In the sixth, and grimmest, of Morris’s Arthurian retellings, while seeking a certain knight who encouraged villagers to burn her mother and Jewish foster-father, young Sarah ultimately discovers that vengeance is an empty motive. But before that, her own quest folds into another as, after witnessing the abduction of Queen Guinevere by brutal Sir Meliagant, she joins Sir Gawain, his eldritch squire Terence, and an unkempt loner—who turns out to be Sir Lancelot—in seeking Meliagant’s ensorcelled castle. Amid a welter of lopped body parts, powerful spells, fabulously heroic feats, pointed observations of the differences between religion and morality, and startling revelations about her own ancestry, Sarah encounters a colorful cast of true friends, villains both implacable and reformed, and women with minds of their own. As usual, Morris uses a mix of droll humor, violence, and easily likable or hateable characters to hook readers, and leaves them with unusual insights into big issues. Still, this outing will appeal more to established fans already familiar with his Round Table crew. (afterword) (Fiction. 11-13)
Pub Date: March 23, 2004
ISBN: 0-618-37823-5
Page Count: 320
Publisher: Houghton Mifflin
Review Posted Online: May 19, 2010
Kirkus Reviews Issue: Feb. 15, 2004
BOOK REVIEW
BOOK REVIEW
BOOK REVIEW
In a rushed and sketchy sequel to The Eternal Hourglass (2009), newly fledged Seer Nick Rostov again takes on the evil Shadowkeepers and their leader Rasputin—this time to rescue his cousin and best friend, Isabella, and other captive magicians. Largely focusing on filling out the cast and back story, Kirov uses most of the tale to trot out new characters and MacGuffins—Rasputin’s daughter, a several-thousand-year-old elephant, Isaac Newton (to invent a fourth “law of motion” for magic that is subsequently ignored), a key hanging around Nick’s neck that was originally given to Edgar Allen Poe, a golden mini-pyramid that is designed to be a repository for souls but can also be used in some unknown way as a trap—then trot them offstage again before they can act or be seen in action. It all builds up to a brief and unsuspenseful climax. Despite another round of solid comic relief from a wheeler-dealer magician named “Crazy Sergei,” this outing will likely disappoint readers of the more robust opener. (Fantasy. 11-13)
Pub Date: May 1, 2010
ISBN: 978-1-4022-1502-5
Page Count: 208
Publisher: Sourcebooks Jabberwocky
Review Posted Online: Jan. 17, 2011
Kirkus Reviews Issue: April 1, 2010
BOOK REVIEW
BOOK REVIEW
Wyatt (The Science Book for Girls, 1997, etc.) adopts an alien’s-eye-view of earthlings, comparing the human body with that of a friendly lifeform from outer space. A cartoon anatomical outline charts the alien Danoid’s first encounter with Pete. Danoid labels hands as primary manipulatives, feet as planet connectors, and knees, multidirectional movement facilitators. Earthling skin, hair, brains, bones, muscles, and organs are measured by these compare-and-contrast standards, delivering information along the way. Sifting through a flurry of text, readers will stumble upon headings marked “Science Fair Ideas,” consisting of simple, at-home experiments such as tracking one’s pulse with a dab of modeling clay or smelling foods that have strong odors. While the concept is attention-getting, and often humorous, the actual information is often overwhelmed by distracting asides, experiments, and reports filed to Danoid’s commander; this compendium may be more worthwhile for browsers than researchers. (diagrams, index) (Nonfiction. 8-11)
Pub Date: April 1, 1999
ISBN: 1-55074-511-5
Page Count: 64
Publisher: Kids Can
Review Posted Online: May 19, 2010
Kirkus Reviews Issue: April 1, 1999
© Copyright 2025 Kirkus Media LLC. All Rights Reserved.
Follow
Popular in this Genre
We can’t wait for you to join Kirkus!
It’s free and takes less than 10 seconds!
Already have an account? Log in.
OR
Sign in with GoogleTrouble signing in? Retrieve credentials.
Welcome Back!
OR
Sign in with GoogleTrouble signing in? Retrieve credentials.
