Customer Reviews

Keeper of the King

5 star:		(12)
4 star:		(6)
3 star:		(5)
2 star:		(2)
1 star:		(4)

 

 

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.

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.

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.

THE KEEPER OF THE KING is an excellent addition to vampire lore, well up to the standards of its two authors. The vampire Richard Dunn is not like P.N. Elrod's previous vampires, nor is he a copy of LaCroix, Nigel Bennett's character on FOREVER KNIGHT. He is a new creation, with new strengths and new weaknesses. Richard's love for the Lady Sabra was touching, and his quest to save her exhilerating. The ending (which I will not reveal here) came as a complete surprise. I loved the blending of Arthurian myth and vampire legend. Why had it never occurred to me before that Lancelot du Lac (Lancelot of the Lake) and the Lady of the Lake might have known each other? I hope to see more about Richard Dunn from this talented pair

Courtesy of CK2S Kwips and Kritiques

PLEASE NOTE: This review is of the abridged audio version of the book.

Richard Dunn is a knight who desperately needs to win the tourney he's competing in if he hopes to make any kind of name for himself. But just as he's about to win, Sabra steps in. The Goddess needs someone to champion for King Arthur and she has chosen Richard for this honor, using her servant Sabra to convert him to a vampire.

Now in present day Richard is working on a case to see why the IRA is after an ancient manuscript. However, at the same time, his beloved Sabra is dying, losing her battle with the vampire beast within. Richard must find the famed Holy Grail to save his love and save himself, for he is also losing control of his beast. With only his failing immortal lover and his new mortal love to assist him, will it be enough to conquer evil once more?

I've been meaning to try PN Elrod for a long time and just never seem to find the time to squeeze her in. So when I had the opportunity to try Keeper of the King I took advantage of it. I loved the whole different twist on vampire lore, having them born as protectors of the Goddess and her chosen ones like King Arthur and everything they stand for. While some of the traditional vampire weaknesses were found here, there were a couple I don't recall seeing before. For example, the idea of having fresh running water like streams and lakes be so dangerous to them. I don't remember ever seeing that before. I also liked the idea that they aren't quite as immortal as everyone, including their own kind, believes. That added a sense of urgency to the story, having Richard in a race against time as well as enemies, to save Sabra.

While the abridgement was well done and the story presented in the audio version felt complete and that it wasn't missing much, there was a noticeable absence of what I can only assume was one of the secondary plots, based on the title. Aside from the King Arthur connection in the conversion of Richard to a vampire and the grail quest, that aspect of the story was absent. The focus of the story was on uncovering the plans of the IRA and their hired assassin and the race to find the grail. I would have loved to see an unabridged version that included more of the Arthurian lore I can only assume was edited down.

© Kelley A. Hartsell, December 2007. All rights reserved.

I was absolutely captivated by this novel. I didn't expect to think much of it, but in fact it was amazing. I received it Monday and had it devoured by Wednesday.
The goddess elements and mythology used were very accurate. I enjoyed the descriptive quality and word usage. It flowed very well. I like to describe the book as James Bond meets Anne Rice. An enjoyable fun read!

Defeated at tourney, Richard D'Orleans finds himself without resources and unwelcome in his father's house. While deciding what to do he makes the unexpected acquaintance of the beautiful lady Sabra. He is deeply attracted to her, and, when she offers him a position, he accepts. She needs to make one small change in him... In short order he becomes a vampire. Like Sabra herself, he is not simply a vampire, but one in service if the goddess. His first assignment, which is not told in the book, is as Lancelot du Lac in the court of King Arthur.

For us, the new action begins in the present, when Richard (now Richard Dun) is a security specialist retained by the Canadian Government to protect the life of the Prime Minister. An assassination threat has been uncovered, believed to be assigned to Charon, a deadly and secretive killer for hire.

During his investigations, Richard loses complete control of the beast within him, some thing that has never happened before. Alarmed he returns to Sabra for consultation. There he finds the worst. Sabra too is struggling with her beast, will only be able to hold out for a short time. She believes that there is only one hope for them, the Holy Grail. Richard's quest for the grail is no simple adventure. And it is complicated by the presence of Sharon Geary a sharp, beautiful investigator for whom he feels great affection.

Charon also seeks the Grail in addition to the Prime Minister's life. Richard's efforts to be lover, rescuer, and counter-terrorist force him on a breakneck paced journey from Toronto to England and British Columbia. The book has relatively few characters for it's length and is primarily an action novel with the appropriate combination of occult, sexiness, and violence.

I'm normally suspicious of 'joint' efforts between an established author and unknown writers. Too often these turn out to be publicity marriages. Too often such arrangements produce weak novels, intended to sell for a short while and then disappear off the map. While this effort may have started out that way, Nigel Bennett turns out to have considerable talent. Pat Elrod's role seems to have had more to do with plot and creative support, while Bennett seems to have focussed on the actual writing and production. The result is far better than I would have expected. Recommended.

Move over Anne Rice, here comes Nigel. :-) I just finished reading Keeper of the King and I loved it. You feel as if you are right there taking part in the action. WOW! I have to agree with P.N. Elrod about Nigel's special talent with the love scenes, he's good. I look forward to the next book.

Forever Knight is my all time favorite vampire show, and Nigel Bennett my hero. I was delighted when I found out about the book he and Ms. Elrod had written I bought it and read it with gusto! When I read Keeper of the King, the sequence of events flowed smoothly, just the right number of characters as not to be confusing and the best part a wide open ending so more books please..

"Keeper of the King" is a refreshing change to the usual vampire story. This engaging new novel immediately draws the reader in to witness the main character's medieval vampire beginnings as Lancelot du Lac, and then swiftly moves into present day as our vampire hero begins a new quest for the grail while acting in his capacity as an anti-terrorist consultant to the Canadian government. Mr. Bennett and Ms. Elrod have fashioned vibrant vampire characters that shy away from the evil or demonic creatures usually portrayed in this genre and give us Richard Dunn and the Lady Sabra, vampires that have been created by the Goddess as protectors of light and the old ways of worship. While these vampires still have the expected supernatural traits such as fangs and the need for blood, they are unique in their mystical origins. The renowned saga of the grail is expertly interwoven through the fast-paced and riviting modern-day action drama as Richard searches for the only thing that might save Sabra, and quite possibly himself, from a tragic end. "Keeper of the King" is a satisfying addition to both vampire and Arthurian collections, and it demands a sequel!