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The Companions Quartet #4

The Chimera's Curse

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It's a long hot summer. Temperatures are soaring and a strange creature has been spotted on Dartmoor. Connie Lionheart and her friends soon discover that the creature is a chimera. When it attacks Connie, leaving her gravely wounded, Col and Rat must rescue her from she needs
treatment beyond the knowledge of mortals.
But a weakened Connie is easy prey for the evil shapeshifter Kullervo. He believes that, finally, the time is ripe for him to seize her Universal power, gather his army of mythical beings, and wipe out humanity.
The battle between him and Connie will be a fight to the death. And the prize will be the future of mankind.

352 pages, Hardcover

First published September 6, 2007

About the author

Julia Golding

82 books830 followers
My journey to becoming an author has been a roundabout one, taking in many other careers. I grew up on the edge of Epping Forest and was that dreamy kind of child who was always writing stories. After reading English at Cambridge, I decided to find out as much as I could about the wider world so joined the Foreign Office and served in Poland. My work as a diplomat took me from the high point of town twinning in the Tatra Mountains to the low of inspecting the bottom of a Silesian coal mine.

On leaving Poland, I exchanged diplomacy for academia and took a doctorate in the literature of the English Romantic Period at Oxford. I then joined Oxfam as a lobbyist on conflict issues, campaigning at the UN and with governments to lessen the impact of conflict on civilians living in war zones - a cause about which I still feel very passionate.

Married with three children, I now live in Oxford between two rivers, surrounded by gargoyles, beautiful sandstone buildings and ancient trees.

My first novel, 'The Diamond of Drury Lane', won the Waterstone's Children's Book Prize 2006 and the Nestle Children's Book Prize 2006 (formerly known as the Smarties Prize). I was also chosen by Waterstone's in 2007 as one of their 'Twenty-five authors for the future'. In the US, 'Secret of the Sirens' won the honor book medal of the Green Earth Book Award.

My latest series, which starts with Mel Foster and the Demon Butler, about an intrepid Victorian orphan who lives in a household of monsters, won Bronze in the Primary Teacher awards in 2015. The next part, Mel Foster and the Time Machine, has set the time-dial to arrive in 2016.

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5 stars
1,259 (50%)
4 stars
836 (33%)
3 stars
344 (13%)
2 stars
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 105 reviews
Profile Image for Ahmad Sharabiani.
9,563 reviews371 followers
November 30, 2017
The chimera’s curse (The Companions Quartet #3), 2008, Julia Golding
The Chimera's Curse is a children's fantasy novel by British writer Julia Golding, first published in 2007. It is the fourth and final book of the Companions Quartet. The rest of the quartet includes The Gorgon's Gaze, Mines of the Minotaur, and Secret of the Sirens. Golding has stated that there might be a continuation for this series.
Abstract: It's a long hot summer. Temperatures are soaring and a strange creature has been spotted on Dartmoor. Connie Lionheart and her friends soon discover that the creature is a chimera. When it attacks Connie, leaving her gravely wounded, Col and Rat must rescue her from hospital: she needs treatment beyond the knowledge of mortals. But a weakened Connie is easy prey for the evil shapeshifter Kullervo. He believes that, finally, the time is ripe for him to seize her Universal power, gather his army of mythical beings, and wipe out humanity. The battle between him and Connie will be a fight to the death. And the prize will be the future of mankind.
Characters: Connie Lionheart (11 year old girl), Colin (Col) Clamworthy (11 year old boy), Skylark (A young Pegasus), Evelyn Lionheart (Connie's Aunt), Lavinia Clamworthy (Col's Grandmother), Aneena Nuruddin (Connie's best friend), Jane Benedict (Connie's best friend), Mack Clamworthy (Col's father), Dr. Brock (Society member), Jessica Moss (Society member), Ivor Coddrington (Society member), Shirley Masterson (Society member), Kinga Potowska (Companion to the Dragon species), Morjik (Companion of Kinga Potowska. An older dragon), Eagle-Child (Companion to the Storm Bird species), Storm-Bird (Companion of Eagle-Child), Kira Okona (Companion to the Unicorn species), Windfoal (Companion of Kira Okona), Frederick Cony (Companion to the Rock Dwarf species), Gard (Companion of Frederick Cony)
تاریخ نخستین خوانش: بیست و نهم ماه دسامبر سال 2013 میلادی
عنوان: همدم­ها جلد 4 : نفرین شیمر، اثر: جولیا گلدینگ، مترجم: پیمان اسماعیلیان خامنه؛ نشر: تهران، قدیانی، کتابهای بنفشه، چاپ نخست 1390، در 432 ص، شابک: 9786002511560، ‏فروست: همدم­ها جلد چهار، رمان نوجوانان، موضوع: داستانهای کودکان انگلیسی -- قرن 21 م
موجودات افسانه ای هنوز هم وجود دارند. آنها همدمهایی دارند که به آنها یاری میکنند تا به زندگیشان در خفی ادامه دهند. ا. شربیانی
Profile Image for Julia.
57 reviews27 followers
March 7, 2011
Col Clamworthy, it was about freaking time!

