Sword of Light

Pendragon Legacy #1

by Katherine Roberts

It is the darkest hour of the darkest Age. King Arthur is dead, killed by his wicked nephew, Mordred. Saxon invaders rampage across the land and forces of evil are gathering. The path to the throne lies open to Arthur's only remaining flesh and blood - Mordred. But there is one with a better claim than Mordred - Arthur's secret child. Brought by Merlin to enchanted Avalon as a baby and raised there for protection, the king's heir must take up a vital quest: to search for the four magical Lights with the power to restore Arthur's soul to his body. Introducing Rhianna Pendragon: unlikely princess and Camelot's last hope.

Genres: Fantasy, Arthurian, Magic, Adventure, Middle Grade, Childrens, Fiction

471 pages, Paperback

First published February 1, 2012

About the author

I grew up in the south west of England and studied Mathematics at the University of Bath, writing fantasy and science fiction in my spare time. After graduating with 1st class honours (in maths, not fantasy writing!), I worked with computers for several years before redundancy convinced me that working with horses might be healthier.

I spent the next decade working in various horse racing yards, and kept on writing. "Song Quest" was eventually published in 1999 and went on to win the Branford Boase Award for best debut children's novel by a UK author.

Reviews

[Emily May]

I was quite excited to receive this ARC as part of a blog tour because I've always been a little fascinated with the legend of King Arthur, Merlin and the knights of the round table ever since I watched Sword in the Stone as a child. It's one of those legends that often incorporates kings, queens, dragons and magic in all of it's many retellings, and who can resist a bit of history mixed with fantasy?

And if I was twelve, this book would definitely be another exciting tale surrounding these particular legends. It has everything that would have once been all I needed to love a novel: murder, scandal, invaders, fights for the throne, secrets, and just a touch of PG romance...

Yet I felt as if I'd stumbled into the kiddies section by accident. This book is way way too young for me, the writing is immature and simplistic - a fact which turned me off from the very first page. I'm not going to be overly negative about the book and I'm going to leave the rating blank. It doesn't seem fair to give a low rating because I failed to read the recommended age group details (10+).

If you're looking for a book to buy your kids or young siblings, Sword of Light will probably be an instant hit; or if you're a big fan of "middle grade" novels then you may also fall in love with it. Unfortunately, it seems, I am now just too old for this kind of writing.

[Cliona · Rating 1 out of 5]

I really wanted to like this book, I did. But I just...didn't. I tried hard to get into it, but I found it boring! It wasn't a bad book as such, I just didn't feel compelled to read on. The characters were the only part that I liked. They didn't feel very real, but they had good personalities, especially Cai and Rhianna. And Mordred was a great villain too!


I did not actually finish reading this book, so maybe this 'review' isn't fair, but I just thought I owed it to the publisher that sent it to me, the very kind Templar, to write something about it! Now I'm not saying this book is 'bad' or anything, I just didn't really like it, personally. I'm sure others may enjoy it, but it just wasn't for me!


Rating: 1/5

[Amy]

I feel particularly bad about not finishing this, since Templar kindly sent it to me for review, and it seems like the kind of book I probably would have enjoyed as a kid. I'm not going to rate it, because if I did based on my own enjoyment it would pretty low and I don't feel that is exactly fair, given that I not only didn't finish reading this, but that I'm also roughly fifteen years older than the intended audience.

I have read and thoroughly enjoyed a lot of junior fiction, but this one, for whatever reason, just didn't click for me. The writing was just too simple and I found the characters un-engaging. Unfortunately I couldn't warm to the heroine. She was the kind of character who is incredibly naive yet thinks she knows best and basically causes a lot of bother for everyone else along the way. Sometimes this works and sometimes it doesn't. In this case, I found her bossy and difficult to like. This is quite a long book for its age group and I personally found the story slow going.

I was honestly surprised that Sword of Light failed to capture my interest. I love anything to do with the legends of King Arthur and when I first heard the synopsis for it I was very excited about the book. One of the greatest legends retold, but with a Pendragon woman (or girl in this case), at the helm? Definitely my kind of book. Sadly, I found myself picking this up, growing bored and putting it back down again several times over the last few months, and so I've finally decided to call it a day.

