Knights errant aren't supposed to let the bad guy escape... But Sir Michael and his squire Fisk were up to their necks in mayhem (as usual) and Fisk's old mentor, Jack Bannister,quietly slithered away. Now Michael has tracked Jack to the notorious city of Tallowsport - and it turns out Jack wasn't exaggerating when he said that the crime boss he works for runs the town. With the judicars and the sheriff working for the bad guys, a lone knight errant aided only by his trusty squire and a pack of ragtag orphans shouldn't stand a chance. But the thing that really gets in Michael's way is that Fisk refuses to see his old teacher hang.  

From School Library JournalGrade 8–10—Longing for adventure, 18-year-old Sir Michael declares himself a knight errant (although the book has a medieval-era setting, no one has heard of such a thing in many years and the idea often gets him laughed at). Fisk, 17, is his indebted and unwilling squire. After rescuing Lady Ceciel from her prison tower, they learn that she is not a damsel in distress, but rather an accused murderess. Their attempts to bring her to justice result in her comeuppance and in the teens' tightly forged friendship that will clearly lead to further adventures. The novel is brimming with saved-by-a-hair escapades and fast-paced realistic action, told alternately from each teen's point of view. Their world is filled with "magica," a gift that allows its possessor to perform extraordinary tasks. In fact, while Michael and Fisk's bravery and wits frame their approach to the problems they incur, it is magica that enables them to escape their would-be dire fate. Nevertheless, the underlying messages could not be more real: the importance of truth, the value of friendship, and the need for staying true to oneself. Delivered skillfully, these ideas are sure to leave their mark on readers. Unusual and invented vocabulary is employed throughout. Like Bell's The Goblin Wood(2003) and The Wizard Test (2005, both HarperCollins), this well-created fantasy is a great read with worthwhile moral issues pertinent to its intended audience.—_Nancy Menaldi-Scanlan, LaSalle Academy, Providence, RI_ Copyright © Reed Business Information, a division of Reed Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved. Review“This well–created fantasy is a great read.” (School Library Journal ) “A fun read” (Kirkus Reviews )

"I'D LIKE YOU TO FIND THE SWORD FOR ME. DO YOU THINK YOU COULD HANDLE THAT?" Arisa isn't certain how to respond when her mother, the Falcon, formerly a dangerous bandit but now lord commander of the army and navy of Deorthas, entrusts her with this extremely special mission. Everything changed for Arisa when she and her friend Weasel stumbled upon the ancient shield rumored to bestow power upon whoever holds it. With the shield, the Falcon was able to gain her new station, bringing Arisa into a world of royalty Arisa isn't even sure she enjoys. Now the Falcon wants Arisa to get close to young Prince Edoran, and join with Edoran and Weasel to search for the legendary sword that matches the shield. As Arisa's search progresses, however, she realizes she may be in danger from a deadly stranger. Worse -- she and her friends may be in even graver danger from someone they know all too well! Critically acclaimed fantasy author Hilari Bell continues the...

From School Library JournalGrade 5-8–Prince Perryndon wants nothing more than a chance to be a scholar, while his father wishes only for a warrior son. When Perryn stumbles across a prophecy that might help him to destroy the black dragon devastating the kingdom, he runs away from the castle hoping to find the elements described in the forbidden book of magic–a true bard, a unicorn, and a unique sword. With the king's men searching for him (and someone trying to kill him), Perryn discovers that nothing is as he imagined. The bard is in prison, the unicorn is terrified of every danger, and the sword is rusty. The prince must use his wits to discover his true worth in order to save the kingdom and himself. Bell has crafted a coming-of-age story that engages adolescents who are themselves trying to determine the path to selfhood. Prophecy has all the essentials of a good fantasy adventure and moves quickly enough to connect with reluctant readers._–Sharon Grover, Hedberg Public Library, Janesville, WI_ Copyright © Reed Business Information, a division of Reed Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved. FromGr. 6-9. "You'll be the forty-fifth warrior-king and not some worthless scholar," the king of Idris tells his 14-year-old son, but Prince Perryn much prefers academic pursuits to his warrior training, and he longs to postpone knighthood for a stint at the university. Then he uncovers an ancient scroll that details how to slay the dragon that is terrorizing the kingdom, and he learns that the king's most trusted advisor is a traitor intent on destroying the kingdom. So begins a classic hero's quest, and, with the murderous traitor in pursuit, Perryn sets out to kill the dragon and restore peace. Bell expertly maintains the delicious suspense to the last page, and she layers the breathtaking action with a cast of fully realized magical creatures and universal coming-of-age questions: How do you reconcile a parent's desires with your own? Is book learning or messy experience a better life guide? Perryn's authentic, urgent feelings--the hurt, misunderstanding, and increasing openheartedness--will draw readers as much as the wholly satisfying, escapist adventure. Gillian EngbergCopyright © American Library Association. All rights reserved

