Customer Reviews

Keeper of the Grail (The Youngest Templar, Book 1)

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3 star:		(2)
2 star:		(1)
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Gold Star Award Winner!

KEEPER OF THE GRAIL is the beginning of a new series by Michael P. Spradlin. Readers might think that an adventure set in 1191 A.D. would be dry, historical reading, but in this case those readers would be totally wrong. Tristan's adventures are anything but dry. Though they may be historical at times, they are packed with one exciting event after another.

An orphan raised by a group of monks, Tristan never knew his parents or anything of his history. Now he is faced with taking his vows and remaining at the monastery forever or finding his true calling elsewhere. The decision is made for him one day with the arrival of a group of men on horseback.

A regiment of the Knights of the Templar come to the monastery seeking a place to rest themselves and their horses. Tristan is sent to the stables to tend to the horses and that task turns his life upside down. One of the knights, Sir Thomas, approaches Tristan with an offer. He has recently lost his personal squire and is in search of a replacement. Seeing how skillfully Tristan handles the horses, he invites the boy to join the regiment.

Although Tristan is reluctant to leave the monks and the only place he has ever called home, he recognizes this as the chance of a lifetime and accepts the position. Suddenly he finds himself headed off with some of the world's most famous knights to fight in the Crusades.

Imagine the excitement of a young boy actually meeting the king, King Richard the Lionheart, and learning that he is about to join him in battle. What follows takes Tristan from England to the Holy Land into a battle to save the city of Acre. There are bloody battles with plenty of flying arrows and clashing broadswords as the knights attempt to defend the King's lands. In the middle of all the fighting, Tristan is shocked to discover he is being given the responsibility of guarding the most valuable item imaginable - the Holy Grail.

THE YOUNGEST TEMPLAR series is sure to grab the attention of middle grade and teen readers. They will speed through this first book and be anxiously awaiting the second, due out next fall.

Reviewed by: Sally Kruger, aka "Readingjunky"

Cistercian monks have raised the orphan Tristan with love, but in 1191 at almost fifteen years old, he is given the choice of accompanying Knight Templar Sir Thomas as he joins the Third Crusade. Tristan agrees to go with the knight to Outreamer in God's name. Once in the Holy Land, Richard the Lionhearted and Templar Knight Sir Hugh act hostile towards the teen.

In the Holy Land, Tristan participates in the Battle of Acre. However, even at rest he finds Saracens seem to single him out for assassination though Tristan has no idea why they and bandits seek out a nonentity like him. He is fortunate that Robard Hode of Sherwood saves his life from a Saracen assassin Maryam the Maid even as he becomes the bearer of the holiest of relics, which makes him even more of a target from all sides of the dispute.

The first Youngest Templar middle school medieval thriller with hints of fantasy especially the climax is an exciting action-packed tale starring an intriguing young teen protagonist who does not receive a hero's welcome in the Holy Land from either side of the conflict. The story line is fast-paced while also having obvious ties to the modern day Middle East scenario as well as to Robin Hood and the title artifact. Tweeners will root for Tristan (no commentary as to his name) as he struggles with survival while protecting the relic with his life but also wondering why his alleged allies as much as his adversaries want him dead.

Harriet Klausner

When I was (finally!) able to get a copy of this book to review, I found it to be well worth the wait. The first in a series, the "Youngest Templar" chronicles the adventures of a 14-year-old orphan named Tristan and his adventures among the legendary Knights Templar.

Although the book falls in the "young adult/fantasy" book genre, there is much to commend it for readers of all ages. From the prologue to the last chapter, the adventures of the story's young protagonist will enthall boys and girls alike. If you have young readers in your household (or just want to re-experience the joys of summer reading as a kid again), I recommend this book highly.

KEEPER OF THE GRAIL is the beginning of a new series by Michael P. Spradlin. Readers might think that an adventure set in 1191 A.D. would be dry, historical reading, but in this case those readers would be totally wrong. Tristan's adventures are anything but dry. Though they may be historical at times, they are packed with one exciting event after another.