It's such a shame, but I wouldn't discourage any little readers from picking this up, as they may well enjoy it far more than I. It has all the components for a fantastic, magical adventure but, personally, it didn't come together.

[Atharva Shah · Rating 3 out of 5]

King Arthur is dead and he has a secret daughter,namely Rhianna Pendragon. Merlin, the druid transports Arthur's body to the magical land of Avalon after being defeated and killed by Mordred his nephew.
Merlin reveals that Rhianna must fetch back Excalibur the sword of light which Arthur threw at Nimue a.k.a the Lady of the Lake. Rhinna with her elf friend Elphin friends travels yo world of men and meets odd knights and squires and joins forces with them to ein back Excalibur before Mordred lays his hands on it and uses it for dark purpose. Morgan Le Fay, the with mother of Mordred kills Merlin but he spirit transfers himself into a dragon. Rhianna wins Excalibur from Nimue after answering some questions. Excalibur is one of the four lights. After that Rhianna rescues her friends for the bloodbeard and the Saxons and then wins back Camelot and contacts with Merlin and decides to win back the other three lights.
A book that has dimple language, a dark prince, a brave princess, dragons, magicians, knights, elves, fairylands and healing gems what could you ask for more? And of course, I've already started reading the second book.

[PJ · Rating 4 out of 5]

The Sword of Light (Pendragon Legacy Book 1) by Katherine Roberts is a fresh, adventurous twist on Arthurian legend. The story follows Rhianna Pendragon, King Arthur’s daughter, as she embarks on a dangerous quest to recover Excalibur and challenge her cousin Mordred for the throne. It’s packed with magic, mythical creatures, and a fierce heroine who’s equal parts brave and relatable.

The blend of Celtic myth and Arthurian lore makes it a fun and imaginative read, especially for young fantasy fans. Some might find the pacing uneven, but the action and world-building more than make up for it. Perfect if you’re into strong female leads and epic quests!

[Samantha (A Dream of Books) · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is the first book in a new series called The Pendragon Legacy. I'm a massive fan of stories which are set in Arthurian England and I absolutely adore all the legends and tales about King Arthur and his court. I'm always on the lookout for new books on this subject so I was thrilled when I discovered this title.

Katherine Roberts expertly weaves Arthur's story and that of the Knights of the Round Table, Merlin, Mordred and co with a new character, Rhianna Pendragon. Rhianna is the secret child of Arthur and Guinevere who was taken to Avalon by Merlin when she was a baby to protect her from those who don't wish to see an heir to the throne. She also happens to be the only hope against the evil Mordred who is being helped by the wicked Morgan Le Fay. Rhianna isn't alone though, she has her best friend Elphin by her side who is the Prince of Avalon and has a fair share of magic of his own to help guard her. I loved the friendship between Rhianna and Elphin and the fact that they would do anything for each other. I wonder whether the friendship they share will blossom into love later in the series.

The story is tremendously exciting and follows Rhianna's quest to find the Sword Excalibur, the Lance of Truth, the Crown of Dreams and the Holy Grail. Rhianna meets innumerable obstacles along the way but she never gives into defeat and makes a worthy heroine. I would have liked to have seen Rhianna meet Guinevere, but I assume this is being saved for the next book, as is our first encounter with Lancelot who is mentioned but never actually seen in person.

Set in a lost age of chivalry and magic, 'Sword of Light' combines wonderful storytelling with an engrossing tale of Knights, Kings, Queens and Princesses. I found the legend of King Arthur coming alive before my very eyes and I loved every second of reading it. Katherine Roberts has breathed new life into a story which many people are familiar with and for those who aren't, then she's introduced a whole new readership to King Arthur and all the characters of legend. I look forward to getting my hands on the sequel as soon as it's out!

[Becky · Rating 5 out of 5]

Sword of Light is an exciting fantasy novel which takes Arthurian legend and carves out for it a whole new journey. This is the Pendragon Legacy.

Rhianna Pendragon is the daughter of King Arthur and Queen Guinevere. But she did not grow up in the mortal world of men. She grew up not knowing her true identity in the land of Avalon, where the fairies live. She was the only human permitted to live there and she dreamt of what it would be like to visit the world of men. Rhianna’s best friend is the Prince of Avalon, Elphin. They are a great pair and share a loyal bond.

