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Project X-Calibur
Ben has been an underdog his whole life. But when he meets Merlin— the Merlin—the wizard delivers devastating a vicious band of aliens are approaching, and Ben could be the champion Earth desperately needs.
Soon Ben joins the Round Table Reboot, where legendary heroes are training a new generation to battle the deadly threat. They have a secret X-Calibur. But this time X-Calibur is not a sword -- it's a spaceship -- and only the right kid can awaken its powers. All Ben has ever wanted is to be a hero…but is it in the stars for him?
Soon Ben joins the Round Table Reboot, where legendary heroes are training a new generation to battle the deadly threat. They have a secret X-Calibur. But this time X-Calibur is not a sword -- it's a spaceship -- and only the right kid can awaken its powers. All Ben has ever wanted is to be a hero…but is it in the stars for him?
251 pages, Hardcover
First published October 31, 2013
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333 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 17 of 17 reviews
March 2, 2014
I read Greg Pace's Project X-Calibur in a few sittings. The taut tale is easy to get into and gripping enough to keep me turning pages.
While it is very well written, with very 3-D characters, and an engaging plot, I felt it was a bit too Ender's Game, with a splash of the (1984) movie, The Last Starfighter.
This is not a bad thing. Just for me, it was just similar enough that I kept thinking of / remembering the book and movie -- and found that distracting.
Now -- regardless, I enjoyed the Merlin and Knights of the Round Table aspect. I think the protagonist, Ben Stone is identifiable as someone we all wish we were like, or at the very least was like someone we wish we knew.
This book has earned 4 Stars. It IS well written. The dialogue is great. The action mostly occurs between training and tension among the Knights. The last 25 pages (of 249) are battle scenes (that also play out a little like Star Wars: A New Hope, but pretend I didn't add that to the mix). Tweens will love the story, I think. I know I did. And if there are more in the series, I will give them a read as well!
--Phillip Tomasso
Author of The Vaccination Trilogy
While it is very well written, with very 3-D characters, and an engaging plot, I felt it was a bit too Ender's Game, with a splash of the (1984) movie, The Last Starfighter.
This is not a bad thing. Just for me, it was just similar enough that I kept thinking of / remembering the book and movie -- and found that distracting.
Now -- regardless, I enjoyed the Merlin and Knights of the Round Table aspect. I think the protagonist, Ben Stone is identifiable as someone we all wish we were like, or at the very least was like someone we wish we knew.
This book has earned 4 Stars. It IS well written. The dialogue is great. The action mostly occurs between training and tension among the Knights. The last 25 pages (of 249) are battle scenes (that also play out a little like Star Wars: A New Hope, but pretend I didn't add that to the mix). Tweens will love the story, I think. I know I did. And if there are more in the series, I will give them a read as well!
--Phillip Tomasso
Author of The Vaccination Trilogy
May 20, 2014
A fun read, despite being as another reviewer put it a cross between Enders Game and the Last Starfighter, with a hint of Harry Potter I'd add... A page turner right until the ending... However the ending felt rushed and a bit anticlimactic... Setting up sequels, not really an organic finale... Characters got short shrift... Still a fun world has been built...
March 2, 2017
Ben is non-athletic, has average intelligence and is awkward, but he admires the things his firefighter father expounded before his heroic death saving lives. When THE Merlin comes to enlist Ben in joining a team to help save the world from an alien threat, he's eager to do his part. However, as training begins in London he is continually out of the pack, landing at the bottom in most challenges. His belief in the Knights of the Roundtable philosophy and his efforts to help other team members keep him involved. But when the real threat appears what will he be able to offer. This was a well developed YA action plot. Fun.
January 31, 2020
3.5 stars
I hesitate to use the word “delightful” to review a book for fear of it sounding like a fake compliment, but that’s exactly what this book was. Fit for the age group it was written for it was not deep or scary or upsetting... it was a delightful romp through a different version of sci-fi/fantasy with an Arthurian twist. The fact that I finished it is a high compliment. I put down books that don’t keep me engaged anymore either through the plot, the writing, or the world.
Hats off to this lovely addition to this age-group genre. One star is missing only because the end was such a short part of the story. I would read a sequel with the main character. He’s worth a second book.
I hesitate to use the word “delightful” to review a book for fear of it sounding like a fake compliment, but that’s exactly what this book was. Fit for the age group it was written for it was not deep or scary or upsetting... it was a delightful romp through a different version of sci-fi/fantasy with an Arthurian twist. The fact that I finished it is a high compliment. I put down books that don’t keep me engaged anymore either through the plot, the writing, or the world.
