- Library Binding: 291 pages
- Publisher: HarperCollins Publishers (Mar 2006)
- Language English
- ISBN-10: 0060772808
- ISBN-13: 978-0060772802
- Product Dimensions: 18.5 x 13.2 x 3.3 cm
Grail Quest #1
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3 reviews
2 of 2 people found the following review helpful
An enchanting, keeps-you-on-the-edge-of-your-seat read that will be devoured in one sitting.
13 July 2006
Format:Hardcover
Fourteen-year-old squire, Gerard, is utterly disappointed that he has not been chosen to accompany the knights on the Quest for the Holy Grail. After all, it is his wish to prove himself as a great hero who is brave, and ready for anything that life has to throw at him. However, he never realized that he would have the chance to prove his bravery this soon. For, on the eve of the Quest for the Holy Grail, at a large feast celebrating the momentous occasion, every adult in King Arthur's castle, in the midst of their filling meals, falls into a deep sleep - an enchanted sleep - and nothing will wake them. Now it is up to Gerard, who has spent every waking hour of his life dreaming of becoming one of the prestigious Knights of the Round Table; along with the help of Ailis, a maidservant who has been his friend through thick and thin over the years; and Newt, a rough and tumble stable boy, to make their way through various obstacles - including an ugly bridge troll, a dark and powerful witch who wants nothing than to take down King Arthur and the realm of Camelot, and a scheming dragon - in an attempt to save their home from the evil that will stop at nothing to have its way. And, in the meantime, make a name for themselves, and prove that, even though they are children, they have the strength to save the kingdom that has given them shelter all these years.
Over the past couple of years, I have become very interested in Arthurian history, which is why I was ecstatic to learn that Laura Anne Gilman's GRAIL QUEST was being released. THE CAMELOT SPELL is an enchanting series debut that mixes the history of Arthurian legend, with fantastical elements to create the ultimate thrill ride through adventure and magic. The characters all bring about their own perspectives on the situation they have been throw into - from Ailis' quick-thinking, and wit; to Gerard's trained hand with the sword; and Newt's ofttimes cynical thoughts. THE CAMELOT SPELL offers a bit of something for everyone, male or female, history buff, or fantasy fan; and will leave everyone craving the sequel MORGAIN'S REVENGE. An enchanting, keeps-you-on-the-edge-of-your-seat read that will be devoured in one sitting.
Erika Sorocco
Book Review Columnist for The Community Bugle Newspaper
Over the past couple of years, I have become very interested in Arthurian history, which is why I was ecstatic to learn that Laura Anne Gilman's GRAIL QUEST was being released. THE CAMELOT SPELL is an enchanting series debut that mixes the history of Arthurian legend, with fantastical elements to create the ultimate thrill ride through adventure and magic. The characters all bring about their own perspectives on the situation they have been throw into - from Ailis' quick-thinking, and wit; to Gerard's trained hand with the sword; and Newt's ofttimes cynical thoughts. THE CAMELOT SPELL offers a bit of something for everyone, male or female, history buff, or fantasy fan; and will leave everyone craving the sequel MORGAIN'S REVENGE. An enchanting, keeps-you-on-the-edge-of-your-seat read that will be devoured in one sitting.
Erika Sorocco
Book Review Columnist for The Community Bugle Newspaper
2 of 2 people found the following review helpful
fun young adult Arthurian fantasy
1 Mar 2006
Format:Hardcover
King Arthur declares that he and 9*3 knights will seek the Holy Grail. In Camelot, a gala occurs to celebrate the upcoming quest. However, something strange occurs when all the adults abruptly fall asleep while all the children remain awake; adding to the discomfit of those not asleep is the fact Merlin is missing. Gerard squire to Sir Rhaymond d'Abmont realizes an enchantment has occurred, but that the children must pretend all is normal or their enemies will take advantage of the vulnerability.
Gerard, Queen Guinevere's handmaiden Ailis, and Newt the horse boy know only Merlin can reverse the spell. They begin a trek to find the missing wizard unaware that a malevolent force will kill anyone who tries to prevent the destruction of Camelot.
