The last knight by Hilari Bell
HarperTeen, 2007.
ISBN
9780060825058. A knight and rogue novel.
(Age:
12+) Chosen as one of ALA's
2009 Best Books for Young Adults, The
last knight is a hilarious story about Sir Michael, bent on doing
chivalrous
deeds, even though the idea of the knight errant is years out of date.
He has
acquired for his squire the criminal Fisk, saving him from the
hangman's rope.
On their quest to rescue damsels in distress, they release the Lady
Ceciel who
has been imprisoned in a tower. However, in their impetuous rush to do
daring
deeds, they don't investigate just why she is imprisoned and find to
their
horror that she has been charged with poisoning her husband.
Told in the voices of both Sir Michael and Fisk, the reader sees the
story
unfolding from different points of view: Sir Michael is an idealistic
optimist
while Fisk has a cynical viewpoint of life in his role as 'squire to a
hero'. The
contrast between Michael who never lies and Fisk who is a conman, leads
to many
laughs. The humour is laugh out loud delightful as the pair blunder
from one
disaster to another, trying to work out the mystery of Lady Ceciel and
the
intricate workings of Magica, the magic of sensing things.
Both Michael and Fisk are likeable characters, and Lady Ceciel is a
most
satisfying villain. Even the horse, Tipple, who likes to have a drink
or two,
provides amusement.
In amongst the chaos of their adventures, the pair begin to trust each
other
and learn a great deal about friendship, loyalty and honour. This is
the first
book in the series and I look forward to following the adventures of
the knight
and the rogue.
Pat Pledger