The Great and Terrible Quest

by Margaret Lovett, Joyce M. Turley (Illustrator)

Set in the late Middle Ages, a quick-witted orphan, abused by his grandfather, risks his life to care for a wounded knight who is on a quest but can't remember what he is searching for. Exciting, engrossing, enchanting! Reading Ages 11-13.

Genres: Historical Fiction, Fantasy, Fiction, Young Adult, Adventure, Childrens, School

172 pages, Paperback

First published January 1, 1967

Reviews

[Victoria Lynn · Rating 5 out of 5]

More in depth review to come, just know for now, it is one of the BEST books I have ever read and has inspired me so much! So so good.

Final Review:

The Great and Terrible Quest Review:
This book is my favorite Medieval book ever. I have read it at least 5 or 6 times since the first time I read it in Middle School. And don’t let that scare you. It is by no means a middle school book. I read old books when I was in my teens. The story is just so awesome, involved and suspenseful. The main character is a loveable and relatable little boy named Trad who is a dear boy despite his upbringing. Faint memories of a loving home are fewer and far between as he has been raised by his evil and abusive grandfather. While out hunting, Trad comes upon a tall man who is ill and he takes care of him. Thus starts the Great and Terrible Quest. The political intrigue and mystery that is added by the fact that the old man has lost his memories makes this book unparalleled in my library.

Likes:
~ Huon. Just everything. He is a hero.
~ Trad of course, because he is just the sweetest!
~ The political climate and the way it is relayed.
~ Tawny! He reminds me of Hawk-Eye. :D
~ The writing. It feels old-fashioned without getting bogged down in thee’s and thou’s.
~ Everything else. :D

Quibbles:
~ Um. . . nothing that I dislike really comes to mind. One of those books where I have no complaint. OH! Here is one. I WANT A SEQUEL. *distant sobbing*

Overall:
You must read this book. Please. No one knows of its greatness.

Content Warning:
There is a bit of dying people. Especially towards the end. Someone shoots an arrow at someone and it goes through his neck, killing him. Sword fights, a sword wound to the skull, breaking bones, and blood. Some beatings occur throughout the story. Though not described per say. Also, Huon has a dreadful wound on his head that is said to have come from a war ax.

[Mary Herceg · Rating 4 out of 5]

I first read The Great and Terrible Quest by Margaret Lovett at the age of around 11 or 12, and a friend inspired me to re-read it this month. I remember liking it at that age and being very impressed by the characters, plot, and ending, but I regret that I didn't fully appreciate it back then. I very vaguely but positively remembered the main characters, giant plot twist, and the very beginning and end all these years, but nothing else. But that allowed me to rediscover the book anew as a young adult, knowing effectively nothing of the story - almost as if it was my first time reading it. And what a wonderful experience it was!!

Suffice it to say, I loved the book to no end this time! I was amazed at the masterful characters, plot, writing, themes, and everything else. I became incredibly invested in the story, characters, suspense, and plot goal. I highly enjoyed reading the book, and I immensely looked forward to picking it up each night and rejoining the fascinating and lovable characters on their amazing journey. It's the kind of book that stayed with me all day between chapters, thinking and wondering about the story, plot, and characters. And after I finished the book and read the end, it stayed with me even more afterward. I thought about it that night and woke up the next morning replaying and reconsidering it in my mind - I couldn't help it. It's just so powerful and well-done on so many levels.

On to the details . . . The characters are utterly amazing - so vivid, complex, and unique. Trad and Huon in particular, but the supporting characters are no less quality. Trad is a wonderful protagonist. Sweet, endearing, realistic, relatable, intelligent, and resourceful. And as for Huon . . . I admire him so incredibly much. His awesomeness, strength, drive, wisdom, integrity, formidable skill, and wonderful heart are impressive. "What must be done can be done," says he, and my goodness, does he ever make good on that promise, and then some! Both Trad and Huon are immensely selfless, compassionate, and kind and show incredible and unflinching courage, determination, and heroism - while remaining realistic, real, and believable. I adore them both as characters, am very attached to them, and immensely enjoyed journeying with them. I loved each of their friends and allies as well, especially Marlo and the Wise Woman, and each character was vivid and complex. I also loved the tiny - but oh so beautiful and sweet - recollections and stories of Trad's parents. And Trad's pet dog, Jokey, was very sweet. As for the villains, they were so, so well-done. I'm amazed by them as well as the good characters. The author skillfully wrote multiple terrifying and evil antagonists and kept each complex, vivid, unique, well-developed, non-stereotyped, realistic, and believable. She made each of them human while remaining fearsome, and she used one character in particular to portray the side of the villains as complex, not merely morally black and white. Since I aspire to do all of that in my writing, though I have not a fraction of her skill, there's much I can learn from her.

