Sir Bentley and Holbrook Court (The Knights of Arrethtrae) [Paperback]

Chuck Black (Author)

Book Description

Series: The Knights of Arrethtrae | Publication Date: February 17, 2009

Sir Bentley, an honorable young knight, abandons his calling in order to seek the truth of the Prince. Choosing to live as the Prince did, he forsakes his former lifestyle and wealth to live as a pauper. His travels take him to Holbrook, where the townsfolk live in poverty, paying high taxes to support the lavish lifestyle of Lord Kingsley and his court. But something even darker is lurking in the shadows of the beautiful castle.

Bentley soon befriends Eirwyn, a mysterious but compassionate young woman who often distributes food among the poor. When Eirwyn is kidnapped by a ruthless tribe to serve as a sacrifice, Bentley battles a vicious mountain creature to save her life. But when he discovers who is really behind Holbrook’s downfall, he’s faced with an even bigger challenge–battling the Dark Knight’s most evil commander and his Shadow Warriors as they attack the castle.

Will greed destroy the kingdom the way it destroyed Lord Kingsley? Or can Sir Bentley and Eirwyn work together to restore order and prosperity to the kingdom through the compassion and grace of the Prince?

Journey to Arrethtrae, where these knights of noble heart live and die in loyal service to the King and the Prince. These knights are mighty, for they serve a mighty King. They are…the Knights of Arrethtrae!

Editorial Reviews

Review

“With sanctified imagination, Chuck Black transports readers back to the days of chivalry and valor, clashing steel, and noble conflict–but ultimately he transports readers to the eternal triumph of the King who reigns!”
– Douglas Bond, author of HOLD FAST In a Broken World, and Guns of the Lion

“Chuck Black is a word crafter who is able to weave Kingdom principles into the fabric of one’s moral imagination. The characters he has created and the passions they exude, will motivate readers to follow their examples, which have now been etched into their awakened conscience.”
– Mark Hamby, Founder and President of Cornerstone Family Ministries and Lamplighter Publishing

“My son, Nathan, loved the first book in this series and he said the second was even better. In my son's own words, ‘Mom, it was exciting and full of mystery. It compelled me to read more. I couldn't put it down.’ As a mom and an author, I give Sir Bentley and Holbrook Court two thumbs up!”
– Tricia Goyer, homeschooling mom and author of eighteen books, including Generation NeXt Parenting

Praise for The Knights of Arrethtrae series
“Chuck Black is a master storyteller. The fourteenth-century feel of his books is wholly captivating. Sir Kendrick and the Castle of Bel Lione is no exception. Yet the principle anchors of the story–faithfulness, friendship, loyalty, redemption, and forgiveness–are what make it fully worthwhile. Expect to see very little of your young knight after he gets ahold of this book. He will more than likely emerge from the pages with an intensified determination to fight the battles in his own life as a faithful Knight of the Prince.”
–Jennifer Igarashi, freelance writer, homeschool-resource reviewer, and mother of an eleven-year-old Kingdom series fanatic

“Chuck Black has once again transported his readers to the time of knights, castles, and damsels in distress. The Kingdom series was such an enjoyable read that I was surprised to find Sir Kendrick and the Castle of Bel Lione even more delightful…I was drawn into the tale and cared almost immediately for the characters. I rejoiced in each victory, wept with each failing and loss. Chuck is clearly maturing in his skills, and I look forward with great anticipation to his forthcoming works.”
–Gail Biby, publications editor for the North Dakota Home School Association and author of North
Dakota Guide to Home School High School

“Chuck Black is the John Bunyan for our times! Sir Kendrick and the Castle of Bel Lione is a reminder of the origins of the spiritual warfare we are to fight daily.”
–Iaci Flanders, inductive Bible study teacher and homeschool mom

About the Author

Chuck Black, a former F-16 fighter pilot and tactical communications engineer, is the author of eight novels, including the popular Kingdom series. He has received praise from parents across the country for his unique approach to telling biblical truths. His passion in life is to serve the Lord Jesus Christ and to love his wife, Andrea, and their six children. He lives with his family in North Dakota.

See all Editorial Reviews

Product Details

• Reading level: Ages 12 and up
  
• Paperback: 208 pages
• Publisher: Multnomah Books (February 17, 2009)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 1601421257
• ISBN-13: 978-1601421258
• Product Dimensions: 5.2 x 0.5 x 8 inches
• Shipping Weight: 7.2 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 5.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (9 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #60,546 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)
  • #13 in Books > 4-for-3 Books > Children's Books > History & Historical Fiction > Fiction > Medieval
  • #25 in Books > 4-for-3 Books > Children's Books > Religions > Fiction > Christian
  • #25 in Books > 4-for-3 Books > Children's Books > Religions > Christianity > Ages 9-12

More About the Author

Chuck Black is the author of nine novels including the popular Kingdom Series and The Knights of Arrethtrae series. He spent eight years in the Air Force traveling the world as a communications engineer and an F-16 fighter pilot. Today, Chuck is a product design engineer and has invented or coinvented eleven patented construction products now being sold internationally. His passion in life is to serve the Lord Jesus Christ and to love his wife, Andrea, and their six children. The Blacks take their family music ministry on the road, singing Christian gospel, contemporary, and traditional songs. Chuck and his family live in North Dakota.

