The Poisoned Crown

March 15, 2007
In the conclusion to the Sangreal Trilogy, young Nathan finds the crown of the title and faces the Grandir and his ultimate plan. Having dreamed himself into other worlds to find " The Greenstone Grail" (2005) and " The Sword of Straw" (2006), Nathan similarly goes to a water world where selkies and merfolk prepare a battle to the death that Nathan defuses, and he finds the crown. Meanwhile, Nathan's 1,500-year-old guardian descries disturbing portents, and nonhuman acquaintances warn him that a fearful fate is nigh. The Grandir comes to Nathan's world, and the climactic battle ranks with the best for power and terror.(Reprinted with permission of Booklist, copyright 2007, American Library Association.)