The story begins with Rhianna and Elphin in Avalon racing their fairy horses. Their fun is interrupted by the arrival of the wizard Merlin. He appears in a boat through the mists to bring Arthur’s body to heal in the crystal caverns of the fairy King’s palace. But in order to return to health, Arthur will need the magic power of the Sword of Light – Excalibur. Only a person of Pendragon blood can wield the sword and so Rhianna must travel to Camelot and with Merlin’s aid retrieve Excalibur from the Lady of the Lake. On her journey Rhianna is accompanied by Elphin and his magic harp and some endearing characters she meets along the way.

The quest, of course, is not as easy as it first appears. The Saxons are waging a war against Camelot and they are under the influence of the Dark Knight Mordred. Injured by Arthur in his final battle, Mordred is determined to take Excalibur for his own. He too is a Pendragon. The story is full of exciting twists and turns. It is full of heroic, chivalric knightly deeds and honour.

This is the book that I’ve been desperate to add to the school library. All those fans of the TV show Merlin will love this. It takes Arthurian legend and creates a new generation of mythology. The Sword of Light is a story which will enchant readers young and old and have them cheering for the just and valiant future of Camelot. It’s fantastic, so accessible, full of delightful magic and is all carried off by a fiery heroine in a man’s world. I loved it.

[Sarah · Rating 4 out of 5]

Rhianna Pendragon is the secret child of King Arthur and Queen Guinevere, so secret that even she doesn't know who her parents are. She has been raised in the fairy realm of Avalon but has always dreamt of visiting the world of men. When Merlin arrives in Avalon with Arthur's body it looks like Rhianna will get her wish. Arthur was killed by his nephew Mordred but there is a chance he can be saved - if Rhianna can find the Sword of Light and bring it back to Avalon.

Rhianna sets out for the human realm to search for the sword with her friend Prince Elphin and their magical horses. They aren't the only ones searching for it though and Mordred is determined to do whatever it takes to stop them. He can't risk Rhianna taking control of the Knights of the round table and becoming accepted as King Arthur's heir. Mordred will stop at nothing to claim Camelot and it is up to Rhianna to make sure that doesn't happen.

Although I don't read many children's books I couldn't resist Sword of Light, I've always loved the legend of King Arthur so was looking forward to reading Katherine Roberts' take on it. It was great to see characters we already know and love alongside new ones like Rhianna. She is a strong heroine and I loved the friendship between her and Elphin. It's nice to see how much they care for each other and how they always stand together to fight.

Add in magical horses, knights and a dragon and you have a magical tale full of adventure that is hard to put down. This is the kind of story I would have absolutely loved as a child and still thoroughly enjoyed even as an adult. I'd definitely recommend Sword of Light and I'm looking forward to reading the next instalment of the Pendragon Legacy when it comes out later this year.

[Susan Price]

I read this in proof, as I contributed a comment for the cover. I'm much older than those it's written for, but - I still enjoyed it. You have to enjoy a good story, told with skill!

[Mark Buxton · Rating 4 out of 5]

My name is Rhianna, and my father King Arthur has been murdered by his nephew Mordred. I didn't know my father existed until Merlin came to Avalon with his body. I've traveled into the land of men where I must retrieve Excalibur from the Lady of the Lake, and then I must travel to Camelot. The magic sword may be able to return my father to the throne, but Mordred's forces are searching for me everywhere. I rescued one of Arthur's knights from torture, but I was touched by the black arm of Mordred, the arm Arthur severed in battle. The evil magic from Mordred's mother makes the limb dangerous, and his forces surround Camelot. How am I to motivate Arthur's soldiers to follow me, since they all think I'm a weak, red-headed girl? The only thing that will convince them is getting my hands on Excalibur.

I was surprised to see a number of reviewers on Goodreads did not finish this book, but it seems like they were reading it from an adult's perspective. The book was written for middle grade kids, and it's a perfect fantasy for them. Rhianna was a great main character, as she was thrust into the role of King Arthur's unknown heir. She was determined to stop Mordred even though she just found out about her father. In addition, Merlin disappeared from the plot pretty quickly, so Rhianna was left to experience the "real" world on her own. She was probably too brave for her own good, but she behaved like a leader. Elphin was a fairy from Avalon and supported Rhianna's character with his magic harp. He was selfless and would do anything to help her. During a stressful stretch of the plot, he continued playing his harp even though his fingers were bleeding. Excalibur was the key to Rhianna's hopes, but it came with complications. Mordred had a connection to the hilt, so his image was able to pop up and present challenges. In addition, the blade's magic would be lost if any blood touched it. Imagine how difficult it would be to enter a battle knowing you can't use your weapon to hurt anyone. I really enjoyed the book, but unfortunately my library system doesn't offer any other books in the series.