The plot is utterly masterful - complex, twisty, suspenseful, riveting, and mind-blowing. The author kept me guessing the entire time even as she slowly revealed information. My mind was racing during the whole book as I attempted to figure out the secret of the main conflict and put together the mind-boggling clues as the book went along and as they were uncovered one by one. Vaguely remembering the very, very end helped me notice the foreshadowing for certain things, but I was still kept in the dark and unable to guess exactly right till the author meant for the reader to find out. I didn't guess the big twist until pretty far into the book, and it still surprised and wowed me the entire time. The plot is so skilled that whether the reader guesses the big reveal at the beginning, middle, or end, it's equally impressive and enjoyable. The book also lends itself amazingly to re-reads for that reason, and I can't wait to read it again knowing everything and picking up the clues I missed each time.

Other things:
-The themes are gorgeous, deep, wholesome, pure, and well-written, woven expertly into the story in a way that is seamless and natural yet incredibly powerful and striking. There were so many amazing and profound themes, yet none was shortchanged - courage, determination, friendship, nobility, power, leadership, wisdom, compassion, and so many more.
-I loved the writing style. I suspect the fact that it's older and archaic was a slight struggle for me as a child, but I adore it now. The author's wonderful descriptions are vivid, complex, and beautiful while remaining brief and spare. The only minor things I didn't like about the writing: The author uses different comma rules than I prefer, and I was at first annoyed by what I classify as comma splices when semicolons would work perfectly - but that's just because the author was British and wrote decades ago. Also, the first lines were not extraordinary and consisted of "telling," though there was nothing terribly wrong with them; however, though at first a mite critical, that didn't last past the first page, and I was delighted to find that the writing of the rest of the book was, in fact, outstanding.
-The worldbuilding and rich historical detail were amazing. The story felt so real and vivid despite being set in a fictional kingdom. I loved all the vivid, natural details of the medieval kingdom in which the story takes place - ranging from ordinary cottage life to the machinations of powerful lords. The way the fictional tale and characters were portrayed made me believe it could really have happened, even though it's completely fictional. There was so much timeless truth about life and people and so much actual historical detail included - even though the story is not based on specific historical events. I adore kingdom fantasy that feels richly historical, but it's so rare. I'm always looking for good books in that category but often come up dry, and I'm so glad to have this one.
-There is so much depth of emotion in this book without ever being melodramatic or over-the-top. It consistently and frequently drew me into the emotion in the most beautiful way. The book included great joy, laughter, and humor throughout in addition to portraying suffering, sadness, and tragedy in a way that was realistic and uplifting, never depressing or sappy. I felt for the characters as they walked through hardship, and there were many moments that made me sad or warmed my heart. One representative moment that struck me in particular, out of many such moments that I love, is the line, "Alas, alas, the sorrow of the world," said with weeping by one of the characters. I have wept about that in real life so many times just like the main characters do, and it was sweet and refreshing to see it in that character and from an author. Only a rare person has a heart like the main characters exhibit - and I know the author must have had that kind as well.
-THAT ENDING. It blew my mind. BOTH times I read it. No small feat.
-Speaking of which - I so, so wish there was a sequel! That said, I still consider the ending complete perfection as is. That's the best kind of ending - one that is perfect in itself yet makes me long for a sequel. I want to know what happens to the kingdom and the beloved characters afterward, and whatever does happen is presumably eventful. But at least I can imagine for myself, and it's gorgeous.

I highly recommend this book to all readers of historical fiction, fantasy, or older fiction, as well as anyone who doesn't usually read those sorts of books. It's such a good story no matter one's preference. As to content, I would give it without hesitation to young people ages 10-12 and up, but many families read it aloud much younger than I would with my siblings, younger self, or future kids. The book contains suffering of various kinds and quite a bit of violence and blood, including abuse/beatings mentioned, antagonists being killed, and several major and minor characters sustaining severe wounds and injuries. For those reasons, I wouldn't recommend it for younger children, but many would still be fine with it even at a young age. Also, the older style would be hard for a young children reading on their own if they were not used to that, but I took note while reading that it would be such a fun book to read aloud for many reasons - one being to fix that aspect.

