Book Review: Sir Quinlan and the Swords of Valor

I recently received a copy of the fifth book in Chuck Black's Knights of Arrethtrae series Sir Quinlan and the Swords of Valor to review. My oldest daughter (13) has read two other books in this series and has really enjoyed them. I had never read any of them though and was eager to dive into this book and see what she liked so much about them. As always when I read a book that is not the beginning of a series, I am concerned that I will be a little lost or not understand fully what is going on. Not to worry in this book though. After a brief introduction talking about what the whole series is about, you jump right in and completely understand the book.

The story is about a young knight who makes a choice to leave his safe little world behind him and instead to become a faithful follower of the Prince. he knows it is not going to be easy, but really has no idea what things he will have to face. He faces a terrible tragedy and runs back to the only home he knows only to discover there is now something about him that makes him not quite fit in anymore. Despairing he begins to wander the kingdom trying to flee his past when he is offered a second chance to redeem himself. Can Quinlan reunite the Valor Knights in time to save the people from the Dark Knight's evil plot to rule the kingdom, or will they lose the most important battle of all.

There were many things I enjoyed about this book. The whole story was filled with suspense and intrigue and although the battle scenes were intense, it was not grossly violent. The main characters that are in this book show qualities that you want your children to read about. The plots of the Lucius were subtle and not what you would expect. I loved what Twitch said as he gave himself to the Prince and it's something we all can relate to. " I haven't much to offer my Prince for I am unskilled, ill-equipped, and unworthy. Yet I offer myself to you. If there is something more to following You, then show me and I will see. Command me and I will obey. Lead me and I will follow. If my feeble life can be used by You, I give it. I am Yours, my King and Prince." There are also discussion questions for each chapter in the back of the book that makes a great springboard for discussing this with your teen.

I finished this book during the course of one day. I could not wait to see how it ended. Highly recommended for teens and adults. I look forward to reading the other books in this series.

I received a complimentary copy of this book from Waterbrook Multnomah for the purpose of writing a fair and honest review. I received no other compensation