Call me a hopeless romantic, but i have been waiting and waiting for something to..er, um, happen (?!) between Col and our lovely heroine, Connie. in the last chapter he finally asks her out, so i was a happy camper. I know, i know- I'm pathetic. (What would their name be: Colnie? hehehe...)
Wow- I finished 2 books today. it took me approx. 5 hours to read the enite thing- with breaks to eat and goof around.
it was pretty great- the final showdown was a promising as i expected, and there was a cheesy segment about how Connie's work 'had only just begun' because she needed to fight the terrors of global warming. But it was pretty great. My last review was 'hidden because of spoilers' so i won't go into detail, but it was an excellent way to finish our terrible villian- although he wasn't ENTIRELY finished, and the series. Bravo!
Profile Image for Carol.
378 reviews55 followers
July 4, 2018
4'5/5⭐
I'm very proud and delighted that everything was finished as it had to. All the characters are perfectly described, we get to know them very well throughout the entire series. Including the villain of the story, which we even get to understand. On the other hand, highlight the great work of the author to show us a world in which everything is possible, in which we can be companions of amazing mythical creatures and that all this seems real, which means, that makes us think that it can happen in reality. Thank you Julia Golding for making me finish the last book with a huge smile and really satisfied to have given an opportunity to this amazing eco-fantasy series. I hope you do it as well.
Profile Image for Ela.
150 reviews46 followers
August 12, 2022
(4.5 en realidad)

Mis pensamientos (sin ningún orden particular):

Me hubiera gustado que Evelyn tuviera más apariciones/momentos.

Está bien que Connie sólo es una adolescente, pero si no le dan la información cómo se supone que ella sepa qué onda? Como dijo Evelyn, mejor que esté preparada.

Aunque sé que era obvio, me hubiera gustado que Connie y Col quedaran sólo como amigos.

Me causa gracia que Simon estaba con lo de la quimera un poco como Connie con las sirenas.

En serio que na más llegas a la mitad del libro y de pronto todo pasa xD al menos esta vez no empecé a leer tan noche.

Sostengo que lo de "sobrevivir 3 días con mordedura de serpiente" es poco realista, y que no les costaba nada darle antiviperinos por si acaso. Eso, y que necesitan otro unicornio de guardia.

Neta 3 meses desde que el Dr. Brock le dijo a Connie de que se veía sospechoso el páramo y no hicieron ni tantito reconocimiento aéreo o algo? Siento que falló esa última elipsis, cuyo propósito me parece que fue hacer que el bebé naciera al mismo tiempo que la batalla y todo lo demás.

Y está bien que solo se vieran en la escuela Col y Connie, pero seguramente tenían tiempo en las tardes de platicar, no? digo, no creo que lo pusieran a entrenar en las tardes si era en equipo.

