Marco and the Blade of Night

by Phil Rickman

Welcome to Glastonbury. Real Place. Real Magic.

Marco's summer in Glastonbury is starting to get seriously weird… The locals are having strange and terrifying visions, and then Marco's friend, Rosa, finds an ancient relic which experts identify as Excalibur, sword of the legendary King Arthur.

According to the folk tales, Arthur will return to fight the forces of night. But where is the real threat coming from? A new evil is loose on the streets of the old town and inside the ruins of its ancient abbey... and walking right into it is Marco's sceptical London friend, Josh, the psychiatrist's son who's too clever for his own dad.

Only Marco and Rosa can see the real darkness rising... and the blade about to fall.

Genres: Fantasy

Unknown Binding

First published December 20, 2012

About the author

Phil Rickman, also known under the pen names Thom Madley and Will Kingdom, was a British author of supernatural and mystery novels.

Reviews

[Richard Howard · Rating 3 out of 5]

I love Phil Rickman's books for adults precisely because the supernatural element is always suggested with the onus of belief placed on the reader. This book is written for the YA market and so these elements are more overt. The plot here is a little over-the-top but because he is such a good writer I never found myself rolling my eyes. If you are prepared to just suspend your strictly logical faculties for a while then you will probably enjoy the adventure.

[MS ELAINE PEMBRO · Rating 2 out of 5]

Hmm, downloaded this as I'm a big fan of Rickman but as another person has previously commented, I didn't pay enough attention to the fact that this is aimed at a young audience. I've given it 2 stars, probably unfairly, but then I didn't really enjoy the absence of suspense that I associate with most of Phil's other books. Recommended for 11 - 14 but not a mature woman who enjoys sitting on the edge of her seat.

[Dawn Folley · Rating 5 out of 5]

A very fast read. Excellent pace and tension. As always, finely drawn, believable characters and all that mythology. Wish these were about when I was younger. Room for more when you are up to it, Mr Rickman.

[L J Leigh · Rating 5 out of 5]

Another excellent story

I really enjoyed reading both these 'Marco' books. Although aimed at a younger audience, I was thoroughly entertained. I only hope there will be more.

[Jack · Rating 4 out of 5]

Wonderful mix of slightly larger than life characters, Glastonbury and Arthurian legends.

[Khylle · Rating 5 out of 5]

As good as the first book

Good
Great
Amazing
This is the second book by the way
I don't think that they included Rosa enough though

[April · Rating 4 out of 5]

Not as many plot twists as the usual Phil Rickman offering but paced for the young adult market.