Hunchback [Hardcover]

Randall Wright (Author)

Editorial Reviews

From Booklist

Gr. 6-9. A consequence of his deformed back, Hodge, son of Rolf, performs the loathsome chores of Castle Marlby, including cleaning the gong pits below the latrines. After the arrival of Prince Leo, the castle's first royal guest in years, Hodge's fate improves; he becomes Leo's servant. Hodge learns the intricacies of chess from the sequestered prince, but Hodge's suspicious brother, Fleet, questions the true nature of the prince's visit. Is he a visitor or a prisoner? The political intrigue escalates, Leo escapes, battles ensue, and Fleet goes missing after the king's army's retreat. Hodge's conviction and loyalty, though true to his character, border on the melodramatic and naive as he defends the prince and searches for his brother. Careful medieval descriptions spare gruesome details while still bringing the castle and its inhabitants to life, and readers will root for Hodge as he learns that in life as in chess, pawns can save their king--especially when protected by a more powerful piece. Cindy Dobrez
Copyright © American Library Association. All rights reserved

Review

"Wright keeps the tension high"--Publishers Weekly

"This engaging story simulates a chess game with its twists, turns, and power shifts. . . . This novel is well researched and well written, has cliffhanging chapter endings, and features a disabled underdog who emerges as the hero."--VOYA

"This gripping novel touches on timeless themes of brotherly love, trust, and finding oneself. . . .This evenly paced adventure is infused with a deep send of medieval time and place."--School Library Journal

" [R]eaders will root for Hodge as he learns that life as in chess, pawns can save their king-especially when protected by a more powerful piece."--Booklist

"[F]or readers with a taste for fast-paced action and unlikely heroes in medieval settings, this is a solid offering."--Bulletin of the Center for Children's Books

See all Editorial Reviews

Product Details

• Reading level: Ages 10 and up
  
• Hardcover: 256 pages
• Publisher: Henry Holt and Co. (BYR); First Edition edition (April 1, 2004)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0805072322
• ISBN-13: 978-0805072327
• Product Dimensions: 8.5 x 5.8 x 0.9 inches
• Shipping Weight: 14.4 ounces
• Average Customer Review: 4.3 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (3 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #3,184,958 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

4 of 4 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars great action adventure, December 1, 2004

By 

Melissa Sack (georgia) - See all my reviews
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This review is from: Hunchback (Hardcover)

Hodge is a hunchback who lives in an old castle. The people there look down upon him and he does lots of dirty work. He feels like he would be of great help if he had a prince to serve. His wish comes true when Prince Leo comes to live in the castle. When he arrives lots of rumors are heard in the castle. Some say the reason is there is because he is ill. Others say he is being hidden for his own protection. Hodge will soon find out the truth and so will you as you read the story of Hunchback!


The book moved at a fast pace. It was full of adventure and kept you in suspense.

We would recommend this book to anyone who enjoys stories of long ago. Kids who like to read of kings and princes will enjoy this fast paced story.

3 of 3 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars epic adventure for young readers, May 1, 2004

By 

Gail Cooke (TX, USA) - See all my reviews
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This review is from: Hunchback (Hardcover)

There is such a thing as being in the right place at the wrong time. This is the spot Hodge finds himself in. He lived a long, long time ago at Castle Marlby, which was once a thriving, important castle with royals, lovely ladies, shopkeepers, and all sorts of hustle and bustle going on. Now, sad to say, Castle Marlby is in a state of disrepair. There's rubbish in the courtyard, grass poking up between paving stones, and nary a sign of a lord or lady.

Hodge dreams of bygone days. He also dreams of serving a prince. Albeit, anything would be better than what he does now which is about the lowest job to be found - he cleans latrines. But, what can he expect as he's a 14-year-old hunchback.

Then, Hodge's fondest desire is about to be fulfilled - Prince Leo is actually coming to Castle Marlby. However, it doesn't happen the way Hodge had imagined. Rather than proudly entering the courtyard on a magnificent stallion this prince arrives after dark and, once he has arrived, no one sees him. Rumors abound, he's ill; he's held captive; he's being hidden for his own protection.

Eventually, Prince Leo befriends Hodge, and the boy is so pleased by the royal's attentions that he will follow him anywhere. Although warned by his brother that the Prince is not at all what he appears to be, Hodge is blinded to the truth. This misplaced loyalty puts him in great danger.

Excitement abounds as Hodge embarks on a perilous adventure.

- Gail Cooke

3 of 3 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars If only life were different . . ., April 11, 2004

By 

Lu Ann Staheli "allstars" (Spanish Fork, UT United States) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Hunchback (Hardcover)

Hodge is a hunchback, and as such he is assigned the most disgusting of chores, (...) If only life were different, he would be serving a prince. No sooner does Hodge wish it, than a mysterious prince arrives at Castle Marlby, or at least everyone thinks he has. No one has seen him. Why is Prince Leo here? Why is his visit more of an imprisonment than a celebration? Hodge sets out to learn the truth, and in the process gets himself wrapped up in the prince's disappearance. If Hodge finds the prince, will he be on the side of the monarchy, or that of treason? Wright brings his reader a fantasy quest novel of a slightly different sort, a hero who is nothing like the typical hero, uncertainty as to which side is right until the very end(...)."