Keeper of the King [Mass Market Paperback]

Nigel Bennett (Author), P. N. Elrod (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: April 2, 2002

Forces greater than even the magic of Merlin granted him his dark immortality. Over a thousand years ago he was Richard d'Orleans, undefeated champion of Normandy, then he was Lancelot du Lac, Arthur's greatest knight. Now he is Richard Dun, security specialist in modern Toronto, but still he hears the irresistible summons of the old ways and...answers them. To save the woman he loves above all else, he must do the impossible. Once more, the last defender of Camelot must begin anew his quest for the grail...and this time to succeed - or die forever.

Editorial Reviews

From Publishers Weekly

Vampires and snipers and lust, oh my! Bennett, who stars as La Croix, vampire patriarch of TV's Forever Knight, and Elrod, author of Ace's Vampire Files series, cut their collaborative teeth on this tale of Arthurian vampires who fight modern terrorism. Richard d'Orleans, tournament champion and third son of a noble Norman family, is recruited into full-fanged vampirehood by the seductive Lady Sabra. After an initiation that perversely mixes sex and blood, Richard gets a new job opportunity as bodyguard to the legendary King Arthur. Bennett and Elrod then blithely skip a millennium or so, as Richard must save Canada's prime minister from a 1996 IRA assassination. In his spare time (while avoiding daylight), he must also find the Holy Grail, in order to heal Lady Sabra from the fatal beastliness inherent to even these comparatively ethical vampires. In their own quest to leave no loathsome stone unturned and no bodily fluids unsluiced, the authors have produced a campy parody of dark fantasy. This wallow in bloodsucking, mind-bending, flesh-rending and incest, told in fulsome, fluorescent prose, depicts such acts as not only acceptable and entertaining but as downright alluring. Perhaps it's an acquired taste? Author tour.
Copyright 1996 Reed Business Information, Inc. --This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.

Product Details

• Mass Market Paperback: 416 pages
• Publisher: Baen (April 2, 2002)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 067187862X
• ISBN-13: 978-0671878627
• Product Dimensions: 6.7 x 4.2 x 1 inches
• Shipping Weight: 6.4 ounces
• Average Customer Review: 3.7 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (29 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #1,502,167 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

5 of 5 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars There's Magic Afoot..., October 9, 2001

By 

Donna K. Lang (Richfiled, MN USA) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Keeper of the King (Mass Market Paperback)

All right, so I came into this as a skeptic in spite of the fact that I love Forever Knight and find Nigel Bennett a very talented actor; he couldn't possibly be a profoundly engaging author too, could he? Nobody's *that* talented.

At least, that's what I thought at first. It must have had something to do with previous experiences with actors turned authors; too good to be true? In previous cases yes; however, in this case... I've been persuaded otherwise. Nigel Bennett is a genuine and legitimate author, and something tells me we'll be hearing more from him in the future.

Mr. Bennett starts out on the right foot by giving life to characters that are three-dimensional, characters one could care about. The "ethical vampire" angle was one I personally found refreshing. Mind you, Richard D'Orleans AKA Richard Dunn is a stronger more self-assured character than Louis in "Interview With A Vampire"; in spite of the challenges Richard faces, he does not whine. This alone does much toward persuading me to like the character. There is also Richard's intelligence, humor, and compassion to take into consideration... his passion for life, his devotion to the Lady Sabra.

I like the fact that there are strong women portrayed in this book; not just "female characters" who all seem to blur together, but three distinct individuals with unique characteristics and clearly defined personalities: Sabra, Sharon, and She-Who-Walks. Each has a distinct "voice" within the plot, as does Neil Rivers. There was also a great deal of research involved, obviously; the subjects ranged from Indigenous American culture to Arthurian legends to Celtic mythology.

Mr. Bennett's knowledge of the Toronto area shone though in his use of landmarks. The imagery he presents is striking, like a painting portrayed in subtle hues; light and shadow as well as occasional flashes of vivid color. It's as if one is living out the adventure while reading; every moment, every breath, sensual and startling alike. Shading ones eyes from the bright sunlight one moment, and traveling at enhanced Vampire speed the next. It should be noted here that he's also got a strong command of comedic timing; intentional comedy, not the kind that results from inconsistencies in plot or character. Another very important thing to note here is that his use of comedy -- like his uses of violence or sexuality -- is not for its own sake, but is included to move the plot on toward it's natural conclusion. In the end, I was left wanting to know more... what happened next?

I only gave "Keeper of the King" four stars because it was a first effort, not because it failed to keep my attention. I look forward to reading "His Father's Son" and the third book in this series.

4 of 4 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Just like Mary Poppins--Practically perfect in every way, February 12, 1999

By 

Natasha LaCroix ([e-mail]) (Somewhere deep in the cornfields of Iowa . . .) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Keeper of the King (Mass Market Paperback)

It was spectacular. An interesting twist on the vampire legend, one that gives definite origins to the characters. Sensuality is in a vampire's nature, and there is no dearth of that in this book. Also, if you want some pure ear-candy, check the audiobook. Basically, the characters are well-developed, but with room for more complexities to be added on, and an air of mystery surrounding the characters that meks you wonder where all they've been and what all they've done.

3 of 3 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Neat new twist on the Vampire Lore., June 9, 2000

By 

"mcmarcy" - See all my reviews

This review is from: The KEEPER OF THE KING (Hardcover)

My Celtic roots are showing, I loved the "LORE" of where Vampires came from, interesting tack, with the Holy Grail, Lady of the Lake, WONDERFUL. Ms Elrod at a book signing told me that Nigel wrote all the real sexy "stuff". Who ever did what, this is an outstanding pairing of writers...I certainly would read another book they did together! I found it exciting, entertaining, sexy. Great villian, wonderful love story, and interesting birth of a new vampire. I didn't see the end until it was there.