| ON: Content is age-appropriate for kids this age. | |
| PAUSE: Know your child; some content may not be right for some kids. | |
| OFF: Not age-appropriate for kids this age. | |
| NOT FOR KIDS: Not appropriate for kids any age. |
Parents need to know that there is a lot of rather extreme violence referred to in this fantasy adventure. Though not graphically described, there are many deaths by beheadings, a throat stabbing, and a disembowelment -- plus weapons and explosions. In addition, names of fast food restaurants, sodas, cars, and clothing labels are mentioned. But Alfred is a loveable loser who makes a pretty major mistake -- but then
does work hard to correct his error (and, you know, save the world
along the way). This could be a good choice for reluctant readers: This ain't made for English class,
but rather to remind young teen boys how much fun reading can be -- and
it does so admirably.
Oversized, clumsy, luckless, untalented, unmotivated, slow-witted Alfred has not had it easy. His father disappeared when he was a baby, his mother died of cancer, and his guardian, Uncle Farrell, is a night watchman with big dreams and a small mind. When Farrell forces him to help steal a valuable sword, neither of them know that it is Excalibur, the most powerful weapon on earth -- or that their employer plans to use it to rule the world. Swept up into a world of international intrigue that combines black ops agents in attack helicopters with medieval knights who fight with swords but drive Ferraris and motorcycles, Alfred stumbles forward trying to fix what he has messed up, only to see nearly everyone around him get killed. But there are secrets within secrets, including why Alfred is involved in this at all.
There's been an interesting trend in kids' books in the last few years toward stories that are the literary equivalent of The Terminator movies -- well-made, cinematic, edgy, violent action-adventure thrillers that are just pure, ridiculous fun. This book is one of those. Though well-written (the hallmark of this new breed, as opposed to the garbage that was being foisted on reluctant kid readers just a decade ago), it doesn't withstand literary, or even logical, scrutiny. But that doesn't matter, because the story carries the reader along so rapidly, and with so much satisfaction and pleasure, that harping on its flaws seems positively curmudgeonly. This ain't made for English class; it's made to remind young teen boys how much fun reading can be -- and it does so admirably.
From its terrific opening hook to its obviously-this-is-going-to-be-a-series ending, this has what many young readers are looking for: a mystery, a bit of fantasy, humor, nonstop action, violence edgy enough to be cool and bug your parents, a nice array of weapons, cars, and planes, and, of course, a likable orphaned loser as the protagonist. Only at the climax does the author lose focus for an instant, making the resolution a bit fuzzy. Otherwise, this is high-quality escapism -- let's hope more is on the way.
Families can talk about the book's protagonist. Does he seem like your typical hero? What other sort of awkward, slow heroes have you read about or seen in movies? What's appealing about these characters?
What did you think of the violence here? This book includes deaths by beheading as well as a throat stabbing and a disembowelment. Does the rather fantastical premise make this gritty material easier to handle?
| Author: | Richard Yancey |
| Book type: | Fiction |
| Genre: | Adventure |
| Publisher: | Bloomsbury USA |
| Publication date: | January 16, 2006 |
| Number of pages: | 339 |
| Hardcover price: | $16.95 |
| Publisher's recommended age(s): | 12 - 17 |
| Read aloud: | 11 |
| Read alone: | 12 |
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