[Max · Rating 3 out of 5]

Maybe more of a 2.5

This was just okay for me. Average reads seems like the trend for me atm haha.
The writing style was pretty simplistic so it did read like a definite children’s read.
I’m not sure if this was all factually correct but it seemed like a good take on a follow up for the original Arthurian legend.
We follow Arthur’s secret daughter Rhiannon who is the worlds last hope and yeh I didn’t like her too much. She is just abit rude and has NO manners. So right she nearly slit the throat of her maid and she only cowered when she realized- like no sorry or anything.
I guess all the other characters were fine. Elphin was fine but I like Cai abit more!
I may continue on but I only own the next one and I’m not sure I’m willing to spend my own money to buy the last two?
Overall a solid adventure story, with average characters but not one that I’m fully invested in.

[Booker G. A. Feniks · Rating 3 out of 5]

This book wasn't what I expected. I had read it once before as a child, & it is far from the 5 star read I gave it then. For a really young audience this book is all well & good, but it is filled with typos, weird stylistic choices, & a story that resembles an old Disney cartoon rather than an epic fantasy adventure. For what it's trying to do, it doesn't do it badly, but it is far from a masterpiece.

[Rhianna C · Rating 5 out of 5]

Such an incredible read everyone has to read it!

[Calenmarwen · Rating 3 out of 5]

Good children's novel, easy to read and exciting. Long chapters though.
Nice look at Arthurian myth with a strong female lead.

[Jean · Rating 3 out of 5]

To finish the book you need the next book. Not a bad story but loses focus near the end, and frustrating to find the story does not end and you need the next book a pet hate of mine.

[LISA JACKLING · Rating 3 out of 5]

3.5☆

[Hannah · Rating 4 out of 5]

Good but some weird bits

[Scott]

Entertaining. Got better throughout as the dialogue felt less awkward.

[Rebecca · Rating 3 out of 5]

Sword of Light is the first of a four book series based on Arthurian legends that imagines what might have happened had King Arthur and Queen Guinevere had a child. That child, a daughter named Rhianna, has been raised in secrecy on the magical island of Avalon, in order to keep her safe. Rhianna always knew she was different from the other children in Avalon, because was human and they were fairies, but she never knew who her real parents were. Then Merlin came to the island with the body of King Arthur, with hopes that if his body rests in the magical caverns of Avalon, he can someday be reborn. He also tells Rhianna the truth about who her parents are, and of the quest she must undertake in order to save the kingdom from her wicked cousin, Mordred, who killed her father.

The first task Rhianna must complete is to find her father's magical sword, Excalibur, which was thrown into a lake after his death. Only a Pendragon can wield the sword, so Rhianna must find it before Mordred, who was badly wounded in his battle with with King Arthur, recovers enough to search for it. On her quest, she faces many dangers and makes new friends, and has to prove that although she is a girl, she is brave and strong and can be a a worthy successor to her father.

Sword of Light was a quick, enjoyable read, but it's definitely middle grade and not young adult. I don't think Rhianna's exact age was ever stated, but I think she was probably around twelve years old or so, since she often seems very young and acts quite impulsively and foolishly - but then again, so do many much older characters in other books, so at least this character is young enough to have an excuse for it! If you like middle grade fantasy and are interested in reading a new take on the Arthurian legends, then I recommend giving Sword of Light a try, I definitely liked it enough to want to read the rest of the series. This would also be a good book to give to younger readers, particularly girls, who love fantasy novels, since it's not too dark or scary and there's nothing in the story that would be inappropriate, and there's a lot that would appeal to young readers - magic, fairy horses, and a young main character who is strong and brave.

