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Pendragon Rising: The Heir of the Lance
Camelot was once Arthur’s kingdom— Now it bends beneath the reign of King Mordred Lot... The only memory of Arthur is a lance, lodged in stone, unmoved.
Arion, a simple squire hoping only to earn a place among Camelot’s knights, never expected to touch it. He definitely never expected to pull it free. When Ron—the legendary Lance of King Arthur—awakens in his hands, the sky cracks with lightning and King Mordred declares him a traitor. Overnight, Arion becomes Camelot’s most hunted.
Now on the run with two friends and a monk, who knows more than he says, Arion must uncover the truth about the lance, the old legends, and the power awakening inside him. Because if the lance chose him… then it threatens the reign of the King and all that he's built.
A forgotten relic.
A kingdom on edge.
A boy who wasn’t supposed to matter… until he did.The Heir of the Lance is a fast-paced Arthurian fantasy filled
Knightly trials and brutal combat
Ancient magic tied to blood and legacy
Loyal companions and uneasy alliances
A kingdom built on stolen power
A legendary relic that chooses its bearer
Perfect for fans of Percy Jackson, Ranger’s Apprentice, and Arthurian retellings with a fresh twist, The Heir of the Lance launches the Pendragon Rising series—where destiny is forged not by crowns… but by courage.
Arion, a simple squire hoping only to earn a place among Camelot’s knights, never expected to touch it. He definitely never expected to pull it free. When Ron—the legendary Lance of King Arthur—awakens in his hands, the sky cracks with lightning and King Mordred declares him a traitor. Overnight, Arion becomes Camelot’s most hunted.
Now on the run with two friends and a monk, who knows more than he says, Arion must uncover the truth about the lance, the old legends, and the power awakening inside him. Because if the lance chose him… then it threatens the reign of the King and all that he's built.
A forgotten relic.
A kingdom on edge.
A boy who wasn’t supposed to matter… until he did.The Heir of the Lance is a fast-paced Arthurian fantasy filled
Knightly trials and brutal combat
Ancient magic tied to blood and legacy
Loyal companions and uneasy alliances
A kingdom built on stolen power
A legendary relic that chooses its bearer
Perfect for fans of Percy Jackson, Ranger’s Apprentice, and Arthurian retellings with a fresh twist, The Heir of the Lance launches the Pendragon Rising series—where destiny is forged not by crowns… but by courage.
131 pages, Kindle Edition
Published December 13, 2025
7 people want to read
About the author
J.A. Graham
1 book3 followersJ.A. Graham is the author of Pendragon Rising: The Heir of the Lance, a young adult fantasy series inspired by Arthurian legend, loyalty, and the idea that legacy is forged—not inherited.
When he isn’t writing, J.A. Graham works in education and coaching, where storytelling, leadership, and resilience are part of everyday life. His writing blends myth, character-driven action, and coming-of-age themes, with a focus on found family, sacrifice, and choosing who you become when the world demands more than you expected.
He lives with his wife and children, whose encouragement and imagination fuel every story he tells.
The Pendragon Rising saga continues.
When he isn’t writing, J.A. Graham works in education and coaching, where storytelling, leadership, and resilience are part of everyday life. His writing blends myth, character-driven action, and coming-of-age themes, with a focus on found family, sacrifice, and choosing who you become when the world demands more than you expected.
He lives with his wife and children, whose encouragement and imagination fuel every story he tells.
The Pendragon Rising saga continues.
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Displaying 1 - 16 of 16 reviews
January 20, 2026
As a lifelong Arthurian legend fan, Pendragon Rising: The Heir of the Lance by J.A. Graham absolutely blew me away! This book takes everything I love about the old tales;the honor, the prophecy, the magic, and gives it a fresh, fast-paced modern energy. I was hooked from the very first chapter and ended up reading the entire thing in one afternoon.Graham has crafted a gripping continuation of the Arthurian world, blending familiar myth with bold new twists that make the story feel both epic and personal. The pacing is sharp, the characters feel alive, and the stakes couldn’t be higher. It’s a perfect balance of action, heart, and legend.This is an incredible start to what I’m sure will be a phenomenal series, I genuinely can’t wait to see where the story goes after that final page!
January 22, 2026
Thoughts:
I just loved this sm, I couldn't stop reading it and got disappointed when it was already finished bc I just wanted MORE. This is the kind of book I've been looking for since I was younger but just couldn't find. Honestly, what I also loved is that this book is so straight to the point, a lot of fantasy books I read nowadays add so much information I can't even keep up, but this is so digestible that I didn't mind it at all. So yes, highly recommend and I hope to come back for the second book!
I just loved this sm, I couldn't stop reading it and got disappointed when it was already finished bc I just wanted MORE. This is the kind of book I've been looking for since I was younger but just couldn't find. Honestly, what I also loved is that this book is so straight to the point, a lot of fantasy books I read nowadays add so much information I can't even keep up, but this is so digestible that I didn't mind it at all. So yes, highly recommend and I hope to come back for the second book!
February 4, 2026
4.25 stars
If you enjoyed The Sword and The Stone, knights, and the kingdom of Camelot, you will absolutely love this super fast paced, engaging, and fun story.
It has fighting but the language is appropriate for the age range listed on Amazon. Id recommend this to any kid who likes fantasy! Takes me back to Wart and Merlin.
