Reviews"Lasky continues her best-selling Guardians of Ga'Hoole series with another skillfully crafted fantasy . . . A wonderful family read-aloud as well as a compulsively readable addition for young fantasy and naturalist fans." - BOOKLIST, "Lyze's story can be read easily as a stand-alone tale. . . . Both thoughtful and action-packed, this adventure illuminates the fantastical world that exists between dusk and dawn." -- KIRKUS REVIEWS, starred review, "The Guardians of Ga'Hoole gets a prequel, with the history of one of the Great Tree's rybs, Ezylryb. Lyze, a young whiskered screech owl, is born into the Northern Kingdoms, where war is as much a part of life as a young owl's First Meat ceremony. His parents, veterans of the battle against Bylyric and his Ice Talons, expect their young hatchling to grow up to be a soldier, but Lyze is reluctant to step into that role. The death of his beloved younger sister in a raid changes everything. He begins to apply his mind to the finer points of war, focusing on the elements of weather and battle strategy. He further suggests adding snakes and snow leopards to their ranks. However, Lyze quickly learns that victory comes at a heavy price. Lyze's journey from egg to warrior to ryb enriches the mythology of Ga'Hoole, but it also serves as an unflinching commentary on the ravages of war. While this will undoubtedly appeal to the ardent followers of the series, Lyze's story can be read easily as a stand-alone tale. Both thoughtful and action-packed, this adventure illuminates the fantastical world that exists between dusk and dawn." - Kirkus starred review
TitleLeadingThe
SynopsisAn owlet hatches out onto Stormfast Island and into a world torn by war. For one hundred years, his people have fought off enemy owls from the Ice Talons, but the tide has turned. An invasion is coming, one the Kielian League won't have the strength to resist. Soon the tyrant owl Bylyric will rule over everything, and no honorable owl will be safe. Only the small owl from Stormfast stands between Bylyric and total victory. Lyze is not very impressive to look at, but he has a wild idea for a snake and owl strike unit that just might give the soldiers of the Kielian League the edge they need. This is his story, the story of an ordinary owl who rose to become Ezylryb of the Great Tree. This is the story of what it takes to make a Guardian of Ga'Hoole.
LC Classification NumberPZ7.L3274Rh 2013