Customer Reviews

The Lost Baron: A Story of England in the Year 1200 (Adventure Library (Warsaw, N.D.).)

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I've long enjoyed THE STORY OF ROLF AND THE VIKING BOW by Allen French. My first reading of that book was at the age of twelve, and I remembered it fondly. Re-reading it was a pleasure, even with the somewhat stilted language. THE RED KEEP was another pleasure, while somewhat less. This book, I'm afraid to say, is not French's best work, which still makes it better than most. The story moved too slowly for me, though it had a fine, brooding quality, and the characterization was excellent. A fine tale of intrigue and justice set in twelfth century England. I do hope that some of French's other work, including SIR MARROCK find their way back into print. Recommended to boys of all ages.

Having just finished and enjoyed another of French's novels, The Red Keep: A Story of Burgundy in 1165 (Adventure Library (Warsaw, N.D.).), I was only too happy to give this one a try as well. While perhaps not up to the same high standard as The Red Keep, this book is still an engrossing read. Enhanced with charming illustrations by Andrew Wyeth, the book presents a vivid portrait of the grit and gossip, danger and drudgery, loyalty and betrayal, superstition and heroism of life in medieval England. The story itself is engaging, and the characters of Martin and Rosamund are highly sympathetic. The spiritually-tortured Baron Basil is well drawn, as are the gruff warder, Topas and his dangerous mastiff, Lion.

This book is perfectly suited for parents to read with their children, though children over age 10 could easily handle it on their own. My only small criticism is that the surprise in the plot isn't all that surprising--a perceptive reader sees it coming a mile away. If you enjoy books like this one about knights in armor and the age of chivalry, then I heartily recommend Angels in Iron by Nicholas Prata.

This is a delightful mystery/adventure set in a 13th century castle filled with mystery, intrigue, deceit and, of course, secret passages! Set in England under King John (of Robin Hood fame), the story is a quick read with well-developed characters and a healthy dose of intensity. Best for ages 12 and up (or as a read-aloud for younger children).

A big reason I didn't like this book very much was because it didn't get good till the last 1 or 2 chapters. (Well, that's my opinion.) The rest of the book was just bland.