The Prince in Waiting (The Sword of the Spirits Trilogy) (Paperback)

by John Christopher (Author)

Editorial Reviews

Product Description
Thirteen-year-old Luke has no reason to suspect that anything will ever change in the primitive society of the future in which he lives.

Product Details

• Reading level: Ages 9-12
  
• Paperback: 192 pages
• Publisher: Simon Pulse (October 31, 1989)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0020425732
• ISBN-13: 978-0020425731
• Product Dimensions: 6.9 x 4.2 x 0.5 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1.6 ounces
• Average Customer Review: 3.5 out of 5 stars See all reviews (6 customer reviews)
• Amazon.com Sales Rank: #1,049,320 in Books (See Bestsellers in Books)

  Popular in these categories: (What's this?)

  #17 in	Books > Science Fiction & Fantasy > Authors, A-Z > ( C ) > Christopher, John
  #18 in	Books > Children's Books > Authors & Illustrators, A-Z > ( C ) > Christopher, John

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

12 of 13 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars A Royal Story With A Difference, December 3, 1999

By	Greg Hughes - See all my reviews

The Disaster had destroyed so much of the world. Volcanoes and earthquakes brought civilization crashing down into ruins and permanently changed the planet. The survivors blamed this on the machines. Now people live in separate medieval communities, worship Spirits and despise technology. Anyone caught with a machine of any kind is killed.

In Winchester, young Luke Perry is named Prince in Waiting by the Seers. Luke tells a tale of treachury, murder, and intrigue. The Seers have chosen Luke for a special mission...

This is a good story about friendship, loyalty, suspicion, pride and belief. John Christopher writes about a superstitious society of the future in a style that makes readers want to turn the page.

2 of 2 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars IMPATIENCE IN THE MEDIEVAL FUTURE, April 14, 1998

By	Plume45 "kitka12345" (Westchester, NY) - See all my reviews

Very good read, but not on a par with Christopher's TRIPODS series. Perhaps the sense of urgency is lost because so much time elapses in this book, instead of the plot pursuing its course remorselessly day after day. But John Christopher fans will want to complete this futuristic series set in a medieval England.

Thirteen-year-old Luke Perry, the son of a commoner (promoted to Captain) hears a prophecy of the Seers (priests of the Spirits) that he will become the next Prince-in-Waiting for the city of Winchester. But treachery from enemies, friends and even his own family stalk him as he impatiently waits to come into his own. Besides, Luke is confused about the very existence of the Spirits; he wants to scoff and deny this national religion, but their prophecy suits his ambition perfectly. Does a young teenager possess the intelligence, wisdom and skill to defeat adult rivals for the throne?

2 of 3 people found the following review helpful:

3.0 out of 5 stars A decent beginning for an uneven series, November 7, 2003

By A Customer

The first book in the Sword of the Spirits trilogy, which is IMO stronger than the more famous Tripods series--better concept, better (particularly female) characters, better plot twists--but, paradoxically, no single book in this trilogy is as strong as the individual books in that series. It really feels like the author had an excellent idea, got it two-thirds of the way figured out, and went with the incomplete result. Go ahead and read the series, but be prepared for the high point coming from book two, not the ending.