I’m delighted to be part of the blog tour for Cheryl Carpinello’s The King’s Ransom, the first part of her series Young Knights of the Round Table. I was attracted to the book some time ago, so I already had it secreted on my Kindle before I was offered a review copy!
About the Book
Author: Cheryl Carpinello
Publication Date (Kindle): May, 2012
Publisher: MuseItUp Publishing
Number of pages: 84
Recommended age: 9+
Summary (Amazon):
In medieval Wales, eleven-year-old Prince Gavin, thirteen-year-old orphan Philip, and fifteen-year-old blacksmith’s apprentice Bryan are brought together in friendship by one they call the Wild Man. When an advisor to the king is killed and a jewelled medallion is stolen from the king’s treasury, the Wild Man is accused of the theft and murder. Filled with disbelief at the arrest of the Wild Man, the three friends embark upon a knight’s quest to save their friend’s life. To succeed, the three must confront their fears and insecurities, and one of them will have to disclose the biggest secret of all. Join Gavin, Philip, and Bryan on their quest and share the adventures that await them in the land of King Arthur and his Knights of the Round Table.
Buy the Book
Amazon * Muse it Up * Barnes and Noble
My Review
This is a well-constructed, exciting story of three friends from very different social backgrounds, set in West Wales in Arthurian times. Gavin, Bryan and Philip band together to clear their mysterious friend who has been framed for murder and the theft of a priceless jewel, the King’s Ransom.
I love the way the three are introduced, each in their own chapter, giving their background, their hopes and their fears. As misfits, they are drawn together, and guided in some of their more ambitious studies by the Wild Man. The castles, and the rivalries between different ones, are beautifully described. You really feel you are standing on those castle walls or ducking under rough-hewn low stone entrances. I was slightly distracted by Philip’s journey to St David’s Head, where he stood on the headland in a storm and got buffeted about a bit. In my experience, he would have crawled on hands and knees up the hill and lain flat hanging on for dear life, so as not to be blown away! It’s really exposed up there, even in a mild day! The distances ridden by the friends needs suspension of disbelief as well, but then I’ve never ridden from Pembroke to St David’s Head, and Cardigan Bay covers a huge area so maybe it’s ok, if they only had to go as far as Cardigan itself.
It is a highly enjoyable story with plenty of tension and the added comfort of a mysterious seer who gives each of them a bit of advice. The characters are well drawn, the pace is good, and the sentence structure and language choices should encourage reluctant readers. I found it a quick read, but an attention-grabbing one!
Philip turns out to have a secret, which is an interesting twist at the end, but I can’t help feeling that those who identify with him during the adventure might be let down by it. I certainly didn’t see it coming. There will be more in this series, so we will find out how necessary it is to the plot.
About the Author: Cheryl Carpinello
Although a retired teacher, Cheryl Carpinello still has a passion for working with kids. She regularly conducts Medieval Writing Workshops for local elementary/middle schools and the Colorado Girl Scouts. She is not the only one who loves Medieval Times and the King Arthur Legend. The kids thoroughly enjoy writing their own medieval stories complete with dragons, wizards, unicorns and knights!
She loves to travel and her other job is with a major airline. Her favorite trip was a two week visit to Egypt with her husband that included traveling by local train from one end of Egypt to the other. Some of her favorite books include The Hobbit, The Lord of the Rings, The Once and Future King, and any by the duo Douglas Preston and Lincoln Child.
Author Site: http://www.beyondtodayeducator.com/
Author Blog: http://carpinelloswritingpages.blogspot.com
Facebook page: Author Cheryl Carpinello
Goodreads author page: Cheryl Carpinello
Twitter: @CCarpinello
Google+: Cheryl Carpinello
Read on for more stops in the tour – and the $25 Giveaway!!
Young Knights of the Round Table Blog Tour Schedule (2013)
September 9
Mother Daughter Book Reviews (Launch)
September 10
The Wise Owl Factory Book A Day (Review + Supplement)
September 11
September 12
Mary Sutton (Author Interview)
September 13
September 14
September 15
September 16
September 17
Mother Daughter Book Reviews (Review)
Stitch Says (Author Interview)
September 18
Fiona Ingram (Author Interview)
September 19
September 20
Nik’s Picks Book Reviews (Guest Post)
September 21
Black Words – White Pages Kids (Review)
September 22
WhenIgrowupIwannawriteakidsbook (Review)
September 23
Fantasy Fun With Kirsten Pulioff (Review)
Published Bestsellers (Review)
September 24
September 25
September 26
September 27
R.K. Grow- reading.writing.blogging. (Guest Post)
September 28
September 29
Magical Middle-Grade Literature (Review)
September 30
Le Vanity Victorienne (Review)
*** Young Knights of the Round Table Blog Tour Giveaway ***
Prize: One winner will receive a $25 Amazon gift card or PayPal cash
Contest runs: September 9 to October 6, 11:59 pm, 2013
Open: WW
How to enter: Enter using this Rafflecopter link.
Terms and Conditions: A winner will be randomly drawn through the Rafflecopter widget and will be contacted by email within 48 hours after the giveaway ends. The winner will then have 72 hours to respond. If the winner does not respond within 72 hours, a new draw will take place for a new winner. If you have any additional questions – feel free to contact Renee at Mother Daughter Book Reviews.
