The Wolves of Wiloughby Chase

 Wicked wolves without and a grim governess within threaten Bonnie and her cousin Sylvia when Bonnie's parents leave Wiloughby Chase for a sea voyage. Left in the care of the cruel Miss Slighcarp, the girls can hardly believe what is happening to their lovely, once happy home. The servants are dismissed, the furniture is sold, and, dressed in rags, Bonnie and Sylvia are sent to a prisonlike orphan school. It seems as if the endless hours of drudgery will never cease.
          With the help of Simon the gooseboy and his flock, they escape. But where will they go? And how will they ever get Wiloughby Chase free from the clutches of the evil Miss Slighcarp?

       

  Ahhh, The Wolves of Wiloughby Chase. An intriguing book, honestly. I love the fact that Bonnie, who is a LOT like me (namely, a little loud and adventurous and totally up for anything and sassy) always takes care of Sylvia. From the start she is kind and protective of her, and saves the both of them from the wolves.

         I also liked the fact that Simon is so polite to them. Come on, people. Don't we need more boys like Simon??? (*loud enthusiastic YES*)

         The plot unfolds very nicely, and the storyline is great. The escape is perfectly played out, and then at the end where *character* and *character* comes back, eeeeeeeeeeeeeeee!!! I LOVED it!

         I can't exactly pinpoint this, but the overall story strikes me as dark. You know? I mean, the power of settings and characters. Read the book if you don't understand. :D

         I don't think there is anything that bad in this book. I mean, there is the usual British blustering cussing of Sir Wiloughby (probably just for show). And the parts with the wolves are the tiniest bit frightening. But other than that this is a clean book and appropriate for middle aged readers and up.

(my favorite part)

         

         I liked this book, not as much as some, and much more than others in my history, so this book, The Wolves of Wiloughby Chase, receives from me...

...a 4.5 star rating!

Have you ever read The Wolves of Wiloughby Chase? If so, who was your favorite character?

If not, would you want to read this book? Have you read any other books by Joan Aiken? If so, what were they?