In summary, I'm in awe of the author's skill - and in awe of the character Huon, of course! This utterly amazing book easily earned five full stars and a permanent place among my all-time favorites - and I'd give it many more stars if I could. The story, writing, characters, plot, and twists were so amazing that I wanted a re-read as soon as I finished. I'll definitely be reading it again, and I may even buy a copy. I can't wait to share it with my siblings, friends, and cousins. I've already recommended it to several close friends and family, and I can't wait to share it with my little sister when she's old enough to enjoy it.

4.5 stars

[Susan Eyre · Rating 5 out of 5]

I just had to review this book, as it is one of my all time favorites! I am one of those shallow individuals, who, although I hate to admit it, often judge a book by its cover. This was the case with The Great and Terrible Quest.
After studiously ignoring its presence in my atic for years, I finally picked it up for some in-a-day reading. I was captivated.
This is the epic of Trad, a young orphan who is abused by his grandfather, and a stranger, whom Trad rescues. The poor stranger cannot remember anything, only that he must complete a "great and terrible quest." Trad, unwilling to abandon him, decides to accompany him on this "quest" of sorts. What evolves is a wonderful, enchanting tale of friendship and innocence, castles and intrigue. Trad is caught in a web of lies and masks as he makes his way across a kingdom, all the while relying on the faulty memory of the stranger.
I still regularly read this book, and more than once have wished for a sequel! Do not be like me and judge this book by its cover!

[Sydney · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was a really neat story. It was one of those stories that doesn't tell you much about the characters when it starts. But you slowly learn more and more about them as you read.

This book reminded me so much of The False Prince If you really like this book, you have to read the False Prince.

I guess my review is more like 4.5 stars. This was a great story.

[Sarah · Rating 3 out of 5]

The Great and Terrible Quest is the exciting, engrossing, enchanting story of a quick-witted orphan who risks his life to join a mysterious, wounded knight on a quest for...something the poor knight can't quite remember...but you will!
It's exciting!

[SweetAileen · Rating 4 out of 5]

Very fun story! I mean a lot of of it is cliché medieval story tropes written for children but I guess that’s why I really liked it. Nothing refreshes the mind more than a fun children’s book. :)

[Sarah · Rating 5 out of 5]

What a fabulous surprise! I picked up this book thinking it looks promising, but hesitated to start it because it was written more recently than the binding suggests and I firmly believe that as a rule, older chapter books are better.

But I loved it SO MUCH!!! It made me think of "The Princess and the Goblin" and "The Inquisitor's Tale" and "The Horse and His Boy" and it was JUST SO GOOD!

[Lonita Shirk Miller · Rating 5 out of 5]

Captivating (and I'm not age 10-13). I would read this to my kids, but CW for the kids there is a sword fight near the end of the book.

[Stefan Hull · Rating 4 out of 5]

I picked it up and couldn’t put it down, start to finish. Determination, grit, perseverance, wit and courage drive the story and couldn’t the world use more of that these days.

[Dani · Rating 5 out of 5]

What a gem of a book! Middle Ages adventure featuring injured knights, unknown and mistaken identities, a wicked grandfather, evil rulers, and unexpected kindnesses along their quest. This was a fast read, but no less exciting for that.

[Katrin V · Rating 4 out of 5]

Probably 4th time I've read this and loved it again. It is gripping, and although there is a bright line between good and evil that might seem simplistic there is compassion for some of the awful human failings: "And those who did not help [the poor neighbors around a widow being evicted] - where should they learn to do so? The King in his palace, the lords in their castles, the priests in their churches think of nothing but themselves, help no one, teach no one. If the rich do not help from their plenty, is it wonder that the poor do not help from their scarcity? Rather is it a marvel that there are some who do." The themes do not seem so far removed from our contemporary rulers/elected officials.

[Wayne Walker · Rating 5 out of 5]

It is the late Middle Ages, and ten year old Trad, a quick-witted orphan, lives in a solitary stone hut on a desolate moor with his wicked old grandfather, who pretends to be a wizard but is actually the head of a gang of highway robbers. He also has a three-legged, half-starved dog whom he named Jokey and must keep hidden from his grandfather. One day, Trad finds a wounded, white-haired knight who is on a quest but can’t remember what he is searching for. Risking his life to care for the stranger, the boy learns that the old King is near death and his heir is missing. When he sees that his grandfather is working with one of the evil Lords Regent, who are ruling the land during the King’s illness, to find and kill the heir, Trad runs away to help the knight remember and complete his quest. Just who is this strange man? Exactly what is he supposed to do? And how can Trad assist him?