An orphan raised by a group of monks, Tristan never knew his parents or anything of his history. Now he is faced with taking his vows and remaining at the monastery forever or finding his true calling elsewhere. The decision is made for him one day with the arrival of a group of men on horseback.

A regiment of the Knights of the Templar come to the monastery seeking a place to rest themselves and their horses. Tristan is sent to the stables to tend to the horses and that task turns his life upside down. One of the knights, Sir Thomas, approaches Tristan with an offer. He has recently lost his personal squire and is in search of a replacement. Seeing how skillfully Tristan handles the horses, he invites the boy to join the regiment.

Although Tristan is reluctant to leave the monks and the only place he has ever called home, he recognizes this as the chance of a lifetime and accepts the position. Suddenly he finds himself headed off with some of the world's most famous knights to fight in the Crusades.

Imagine the excitement of a young boy actually meeting the king, King Richard the Lionheart, and learning that he is about to join him in battle. What follows takes Tristan from England to the Holy Land into a battle to save the city of Acre. There are bloody battles with plenty of flying arrows and clashing broadswords as the knights attempt to defend the King's lands. In the middle of all the fighting, Tristan is shocked to discover he is being given the responsibility of guarding the most valuable item imaginable - the Holy Grail.

THE YOUNGEST TEMPLAR series is sure to grab the attention of middle grade and teen readers. They will speed through this first book and be anxiously awaiting the second, due out next fall.

Reviewed by: Sally Kruger, aka "Readingjunky"

Well written book with a good story, but be warned that this book has no sense of resolution at all. It stops (not ends) at a cliffhanger and says "to be continued." What a letdown. I think good authors can continue a series without abruptly chopping a story in mid-chapter--this is purely a money-making gimmick.

Read it, give it to your friends to read, give it to strangers on the bus; everyone should enjoy the plot-driven, literary entertainment that is this book.

I bought this book for my 12 year old son, but I couldn't put it down. Great way for kids to learn a little about history while enjoying a really exciting story. I'd recommend this for both kids and adults.

Storyline - Tristan is an orphan with no knowledge of his past living at St. Alban's when a group of Templars stay for the night and one of them asks him to be his squire. When he accepts, Tristan is in for training and fighting in the Third Crusade in the Holy Land with Richard III. But, when the town they are in is under siege and about to be taken, Tristan's knight, Sir Thomas, sends him on one last duty. He entrusts to him the Holy Grail and tells him to deliver it to Scotland. On his way, Tristan meets up with an archer, Robard Hode, and an assassin, Maryam, who help him. He also has an enemy on his trail, Sir Hugh, who wants the Grail. At any cost.

Positive - "Honor, duty, and sacrifice" (Orphan of Destiny, Chap. 38, Pg. 252) is not only the Templar morals but also the theme with in the series. When Tristan and Robard are attacked by the Assassins and one gets hurt, Robard has every intention of killing him but Tristan is willing to sacrifice himself to save a defenseless man, even one who just tried to kill him. Tristan stays true to his knight and friends, even when they go and get themselves in trouble. Tristan is willing to give any thing for the safety of his friends. Robard is a caring and protective character even with his hot head and vengeful spirit, who would do anything for his friends. Maryam is the voice of reason and can get to what is troubling someone. She also is someone they group can depend on is sticky situations and is willing to listen and give support when needed. The dog, Angel, is a pretty neat character as well.

Negative - Robard is very hot headed and vengeful. He tries to kill someone who just tried to kill him and Tristan even though they are unarmed and defenseless.

Finish - A series I heartily enjoyed over the last couple of years as they came out one by one. I also enjoyed the endings (cliffhangers). I also like the end of this series which is always an important thing for me and, if any more stories can be told about Tristan and his friends, I would love to read them. Sword fights, chase scenes, and good writing and morals bring this book together for a great read which will make you want to know what happens next. Recommend to anyone who loves adventure and/or books placed in a historical setting. A great series worth the time to read.

My 11 year old son has fallen in love with reading, mostly due to the Youngest Templar series. After reading this book, he immediately wanted to next book in the series!

This is a good book for students who like adventure stories and a sense of history that is largely accurate. I'l be interested to see where the characters end up as the series develops.