The Minstrel's Tale

The Minstrel's Tale #1

by Anna Questerly

Family entertainment. Suitable for all ages. Fourteenth Century, France Amos Questerly, a wandering minstrel takes on a mysterious young apprentice. But his new protégé, Richard, carries a deadly secret. A secret someone is willing to kill for. To reach safety they must earn their way to England by telling exciting stories of magical swords, princesses, and dragons, while danger follows on their heels. By the time Amos learns Richard’s secret, it’s clear even England may not be safe. The two, trapped in an adventure as thrilling as any of the minstrel’s tales, must follow a perilous path that leads straight to the royal palace.

Genres: Historical Fiction, Young Adult, Historical, Fantasy, Fiction, France, Adventure

259 pages, Kindle Edition

First published January 24, 2011

About the author

Bookseller and bibliophile turned author, Anna Questerly writes medieval fiction and fairy tales for smart kids and young hearts. For adults, she creates Utopian fantasy as A.J. Questerly.

You can reach Anna through her website www.annaquesterly.com. From there, you can follow her on Twitter, friend her on Facebook, subscribe to her blog, or send her an email.

Reviews

[Phoebes · Rating 4 out of 5]

Questo libro l’ho trovato molto carino. A tratti mi ha preso molto, a tratti l’ho trovato forzato, ma è stato una bella lettura. In particolare mi è piaciuta la rappresentazione della vita del menestrello, e di come il suo mestiere fosse tenuto in grande considerazione da tutti, dai re al più povero mendicante. Non è difficile capire perché: il desiderio delle persone di conoscere nuove storie, di allargare la propria fantasia, di avventure, di personaggi, di emozioni, è la stessa identica che mi fa aprire un libro dopo l’altro, quindi ne comprendo benissimo l’importanza.
Il libro è il primo di una trilogia: non lo sapevo, ma avrei dovuto immaginarlo (difficilmente si trovano gratis gli stand alone!). E finisce proprio sul più bello, lasciandoci la curiosità di capire come Amos sia finito nell’infelice situazione che ci descrive all’inizio, prima di cominciare il lungo flashback che costituisce tutta la storia. Insomma, dovrò per forza leggermi i seguiti! :)

http://www.naufragio.it/iltempodilegg...

I found this pretty nice. Sometimes it caught my imagination a lot, some other times I found it forced, but it was a nice reading. I especially liked the portrayal of the life of the minstrel, and how his job was held in high esteem by everyone, from the kings to the poorest beggar. It is not hard to understand why: people's desire to hear new stories, to expand their fantasy, adventures, characters, emotions, is the very same that makes me open one book after another, so I understand very well its importance.
This book is the first of a trilogy: I didn't know, but I should had imagine it (it's difficult to find a stand alone for free!). It ends right at the climax, leaving us the curiousity to see how Amos ended up in the unhappy situation that he describes at the beginning. In short, now I really need to read the sequels! :)

[Anna Questerly · Rating 5 out of 5]

I'm a bit biased since I am the author, but I loved writing this book, especially the fairy tales inside. I'm currently editing book 2 which will be on sale Dec 18, 2011. If you read it, let me know what you think at www.annaquesterly.com

I am pleased to announce The Minstrel's Tale has won first place in the Authorstand novel writing contest!

[Harry Allagree · Rating 4 out of 5]

A fascinating story about a minstrel & the future king of England, Richard II. Had my attention all the way through. The minstrel's stories are charming. Questerly leaves us in suspense at the conclusion…a motivating factor for getting the next in the trilogy!

[Lois · Rating 3 out of 5]

As three stars says, I liked it. It starts in the modern age, with a teen girl visiting a castle in France that her father inherited. She discovers some ancient books with the family crest, and she and her father begin the arduous task of translating. The majority of the book is the translated diaries of an ancestor minstrel.

I think a young adult reader, with an interest in medieval time period would especially like this. Minstrels don't just sing and play the lute, but they were the story-tellers, and carrier of news from village to village. The stories he tells are also included, which get boring on occasion. The author's note at the end includes an invitation for readers to submit minstrel stories to include in a subsequent sequel. She thanked a fifth grade class and their teacher for helping her edit the book. Perhaps the minstrel stories in this first book were written by fifth graders.

There is plenty of action, particularly after Amos the Minstrel picks up an apprentice along the way. I'm not going to spoil it by spilling the beans on his identity, but his arrival in the story enhances the plot and makes it necessary for the author to write a series!

There is nothing objectionable in the content either, unless stories about dragons or time period subjects are objectionable to you. It was written tastefully, and I wouldn't hesitate to recommend this book for kids.

[Tanya · Rating 3 out of 5]

I was hoping at first this was going to be a time travel story. It isn't. Still it was a very pleasant read and I would recommend it to anyone. My only disappointment is that it ends suddenly and seems to be part of a trilogy. Generally speaking I like my cliff hanger in the second book not with the first one. There does seem to be some over usage of some words, and the writing style didn't quite catch me as if it had been polished up a bit more. The stories are interesting, with a fable aspect to them. I love the Minstrel, he is an interesting character and I find his cloak a fun addition to the story.

I got this as a free kindle edition. If I were in a book club I would suggest having this book on a list to read. I think there could be some very fun discussion, with the stories and the historical aspect.

[Ashley · Rating 4 out of 5]

When I got this book as a free promotion, I was interested in the premise. It was about one of my favorite eras in history, and it was a mix of modern and historical elements. My favorite part of the novel, to be honest, we're the tales within the tale. The minstrels stories were refreshing and new, and the illustrations within we're amusing to see. Outside of the minstrel tales, I thought the story could have used a bit of work. The way this author writes, it's almost like the storyline takes a back seat. There is nothing wrong with that, but I enjoy a little more substance to my story lines.