I was done with being a squire... When squire Fisk quarreled with his knight errant, Michael Sevenson, neither of them wanted to meet again. So of course, just six weeks later they find themselves in side-by-side cells, when Michael is accused of murdering the man who got his brother Benton fired from the university. Michael needs to help his brother and Fisk needs to get out of jail - so when Michael's sister bails them out, on the condition that they work together to find the man who framed Benton, Michael and Fisk are forced to agree to her terms. But will unraveling the tangled web of blackmail, sabotage and murder bring knight and squire back together? Or will it drive them apart for good?  

Now that both the shield and the sword of legend have been found, only the crown remains to be located in order for someone to hold the power to the whole kingdom of Deorthas. Many are hoping to obtain this magical crown and unite it with the sword and shield, but our heroes Weasel, Arisa, and Prince Edoran are right in the thick of the fray. The final chapters of this riveting tale are told from the perspective of Prince Edoran, who began the series a spoiled prince but now must show what he can do when everything is on the line.

Tobin has finally crossed back from the Otherworld, where he was trapped in mortal peril for months—only to be captured by the dreaded, bloodthirsty barbarians the moment he enters his own Realm. Meanwhile, the pretty hedgewitch Makenna and her legion of goblins are still trying to find a way out of the Otherworld before it fatally drains their magic and life force. To escape, they will need help from the spirits that live there—but that aid will not come freely.Now the barbarians are out to take over the Realm, and only Makenna, Tobin, and his younger brother, Jeriah, know what is needed to stop them. They'll need to work together—and with the goblins—to formulate a plan. The answer lies with the Otherworld spirits and also with the blood amulets that give infinite power to the barbarians. The question is: Can they band together and save the Realm in time?In Hilari Bell's thrilling finale of the Goblin trilogy, alliances are once again tested, and...

Makenna is a young hedge witch, forced to flee her village the day her mother is murdered for practicing magic. In the wilds of the forest, she forms an unexpected alliance with the mysterious goblins, and together they resolve to fight back against the humans and the cruel Decree of Bright Magic. But as Makenna grows more successful and her goblin army becomes stronger, her existence threatens the ruling Hierarchy's plans for the country. She evades every trap they set, until a young knight named Tobin comes to the Goblin Wood hoping to regain his lost honour. And each of them finds something else instead...

The Boys Are Back!Sir Michael Sevenson and his squire, Fisk, can't seem to keep out of hot water. After five long years, Fisk has been called home to Ruesport to investigate who framed his sister Anna's husband, Max, as a blackmailer. Anna figures that Fisk, with his criminal past, is uniquely qualified to find out who set Max up. Of course Michael feels he has to come along to help his friend; but now he wears the tattoos of the unredeemed and fears he might be more hindrance than help.As in The Last Knight, Hilari Bell's first Knight and Rogue novel, Rogue's Home combines the banter of a buddy story with elements of classic fantasy, medieval derring-do, and mystery. Michael and Fisk are likable guys who just seem to he magnets for trouble. You never know what is going to happen to these would-be heroes next.