[Hannah · Rating 4 out of 5]

As the secret daughter of King Arthur and Queen Guinevere, Rhianna Pendragon has been kept hidden in the faery world of Avalon since her birth. But now that Arthur has been defeated by Mordred and his army of Saxon invaders, young Rhianna must come out of hiding to rescue Excalibur, the Sword of Light, and bring her father back to life to regain the throne. In a world of men, Rhianna will need to be brave and bold to find Excalibur before the Saxons or Mordred discover who she is.

Review: Sword of Light has given an old legend a new and interesting twist. Elements of Arthurian legend including the holy grail and excalibur have been incorporated into the four lights - weapons which give ultimate power to any man that holds them all. The story also explores what happens after Arthur's reign, taking the legend further than ever before.

In a time when men fought battles and ruled kingdoms and women were vulnerable damsels, Roberts has created a spirited young female lead. Rhianna is spontaneous, fearless and quick thinking but is often led into trouble with her reckless and adventurous nature. She does however show that not all battles have to be fought with swords, and its not just the men that can stand up, defiant and fight for what is right and good.

Suitable for a young girls and boys alike the story has great characters that would make good role models, particularly young Prince Elphin who is so sweet and always there to help Rhianna. The plot is interesting and captivating with plenty of opportunities for Rhianna to get into a spot of bother and need good friends and some courage to help her win her way out.

Sword of Light is a magical and delightful read that ventures into the medieval world of King Arthur and the legend of the knights of the round table.

Rating: 4*

[Beth Kemp · Rating 4 out of 5]

I really enjoyed this one. Katherine Roberts has created a world that it's a great pleasure to get lost in. Familiar elements of the Arthur stories are woven seamlessly with the new inventions and children will delight in Rhianna's adventures. It's a treat to see a female protagonist in this kind of novel and, as you can see from the cover, this is not a 'girly' book. I would happily give it to a boy or girl to enjoy.

Rhianna is a fabulous character. At the opening of the book, she doesn't know who she is - she's simply the only human in Avalon, allowing for some 'odd one out' feelings to be explored. As a girl, she faces difficulties in persuading others that she can play an active role in protecting her heritage. She's feisty and determined, in keeping with her unruly red hair, and this can lead her into rashness but she also - sometimes - shows signs of wisdom and cunning in dealing with her enemies.

Her best friend, Prince Elphin of Avalon, accompanies her on her journey into the mortal realm. He is calm and gentle and, as a fairy prince, has magical abilities. He makes a good contrast to Rhianna and allows her a young friend and ally in the uncertain world of mortals, in which she mostly has to deal with adults who (of course) assume they know best.

No review of this book is complete without a mention of the fairy horses ridden by Elphin and Rhianna. These are a brilliant addition, increasing the magic and enchantment in the story, as well as providing the Avalonian pair with more allies. Child readers will love them and dream of their own magical friends, I'm sure.

Overall, this is a tightly-written, classic quest tale with engaging characters and a well thought out premise. There are going to be four in this series, and I will definitely be looking out for the others as they are released.

[Tugba Sabaz · Rating 4 out of 5]

Rihanna Pendragon Avalon'da klasik günlerinden birini yaşayarak sis atı Alba ile Avalon'daki diğer kişiler ile at yarışı yapmaktadır. Yarış sona erdiğinde denizde küçük bir tekne görürler. Uzun sakallı, yaşlı bir adam görür. Diğer arkadaşları ve Avalon halkı sahile gider ve misafiri karşılarlar. Aralarında misafiri tanımayan tek kişi Rihanna'dır, misafir ise ünlü druid büyücüsü Merlin'dir. Teknesinde ölü olarak yatan adamı gören Avalon kralı Lord Avallach Merlin'den bir açıklama bekler. Merlin, Mordred'in Saksonları bir araya topladığını, Annwn'de bulunan annesi Morgana'nın yardımı ile Kral Arthur'a savaş açtığını belirtir. Kral Arthur bu savaşta öldüğünü, tekrar canlanabilmesi için dört ışığın gücüne ihtiyacı olduğunu açıklar. Mordred'in amacının dört ışık olan Avalon'da dövülmüş kılıç Ekskalibur, kader mızrağı, Annwn mücevherlerinde saklı olan Düşler tacı ve Kutsal kaseyi bulup karanlığın hüküm sürmesini sağlamaktadır. Mordred'in bu amacını durdurabilecek tek kişi de Kral Arthur'un kızı Rihanna'dır.

