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Tad Williams
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The Secrets of Ordinary Farm (The Ordinary Farm Adventures Book 2) Kindle Edition

by Tad Williams (Author), Deborah Beale (Author) Format: Kindle Edition
4.3 4.3 out of 5 stars 80 ratings
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Tyler and Lucinda have been invited for another summer at mysterious, wonderful, scary Ordinary Farm, but this year something sinister is going on with their great-uncle Gideon and his unique animals, the dragons, unicorns, and sea-serpents he has rescued out of the time-rift called the Fault Line. The farm is under threat from Gideon’s billionaire rival Ed Stillman, and Gideon’s security measures include dangerous new creatures like bunyips and manticores.

But all the security in the world can’t protect Lucinda, Tyler, and the farm from dangers closer to home, like the witch Mrs. Needle and her son Colin, who want Ordinary Farm for themselves. The children do everything they can to keep the farm and its fabulous beasts safe, but when Uncle Gideon vanishes things quickly get worse – much worse.

Everything is going wrong. The farm is breaking down around them and the people who live there -- each one a stranded traveler from the past -- are terrified. The stakes have never been higher. Can Tyler and Lucinda find a way to save Ordinary Farm?

Master storytellers Tad Williams and Deborah Beale create a white-knuckle tale for their second book of adventures at Ordinary Farm.


Praise for "The Dragons of Ordinary Farm"

A Smithsonian Notable Book for Children 2009
A Barnes & Noble Personal Picks Best Children’s Book of 2009

“…readers will be rewarded with an exciting conclusion and many tantalizing seeds planted for future summers” Booklist

“A gripping fantasy with realistic but appealing characters as well as scientific magic that explains the appearance of legendary creatures. Boy-girl protagonists and nonstop adventure make this a good choice for fantasy fans… who will be left, like Tyler and Lucinda, looking forward to their next visit to Ordinary Farm” School Library Journal

“The Dragons of Ordinary Farm is an exciting beginning to a new series. The plot is clever, the characters interesting and mysterious, and best of all, it has dragons! I’ve long been a fan of Tad Williams, so I was delighted to learn that he and his wife, Deborah Beale, now have a book for young adults. I can hardly wait for their next page-turning adventure.” Christopher Paolini

“There’s nothing ordinary about Ordinary Farm, a place filled with strange creatures, human and otherwise, and dangers around every corner. Readers will identify with Tyler and Lucinda and wish they were there with them. This is a rousing tale that should and will find a wide readership.” Terry Brooks

'THIS IS ONE OF THE BEST BOOKS I HAVE EVER READ... A truly phenomenal book' Literacy Time Plus

‘An unusual, engrossing story full of excitement and shocks’ Primary Times

‘Extremely descriptive and exciting – I couldn’t put it down!’ Chicklish

‘After turning the 412th page, I was left wanting to know more' Fantasy Book Review

‘Expert storytellers Tad Williams and Deborah Beale take readers on an extraordinary adventure’
Books on Board
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  1. Print length
    465 pages
  2. Language
    English
  3. Sticky notes
    On Kindle Scribe
  4. Publication date
    August 18, 2011
  5. File size
    804 KB
  6. Page Flip
    Enabled
  7. Word Wise
    Enabled
  8. Enhanced typesetting
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Product details

  • ASIN ‏ : ‎ B005I0GTOS
  • Publisher ‏ : ‎ The Beale-Williams Enterprise (August 18, 2011)
  • Publication date ‏ : ‎ August 18, 2011
  • Language ‏ : ‎ English
  • File size ‏ : ‎ 804 KB
  • Text-to-Speech ‏ : ‎ Enabled
  • Screen Reader ‏ : ‎ Supported
  • Enhanced typesetting ‏ : ‎ Enabled
  • X-Ray ‏ : ‎ Not Enabled
  • Word Wise ‏ : ‎ Enabled
  • Sticky notes ‏ : ‎ On Kindle Scribe
  • Print length ‏ : ‎ 465 pages
  • Customer Reviews:
    4.3 4.3 out of 5 stars 80 ratings

About the author

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Tad Williams

Tad Williams

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Tad Williams is a California-based fantasy superstar. His genre-creating (and genre-busting) books have sold tens of millions worldwide. His works include the worlds of Otherland, Shadowmarch, and Osten Ard—including the Memory, Sorrow, and Thorn, and The Last King of Osten Ard series—as well as standalone novels Tailchaser’s Song and The War of the Flowers, plus the Bobby Dollar urban fantasies. His considerable output of epic fantasy, science fiction, urban fantasy, comics, and more have strongly influenced a generation of writers. Tad and his family live in the Santa Cruz mountains in a suitably strange and beautiful house. Visit him online at tadwilliams.com. @tadwilliams @mrstad https://www.facebook.com/AuthorTadWilliams/?ref=aymt_homepage_panel