GRAIL QUEST is a fun young adult Arthurian fantasy that looks at Camelot from an entirely different perspective as children must save the day. Though his appearances are limited, Merlin steals the show as everyone knows not to mess with someone who can turn you into a rat; in some ways he seems like the Merlin in the Disney cartoon The Sword in the Stone. The three heroes are terrific with differing personalities as the squire and the horse boy squabble all the time while the handmaiden tries to keep the peace. Targeting the Potter crowd, Laura Anne Gilman enchants her audience with her version of the Knights of the Round Table.
Harriet Klausner
Gerard, Queen Guinevere's handmaiden Ailis, and Newt the horse boy know only Merlin can reverse the spell. They begin a trek to find the missing wizard unaware that a malevolent force will kill anyone who tries to prevent the destruction of Camelot.
GRAIL QUEST is a fun young adult Arthurian fantasy that looks at Camelot from an entirely different perspective as children must save the day. Though his appearances are limited, Merlin steals the show as everyone knows not to mess with someone who can turn you into a rat; in some ways he seems like the Merlin in the Disney cartoon The Sword in the Stone. The three heroes are terrific with differing personalities as the squire and the horse boy squabble all the time while the handmaiden tries to keep the peace. Targeting the Potter crowd, Laura Anne Gilman enchants her audience with her version of the Knights of the Round Table.
Harriet Klausner
0 of 1 people found the following review helpful
Grail Quuest, Must be 10 years old or younger to read
17 Dec 2007
Format:Hardcover
Grail Quest book one is a really generic series book like the Magic Tree House. It has nothing special about it. It is a better book for 8 year olds. It is fun-filled if you are 8 or 9. Though the book could be rated PG-13.
I'll give you a quick overview of the plot. You first meet a squire in Camelot named Gerard. There is a huge feast to kick off the quest for the holy grail. At midnight the whole kingdom falls asleep. Only twelve year olds and under are awake. Gerard, a stable boy named Newt, and a girl named Ailis go off to find Merlin who mysteriously left the day before the feast. Merlin tells them to find three talismans, unite them and head back to Camelot. At this time Merlin is imprisoned in an Ice house made by his arch-nemesis Nimue. On the quest for the talismans they battle a bridge troll and a dragon. The troll scene was gory, and what made the book PG-13.
There are very few pieces of historical accuracy in this book. If you are looking for some kind of biography by someone in the middle ages, and were not turned away when you read the back, turn away now! The whole book is based off of magical superstition and old wives tales from the Middle Ages. From dragons and bridge trolls to magic and portals to the land of the dead, this book has barely any historical fiction. The writer did get the talking down though. An example is that Newt calls Ailis something like little MISTRESS nosey. He also kept to the hierarchy of middle ages times, the book frequently mentions how there are four levels in the hierarchy:
Servants, the lowest form or class who aren't assigned to anything specific in the castle but help out wherever they can. Pages, who deliver messages.
Squires, who travel with their knight to aid them and carry things for them.
And finally knights, the people who either have a seat at the round table or train squires and the like.
All around, I would give this book a three star ranking for having meager real references to the middle ages, and being way to generic.
I'll give you a quick overview of the plot. You first meet a squire in Camelot named Gerard. There is a huge feast to kick off the quest for the holy grail. At midnight the whole kingdom falls asleep. Only twelve year olds and under are awake. Gerard, a stable boy named Newt, and a girl named Ailis go off to find Merlin who mysteriously left the day before the feast. Merlin tells them to find three talismans, unite them and head back to Camelot. At this time Merlin is imprisoned in an Ice house made by his arch-nemesis Nimue. On the quest for the talismans they battle a bridge troll and a dragon. The troll scene was gory, and what made the book PG-13.
There are very few pieces of historical accuracy in this book. If you are looking for some kind of biography by someone in the middle ages, and were not turned away when you read the back, turn away now! The whole book is based off of magical superstition and old wives tales from the Middle Ages. From dragons and bridge trolls to magic and portals to the land of the dead, this book has barely any historical fiction. The writer did get the talking down though. An example is that Newt calls Ailis something like little MISTRESS nosey. He also kept to the hierarchy of middle ages times, the book frequently mentions how there are four levels in the hierarchy:
Servants, the lowest form or class who aren't assigned to anything specific in the castle but help out wherever they can. Pages, who deliver messages.
Squires, who travel with their knight to aid them and carry things for them.
And finally knights, the people who either have a seat at the round table or train squires and the like.
All around, I would give this book a three star ranking for having meager real references to the middle ages, and being way to generic.
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