Hats off to this lovely addition to this age-group genre. One star is missing only because the end was such a short part of the story. I would read a sequel with the main character. He’s worth a second book.
November 13, 2017
I want more!!!
This was an amazing story and I could relate to Ben so well. He was a very balanced character. I need more of this series
This was an amazing story and I could relate to Ben so well. He was a very balanced character. I need more of this series
April 4, 2014
Synopsis - It took some convincing to get Ben Stone to believe that this odd little kid in front of him was Merlin, THE Merlin. It turns out that the 1000-year-old wizard really was in the form of an 8-year-old boy. If that’s not weird enough, Merlin tells Ben that aliens are about to attack and conquer Earth, and that Merlin is here to recruit Ben to be part of the super secret group – The Round Table Reboot. Merlin needs Ben to fly X-Calibur (X-Calibur being a high-tech space ship not the sword, but the sword DOES exist) to fight off the aliens. X-Calibur runs best in the hands of kids. Merlin and Percival Pellinore (who is immortal because he drank from the Holy Grail back in King Arthur’s day) are forming a new group of knights (who happen to be kids) to face an even bigger danger!
What I thought - Think of King Arthur meets Science Fiction and ends up in your back yard. WOW. I am a fan of the King Arthur legends and I thought this modern story idea was cool. I get nervous when people rewrite stories I love, but Mr. Pace put an awesome slant on this story! I love how there is no magic in the book – it’s all done with electronics and technology. Ben is a great main character. He’s a typical kid who has a kind of rough life so you end up rooting for him and liking him. The other kid characters that get recruited are also enjoyable to read about. They all have very different personalities. Mr. Pace writes incredible action scenes that kept me turning the pages. I’d love to see another book in this series.
*NOTE* I got a free copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.
What I thought - Think of King Arthur meets Science Fiction and ends up in your back yard. WOW. I am a fan of the King Arthur legends and I thought this modern story idea was cool. I get nervous when people rewrite stories I love, but Mr. Pace put an awesome slant on this story! I love how there is no magic in the book – it’s all done with electronics and technology. Ben is a great main character. He’s a typical kid who has a kind of rough life so you end up rooting for him and liking him. The other kid characters that get recruited are also enjoyable to read about. They all have very different personalities. Mr. Pace writes incredible action scenes that kept me turning the pages. I’d love to see another book in this series.
*NOTE* I got a free copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.
December 29, 2014
Ben is a normal kid. He’s a car mechanic, but other than that he lives in a small town and goes to school and does normal kid things. He definitely did not know what the 8 year-old stalking him wanted, and he DEFINITELY did not expect that the kid was actually Merlin. All of a sudden, aliens are coming to earth and he is one of the five kids who can stop it. With a battle looming up ahead, this modern middle-grade King Arthur retelling will appeal to young middle-grade readers.
My thoughts:
This book has a great storyline and idea. The Knights of the Round Table in the modern world, as kids you can identify with? Awesome! I enjoyed this book, but I think it could’ve been executed better. The end felt rushed to me: for a book whose plot is built up in preparation for the end, the final battle did not satisfy my expectations. However, I think it is a wonderful retelling for kids looking for an enjoyable and quick read, and would recommend it to anyone from ages 8-11.
3 out of 5 XanderStars
My thoughts:
This book has a great storyline and idea. The Knights of the Round Table in the modern world, as kids you can identify with? Awesome! I enjoyed this book, but I think it could’ve been executed better. The end felt rushed to me: for a book whose plot is built up in preparation for the end, the final battle did not satisfy my expectations. However, I think it is a wonderful retelling for kids looking for an enjoyable and quick read, and would recommend it to anyone from ages 8-11.
3 out of 5 XanderStars
July 4, 2016
Action-packed and supremely entertaining story! I highly recommend reading this fresh re-imagining of the Arthurian legend. The story is epic and cleverly written. Each of the characters, including the protagonist Ben Stone, are people readers can instantly latch on to and identify with. All the team members of the Round Table Reboot (RTR) remind us how we all struggle to prove ourselves, dream of something more than average life and we are all called to adventures and challenges unexpectedly. No matter where one comes from and who they were previously- everyone has potential which counts when the going gets tough. I would describe this book as "Ender's Game" meets the film "Independence Day". Pace's debut book is a top notch Sci-Fi tale and a real page-turner. He makes the point how ordinary people like Ben and the RTR stand up for what is right, their home, families and not only make a difference but discover who they are. As Merlin said to Ben, you have to "become your destiny". This would make an excellent film as well.
April 9, 2014
How did Ben get chosen for a top secret project repelling aliens from taking over Planet Earth? He’s the last kid picked for his class’ sports teams and isn’t special in any way. Nonetheless Merlin (yes, that Merlin!) has chosen him.