I first heard of this book back in 2006 when Home School Buzz ran a newspaper article about a twelve year old homeschooled girl in Alabama who suggested to a producer friend of her family that it would make a good movie and then went with the producer to interview the author, Margaret Lovett, in England. Kathy Davis of Home School Buzz read the book and said, “The book is superbly written, and keeps a spirit of hope and perseverance amidst the despairing situations Trad and the knightly stranger face. It has action, mystery, intrigue, riddles, and rich descriptions.” Also, it has a big surprise at the end. There are no fairy-tale magic, although there are fake magicians, and no witchcraft in the book. Also no bad language occurs. It is a beautiful and fascinating story about good and evil, loyalty, friendship, courage, and determination to do right against all odds.

There might be a few parts that could frighten younger or sensitive readers, especially the graphic description of injuries inflicted during combat. Occasionally, trying to determine who is speaking in the dialogue can be a little difficult. And some children may have a hard time following the story line. Aside from these, the only major criticism that I saw was from a reader reviewer who wrote, “I would not recommend it. I perceived an anti-Church bias throughout the book.” I disagree. As another reviewer noted, “Yes, there are bad priests in the book, but there is also the good and kind archbishop. We all know this is reality. There are good and bad people in all walks of life. And, in this particular story, it is a very dark time in the kingdom.” I very much liked the book and would highly recommend it. As far as I could find out, no film was ever made. The author died in 2006.

[Jesse Demarest · Rating 3 out of 5]

I loved this book. Although it has very simple language and descriptions (it’s written for children), it was a fun read. From the moment you meet Trad and learn about who he is and where he lives, you can’t help root for him, especially when he starts on the quest. The plot is straight forward and predictable, but it gets the job done. P.S. The ending is quite abrupt.
Don’t go into this book expecting deep characters. While most of the characters get some personality and development, it is a small book and not a lot of time is spent with each. There are three characters that get the most attention, and they do get some development throughout the story.
The biggest problem with the book is that it is so simple. We are given just enough information to further the story and to have a background for the characters, but that’s about it. So if you love easy to read stories with fun characters, then I would recommend this book.

[Tara · Rating 4 out of 5]

I picked this book up at a thrift store a while back thinking that it might turn out to be decent, but was never really motivated to read it till now because the cover seemed rather unappealing. (I know, I know--but in my defense, most paperbacks that I've come across with plain white back covers, single-sentence summaries and obscure publishers really HAVEN'T been that good. There was precedent.)

It was surprisingly good! A fast read, well-written, tense but not too tense, with lovely themes of loyalty and stalwartness and all that other good knightly stuff--there were a couple of passages that were downright heartwarming. I'd like to read some of the author's other works, if I can find any.

[Nikki · Rating 5 out of 5]

I first read this book in middle school, around 1994. I absolutely loved it! But then I forgot all about it...until a couple of years ago. I couldn't remember the title, but knew I desperately wanted to read it again. A quote from the book got caught in my head: "Silver hidden in the gold". This drove me crazy for about three months until I finally found the book online. It was as wonderful as I remembered!

If you like mystery, action, adventure, and fantasy, you will love this book. It reminds me of The Time quartet by Madeline L'Engle and The Chronicles of Narnia

[Bookwyrm13 · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is the book that started it all for me, I picked it up at the middle school library and checked it out over and over (three carrds full of my name lol)
havent read it or even found it in years saw a first print on book finder for like $250+ can still quote it though: Silver hidden in the gold , young man hidden in the old , laughing lord with tearful eyes, bring king and ring before sunrise.

[Matthew Mitchell · Rating 3 out of 5]

A fun diversionary read. My kids enjoyed it being read to them. It's a bit confusing at points but lots of action and life-lessons in honor and humility. Not a classic but worth reading with children.

[Michelle · Rating 4 out of 5]

I read this obsure oldie from the '60s in one sitting on an airplane flight. This is medieval middle-grade fiction that reminds me of Robin McKinley's fairy tale retellings or Gary D. Schmidt's novel Straw Into Gold. It's high on chivalry and will appeal to young boys (no romance and hardly any girls).