Y ya, de plano, nada acerca de la mamá de Col, ni un comentario ni nada... Y a pesar de todo, Mack igual de distante con Col.

Ya sé que este libro es de los 2000 cuando no eran tan usados lo celulares, pero qué costaba que llamaran al celular a Mack para decirle "ey, Connie va para allá a ver si encuentra a Col, esperala en la casa de mi tío"

Connie con Kullervo: #KillThemWithKidness

En serio, de qué vive la gente??? Qué hacía Evelyn? y Mack? la abuela les creo que estuviera jubilada, y el Dr. Brock, pero.. ellos de dónde sacaban dinero? Me contento con que me digan que Evelyn escribía novelas de misterio o algo xD

Y... ya jeje
Parecen muchas críticas, pero na más son pequeños detalles que me molestaban/sacaban de la historia y por eso no son 5 jj

Me alegro de haber podido acabar esta saga n.n que me quedé esperando la traducción del anterior y este y nunca llegó. Pa esto sirve el inglés, para acabar sagas xD (en serio, que no me podía despegar de los libros)


This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
Profile Image for Sarv.
239 reviews53 followers
July 11, 2015
وای! اصلا فکر نمی کردم اینطوری تموم بشه.
با اینکه نسبت به سلیقه ی من زیادی ملو بود، ولی به خاطر خلاقیت پایانش بهش پنج دادم. پایان طوری بود که آرزو کنم کاش یه جلد دیگه هم در مورد آینده ی دور داستان وجود داشت:)
Profile Image for Kino.
179 reviews
August 23, 2018
tl;dr
So much of the story is based on our character not having the brilliant idea of moving her bedroom.


The glaring idiocies in this series since book 3 is just too much! It's like the people have no common sense. In this book we see our hero driven to desperation with nightmares. Truth be told this is a valid point, having nightmares nightly, that will drive anyone insane and this is an important part of the story BUT, this is moot since she said that she doesn't have nightmares when she's with her dragon. Something so simple! The author states that she cannot stay with her dragon as the dragon is now big and won't fit in a room. Good god you know what would fit in a room with a dragon? A KID!
Let her sleep with the fucking dragon, let her live with her companion! Here's another genius idea! Let her bond with something small! Something that will fit in her room!

A big part of the story moves because of her desperation and her desperation is from her nightmares, GET RID OF THE NIGHTMARES! If it was some kind of "curse" or something, then sure, I get it. But it's not! See?! This story would've turned out better if she just learned to use her feet and slept where the dragon was.

Just because a story has dragons and unicorns doesn't mean the people shouldn't have common sense. Good god, it was almost decent if not for this thing. So much of the story is based on our character not having the brilliant idea of moving her bedroom.
Profile Image for Tricia.
62 reviews
July 29, 2009
I loved this book, with all of it's creatures and drama and the conclusion at the end. The only thing that held me back from giving it 5 stars was that in the end Col asks Connie to "Go out with him" and then they share a hug. Very cute and innocent but they're 14! Is a celebratory kiss so much to ask for, even just a peck? There was one in the last book! I'm sorry, but I'm a sucker for romance.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
Profile Image for Dragoblue1.
51 reviews3 followers
June 17, 2013
Final Smack Down, Col and Connie, Kullervo, Universal Power and Such :D :D :D :D
Profile Image for Toni.
1,516 reviews9 followers
June 23, 2015
I did really enjoy this series. I guess that is evident in the fact that I read all four books in a relatively short period of time. The characters are eclectic and memorable.
284 reviews1 follower
October 18, 2015
Great story

Great ending! Love the characters and the suspense in the whole book. Great writing and many fantastic creatures to learn about!
Profile Image for Leah.
259 reviews
July 6, 2022
Awesome conclusion to this series

