continues the story from the previous book, ''Secret of the Sirens''. The rest of the quartet includes ''Min ...

'', ''

Mines of the Minotaur Mine, mines, miners or mining may refer to: Extraction or digging *Miner, a person engaged in mining or digging *Mining, extraction of mineral resources from the ground through a mine Grammar *Mine, a first-person English possessive pronoun Mi ...

'', and ''

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 quartet are '' The Gorgon's Gaze'', '' Mines of the Minotaur'', and '' The Chimera's ...

''. A sequel for the Companion's Quartet called ''Water Thief'' was published in 2011.

Plot summary

Connie is the world's last Universal and the only one who can communicate with everyone and everything. the only person who can keep peace and unity between humans and the mythical beings being destroyed by human hands. The evil shapeshifter Kullervo wants her power. He wants to destroy all humanity for wiping out the mythical creatures. During a scorching summer, Kullervo prepares for war. The serpent-like

Chimera Chimera, Chimaera, or Chimaira (Greek for " she-goat") originally referred to: * Chimera (mythology), a fire-breathing monster of ancient Lycia said to combine parts from multiple animals * Mount Chimaera, a fire-spewing region of Lycia or Cilicia ...

is only a small part of his deadly army. As the dangerous fire of Kullervo's hatred bursts into life, Connie and her best friend Col must stop him.

Characters

* Connie Lionheart: about 14 years old, main character, Society member, Universal companion, close to Argand, Kullervo, Gard, Sentinel, and many other creatures. A shy girl that faces her fears to become the strongest Universal companion there ever was. Shows regards to Colin. * Simon Lionheart: 12 years old, Connie's brother, Society member, Companion to the Nemean Lions, Amalthean Goats, and the great snakes, all of which, when combined, create the Chimera, a monster with three heads, one for each lion, goat and serpent. * Colin (Col) Clamworthy: about 14 years old, Connie's friend, Society member, Companion of the

Pegasus Pegasus (; ) is a winged horse in Greek mythology, usually depicted as a white stallion. He was sired by Poseidon, in his role as horse-god, and foaled by the Gorgon Medusa. Pegasus was the brother of Chrysaor, both born from Medusa's blood w ...

species, specifically Skylark. Like his father, he can get an easy conversation going in atmospheres that would normally daunt others. A great pegasus rider, is recruited to the British squad. * 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 your 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 Clamworthy: Connie's aunt, Col's stepmother, Mack's wife, Society member, Companion of the

Banshee A banshee ( ; Irish language, Modern Irish , from , "woman of the Tumulus#Ireland, 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 kee ...

species. Since she is a companion of banshees, she does things that, according to those closest to her, make her eccentric, though she is a nice and funny woman. * Mrs. Clamworthy: Col's grandmother and Mack's mother. She is a Society member and Companion of 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. Etymology The word ''sprite'' is derived from the Latin ''spiritus'' ("spirit"), via the French '' esprit''. Varia ...

species. The typical grandmother. She would be a normal senior citizen if not for her gift. * Mack Clamworthy: Col's father, Evelyn's husband. Society member, Companion of the

Kraken The kraken (, from , "the crookie") is a legendary sea monster of enormous size, per its etymology something akin to a cephalopod, said to appear in the Norwegian Sea off the coast of Norway. It is believed that the legend of the Kraken may h ...

species. Though he often acts idiotic, he has a good heart.

References

External links

Julia Golding's website
{{DEFAULTSORT:Chimera's Curse, The 2007 British novels 2007 fantasy novels Children's fantasy novels Novels by Julia Golding Oxford University Press books