Knight's Wyrd (Magic Carpet Books) [Paperback]

Debra Doyle (Author), James D. Macdonald (Author)

Book Description

Series: Magic Carpet Books | Publication Date: February 15, 1997

On the evening before he is knighted, young Will Odosson is told his wyrd-his fate: He will not inherit his father’s barony; he will meet Death before the year is out. “Strong main characters and a smoothly written plot make this a hard book to put down. Like many fantasies this one is full of magic which keeps the characters and plot moving.”-VOYA

Editorial Reviews

Amazon.com Review

Hours before he is to be knighted, Will Odosson is told that he will not be his father's heir: he will meet death, and his younger brother will inherit. Doomed, how should Will spend the life that remains to him? He leaves home as planned to fight in tourneys, and death strikes all around him as he travels toward his betrothed's home. Will intends to release Isobel from her vow, figuring she won't want a foredoomed husband, but before he can explain his visit, Isobel disappears. His search for her entangles him in plots and magic. Prepared as he is to meet death, Will has a lot of living to do first.

From School Library Journal

Grade 5-8-- Just as young Will Odosson prepares himself to become a knight in the kingdom of Anglia, he learns from Wizard Fin of his ominous ``wyrd'' or fate--that he will never take his father's seat as Lord of Restonbury and that he will soon meet death. Fearing the warning, Will nevertheless bravely swears knightly fealty and sets out to fulfill his true destiny. In this suspenseful fantasy that takes place in an imaginary realm similar to, but not meant to be, England, X its medieval setting is strewn with elements of the supernatural: wizardry, ghosts, apparitions, dragons, charms, ogres, and giants. Fast-paced and action-packed, the book is filled with surprising encounters, as well as life and death struggles, X concentratingX more on atmosphere and action than on characterization. Terrors and grisly demises are graphically described, making this not a book for the squeamish. The ending suggests a sequel; readers will certainly look forward to Will's continuing quests as well as to those of his feisty betrothed, Isobel. --Yvonne Frey, Peoria Public Schools, IL
Copyright 1992 Reed Business Information, Inc. --This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.

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Product Details

• Reading level: Ages 12 and up
  
• Paperback: 320 pages
• Publisher: Graphia (February 15, 1997)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0152015205
• ISBN-13: 978-0152015206
• Product Dimensions: 6.8 x 4.2 x 0.8 inches
• Shipping Weight: 8.8 ounces
• Average Customer Review: 4.7 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (15 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #1,928,659 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

7 of 7 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars It's a wonderful "Wyrd", December 14, 2002

By 

E. A Solinas "ea_solinas" (MD USA) - See all my reviews
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This review is from: Knight's Wyrd (Magic Carpet Books) (Paperback)

Wizards, knights, ogres and mermaids -- a typical fantasy tale, right? Wrong! Debra Doyle and James MacDonald take a typical sword'n'sorcery tale (heavier on the swords) and spin it into a slam-bang adventure tale that will definitely cause thrills and chills for both kids and adults.

In one of the dukedoms of Anglia, young William is about to be knighted, which is theoretically one of the best days of his life. But it's overshadowed when a wizard tells him his wyrd -- his future destiny -- that he won't succeed his father because he will encounter Death before a year has passed. Horrified, William sets off on a perilous journey to tell his betrothed, Isobel, that he can't marry her because he's going to die.

But his preoccupation with his impending death is overshadowed when he finds out about political machinations that threaten his life. And with a dubious circle of allies around him -- from an indebted ghost to a cryptic dragon to some murky mermaids -- William must somehow defeat the deathless ogre whose fate is somehow entwined with his -- and with Lord Death's.

"Knight's Wyrd" is pretty standard and only somewhat engaging for the first two thirds of the book, then it rapidly respins itself into a complex and thought-provoking action-fantasy. Shapeshifting wizards, carnivore mermaids, and an ex-fiancee who is not quite what she seems add an element of mystery. To make the book even more interesting, Doyle and MacDonald subtlely include elements of medieval honor and debt.

The writing is stark but very evocative, which gives an extra punch to scenes like the one where Will kneels down, only to find a ghost on either side of him. There's no swearing or smut, but there is a lot of darkness and violence, ranging from a hideous long-armed troll being dragged out of a river to the sharp-toothed mermaids trying to eat Will. Younger kids will probably find this frightening, but older kids will enjoy a fantasy story with some genuinely gruesome beasties -- not to mention the appearance of Lord Death himself, who adds the final kink to a very complicated plot.

"Knight's Wyrd" is a dark, fun, intense read for both kids and adults. Doyle and MacDonald should write a sequel to this gem.

7 of 8 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Knight's Wyrd, February 17, 2000

By A Customer

This review is from: Knight's Wyrd (Hardcover)

Not heavy on reading books? Well to tell you the trueth I was never fond of reading books myself. Everytime I picked up a book and started reading, halfway through the book I would start to doze off. Till the day I picked up Knight's Wyrd. It was like pulling the sword out of the stone. When I started reading it, I was quickly hooked. And I'm just a normal 16 year old who, like any other youth, would rather play video games or watch t.v. instead of sitting down and open up a book.

6 of 7 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Knights Wyrd, November 5, 2001

By A Customer

This review is from: Knight's Wyrd (Hardcover)

When I first started reading Knights Wyrd I found it somewhat interesting but not that great. It had some action and suspense but not a lot just mostley minor adventures. It appeared to be nothing more than a tale of wizards and warriors.
Then as I continued to around page 150-200 I could not put the book down. It bacame a tale of betrayal, friendship, loyalty, and facing your fears.