Sebastian Darke: Prince of Fools [Kindle Edition]

Philip Caveney (Author)

Editorial Reviews

From School Library Journal

Grade 6–8—In this first installment in the series, half-elf, half-human Sebastian Darke sets out to follow in his dead father's footsteps. The problem is, his father was a jester and Sebastian isn't that funny. However, his flatulent, talking buffalope sidekick, Max, is. They set off to make their fortune at the court of King Septimus and meet the tough but extremely small Captain Cornelius along the way. The three heroes then rescue shallow but beautiful Princess Kerin, niece of King Septimus, from a group of Brigands (from Brigandia). When they finally arrive at court, they discover that they have foiled an attempt on the princess's life that was planned by their host, and they must not only save themselves, but also the princess. The story is well paced and quite funny. Lea's occasional full-page, black-and-white illustrations enhance the story. There is not time in the weeks in which the story unfolds for the maturity that occurs as Princess Kerin grows into her title, but it's really the relationships among Sebastian, Cornelius, and Max that make the story flow so well. While Caveney doesn't have Terry Pratchett's deft touch with humorous fantasy, this title will appeal to fans of The Wee Free Men (HarperCollins, 2003) and its sequels.—Kristin Anderson, Columbus Metropolitan Library System, OH
Copyright © Reed Business Information, a division of Reed Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.

Product Description

The lord of Laughter, the Monarch of Mirth–if only the bumbling 17-year-old Sebastian Darke could be a successful jester like his father. The problem is Sebastian’s not funny. But after his father’s death, with no choice but to beg in the streets, the half-human, half-elf teen sets off with Max, his father’s slightly cynical Buffalope, to offer his services as a jester to King Septimus of Keladon. On the way they meet Captain Cornelius Drummel, small in stature, but the fiercest of fighters. The three rescue the fair princess Kerin, who’s being held captive by brigands, and happily escort her home. If only Sebastian knew the kidnapping was engineered by the evil King Septimus!


From the Hardcover edition.

See all Editorial Reviews

Product Details

• Format: Kindle Edition
• File Size: 983 KB
• Publisher: Delacorte Books for Young Readers (April 8, 2008)
• Sold by: Random House Digital, Inc.
• Language: English
• ASIN: B0017DSX76
• Text-to-Speech: Not enabled
• Average Customer Review: 3.9 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (7 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #212,535 Paid in Kindle Store (See Top 100 Paid in Kindle Store)
  • #67 in Kindle Store > Kindle eBooks > Fiction > Children's Fiction > Historical Fiction > Medieval
  • #80 in Kindle Store > Kindle eBooks > Fiction > Children's Fiction > People & Places > Royalty

More About the Author

I was born in North Wales in 1951. My first novel The Sins Of Rachel Ellis was published in 1977 and through the 80's and 90's, I published a series of thrillers for Headline Publishing, including Speak No Evil, Skin Flicks and 1999. These books will be available on kindle in 2012.

In 2007 my first children's novel, Sebastian Darke: Prince Of Fools was published and went on to be published in 20 countries around the world. There have since been two more Sebastian Darke books - Prince Of Pirates and Prince Of Explorers. I also published three stories in the Alec Devlin series - Eye Of The Serpent, Empire Of The Skull and Maze Of Death. They tell the exciting (and sometimes terrifying) adventures of a 15 year old archaeologist.

Most recently I have published Night On Terror Island, the first adventure in my Movie Maniacs series. This book relates the story of a very strange cinema, where the new projectionist, Mr Lazarus, really can put you in the movies!

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

3 of 3 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars sebatian darke Prince of fools, July 28, 2008

By 

A. Daddo (usa) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Sebastian Darke: Prince of Fools: Bk. 1 (Sebastian Darke) (Paperback)

For anyone who is a Harry Potter fan or who love the books Magyk and Flyte,you will LOVE this book.Very clever and witty,the characters are well formed and the story zips along,for me it's the humor that I loved so much,it's a fantasy world though with animals and humanoid creatures just one step removed from our world.Easy to read aloud for your 8 to 12 year old,yet very enjoyable for any adult that loves the fantasy genre.I've just ordered book 2. I hope there is a long line of the adventures of Sebastian Darke.

3 of 3 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Courtesy of Teens Read Too, April 8, 2008

By 

TeensReadToo "Eat. Drink. Read. Be Merrier." (All Over the US & Canada) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Sebastian Darke: Prince of Fools (Hardcover)

Poor Sebastian Darke is just not funny. For most people, this is a minor inconvenience, but for the son of a successful jester, this is bad news.

After his father's untimely death, Sebastian is forced to put on his father's costume and continue his trade. The jester outfit doesn't really fit and neither does the profession. Undeterred but mostly just desperate, Sebastian sets off with his father's Buffalope, Max, to offer his humorous services to King Septimus of Keladon.

On the ensuing journey, the half-elf, half-human teen and his partner/pack animal meet the fierce but pint-sized Captain Cornelius Drummel and rescue a beautiful princess named Kerin. The four think their problems are over when they reach Keladon, but with a corrupt king on the throne the trouble is just starting.

SEBASTIAN DARKE: PRINCE OF FOOLS by Philip Caveney is a fast and fun-filled ride with bad jokes and worse villains. While the jokes are never good, the characters are wonderfully atypical. Philip Caveney follows in the rich tradition of evil crones, hair-brained schemes, and talking animals, and seems to have a lot of fun with it.

One of my favorite characters was Osbert, the barely intelligible but lovable royal Buffalope. An added plus are the pictures. And though I won't ruin the ending, I will say that it's refreshingly unexpected.

Reviewed by: Natalie Tsang

2 of 3 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars I rather like........, June 15, 2008

By 

Frederick Hill "Book Fanatic" (Bessemer, Al United States) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Sebastian Darke: Prince of Fools (Hardcover)

Hello everyone,
If you're looking for a novel with action,surprises, and some sweet romance then I would highly recommend this book to you. If you are look in for a book with a little hardship,embarissing moments, pretty evil bad guys and a non-traditional ending then this is still the book you're looking for! I will not give you a plot synopsis but I will tell you this is a series worth putting on your series list! Recommended for ages 9-13(depending on the 13-year old)
Hope you enjoy the book!!