The Round Table has been rebooted, the aliens are due in 6 days, and in that time the five chosen kids have to learn how to sword fight against robots, learn to pilot spacecraft, and use advanced weaponry to fend off the impending invasion. This time XCalibur isn’t a sword imprisoned in stone; it’s an alien spacecraft with unimaginable powers if only someone could figure out what they are and how to use them.
Exciting story. Improbable, of course, but that shouldn’t deter a good science fiction story. 4th or 5th grade and up, mostly boys.
The Round Table has been rebooted, the aliens are due in 6 days, and in that time the five chosen kids have to learn how to sword fight against robots, learn to pilot spacecraft, and use advanced weaponry to fend off the impending invasion. This time XCalibur isn’t a sword imprisoned in stone; it’s an alien spacecraft with unimaginable powers if only someone could figure out what they are and how to use them.
Exciting story. Improbable, of course, but that shouldn’t deter a good science fiction story. 4th or 5th grade and up, mostly boys.
February 25, 2015
In this story, I love how Greg Pace was able to put his own twist on your average alien story. The story revolves around a teenage kid named Ben, who is supposed to save the world from wicked aliens called Dredmores. In this story there is another boy who appears to be about 8 years old, but always remember that, “Looks can be deceiving.” This little boy who looks like a kid out of the second grade just happens to be the great Merlin the magician, who could easily be over 1,000 years old. To save the world Ben must use the Excalibur,(Which isn’t a sword, but a spaceship.)which he obtains from the Round Table Reboot. This book for me was like Ender’s Game meets Star Wars. In the end do you think YOU have what it takes to save your world, do you really.
January 30, 2015
Ben is a normal kid whose father has died rescuing people from a fire. (He was a firefighter.) Ben's mom is a waitress at a local cafe. Ben tinkers with electronics and cars to bring some money into the family.
A strange man keeps appearing and disappearing at places where Ben is. It turns out that he is Merlin and wants Ben to come to London to help save the world from aliens. He is joined by four others to train. Of the five, Ben can't quite figurre out what his gift is. When the aliens attack, it is up to Ben to save the world.
Similar to Enders Game, but not as detailed as far as character development goes. It will most likely be a series.
A strange man keeps appearing and disappearing at places where Ben is. It turns out that he is Merlin and wants Ben to come to London to help save the world from aliens. He is joined by four others to train. Of the five, Ben can't quite figurre out what his gift is. When the aliens attack, it is up to Ben to save the world.
Similar to Enders Game, but not as detailed as far as character development goes. It will most likely be a series.
May 19, 2014
Project Xcalibur
Brandt Brownlee
The book I read was Project Xcalibur by Greg Pace. The setting of the book is Breakwater Texas and London.The main character in this book is a 13 year old boy named Ben.The genre of this story is Scifi.This book is about a 13 year old boy named Ben from Breakwater Texas who travels to london to defend the world against aliens.
The book Project Xcalibur is a great book. This book is like the futuristic knights of the round table.Theres action,advanced technology, and alien battles. I give this book a 5 star rating. Read this book.
Brandt Brownlee
The book I read was Project Xcalibur by Greg Pace. The setting of the book is Breakwater Texas and London.The main character in this book is a 13 year old boy named Ben.The genre of this story is Scifi.This book is about a 13 year old boy named Ben from Breakwater Texas who travels to london to defend the world against aliens.
The book Project Xcalibur is a great book. This book is like the futuristic knights of the round table.Theres action,advanced technology, and alien battles. I give this book a 5 star rating. Read this book.
July 17, 2016
A young boy, good with machines, meets a strange kid who turns out to Merlin of King Arthur fame. Merlin is here to recruit Ben to help save the Earth from hostile aliens. X-Calibur is a spaceship which, like the famous sword, will only awaken for the right person. An imaginative twist on an old legend.
October 28, 2015
BET BOOK EVER!!!!!!!!! I loved it so much no other book has topped it.
December 24, 2018
BLA BLA BLA BLA.
that is all i can say about it- wast of time! About the dumbest thing ever- sorry. I know a lot of people like this book, buuut, this is my rating. Anyway, i did NOT like this book.
that is all i can say about it- wast of time! About the dumbest thing ever- sorry. I know a lot of people like this book, buuut, this is my rating. Anyway, i did NOT like this book.
July 19, 2016
A quick read that proved to be highly entertaining.
March 5, 2018
It was rather cool! It was full of action and it had lots of surprises! I recommend this book to action seekers!
Displaying 1 - 17 of 17 reviews