Middle Grade fantastik türünde bir eser. Seri 4 kitaptan oluşuyor ama Türkçe'e sadece 3 tanesi çevrilmiş ve şuan satışı yok. Sahaflardan almaya değer bir seri mi belki yorumlara göre bakabilirsiniz. Arthur mitini sevdiğim için ben şans verdim. 4. kitabı da ingilizce okumayı planlıyorum. Yazarın dili ve çeviri güzel. Fontlar biraz büyük o yüzden hızlıca okuyabiliyorsunuz.

[Honoria · Rating 3 out of 5]

I bought this for my young daughter (age 6), who is an ambitious reader with a growing interest in fantasy fiction. I've dabbled happily in the genre as an adult reader, but my main reading tastes lie elsewhere. I read this out of curiosity, and was pleasantly surprised - it's certainly a cut above the average 'princess fairy magic rubbish' published for young readers. Katherine Roberts makes a credible attempt to continue the Arthurian saga, written in an engaging - often witty - style. I noticed some other reviewers here, who didn't enjoy or finish the book, were also adults. To adult readers, some of the characterisation is likely to feel familiar and a little predictable. But for enthusiastic younger readers like my daughter, who are used to books with no discernible characterisation at all, it's a vast improvement. I enjoyed it, and I'll be casting my motherly eyes quite happily over the rest of the trilogy.

[James Hargest Library · Rating 4 out of 5]

Sword of Light is about Rhianna Pendragon, Arthur's secret daughter. Her father is dead and her mother has been kidnapped and her friends Cai, Elphin, Evenstar – Elphin’s horse and Alba – Rhiannas horse. The path to the throne lies open to his evil nephew, Morded. She meets new people along the way and finds out that she is a princess and her father is King Arthur.
I liked it very much as it is telling about King Arthur’s story. It is like the DVD ‘Sword in the Stone’ or the books about how Arthur became king with Merlin’s help and the lady of the sea to clean his knife. I really enjoyed it; it shows history and I enjoy learning about the past. Nothing was wrong with it from my perspective.
Book 2, Lance of the Truth, is going to be out soon. - Cailtin

[Helen · Rating 3 out of 5]

t is the darkest hour of the darkest age. King Arthur is dead, killed by his wicked nephew, Mordred. Saxon invaders rampage across the land and forces of evil are gathering. The path to the throne lies open to Arthur's only remaining flesh and blood - Mordred. But there is one with a better claim than Mordred - Arthur's secret child.
I wanted a 'heftier' read to give my Chatterbooks group over the summer. A change from the normal monthly relatively 'quick' reads. I've been revisiting all my Arthurian legend tales, so this one was an obvious pick.
It is far more gruesome than I expected, but I think the group can handle it.
An interesting take on the legends, and an original idea to have a 'secret daughter'.

[Aj Toledo · Rating 4 out of 5]

Like the earlier reviews made to this books, I would say also that I would most probably enjoy this book as a child. The words are precise and the plot is simplified; descriptions are straightforward; the fonts are huge - some characteristics for a children's book. Although the concept of Arthurian legend is prevalent, the 'Sword of Light' made a quite unique concept of introducing Arthur's daughter - Rhianna Pedragon.

I enjoyed reading it. The words are fluent, and the characters speak as if 'naturally' and not just scripted. If this book were written for older age group, this could rival The Hunger Games and other NY Times Bestsellers! All in all, I really liked this book.

[Mel · Rating 1 out of 5]

It took me a long time to get into this and even then it was a chore to read.
This was definitely an attempt at getting more girls interested in the King Arthur legends but I found Rihanna Pendragon's character extremely irritating, whiny, self obsessed and generally annoying. Hopefully her character will develop throughout the series!

[Manderline · Rating 3 out of 5]

Passionnée par la légende arthurienne j'ai été contente de découvrir ce livre. Rhianna Pendragon est un personnage attachant qui recule devant rien pour mener à bien sa quête : retrouver Excalibur. L'histoire est agréable à lire, fluide mais je n'aurais pas craint un peu plus de descriptions et d'actions.

[Emma Ziegler · Rating 5 out of 5]

So awesome! Want to read next book.

[Hannah · Rating 4 out of 5]

Good but some weird bits