''The Gorgon's Gaze'' is a fantasy novel by British writer Julia Golding. It is the second 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 ...

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

''. The rest of the quartet includes ''Mines of the Minotaur'' and '' The Chimera's Curse''.

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 (; ) 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 ...

, 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 Magic (supernatural), magical legendary creature that appears in the folklore of multiple cultures worldwide. Beliefs about dragons vary considerably through regions, but European dragon, dragons in Western cultures since the Hi ...

, 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 ( ; 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 * 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. Etymology The word ''sprite'' is derived from the Latin ''spiritus'' ("spirit"), via the French '' esprit''. Varia ...

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

Gorgon The Gorgons ( ; ), in Greek mythology, are three monstrous sisters, Stheno, Euryale, and Medusa, said to be the daughters of Phorcys and Ceto. They lived near their sisters the Graeae, and were able to turn anyone who looked at them to sto ...

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 In botany, a tree is a perennial plant with an elongated stem, or trunk, usually supporting branches and leaves. In some usages, the definition of a tree may be narrower, e.g., including only woody plants with secondary growth, only plan ...

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