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The Sangreal Trilogy #2
The Sword of Straw
Embark upon a quest rife with magic, wonder, and forces as dark as midnight. . . .
Parallel universes and grave danger are nothing new to Nathan Ward. During his last mission, he risked life and limb to retrieve the Grail for safekeeping. But Nathan’s adventures are just beginning. Lately his dreams have been transporting him to a desolate city whose people have fled–save for a sickly king and his daughter, Princess Nell. In their decaying hilltop castle, they live in the shadow of a terrifying curse inflicted by a sword that holds within its gleaming metal an ancient demon conjured by the universe’s most powerful wizard. It is a sword that brings death to anyone who dares to draw it from its sheath.
But the king is dying, and the legend claims that only a stranger can save him... and that this stranger alone is destined to awake–and defeat–the dark evil in the sword. But who among mortals and spirits could ever imagine that a boy materializing into alternate worlds still dressed in his pajamas could be the chosen one... the one entrusted with the long-lost plan to retrieve the Grail relics and save a dying cosmos?
Parallel universes and grave danger are nothing new to Nathan Ward. During his last mission, he risked life and limb to retrieve the Grail for safekeeping. But Nathan’s adventures are just beginning. Lately his dreams have been transporting him to a desolate city whose people have fled–save for a sickly king and his daughter, Princess Nell. In their decaying hilltop castle, they live in the shadow of a terrifying curse inflicted by a sword that holds within its gleaming metal an ancient demon conjured by the universe’s most powerful wizard. It is a sword that brings death to anyone who dares to draw it from its sheath.
But the king is dying, and the legend claims that only a stranger can save him... and that this stranger alone is destined to awake–and defeat–the dark evil in the sword. But who among mortals and spirits could ever imagine that a boy materializing into alternate worlds still dressed in his pajamas could be the chosen one... the one entrusted with the long-lost plan to retrieve the Grail relics and save a dying cosmos?
336 pages, Kindle Edition
First published November 1, 2005
3 people are currently reading
118 people want to read
About the author
Amanda Hemingway
17 books20 followersShe has also written under the pseudonyms of Jan Siegel, and Jemma Harvey.
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Displaying 1 - 11 of 11 reviews
February 15, 2023
The second book of The Sangreal Trilogy. Nathan must recover the second item, a sword. He has the found the location of it and a beautiful princess who's family the sword belongs too. Nathan's friend Hazel is using her gifts as a witch to make a boy fall for her. Nathan has to deal with a bully at school. Is there more to this bully than meets the eye. Is someone trying to steal the Grail from Uncle Bartlemy's house? Can Nathan's mother cope with the fact here son is in danger. Can Nathan recover the sword and help Princess Nell's family. This keeps the same energy in the first book. There is still reference to other works of fantasy and science fiction. There are some obvious set ups that will resolved in the last book.
March 15, 2010
This second book in the trilogy continues much like the first - reasonably good plot along typical fantasy lines, dialogue that usually succeeds pleasantly at being witty, even though it sometimes seems unnatural in the more serious parts. The first book explained how an ancient magician in another universe made a cup, a sword, and a crown to serve in a spell whose cosmic power would one day be needed, and it seems each book will center around one of the three objects. This is the book where I started guessing what direction the series as a whole is heading, although if I'm right there are hints in The Greenstone Grail that a reader could have picked up on.
October 7, 2011
Another lovely book in this series. The writing continues to be strong, the characters charming, and the action quick. The story wasn't as full as the the previous or next book in the series, but it was still a solidly entertaining novel
December 29, 2012
I wasn't at all impressed by this story. I didn't like any of the novels Hemingway wrote under the pseudonym Jan Siegel but I thought The Greenstone Grail was a promising start to this series. It was a promise that remained unfulfilled.
July 10, 2008
Fabulous! I loved this one, couldn't put it down. Thought it was better than the first in the series and all the different sideplots were all intriguing. Can't wait to read the third!
July 10, 2008
Unusual fantasy book, although still conforms to the 'young boy, some family issues, has very special talents, saves world/universe, etc', but the characters and writing was good.
August 5, 2009
Second book in the Greenstone Grail trilogy. The main character continues his mission. The story adds new characters and doesn't simply repeat what was in book one.
August 16, 2010
I loved the first one, and this sequel, but I thought the 3rd one was a weak ending for such a great buildup
September 26, 2011
average but enjoyable
October 26, 2013
it was really wise of Nathan for not saying he loves princess nell.
Displaying 1 - 11 of 11 reviews