Saturday, August 18, 2007

The Last Knight-Hilari Bell

The Last Knight
Hilari Bell
Eos, Aug 28 2007, $16.99
ISBN: 9780060825034

Two centuries have past since the vocation of heroic knight errant became extinct. Yet the younger son of an aristocrat, Sir Michael Sevenson decides that he will revise the noble profession doing daring good deeds. Of course like the knights of yore, Michael needs a loyal squire so he goes to the only place he might find such a person; the jail. Con artist Fisk is given the choice of spending a long time as the guest of the kingdom or becoming Michael's squire. Although having a square meal and a cot sound appetizing, Fisk reluctantly agrees to assist Michael on his adventures to right the wrong and protect the innocent.

The daring duo succeed on their first caper freeing Lady Ceciel from incarceration in a tower. As they celebrate their success, they learn she was allowed to remain in comfort rather than a dungeon while standing trial for murdering her husband; they are informed by authorities to right their wrong by returning the Poisoner to them or replace her.

This tongue in cheek medieval saga rotates perspective between the knight and his squire so that the audience sees the same event from two totally opposite viewpoints (a delight for historiographers as to what a fact is and what is tainted by bias). Whereas Michael believes the glass is half filled; Fisk would slice off the top empty part and claim the glass is filled. Targeting middle school children, adults will appreciate the amusing adventures of THE LAST KNIGHT.

Harriet Klausner

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