Rating: 
Summary: This book certainly deserves the Newberry Honor Award!
Review: It is the year 1558. The spiteful Queen Mary has sent her sister, Princess Elizabeth has been sent to live at the dreary Hatfield. Lady-in-waiting Kate Sutton, finds out that her sister, Alicia, impulsively sent a complaint letter to the Queen Mary about the Princess Elizabeth. Kate finds herself blamed for her sister's actions and is exiled to Elvenwood, 'the Perilous Gard' to be kept under watch by the master of the isolated castle, Geoffrey Heron. She finds the place shrouded with mystery and is intrigued by the handsome but strangely silent brother of Geoffrey, Christopher. She hears rumors that Christopher had killed his niece to ensure that he would get the inheritance from his brother. Kate, determined to find out the truth, stumbles into a dark secret about the People of the Hill. Kate and Christopher are quite suddenly plunged into the otherworldly province where they just might lose their lives...Totally wonderful book! I'm not in the least surprised this is a Newberry Honor book! I must warn you though that this book is for ages 12 and up. Not at all appropriate for kids younger than 12. But because of the intriguing plot, the well-developed characters, and the fact that it is so much fun to read makes it even enjoyable for adults! The characters of Kate Sutton and Christopher Heron are wonderful! I immediately fell in love with them. They are both stubborn, very determined, and faithful friends. The humor and banter are very witty and makes me laugh all the time! Though I have to tell you that the book is over-all pretty serious. I strongly recommend "The Perilous Gard" and I'm most assured that everyone who will read it will put it on your favorites list!
Rating:
Summary: Great Historical Fantasy!!!!!!
Review: My mother brought this book home for me about 8 years ago when I was in high school, and I absolutely could not put it down!!! Without going into too much plot detail (since other reviewers have already done a fine job of this), I would have to recommend this book to anyone with an interest in Elizabethan England, the folklore of Great Britain, or good solid fantasy novels in general. It's a great read for anyone over the age of 12, and it's especially great for girls and young women to read because of the heroine, Kate. There is something so real and appealing about her. She is very strong and intelligent when faced with an impossible situation, and in the end she finally gets recognized for the person she really is. Overall, this is an exceptional book, and will always rank among my all-time favorites.
Rating: 
Summary: Another amazon recomendation hits paydirt!
Review: This book was on a "LIST" that I found while I was looking for something completely different. The person who recommended it had also read and loved some of my other childhood favorites, like Robin McKinley's The BLue Sword. I figured I would give it a try, and I was very glad that I did. The Perilous Gard manages to straddle a fine line between historical fiction and fantasy, taking the reader to pre-Elizabethan England, and to a world where superstition is not entirely unfounded. Pope also straddles the line between fear and awe for the Elven folk. Without actually liking them, or what they have done, her heroine feels sorrow for a world and a time lost, that can never be regained. The only reason that this book didn't get a 5 was that it could've been 100 pages longer, and I still would've loved it. The other characters needed a chance to develop more depth, and I would've liked a little longer in the Faerie world. Still, if you are an adult fan of YA fantasy books, like Quest for a Maid, or The Blue Sword, you should read this book. And if you have children who read fantasy, and want a book that is fantastical, and yet still grounded in reality, buy this one, now!
Rating:
Summary: Clever and enthralling!
Review: This impeccably researched retelling of the Tam Lin ballad is set in Tudor England, where Kate Sutton, an intelligent and wonderfully self-reliant lady-in-waiting, encounters an ancient people who steal children and perform human sacrifice. It is a cleverly rendered trompe-l'oeil fantasy: all the fantastic occurrences could have natural explanations.The enthralling struggle with the strange folk of Underhill and the satisfying, believable romance between Kate and Christopher make the book a real pleasure to read.
Rating:
Summary: There's a reason this is a Newbery Honor Book!
Review: This is a wonderful book! It's not just for kids--I'm 25 and I read it for the first time yesterday. Kate is a lady-in-waiting for Princess Elizabeth during Queen Mary's reign. Her sister gets Kate exiled to the Perilous Gard, a keep in the middle of the Elvenwood. Her new guardian, the sensible yet likeable Sir Geoffrey Heron is called away almost immediately, leaving Kate in the care of the menacing Master John. Christopher Heron, Sir Geoffrey's brother, is a myterious and intriguing shadow around the manor, and there are rumours in the castle that he killed his neice in order to protect his inheritance. The villagers have a different explanation, though: that the little girl was stolen by the Faerie people who tend the Holy Well. As Kate investigates these rumours, she and Christopher are swept into a terrifying and deadly adventure. The characters of Kate and Christopher are wonderfully round and engaging. Kate is smart, curious, practical and sharp-tongued, while Christopher is honorable, guilt-ridden, and full of dreams. These are two people I wish I knew! Sir Geoffrey, Master John, and the minstrel Randal are also developed well. Kate's sister Alicia, and the old maid Dorothy aren't so well developed, but still serve their functions in the story. The Lady in the Green is a fascinating and mysterious character as the Queen of the Pople of the Hill. I highly recommend this book - this book is definitely deserving of the Newbery Honor!
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