ARTY AND THE FOREST OF THE FORSAKEN

A boy in Camelot embarks on a dangerous journey to retrieve a magical weapon in this debut YA fantasy.

Having just arrived in the kingdom of Camelot, where his father has become a blacksmith, 12-year-old Arty is thrilled to see King Uther Pendragon’s knights practicing in the arena. Though not of noble caste, Arty is determined to become a knight one day. He soon makes friends with other boys (as well as Guinevere, or Gwen) who share his ambition; a natural leader, Arty organizes training sessions for his crew and sets up a round table for planning strategy. When a fearsome dragon attacks Camelot, Sir Marcus Junius Brutus proves himself an impressive champion whom Arty hero-worships. Before long, though, Brutus morphs into his true form, the evil wizard Merlin, and claims Camelot’s throne. Breaking the orb on Merlin’s staff can defeat him but can only be done with an ancient magical weapon in an older witch’s keeping. Arty rallies his “small ragtag band of misfit knights” to brave the perilous Forest of the Forsaken on a quest that will test him in three difficult trials and reveal the truth of his birth. In his book, Jauregui pairs his legendary setting with contemporary dialogue (such as “Don’t hate me because I’m beautiful, Percy”) and characterization. It’s a technique familiar from animated films like Disney’s Frozen (2013) but less common in novels, possibly jarring some readers. That said, the author deftly weaves traditional and unexpected elements together, as with scenes in the Lady of the Lake’s elaborate underwater palace. Several cinematically vivid, well-orchestrated action sequences also enliven the story, including a joust; attacks by creatures like death phantoms and lizard warriors; and a hammer-and-tongs battle with Merlin.

An entertaining, action-packed retelling of Arthurian legend.