The Capture (Guardians of Ga'Hoole #1)

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Author(s)

Kathryn Lasky

Publisher

Scholastic

Genre(s)

Fantasy

Age Range

Release Date

June 01, 2003

ISBN

0439405572

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GUARDIANS OF GA'HOOLE is a classic hero mythology about the fight between good and evil. This series is filled with adventure, suspense, and heart.

In the first book in the GUARDIANS... series, the reader is introduced to Soren, a barn owl and the centerpiece of the series. When Soren is pushed from his family's nest by his older brother, he is rescued from certain death on the forest floor by agents from a mysterious school for orphaned owls, St. Aggie's. When Soren arrives at St. Aggie's, he suspects there is more to the school than meets the eye. He and his new friend, the clever and scrappy Gylfie, find out that St. Aggie's is actually a training camp where the school's leader can groom young owls to help achieve her goal.

GUARDIANS OF GA'HOOLE is a classic hero mythology about the fight between good and evil. This series is filled with adventure, suspense, and heart.

Editor reviews

2 reviews

High-flying Adventure

September 23, 2010

Overall rating

5.0

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Soren, a young barn owl, can't wait for his first adventure out of the nest. Flying is what owls are made for, and Soren felt, way down deep in his gizzard, that his first flight would be amazing. He'd soar and dive and swoop, just like the Guardians of Ga'hoole, the heroic owls who starred in the legends Soren's father told.

But long before he's even learned how to hop from branch to branch, things go terribly wrong for Soren. While his parents are off on a hunting trip, he falls from the nest! He can't remember how it happened, but he has a sinking suspicion his brother might have pushed him. And before his parents return home to save him, Soren is owlnapped by two rogue owls and taken to St. Aggie's, an institution for orphaned owls. Only Soren's not an orphan, he has a family, and he wants nothing more than to find a way back to them. But can Soren escape St. Aggie's before he's brainwashed into their evil service?

I didn't know what to expect when I picked up the first book in the Guardians of Ga'hoole series by Kathryn Lasky. I'm not usually a fan of animals as main characters, but Lasky has created an owl culture rich with history and tradition -- one you almost end up believing truly exists. Her writing is simple and direct, yet it's also poetic and lyrical. A perfect blend for this epic legend she's woven with these addictive characters.

This is a great choice for reading aloud to the kids, and it's fun to try out your best British accents for the owls. I'm definitely scooping up the entire series as soon as I can, and making a place for it on my shelves, right next to The Chronicles of Narnia.

MG Buehrlen Top 100 Reviewer 59 reviews

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User reviews

6 reviews

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4 stars

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4.8

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Up in the sky!!

September 16, 2012

Overall rating

5.0

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When Soren is pushed from his family's nest by his older brother, he is rescued from certain death on the forest floor by agents from a mysterious school for orphaned owls, St. Aggie's. When Soren arrives at St. Aggie's, he suspects there is more to the school than meets the eye. He and his new friend, the clever and scrappy Gylfie, have to find out what is truly happening at St Aggie's.

When I first saw the cover of The Capture, I knew I would love it. I just love owls, and this book did not let me down, but in fact made my opinion of the birds forever stronger. This book is not only a brilliant read, but has small details about owls themselves; the biology and how owls work, with their gizzard and their flying habits. It was a biology lesson tucked away inside an amazing children's book.

I though the characters had such strong personalities that each shone in their own way. I always will love Soren, he will always be my favorite, right next to Gylfie, who was a tiny, feisty ball of feathers. She was always there cheering Soren on, and I think that she always be the closest to him.

Seeing as how much I loved the Guardians of Ga'Hoole series, I thought that the movie would be great as well, but it wasn't as good. They made Digger and Twilight these old owls who played strange guitars. The movie was a really big let-down, but the book is just perfect.

The Capture is the first amazing book in the Guardians of Ga'Hoole series, and I reckon anyone, young and old should so give it a try, it is so worth it.

Good Points

-Every single little detail, all perfect!

Casog Top 50 Reviewer 260 reviews

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A Great Book About Owls

January 24, 2007

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5.0

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Reader reviewed by Jacob

This is a wonderful book and I love it.

Soren, a barn owl, is kidnapped and taken to a place called St. Aggies. Scench is the leader there. Soren and maney other young owls are forced to walk under full moonshine to get 'Moon Blinked'. Soren recites the legends of Ga'Hoole so he would not get moon blinked. He did this along with his friend Gylfie, who he met at St. Aggies. They escape and meet other friends named Twilight and Digger.

I reccomend this book to people who like animal, magic,and adventure books.

Guest #1 Reviewer

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Owl fantasy and adventure

April 22, 2006

Overall rating

5.0

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Reader reviewed by nelka35

This is the first book in the series of "Guardians of Ga'hoole". Guardians of Ga'hoole are owls who do good, who "perform noble deeds". Owlets(baby owls) are brought up on these legends.
But not every owl is good. And Soren encounters the evil very young, before he even had his first flight. Captured by snatchers and taken to St.Aegolius Academy for Orphaned Owls, he, along with many other young owls, is brainwashed there. But he makes friends, and together they resist being brainwashed and develop a plan, and finally manage to escape. And the rest - what happens after - is in the next books in the series, which are all as excellent as this one is. I highly recommend this book and the whole series to anyone who likes animal fantasy and adventure.

Guest #1 Reviewer

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YOU SHOULD READ GUARDIANS OF GA' HOOLE DUDES!!!

March 05, 2006

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5.0

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Reader reviewed by Justin

I love gaurdians of ga' hoole series! I 've read books 1 - 8. I think book 1 is one of the best books of guardians of ga' hoole. I love guardians of ga' hoole so much, sometimes I even encourage my brother to read it!!! All of you dudes out there should read guardians of ga' hoole if you haven't!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Guest #1 Reviewer

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I think it's outstanding!

February 15, 2006

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5.0

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Reader reviewed by Jaqi

OMG! THIS BOOK WAS OFF THE HOOK! I WOULD LOVE TO EXPLAIN WHAT I THOUGHT ABOUT IT! BUT THAT WOULD TAKE ME ALL NIGHT! LOL! AFTER THIS OUTSTANDING BOOK I STARTED TO READ #2,THEN #3, THEN #4,THEN#5,THEN #6, THEN #7, NOW I'M ON THE EIGTH BOOK! IT'S SO AMAZING! WHEN'S THE FIRST COLLIER GOING TO COME OUT?

YOUR NUMBER ONE FAN,
JAQI

Guest #1 Reviewer

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a great fantasy book

October 01, 2005

Overall rating

4.0

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Reader reviewed by Bettina

Soren is a young owl that is perfectly happy in his family's nest. One day, his older brother, Kludd, pushes him out of the tree. Poor Soren can not fly yet so he is stuck on the forest floor. Some owls pick him up from the floor and bring him to a canyon where owlets are put to work. Soren and his new found friend Gylfie must find a way to get out of the canyon before they are "moonblinked" or wiped clean of their feelings.

I really liked this book. It is a great adventure. People who like animal fantasy will like this book.

Guest #1 Reviewer