The Squire's Quest [Hardcover]

 

 

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The Arthurian tales of Gerald Morris tend to be light-hearted and relentlessly medieval in flavour, and he brings his series to a very traditional turning point -- or is it an end? -- with "The Squire's Quest." While most of the action takes place outside England, it's still a nimble, humorous and sometimes melancholy adventure/fantasy... and there's many a potshot at "courtly love."

After six months with no contact with the Faery world, Terence is understandably worried. He becomes even more worried with the arrival of two new arrivals -- the ebulliant young Emperor Alexandros, and a suave young knight named Mordred (who gives Terence the chills). Alexandros spends most of his time chasing Lady Sarah, until a treacherous count's attack on Camelot leads to tragedy -- and Terence suspects that Mordred may have been involved.

To make matters worse, Arthur reveals that he knows who Mordred really is -- his long lost illegitimate son, from when his marriage to Guinevere was foundering.

When it seems that the Emperor's uncle has seized the throne for himself, Terence ends up traveling with him, Dinadin, Gawain and the emperor's advisor Acoriondes to Athens. Unfortunately the empire becomes a hotbed of murder, marriage, civil war and forbidden love -- and Terence must figure out how all this is connected to the mysterious happenings back in England.

Gerald Morris has done a number of side-trips in his historically-inaccurate-but-very-fun reimagining of Arthurian legend -- feisty ladies, drippy legendary lovers, and unhappy knights. "The Squire's Quest" brings his story back to its original focus, namely the young part-fae squire Terence (who has apparently been a squire for fifteen years now) and his ongoing quest to keep Camelot safe.

And despite poison, stabbings and sieges, Morris keeps the tone of his book light and nimble, with fun dialogue ("She skinned her knuckles... on the faces and teeth of some gentlemen that she found in the corridor") and amusing scenarios, like a pair of brawling bishops at a state wedding, and the horse-race commentary from Terence and Dinadin ("The Roman comes from behind and wins!").

But while much of the action is in Greece (including a visit from a onetime deity), Morris doesn't forget the dark subplots -- particularly regarding Mordred and the mysterious silence from the faerie realm. And he levels many a mock at the whole idea of courtly love ("The lady nearly always treats the knight like a dog that's been rolling in something smelly").

Perhaps the biggest problem is that Gawain is a rather peripheral character, but the more mature and insightful Terence makes a likable protagonist, especially when paired with the sarcastic, sensible Dinadin. And Morris introduces some solid side-characters -- the exuberant young emperor, his drippy Francophilic brother, the observant Acoriondes, and the silky, slightly creepy Mordred.

"The Squire's Quest" is a solid continuation to the story of perpetual squire Terence, and his adventures both magical and mundane. A solid little adventure/fantasy, with plenty of humor.

Bias is a dangerous beast. Frankly, I was not excited to read this book. I've grown up knowing, loving, and reading the Arthurian legends; the last thing I wanted was another sappy and overdone Camelot spin-off.

This book is not one of those.

Terence, a squire to Sir Gawain, serves in King Arthur's court during Camelot's golden days. The insurgents have been subdued. The people are happy.

That is, until Mordred arrives on the scene. The only people to suspect the dubious Mordred are Sir Kai and Terence. What's the secret behind Mordred's smile? Why hasn't Terence been able to contact Avalon, his father's faerie realm?

Add enchantresses, tournaments, and murder, and you have THE SQUIRE'S QUEST.

Still relatively true to the original Arthur legends, the ninth book of THE SQUIRE'S TALES series combines history (material by Cretien de Troyes) with fresh takes on essential Arthurian characters like Dinadan and Guinevere.

I read this in one evening, cover to cover. The book, that is, not the evening. The story is simple enough to be believable, but interesting enough to be entertaining. A great book to curl up with.

Reviewed by: Aubrey Hepburn

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