The Leopard Sword [Hardcover]

Michael Cadnum (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: September 16, 2002

Ragged and exhausted from fighting in the Crusades, Hubert, a knight's squire, and his fellow crusaders board a ship bound for England. But the return home is neither quick nor easy. Hubert must use his sword against ships full of attacking infidels, and he is nearly slain at the hand of a vengeful knight. A shipwreck strands them in Rome, where the beautiful and brave Lady Galena nearly tempts him to stay. Instead, loyalty to his master prevails and they finally reach their beloved land-only to find that one of their group faces execution when he steps ashore. If Hubert is to save his friend's life, he must first save his own.

Editorial Reviews

From Publishers Weekly

Michael Cadnum follows up The Book of the Lion, which PW called a "majestic novel" in a starred review, with The Leopard Sword. Hubert and Edmund, fresh from the Crusades, take on a covert challenge while sailing home to England. Ages 12-up.
Copyright 2002 Reed Business Information, Inc.

From School Library Journal

Grade 6-9-Set after the fall of Acre during the Crusades, this second book continues the adventure that began in The Book of the Lion (Viking, 2000). Now Hubert and Edmund are on their way back to England, facing many hardships and challenges along the way. Cadnum vividly describes the tedium and terror of the sea voyage as the Crusaders outrun enemy ships, survive a shipwreck, and arrive in Rome only to deal with the bands of criminals there. Hubert tells the story with candor. Though he hopes to become a proper knight, he does not glorify fighting and repeatedly describes the futility of battle, referring to war as a "butcher's craft." When they reach England, the men discover that Edmund's life is in danger. He had joined the Crusades after the master to whom he was apprenticed was arrested and killed for selling impure silver. Fighting successfully in the Crusades was supposed to erase his "crime." However, Prince John is trying to gain power in the absence of his brother, King Richard, who went off to the Crusades, and he puts a high price on Edmund's freedom. The book's exciting climax centers around a challenge accepted by Hubert to save his friend's life. Historical information is skillfully interwoven into this adventurous tale, making it a fine selection to use for interdisciplinary study.
Renee Steinberg, Fieldstone Middle School, Montvale, NJ
Copyright 2002 Reed Business Information, Inc.

See all Editorial Reviews

Product Details

• Reading level: Ages 12 and up
  
• Hardcover: 224 pages
• Publisher: Viking Juvenile; First Edition edition (September 16, 2002)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0670899089
• ISBN-13: 978-0670899081
• Product Dimensions: 8.8 x 6.3 x 0.8 inches
• Shipping Weight: 12.5 ounces
• Average Customer Review: 5.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (1 customer review)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #2,116,277 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

More About the Author

Michael Cadnum is the author of thirty-five books, including the National Book Award finalist The Book of the Lion.  A two-time Edgar Allen Poe Award nominee, and an award-winning poet, Cadnum's work is widely acclaimed.

He lives in Albany, California, across the bay from San Francisco, with his wife Sherina.

For more of the latest on Cadnum and his work visit his website www.MichaelCadnum.com
 

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

5.0 out of 5 stars Exciting boys adventure, May 8, 2008

By 

thule222 (Stockton, CA USA) - See all my reviews

This review is from: The Leopard Sword (Audio Cassette)

Gallant squires and their knights journey home from the Third Crusade. Tournaments, sea battles, street fights and a cameo by evil Prince John. It's a wonderful listen for the ride to school with lots of period detail. My son had to struggle between listening and asking questions about the history. Somewhere Sir Walter Scott is nodding with approval.