Product Description

A new novel from the talented author of The Amulet of Samarkand, Buried Fire and The Leap. A powerful book with a dramatic twist.

Product Details

• Amazon Sales Rank: #259784 in Books
• Published on: 2004-02-05
• Original language: English
• Binding: Paperback
• 261 pages

Synopsis
Emily, Simon and the enigmatic Marcus break into the forbidden interior of the keep of a castle and lay themselves open to the lure of its past history, mystery and timelessness. Despite the freezing conditions, they decide to spend the night there.

From the Back Cover
A chance encounter on the snowy slopes of a castle moat throws together three lonely teenagers: Emily, Simon and the enigmatic Marcus.

Spurred on by Marcus, the three break in to the ruined castle, spending a night there to experience the power of occupation. But there re-enactment spirals out of control and a very real siege ensues, becoming a frenzy of nightmarish action and dark, psychological games.

About the Author
Jonathan Stroud:
Born in Bedford and now living in St Albans, Jonathan Stroud was an editor with a London publisher before devoting himself to writing full time.

Customer Reviews

boring
did not enjoy this at all, plot seemed silly to me!! has not encouraged me to read anything else by this author. Maybe im just too old for the story.

Brilliant Book from a Talented Author
OK, OK, it's not as good as the Bartimaeus Trilogy but the two aren't really comparable. If you look at 'The Last Siege' as a stand-alone work then you see it for what it really is: a fantastic thriller. Basically, it's about three kids who break into a castle. Doesn't sound very exciting and for the first few chapters, it isn't. Then Stroud steps up a gear.

As soon as the police get involved and the 'siege' begins, the tension created by Stroud's writing is palpable. This is hightened by the way that you're just thrown into the story, with no real background for the situation or the characters. This makes everything seem a little more unpredictable as you haven't grown with the main three characters; Emily, Simon and Marcus. Everything that they say you have to take as the truth because there's nothing to prove otherwise.

I can't really say too much because I don't want to spoil it, but the final encounter between Marcus and the police is great. If you like Stroud and are prepared to accept this isn't the same as the Bartimaeus Trilogy, then I can't recommend it enough.

The Last Seige
A bit boring to start with, but it gets much better later. It's not as good as any books from the Bartimaus Trilogy,
but it's still very good. I recomend it.