Customer reviews

4.3 out of 5 stars
4.3 out of 5
80 global ratings

Top reviews from the United States

Samantha Stephens
5.0 out of 5 stars Picks up where "Dragons" left off
Reviewed in the United States on April 19, 2013
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A thoroughly enjoyable read from one of my favourite authors. The story continues on from "The Dragons of Ordinary Farm" with Tyler & Lucinda and their adventures the following summer on Uncle Gideon's farm. Lots of action and secrets revealed, but leaves you with more questions and uncertainty as to the future of the farm, animals and people there. My 10 year-old is now reading "Dragons" and loves it. It was a pleasure to introduce her to a book with an age-appropriate story line and text. Hopefully there will be a third book!
One person found this helpful
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Nichole
4.0 out of 5 stars Great Story, and world, but there were a few things...
Reviewed in the United States on December 26, 2016
Ok, so I binge read this book, and the previous book, in only a few days. It was a delightful escape in a fun, unique world. The characters were good, and of course the ultimate test was that I just HAD to find out what happened next! The only frustrating thing was that the characters didn't seem to get realistic reactions from the adults. I mean, a little frustration with having grownups not believe you, or misunderstand you is plausible, but sometimes it seemed like they carried it too far in order to keep the reader in the Dark or make things seem more mysterious. At times, the dismissal the children received for their thoughts or contributions, and the lack of trust from the adults that did know what they had been up to, and should have earned trust with, seemed jarring. But again, it was not enough of a deterrent to stop me from wanting to finish the story.
...except, Who did the formatting and grammar checking????!!!!! It was terrible! The first book was better, but the second book was rife with mistakes. There were extra words added, or words left out of sentences, and weird symbols where it looked like punctuation was supposed to go, especially near the end. It looked like they ran out of time and didn't finish the book!
Because the story was so engaging, I was able to get past it, but near the end it was driving me nuts...
Looking forward to the next one, and hoping they can afford, or have enough time, to properly finish the formatting, and grammar checking of the book.
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S Bothra
5.0 out of 5 stars Excellent read for young teens
Reviewed in the United States on June 8, 2021
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Easily one of my favorite books growing up.
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T. Bramhall
4.0 out of 5 stars Really enjoyed the story, but the book needs to be edited
Reviewed in the United States on June 10, 2020
I'm a huge fan of Tad Williams work, but this book reads like it hasn't had a final go-through by an editor. I'm guessing it probably actually hasn't, since the only place I could even find a copy was here on Amazon.

Other than that, it was a great continuation of the Ordinary Farm series, and I look forward to reading the next one.
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Freya van Maasdijk
5.0 out of 5 stars part 2
Reviewed in the United States on January 3, 2013
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Like the first book an exciting, fun and thrilling childrens book that as an aduld i love just as much.
One person found this helpful
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honey81
3.0 out of 5 stars not for me
Reviewed in the United States on June 5, 2012
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it was an ok story. i could not get into the plot of the book. it took me a while to finish it.
One person found this helpful
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sierra walsh
5.0 out of 5 stars Wonderful
Reviewed in the United States on September 12, 2018
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I think that tad Williams really needs to write third one. All good things come in there's right? I absolutely loved this book though. Great job!!!!
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Geoffrey L Varner
5.0 out of 5 stars Five Stars
Reviewed in the United States on February 20, 2015
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Unique and engaging. A very enjoyable read.
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Top reviews from other countries

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honeypaw
1.0 out of 5 stars Actually disappointed with the book - not the actual story
Reviewed in Canada on April 15, 2016
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Actually disappointed with the book - not the actual story, but the condition of the book. It was rated as good, but did not say that it had water damage. It looked as if the book had been sitting in water, was put out to dry, and then sold. Not impressed.
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Holger Breme
5.0 out of 5 stars Still some secrets left...
Reviewed in Germany on February 28, 2013
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The sense of wonder wasn't so strong like in the first part of the series, but it was a lot of fun and suspense anyway. I always admire the fine language in these books (and from Tad Williams in general). Can't wait to read the third part!
One person found this helpful
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Granny Bookworm
5.0 out of 5 stars A childrens book for adults too
Reviewed in the United Kingdom on June 30, 2012
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I have to admit I am a big Tad Williams fan, though I did approach the first in the series ("The Dragons of Ordinary Farm") wondering if it really was for me (60-ish). I needn't have worried, as the story is so interesting and engrossing, and does not obviously read as "written down" for a younger audience. This sequel does not disappoint, and I can't wait for further adventures and revelations. A jolly good read, and highly recommended for the young and young at heart - and of course, for anyone who loves dragons.
2 people found this helpful
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Paul Binus
4.0 out of 5 stars Eine schöne Fortsetzung
Reviewed in Germany on November 27, 2012
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Schon "The Dragons of Ordinary Farm", obwohl ein "Jugendbuch", war für mich ein phantasievolles. spannendes Abenteur und hat hier eine ebenso spannende und fantastische Fortsetzung gefunden.
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Sandie
3.0 out of 5 stars Busy doings at the farm.
Reviewed in the United Kingdom on November 19, 2012
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I realise that this is essentially a childrens book. As an oap, I guess I must be having my second childhood.
There was a great deal of activity in this, the second book in the series, and some of it didn't seem to have a lot of purpose, like Tyler meeting his grandfather. I'm sure they would have had a great deal more to say to each other than they did. It seemed rather purposeless here, but perhaps it's importance will be revealed in the next book.
Regarding the trip behind the mirror,there was plenty of detail, but it didn't make a great deal of sense.
Having said all this, I enjoyed the book in general. Tad Williams books are always very readable, and decidedly different from most other books in the genre. In this case I felt that despite all the activity, there wasn't enough resolution. Far too much was left hanging in the air.
My overall impression was that the book had been rushed out just to meet some publisher deadline. It seemed unfinished to me, and one only has to look at the large text, the big gaps between lines and the wide margins, to see how minimal the content is. I would rather wait a bit longer, and hopefully have a more informative and purposeful read in the next book. Despite my comments, I shall look forward to the next in the series. I just hope it is better value for money, with more resolution and purpose in it's content.
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