Trad is a young boy who lives with his grandfather in a country cottage. Sounds nice except his grandfather is an abusive scoundrel who perpetrates dastardly deeds on behalf of the corrupt lords of the land. One day, Trad encounters an injured knight who is on a quest—except a blow to the head caused him to lose his memory, and he can't remember what he was questing after. Trad agrees to help him, and it's all high adventure from that point on.

I wouldn't recommend this for the youngest of readers. Probably 9 or 10 and up because you'll see the bad guys engage in betrayal, thievery, violence, and abuse, but not on a graphic or grand scale.

[Ashten Swartz · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is my favorite read of the year. What a phenomenal story! I want very much to read Miss Lovett’s other stories.

[Sarah Bowling · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is just a good, clean adventure. I quite enjoyed it.

CC: child abuse/endangerment, typical medieval violence (not graphic imo), a boy dresses as a girl as a disguise

[Reader · Rating 5 out of 5]

Top 10 favorite. I can't believe I've never reviewed it before. "Read it! I know you'll love it!"

[Ránna Shirrin · Rating 5 out of 5]

Shockingly good. After this recent rereading, I now remember why this was one of my favorite books in late middle-school. It is a really solid read. Though Trad is literally a ten year old, he was such a lovable character. He was brave, quick-witted, and so, so compassionate. It warmed my heart to see how much he cared about people and animals, even complete strangers. Huon is also such a wonderful character. Though he requires a great deal of care from Trad, he cares for the boy in such a fatherly way. He reminds me of Aragorn in LotR: he is utterly noble to his core. Like Trad, he is compassionate and selfless. Marlo and Jokey are also lovable too. The ending is a tiny bit confusing, but on this last read through, I feel like I understand everything completely. It is kind of historical fiction like, but still fantasy (but without magic).

The plot moved quickly and kept me on edge, but never felt too fast. I would highly recommend for kids 9 and up. Older readers would still be enchanted too, I think.

[Sam Brown · Rating 5 out of 5]

Awesome. ima be a thesaurus rex now. incredible astounding shocking amazing etc.
I'm beyond all other words

[Ashley Chang · Rating 4 out of 5]

The Great and Terrible Quest Avyx, 1967, 187 pp., $10.99
Margaret Lovett ISBN 978-1887840828

Imagine yourself, living with an evil grandfather. One day, you find a man with white hair on a field. In this medieval world, I doubt you can call 9-1-1. You find he has a bad head wound and gives a seemingly authentic “knightly word”. When guests come to your grandfather that night, they seem to have something to do with this man. If you’re like Trad, you might set off on a journey of discovery. You become tied to this man with friendship and loyalty. However, you don’t know what the goal in this journey is, the man has forgotten.

In The Great and Terrible Quest, Lovett creates an environment where we enter the medieval world, where knights exist, but chivalry seems to be gone. For the 10 evil lord regents have seen to that. Trad discovers truths about himself that his grandfather had hid from him and about the knight, whose quest is truly great and terrible.

Lovett truly makes this story believable. This setting may not be like our life’s setting, but these characters are not just characters, they are flesh and blood humans. Lovett makes this book a puzzle; you find pieces throughout the journey and eventually piece it together. She doesn’t give away too much, just enough to make you wonder and become part of this mysterious world.

If you like fantasy books full of emotion, this is a must read for you. So go and get The Great and Terrible Quest!

—Ashley C

[Antonia Ryder · Rating 5 out of 5]

I must start this review by saying I may be terribly biased about this book. I read it years ago when I was much younger and loved it at first blush, and have read it several times a year each year since then. I cannot think of a book I love more than this one, perhaps because of its simplicity and medieval charm. Plus the fact that the plot is well put together, which is a thing I really appreciate. Everything that happens in the beginning has relevance later in the book, even the smaller details.

There are good and bad things about this book, but none of the bad made any real impact on my enjoyment of it. The largest 'bad' thing I can think of was the first thing that kept me coming back: The ending. When I was very young, I did not really comprehend it. The story ends very abruptly, and without stating anything right out. As I grew older, I realized what it meant because I identified the clues the authoress was dropping throughout the story, and finally felt the real impact of the ending line.

Another issue it has is more because of the time it was first written. The sentences are very long and punctuated with lots of commas, plus the phrasing can sometimes be more 'tell' than 'show'. I've noticed this in several books published around the same time. Again, I never really got lost in any of the lengthy sentences, so it's more of an observation than an outright 'dislike'.

I will likely keep reading this book in the future, though I wish I had a hardcover version to better endure the years.

