The Orphan King by Sigmund Brouwer

The Orphan King by Sigmund Brouwer. WaterBrook Multnomah, 2012. 224p. (9781400071548) Series: Merlin’s Immortals #1

I wasn't entirely sure what to expect and I wasn't sure I’d like this book. But I was pleasantly surprised and am looking forward to book two and finding out more about Thomas, the knight, Katherine and the mysterious cloaked man.

Goodreads Summary:

The future of the Immortals is in the hands of an orphan

My greatest fear was that they would find us and make of us a sacrifice beneath a full moon. Now you, Thomas, must help us destroy the circle of evil.

The last words of a dying woman would change the life of young Thomas. Raised behind monastery walls, he knows nothing of his mysterious past or imminent destiny. But now, in the heart of medieval England, a darkness threatens to strangle truth. An ancient order tightens their ghostly grip on power, creating fear and exiling those who would oppose them. Thomas is determined fulfill his calling and bring light into the mysterious world of the Druids and leaves the monastery on an important quest.

Thomas quickly finds himself in unfamiliar territory, as he must put his faith in unusual companions—a cryptic knight, a child thief, and the beautiful, silent woman whom may not be all she seems.  From the solitary life of an orphan, Thomas now finds himself tangled in the roots of both comradery and suspicion.

Can he trust those who would join his battle…or will his fears force him to go on alone?

My Review:

This was a fun read and intriguing. I’m still not entirely sure what’s going on in the land and with Magnus but that’s ok because it adds to the suspense and certainly makes me want to keep reading the series.

(photo credit: Owen65 on Wikimedia Commons)
A solar eclipse plays an important part early on!

The characters were slowly revealed to the reader and in some cases we still don’t exactly know who a person is completely or how they are connected but that just makes you want to keep reading. They have distinct personalities and their own quirks, also they fit the time period of the early 1300s in Arthurian England.

Sometimes characters seem "modern" even though the story is set in the past, I didn't get that impression with this tale. The knight was chivalrous but also gruff, the kids and teens were properly immature and mischievous, and the girls weren't overly independent in a 'I-don't-need-men' sort of way.

I read this as an ebook and at one point had to put it down and when I got back I discovered I only had a chapter left. There is so much more to this story! I do wish it had been a bit longer but I also understand that the author is prepared to write a series and is setting the stage and only gave us the first stage of Thomas’ adventures.

Great book for adventure loving teens.

Go read it! Find it at a library near you; Buy it from ChristianBooks.com; Buy it from Amazon

Disclosure: I received this book for free from the publisher through the Blogging for Books book review program. I was not required to write a positive review. The opinions I have expressed are my own. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission.

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