A 14-year-old boy lives the adventure of being a knight’s squire in this novel based on the legends of Camelot. Terence seems a typical youth of medieval England, except for the rumors that he has faeries for parents and a guardian who “remembers” the future. When Sir Gawain offers Terence the chance to become his squire, and to teach him how to become a knight, the lad agrees and soon the pair are on the road. Morris packs his story with plenty of familiar faces, including King Arthur, Merlin, and the Lady of the Lake, and the narrative is constructed of events drawn from Arthurian legend. There are plenty of sword fights and flashes of sorcery to delight readers, while the plot moves at a swift clip. Although the tale ends long before Terence earns his knighthood, he does learn the true identity of his parents, especially his father, Ganscotter the Enchanter. An author’s note discusses the sources for the novel, providing plenty of additional territory for budding Arthurians to explore. (Fiction. 12-14)
Pub Date: April 1, 1998
ISBN: 0-395-86959-5
Page Count: 212
Publisher: Houghton Mifflin
Review Posted Online: May 19, 2010
Kirkus Reviews Issue: March 1, 1998
BOOK REVIEW
BOOK REVIEW
BOOK REVIEW
Beddor’s introduction to The Looking Glass Wars (2006) dealt with the return of Princess Alyss to take her rightful place as Queen of Wonderland, expelling her evil Aunt Redd from the usurped throne. That first volume did not live up to the promise of the premise; this one is a definite improvement. Redd (“her Imperial Viciousness”) has indeed been sighted, and represents a significant threat to the peace of the kingdom. But the real threat may be closer and deadlier. King Arch of Boarderland has his eye on Wonderland and is especially fond of deposing female rulers. And unlike Redd, he prefers to move his pieces around the chessboard of diplomacy with a combination of subtlety and deceit. He has a plan that will bring chaos and ruin to Alyss’ new-found peace. Until, that is, Redd throws everything awry by moving the pieces to her own personal advantage. Beddor gives familiar characters new life and introduces interesting new ones. The plot is well-structured, even though the conclusion is still at least a volume away. More original than the first—although Beddor still couldn’t resist the urge to “borrow” the now-famous bar scene from the first Star Wars movie—this comes to a satisfying cliffhanger that leaves the reader looking for more. (Fantasy. 12-14)
Pub Date: Aug. 1, 2007
ISBN: 978-0-8037-3155-4
Page Count: 384
Publisher: Dial Books
Review Posted Online: May 19, 2010
Kirkus Reviews Issue: Aug. 1, 2007
BOOK REVIEW
Iowa preacher’s daughter Jean (known universally as Jinx) has been shipped off to rich Manhattan cousins. Farm-fresh and country-sweet, Jinx is unprepared for the cynicism, substance abuse and sexual hijinks of bitchy cousin Tory. As children, Tory and Jinx were friends, but Tory’s grown selfish and vicious. She’ll befriend Jinx, but only if Jinx will practice black magic with her—and since it’s a spell gone awry that got Jinx sent away from Iowa, magic is definitely off limits. Meanwhile, Jinx has fallen for Zach, the hot next-door neighbor who’s her best friend in New York and the object of Tory’s desires. Tory’s paranoid selfishness leads her to non-magical but still-devastating viciousness, and it will take all Jinx’s strength of will to remain unbowed. Highly idealized, Jinx is moral, smart and powerful; her only flaw is her low self-esteem. Zach is gorgeous, quick-witted and the shining light in a pack of amoral rich teens. While too-perfect Jinx isn’t as compelling as Cabot’s usual heroines, the fluffy gothic romance will keep her readers happy. (Fantasy. 12-14)
Pub Date: Aug. 1, 2007
ISBN: 978-0-06-083764-8
Page Count: 272
Publisher: HarperTeen
Review Posted Online: June 24, 2010
Kirkus Reviews Issue: July 15, 2007
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