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

2 of 2 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars terrific exciting Christian parable, February 21, 2009

By 

Harriet Klausner - See all my reviews
(#1 Hall OF FAME REVIEWER)    (TOP 1000 REVIEWER)    (REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Sir Bentley and Holbrook Court (The Knights of Arrethtrae) (Paperback)

In Chessington, his father the Noble Knight and merchant Sir Barrington watches along with his peers as squire Bentley takes the sacred vows to adhere to Lord Kifus' Articles of Code and of being a Noble Knight of Arrethtrae from his mentor Sir York. Soon afterward, while on constant missions to kill the Followers of the recently murdered Prince, Sir Bentley has doubts that his side is in the right though Sir York proclaims they are doing the King's work. The lad notices how the Followers only defend themselves, but never attack first.

His unit gets into a deadly battle with ferocious fighters in which two Followers join their side. Afterward Sir York demands Sir Bentley kill the two men. Stunned he refuses, enabling them to escape while Sir York condemns him. The Followers Esmond and Trae explain to Bentley that they just fought the Vinceno Knights trained by the fallen angels Shadow Warriors. Bentley says goodbye to his parents; his father tells him he is proud of him as honor is important and is not proud of what he saw happen to the Prince. Bentley needs to learn who is right about the Prince as the Knights insist he was a charlatan while his Followers believe he was the King's son sent to help the people. Bentley meets Eirwyn who under the tutelage of the mysterious Gardener distributes food to the poor of Holbrook where affluent Lord Kingsley and his court flaunt their wealth. However, Bentley and Eirwyn soon find themselves battling evil as the Shadow Warriors attack the castle and the village.

The sequel to SIR KENDRICK AND THE CASTLE OF BEL LIONE is a terrific exciting Christian parable that grips the audience from the moment Bentley begins to doubt his mentor as he sees dishonorable actions on his side and honorable behavior by their foes. His quest is exhilarating as he needs to know the truth about the Prince, the Shadow Warriors, and why the Noble Knights of Arrethtrae killed him.

Harriet Klausner

2 of 2 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Great Allegory, February 17, 2009

By 

BookBargainsandPreviews.com "www.bookbargains... (New York) - See all my reviews
(VINE VOICE)   

This review is from: Sir Bentley and Holbrook Court (The Knights of Arrethtrae) (Paperback)

This is a wonderful allegorical tale that was well-written with an interesting plot. The author draws you in with loveable characters that you can relate to. While the story is full of mystery, the allegorical aspect was clear enough to be readily picked up by young and old alike. While this book is considered for ages 9-12, I thoroughly enjoyed it myself. It is also a great story to read-aloud to your children or Sunday School class.

5.0 out of 5 stars You have got to listen to these on CD, April 26, 2011

By 

The Book Runner (USA) - See all my reviews

Amazon Verified Purchase

This review is from: Sir Bentley and Holbrook Court (The Knights of Arrethtrae) (Paperback)

Review written by 16 year old boy:

Sir Bentley is a heartwarming story about a young Noble Knight whose sole purpose is to imprison the Knights of the Prince. As he encounters more and more of these Knights, he sees that they are not this huge problem that his fellow knights and leaders claims they are. Seeing them and how they treat others with kindness, even those Noble Knights that persecute them, changes Sir Bentley's opinion about them he admits how wrong he has been to persecute them. Sir Bentley becomes discontented with his empty life and he begins to seek the truth of the Prince. On his way to a town he sees disaster strike, crippling a man and leaving his family destitute and with no means of paying the heavy taxes demanded in that region. Seeing an opportunity to help just as the Prince would have, he stays with the family and learns how to work the fields and tend to the animals. While staying with this family he meets the Mercy Maiden, a truly repulsive looking girl with the heart of diamond. The Mercy Maiden helps the families that are suffering from being taxed or are diseased. He learns to love the selflessness of the Mercy Maiden and wants to defend her from evil. She teaches him about the Prince and living a selfless life.
Unlike the "Kingdom Series", the "Knights of Arrethtrae" does not tell allegories of bible stories, rather it takes lessons and individual verses and tells a story based on that. Sir Bentley shows the values of looking beyond someone's dirty rags and seeing them as they truly are; not a peasant or farmer but as fellow knights and ladies. Sir Bentley is a beautiful story that motivates and encourages me to see what I can do to help those around me and to always spread the good news.

I only use 5 stars on books I buy for my permanent library. This book is part of my "all ages" library.

Would I/Did I buy it? Yes
Would I read it again? Yes
Would I recommend it to friends? Yes

This is a review of the AUDIOBOOK version of the story