I have read this book multiple times and each time I remember why I fell in love with it. Connie and Col are so much fun to follow throughout their journeys. Connie faces her biggest challenge yet in this book while many of the other characters we’ve come to know and love return for the series’ conclusion. The author did a great job handling the plot so that it had high stakes, good pacing, and a conclusion worthy of how good this series has been. I would highly recommend this book particularly for YA readers.
Profile Image for Hannah Belyea.
2,401 reviews36 followers
March 20, 2019
A dangerous creature is lurking around the moors, and while Connie and Col are worrying about the affect its having on her younger brother, she begins to defy the Society in one final attempt to end the terrifying reign of Kullervo before he can consume her. Golding will please fans with this emotional and action-packed finale to a wonderful series of mythical mayhem. What can Connie do that no other Universal before her has failed to accomplish?
May 17, 2019
One of the best series to read on Kindle unlimited,!

These books are amazing! Great people and creatures and you get caught up immediately from book one through book 4. Some violence but not gory. Just enough to get the point of the difference between the good and the bad. Please do more of these!!!
Profile Image for Miriam James.
284 reviews2 followers
January 8, 2022
This was an enjoyable final book in the series - the way Kullervo was dealt with ended up being really original and cool, and I liked how much Connie’s character developed throughout the series. I like that the threat of climate change is still there and it’s not magically solved. It was great meeting Connie’s brother and reading about their dynamic - it would have been fun to see their parents dealing with everything, but it was still great. Also,
Profile Image for Natalie Haddad.
35 reviews
January 26, 2022
This book was amazing. Here are the highlights: Connie challenges Kullervo at the mark and claims him. She has adopted the powers of Kullervo. Col asks Connie out. And Connie has a new baby cousin, (col has a brother as Connie’s aunt is his step-mom) who is another universal. I loved this book, and may be my favorite out of the other four.
Profile Image for Adrianne Lemke.
Author 17 books59 followers
March 30, 2024
Fun finale

I enjoyed this series quite a bit. I will say that I thought the trustees were a little too controlling and closed minded when it came to Connie's training. While it may have seemed like they were trying to protect her, their rules for her actually out her in more danger. Definitely an interesting ending to a fun series.
Profile Image for K J.
78 reviews
July 19, 2023
I enjoyed this book, and I thought the ending was interesting. That being said, it wasn't my favorite, and I was more bothered with questions as to how this new power works than satisfaction over the victory.
Profile Image for Gil Segev.
Author 1 book2 followers
August 21, 2023
This was a nicely wrapped ending to the series, although I felt it could have easily been longer and gone even deeper into the messaging behind the action. Very suitable for teaching YA readers about the importance of friendship, compassion, hope, resilience and protecting the vulnerable.
163 reviews
March 4, 2021
Smashing good ending

What a great ending to this series. Connie finds a way to resolve the Kullervo issue for good and asserts herself within the Society as well.
Profile Image for Diane.
34 reviews11 followers
June 1, 2022
Tanto quería terminar el libro y ahora lamento haberlo acabado.
No sé cómo le voy a decir adiós a esta historia.
86 reviews1 follower
February 21, 2023
Col's crush on Connie is so cute. This easily could have been a whole other series and I am bummed it isn't. I'd like more of these books!
Profile Image for Melanie Dulaney.
1,819 reviews101 followers
October 30, 2017
The conclusion of the Companions Quartet

My students are going to enjoy this fantasy series when I add it to our library collection. All four books provide non-stop action with a myriad of mythical beings come to life. The concept of human companions bonded to these creatures is unique and the added element of the preservation of a shared world will appeal to many. I rated this installment lower than the previous three because the wrap up seemed a bit contrived, rushed, and a bit of a let down after the other, more exciting, encounters between heroine Connie and her evil counterpoint, Kullervo. And an additional negative note--While possible that it may simply have been the Kindle version of the book, my reading was hampered by many missing commas to help in comprehending very long sentences. Add to that the lack of quotation marks, italics or something to aid transition from Connie's story to/from letters written by past Society members, and the ELA teacher in me felt very frustrated.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 105 reviews

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