Keeper of the Grail

February 1, 2009
Gr 5-9-Spradlin has reworked familiar elements into a fast-paced historical adventure with a touch of fantasy. Taken on as a squire by a well-regarded Templar knight, 14-year-old Tristan goes with King Richard's crusade to the Holy Land. A foundling, he gleans from others, especially from an enemy he makes among the Templars, that his origins are something special. Quickly acquiring sword skills, he participates in a battle at Acre, even coming to the aid of the King. Later on, he is entrusted with the Holy Grail and instructed to take it to Scotland. On his way home he is attacked and later befriended first by one of the King's archers, Robard Hode, and then by a Saracen assassin who turns out to be a maid, Maryam. While the events may test credulity, the first-person narrative carries readers along before dumping Tristan into the Mediterranean Sea for a rather abrupt ending. Although it seems obvious that all will survive, readers may want to wait until the second book is available, promised in fall 2009, before beginning this exciting journey."Kathleen Isaacs, Towson University, MD"

Copyright 2009 School Library Journal, LLC Used with permission.

September 15, 2008
Left as a baby at a monastery, Tristan has spent the last 14 years working with the gentle monks and pondering his identity.Facts surrounding his arrival thereseem to indicate he is of noble birth. Yet even these suspicions in no way prepare him forwhats in store withthe arrival of Sir Thomas and a group of Knights Templar on their way to the Holy Land. In short order, Thomas makes Tristan his squire, Tristan makes an enemy of malevolent Sir Hugh, and the warriors, with Tristan now among their ranks, head to theSaracen stronghold ofAcre. Let the fighting begin! And so it does, with much of thebooks second halftaken up with battles, skirmishes, and ambushes. The deadly action, uncompromisingin many of its descriptions, may take center stage, butSpradlin smartly doesnt neglect story. Tristan is given an immense challenge and responsibility and meets new friends, whose names clever readers will find familiar. Thestirring sagaends with a true cliff-hanger, priming fans for the next installment.(Reprinted with permission of Booklist, copyright 2008, American Library Association.)