[Heather · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is another book I read to my son for his Literature and Composition class in homeschool co-op. I enjoyed the story,though the relationship between the 2 main characters was not really clear nor was it clear who some of the people were who were not in the story but were mentioned often throughout the story. By this I mean,Trad parents(who exactly were they),The Laughing Lord( I think I understood his relationship by the end but not sure)Grandfather(how did he come to have Trad,whose father was he if he really was Trad's grandfather)? A lot more historical explanation would have been great as well. However,I really enjoyed this story. It had enough action without being excessively violent and suspense as well. We did not find out all about the characters as the beginning,but bit by bit throughout the story. I wish,also,that there had been more explanation about the Wise Woman in the Woods and the men who brought things to her and were in hiding for some reason. The book also ended very abruptly and again with no final explanation about relationships,what circumstances had brought about the Great and Terrible Quest,etc. Overall,this story taught the value of friendship,courage,doing the right thing,and doing what must be done no matter what. I found the book enjoyable and,I believe,my son did as well thought he said there was not enough action(as in explosions and such). LOL!

[Sharla · Rating 5 out of 5]

An orphan boy lives with his abusive grandfather. One day he finds a stranger badly injured and decides to help him. The stranger is searching for something important but he cannot remember what. The boy and the old man set off on a desperate quest to recover what the stranger lost, and remember it's purpose before the political forces that rule the kingdom crush their last hope of freedom.
I read this book when I was about 13 although it took me a while to read because the cover made it look rater boring. My sister recommended it to me and I grudgingly started to read it. It captured my attention from the very beginning and easily became one of my favorite books of all time. I love this book so much and highly recommend it.
I loved the mystery, adventure, and suspense throughout the whole book. It's a perfect book for kids 8-14 years I'd say.

Readers who like this would probably like The Prydain Chronicles.

Also, I review lots of fantasy and historical fiction at my blog the honestavocado.wordpress.com. Follow me to find your next great read (or avoid a bad one).

[Bianca · Rating 4 out of 5]

I used to think I needed a story to have all those teenage romantic underlacings - as if sexual energy were the only drive for a person to do anything, but this story skips that and still manages to be worthwhile. It's a lot more subtle that I'm used to, and much more innocent. The story brings up acts of kindness and charity, but without being insufferable, like most stories that bring up such things.

To give a quote from the book, "He had kept himself from sinking into despair in his life with Grandfather by believing that only Grandfather and his friends were wicked, cruel and greedy... he had pictured a world outside where, no matter what poverty or grief there might be, people were kind and gentle and ready to help each other... and it was not the fate of the woman, not even the behavior of the farmer and the priest, but the closed mean faces of the others as they hurried by which had shattered the picture he had clung to."

I think my favorite character, by the end, turned out to be Tawny, although he is not one of the main cast.

All in all, quite an adventure, wonderful characters, wonderfully simple writing - A book that you can really fall into.

[Emily · Rating 4 out of 5]

This engrossing book is kind of a old book set in the late middle ages. It is about an orphan named Trad who is being "taken care of" by his cruel grandfather. He has pretended to be a half-wit his whole life.
One day, while his grandfather was gone he decided to try and hunt a rabbit, with a bow and arrow, because he was tired of his molded cheese and stale bread he was given. He almost put an arrow through a man lying in the grass because of his white hair. He tried to help him, but the man had an awful wound and Trad set out to find an actual rabbit. He shot one, and ran back to the house. But when Grandfather returned he had visitors and so he had to pretend to be a half-wit in front of the band of thieves. The next morning Grandfather left. Forever. Trad fled from the house and watched the thieves ransack the house. He decided to run away from his grandfather with the man and so begins the Great and Terrible Quest.

[Lynn · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is one of the best books I've read in a very long time. Although it was written for boys about 12 years old, I think it can be read and appreciated by younger but strong readers...10 and up...Girls,teens and adults will enjoy it, as well.

Young Trad, orphaned when he was only 4 years old by the plague, is being raised by his grandfather, who is cruel and unscrupulous. One day, as Trad is out hunting, he finds a severely injured man. Fearing what his grandfather might do if he man is found, he hides him, then helps him escape when it is clear that the man needs his help. The man appears to have been a knight, whose motto is "what must be done, can be done." Despite his severe injury, this man is bent on completing his quest, if only he can remember what it is.

Full of adventure, mystery, danger...very exciting, very well written...a definite read again.