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Then, something truly bizarre and unsettling occurs. While on a training mission, Soren is visited by the scrooms, or ghosts, of his parents. They warn him of something terrible: "Metal! Beware Metal Beak!"

Soren and his friends had once witnessed the death of an owl who told them that there was something even more awful than the so-called owl orphanage that they had run away from. At the time they had found this hard to believe. Now they are beginning to realize that there is something truly evil out there, something dreadful threatening all the owls. They can also see that the pieces of the puzzle were falling into place --- there was the strange abduction of Soren's sister and the other little owls, the loss of Ezylryb, the death of the loner owl, and the warning from Soren's parents. Everything seemed to point to this unknown owl called Metal Beak. Who was he and what did he want?

Soren and friends Digger, Gylfie and Twilight set out to find the answers to these questions. They also take some new friends and companions from the Ga'Hoole tree with them. With the skills they have all learned, they hope to be able to handle whatever challenges face them on this new and frightening quest.

Once again Kathryn Lasky takes us into her fascinating world of owls. Not only do they have their own history, mythology, language and sense of humor, the owls also have their own unique way of seeing the world. For them the black of night has shades of black, tones and depths that give them the power to see the world in a distinctive way. Their gizzards do more than crush their food; they also warn and guide them, giving them a sense of the future and the past.

Lasky has given her owls a depth of personality that is fascinating and captivating. She also leaves us with enough questions unanswered that we are left hanging, wanting more.

--- Reviewed by Marya Jansen-Gruber (...)


The best so far!   May 11, 2004
Though I am 10 years old, I really understood the world Kathryn Lasky created with this series. This book has been the best so far with its amazing twists and surprise ending. I could not put this book down. I would recommend this book for adults and kids alike. I can't wait for book 5!


A Dangerous Rescue   April 15, 2004
A great book you should read is The Rescue. This is the third book of a series. In the first book, Soren is captured and is brought to St. Angies. He escapes and makes friends. In the second book, Soren and his friends find the Ga'hool Tree.

This book is about a barn owl named named Soren. He lives in the Ga'hool tree with his friends, Gylfie, Twilight, Digger, and his sister, Eglantine. Soren's teacher, Ezylrab, has been captured. Soren misses his teacher and he wants to find him. Soren sees his parents scrooms (a dead owl with unfinished business). They tell him to watch out for Metal Beak. So, Soren takes off with his friends to search for Ezylrab, and the mysterious Metal Beak. Metal Beak is a barn owl with a metal beak. Half of his face was ripped off in battle. It was replaced with a metal mask. He is the most feared owl in the world. Soren knocks off his enemy's mask in battle, and finds out his shocking identity.

I recommend this book to any one who likes adventure books with action scenes.


Jake's awsome owl reveiw   April 7, 2004
I liked the book The Rescue because, the author, Kathryn Lasky puts detail and thought into the Guardians of Ga'Hoole series. She's also very good at hooking the reader, and tells you what you need to know about every character even if you didn't read the first two books. That's the reason I chose the book, The Rescue.

The story The Rescue is about a band of owls going on an adventure from the Great Ga' Hoole Tree to find Soren's teacher/mentor and bring him home safely. While on this rescue mission, they find Eglantine's, Soren's sister.
Old Great Downing Castle was controlled by Metal Beak and he tried to make Eglantine and other baby owls to think they were the purest owls on earth. Eglantine then realized that the flecks, which protected Metal Beak, the Great Downing leader, were gone. So they looked for the flecks, to make sure he did not have protection again. Once they found them, they burnt them. When the band of friends destroyed the last of the flecks, they found Ezylryb, but then were attacked by Metal Beak, which was infuriated about the burnt flecks. After a huge battle with him and his attackers, Soren stuck a coal on Metal Beak's mask, and half fell off. Who is this Mysterest owl behind the Mask, to find out you'll have to read the book.

Anyone could read this book, whether you wanted to or not because the author will hook you.
If you don't like a book that's all fiction than this book is great for you because the author gives true facts about owls. Some people may not like nonfiction books so much as they do fiction than that person could read this book which includes lots fiction. That's why I recommend this book to everyone.


What a hoot!   March 20, 2004
The last of the Guardians of Ga'hoole series, this book is by far the most interesting. Soren is finally with his sister, but his favorite ryb (teacher) has been missing for two months! Soren, Eglantine (his sister), Gylfie, Twilight, Digger, and Otulissa embark on a quest to discover the intentions of Metal Beak and the strange disappearance of Ezylryb. What will drop your gizzard at the end of this one? Read it and find out!