[Anne · Rating 3 out of 5]

Anna and her family have inherited a family estate in France. They go there to visit for the summer and decide whether or not to sell the place. While looking in the rooms, Anna finds some old books, written in Olde English, in a trunk. She and her father spend the summer deciphering them. Most of the book is the translation itself, telling the story of Richard, heir to the throne of England in 1376/77.

[Lesley Sudders]

Although The Minstrel’s Tale is categorized as a book for children—and quite rightly—the adult in me enjoyed it as well. It presents an accurate insight into a moment in history, and the engaging characters bring it to life. Adventure, secrets, and wonderful tales combine to create a novel that is delight to read. Enjoy!

[Joanna McDarby · Rating 3 out of 5]

I got this book not realising that it was a childrens book and enjoyed it immensely. I loved the interludes of the short little tales and liked the way the story moved along at a nice pace.

I liked the characters but felt they lacked depth, but I know that isn't fail I keep having to remind myslef that it's a kids book.

[Eduardo Cervino · Rating 4 out of 5]

I remember every book my father read to me, lying in bed by my side until I fell asleep. The Minstrel's Tale is the type of book one enjoys reading with one's child tucked against the ribs, building together another loving moment to remember.

Eduardo Brierfield

[Euraylie · Rating 3 out of 5]

3.5 Stars. A book for the younger crowd, but quite delightful. The tales the Minstrel Amos tells throughout the book are wonderful and they keep you guessing until the end. However, while the tales are great, I feel that the main story gets a bit neglected in the process.

[Kylie · Rating 5 out of 5]

I loved every second of it!!

[Kathie · Rating 3 out of 5]

Nice easy read - I like period pieces. Rather predictable. It's Youth Lit, though, so typical.

[Matthew · Rating 5 out of 5]

A wonderful story for all ages! Highly recommended for young, old, and everyone in between!

[Linda Harrison · Rating 4 out of 5]

An enjoyable period fiction!

[Jennifer · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is an excellent read. It is written for pre adolescents but I had too keep reminding myself of that. The fairy tales that are incorporated into these books are wonderful.

Jennifer

[Laural · Rating 4 out of 5]

I wasn't sure as I got going in this book, if I would like it. By the middle and end, I loved it!

[Nanci Arvizu · Rating 5 out of 5]

Great Story!
Another layer of the King Author tale with a personal touch only Anna Questerly can deliver.

[Scott · Rating 3 out of 5]

This was cute but the story wrapping of finding the books in present day France was unnecessary and somewhat distracting. There could have been so much more done with that but it wasn't done and felt tacked on. The minstrel's tales were cute and fun though whether or not they are authentic 14th century tales is easily doubtful.

[Sharon · Rating 3 out of 5]

Words cannot express how much I wanted to like this book. The premise is that a teenaged girl, visiting her family's French estate, finds a number of old documents written by an ancestor ... a minstrel named Amos.

Amos first takes up an apprentice, Richard, whose identity becomes blindingly obvious very early on he's the heir to the English throne. However, we trot along with Amos and Richard doing their minstrel thing, which seems primarily to consist of telling stories as opposed to singing. And that's all well and good ... even if one of the stories is a goat joke I've heard from a favorite Irish musician I don't even know how many times. Someone is always coming after them to kill them, and they narrowly escape I don't know how many times.

Of course, we eventually get the big reveal and all is restored. Overall, I felt like this book was aimed at the 8- to 9-year-old set as opposed to mid-grade or young adult. It's obvious that a great deal of research went into the book (the author even includes a bibliography), but it just fell flat for me.

[Djrmel · Rating 3 out of 5]

This is a book I think I would have loved as a child, maybe up to about 8 or 9 years old. The original fairy tales told by Amos, the Minstrel, have the detail that not only keep the reader reading, but also would have held the interest of a crowd of villagers who had plenty of experience with well told tales. The actual Minstrel's tale, of taking on an apprentice with his own very interesting back story, works for a young reader looking for safe escapism. However, there's something uneven about the characters themselves, Amos and Richard, in that their life experiences and personalities seem to to weaken and strengthen depending on plot twists, that even a child might question. Also, the bookends of the tale, a young contemporary girl who discovers the manuscripts when she begrudgingly accompanies her parents on a vacation to France is totally unnecessary.

[Wendy Bianco · Rating 4 out of 5]

I loved the look at life in the 13th century as well as stories interspersed throughout the book. I decided to read this aloud to my daughters (9 & 11) and they were hooked. Every time I stopped reading for the night I was greeted with a chorus of Noooo! I loved it. We can't wait to read the next one!

[Karunakaran N. · Rating 3 out of 5]

The Minstrel's Tale by Anna Questerly... Great read, it was travelling through the 14th century, the wayward life of the Minstrel his travelogue was thrilling. Saving the royal blood of England the future King being the essence of the plot.

[Melissa · Rating 4 out of 5]

My only complaint: too short and I dont have the sequel...yet =)

[Harish P · Rating 4 out of 5]

Story involving Richard II. Thoroughly fascinating! This book had me hooked from page 1.

[Dawn · Rating 2 out of 5]

Amos the minstrel is traveling around and runs across a young boy on the run. This boy is the future king of England and is running from his uncle who is trying to kill him. This book has some good parts and some good minstrel stories, but the main story was weak and felt like a filler for the minstrel stories. Granted I realized after I started reading that the target audience was very much younger than me.