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1 of 1 people found the following review helpful:
4.0 out of 5 stars
2nd in the Youngest Templar series, October 30, 2009
Following the events in the previous novel, young Tristan has escaped the evil Sir Hugh, only to wash upon shore in the midst of a group of French Cathars. Not knowing if his friends are alive, Tristan must still guard the Grail and keep it from Sir Hugh who never seems to be very far away. Meanwhile, Tristan finds himself falling for the leader of the Cathars, and embroiled in the midst of their own conflict as well.
Tristan is a wonderful character, with deep conviction and honor. He's brave, humble, and extremely bright. When faced with tough decisions, he stands by his promise, even when it may not be the popular opinion.
With just as much adventure and suspense as the first, this sequel was a fast and enjoyable read. With another cliffhanger ending, fans will be eagerly awaiting the next installment. And I am one of them. This quest-based fantasy is a wonderfully fun and exciting story for young fantasy fans.
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4.0 out of 5 stars
Enchanting Review - The Youngest Templar: Trail of Fate Book 2, November 4, 2009
THE YOUNGEST TEMPLAR: TRAIL OF FATE (BOOK 2)
MICHAEL P. SPRADLIN
Historical Fantasy
Rating: 4 Enchantments
THE YOUNGEST TEMPLAR Picks up shortly after book one ends, TRAIL OF FATE starts with Tristan washed ashore, alone and not sure where he is. Drifting in and out of consciousness, he is soon discovered by an armed group on horseback, four men and two women, including the beautiful Celia. He soon finds out that they are Cathars and in danger from the High Counsel led by Father Renard after Celia upset the archbishop during a meeting. Torn between helping them and his own mission, he reluctantly leaves them and heads to find the port town with Maryam and Robard. But when they run into Father Renard on the beach, Tristan quickly changes his mind and lies about knowing where Celia and the others were headed. Deciding to help them, Tristan loses one of his friends when Robard decides to go home, leaving him, Maryam and the dog, Angel, on their own.
What I love most about Mr. Spradlin's writing is the way you feel like you're right there in the story with Tristan and company. Tristan is as stubborn and determined as ever, willing to risk his own life to fulfill his mission to Sir Thomas and deliver the Grail. Celia and his feelings for her throw things off balance. With a vow to one of her fallen protectors, Tristan puts himself directly into harm's way and his friends as well. I hope we'll see Celia again in the future, as she was an intriguing character who seemed a good match for Tristan. The relationship between Robard and Maryam continues to evolve and I loved the dialogue between them and Tristan realizing there's something brewing between them.
The action in THE YOUNGEST TEMPLAR: TRAIL OF FATE moves fairly fast at some points, especially when they finally reach Montsegur and again in the final few chapters. The last few chapters were some of my favorite parts of the book, when Tristan, Robard and Maryam are trying to escape France and the dangerous and equally evil Sir Hugh to find their way to Scotland to finally deliver the Grail. With a jaw-dropping cliff-hanger as an ending, readers will be demanding the next in this adventurous series.
Michael P. Spradlin is the author of more than a dozen books for children. When not writing, he enjoys reading, traveling, spending time with his family and worrying over the fact that he really should be writing instead of doing other stuff.
Lisa
Enchanting Reviews
October 2009
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5.0 out of 5 stars
Courtesy of Teens Read Too, November 1, 2009
The tale of Tristan, a young squire of the Knights of the Templar, continues. At the end of KEEPER OF THE GRAIL, the first book in the series, Tristan's fate was in question as he sailed into a horrible storm. Book #2 begins as Tristan wakes to discover that he has survived, but he doesn't know where he has washed ashore or what is in store for him.
When he awakes he is surrounded by a half-dozen people with weapons drawn. Tristan is able to use his limited French to determine the leader of the group is a beautiful young woman named Celia, and he has indeed washed ashore along the coast of France.
Soon Tristan's partners, Robard and Maryam, make an unexpected appearance and the new adventures begin. Tristan's old friends pledge to defend him as he decides to help Celia and her followers outwit the High Counsel of France. What follows is one trick after another as Tristan attempts to throw the High Counsel off the Cathars' trail.
Just when Tristan thinks all he has to do is help the Cathars and then resume his journey to deliver the Grail, his enemy, Sir Hugh, arrives to make things difficult. Sir Hugh has supposedly joined forces with the High Counsel to rid the region of Cathars, but his real objective is to find Tristan and seize the precious Grail for himself.
TRAIL OF FATE is filled with enough sword fights, bows and arrows and crossbows, battering rams, and flaming pots of liquid lard to satisfy any teen looking for adventure. Author Michael P. Spradlin takes his readers into a century long ago but makes it seem alive and relevant to today. Tristan is a likeable hero with incredible courage, a clever mind, and a sense of humor one doesn't expect in a character from the middle ages.
It is going to be difficult to wait for Book #3 to find out where Tristan's adventures will take him next.
Reviewed by: Sally Kruger, aka "Readingjunky"
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