If you enjoyed The Sword and The Stone, knights, and the kingdom of Camelot, you will absolutely love this super fast paced, engaging, and fun story.
It has fighting but the language is appropriate for the age range listed on Amazon. Id recommend this to any kid who likes fantasy! Takes me back to Wart and Merlin.
February 4, 2026
This was a quick easy story for adults or kids that love history. If you loved King Arthur and the knights of the round table, or the stone and the sword. You’ll love this quick easy book. This was a fast action packed historical fantasy that would be perfect for the history lover in your life. It’s best rated for ages 7- adulthood.
January 23, 2026
I absolutely love the characters! The plot twists and the ending was absolutely perfect! A quick read that also allows you to think for a moment and ponder on each chapter. Absolutely loved this book! Can’t wait for book 2!!!
January 16, 2026
This book is a perfect introduction to the young adult fantasy genre. An easy read that kept my interest from start to finish and left me waiting for what comes next! I am someone who is not really all that familiar with King Arthur lore, but that didn’t hinder my reading experience at all. Likable characters and a fast paced storyline with a couple twists makes this a great read in between your next series. Highly recommend for anyone but especially younger readers who are trying to up their book count or explore a new genre.
January 18, 2026
What a fun, fast paced read! Even if you had no knowlege of the story of King Arthur this would be easy to follow. The story has so much action and many nostalgic nods to the original. I read it in one sitting and can't wait to see where Arion's story takes him.
January 13, 2026
This book is the perfect way to introduce your kids to the world of King Arthur. It’s a fun story that picks up where a familiar story leaves. There’s action and enough of it to keep you Intrigued. I couldn’t put it down.
January 26, 2026
I wish I could give this 3.5 stars instead of 3.......
The story begins with a high-stakes, cinematic prologue featuring King Arthur’s final battle against Mordred. This hook effectively establishes the conflict and the legend of the teal lance, Ron, before transitioning to Arion’s quieter life years later.
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I enjoyed the fact that this was a shorter read—it makes for a quick, action-packed afternoon—but that brevity was also my main issue with the story. Because the book is so lean, the plot escalates almost immediately. We go from Arion being a humble squire in a small fishing village to facing off against King Mordred at a tournament in Camelot very quickly. I felt like there wasn’t enough buildup to the higher stakes, and I would have loved more time to sit with the characters before they were thrown into a life-or-death flight from the capital.
My biggest gripe, however, was the predictability. By Chapter 2, it was already very obvious exactly where the story was headed. Between the "hidden heir" setup and the way the prologue established the legend of the lance, Ron, the "shocks" later in the book didn't land with the impact they should have because I had seen them coming from a mile away
That said, there is a lot to like here. The action scenes are very well-written—the tournament melee and the battle against the Barghest on the mountain were definite highlights. I also really enjoyed Van; his wild, unpredictable purple magic added a fun element of chaos to the group dynamic.
The book ends on a massive cliffhanger that successfully sets up the next installment. If you’re looking for a quick, classic "chosen one" fantasy with some cool magical twists on Knights of the Round Table, this is worth a look—just don't expect to be surprised by the plot twists.
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This book is ideal for fans of Arthurian retellings and YA Epic Fantasy. Readers who enjoy "hidden heir" tropes mixed with magical tournament settings (like The Selection meets Excalibur) will find it compelling.
The story begins with a high-stakes, cinematic prologue featuring King Arthur’s final battle against Mordred. This hook effectively establishes the conflict and the legend of the teal lance, Ron, before transitioning to Arion’s quieter life years later.
---------------------------------------
I enjoyed the fact that this was a shorter read—it makes for a quick, action-packed afternoon—but that brevity was also my main issue with the story. Because the book is so lean, the plot escalates almost immediately. We go from Arion being a humble squire in a small fishing village to facing off against King Mordred at a tournament in Camelot very quickly. I felt like there wasn’t enough buildup to the higher stakes, and I would have loved more time to sit with the characters before they were thrown into a life-or-death flight from the capital.
My biggest gripe, however, was the predictability. By Chapter 2, it was already very obvious exactly where the story was headed. Between the "hidden heir" setup and the way the prologue established the legend of the lance, Ron, the "shocks" later in the book didn't land with the impact they should have because I had seen them coming from a mile away
That said, there is a lot to like here. The action scenes are very well-written—the tournament melee and the battle against the Barghest on the mountain were definite highlights. I also really enjoyed Van; his wild, unpredictable purple magic added a fun element of chaos to the group dynamic.
The book ends on a massive cliffhanger that successfully sets up the next installment. If you’re looking for a quick, classic "chosen one" fantasy with some cool magical twists on Knights of the Round Table, this is worth a look—just don't expect to be surprised by the plot twists.
------------------------------------
This book is ideal for fans of Arthurian retellings and YA Epic Fantasy. Readers who enjoy "hidden heir" tropes mixed with magical tournament settings (like The Selection meets Excalibur) will find it compelling.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
January 23, 2026
Arthurian Fantasy is tricky because the story has been told so many times before. But I was happily surprised.
It has all the things you would suspect in a YA Arthurian Fantasie: Sir Lancelot, King Arthur, Excalibur, the knights of the round table. But this story is about what happens after the fall of King Arthur. The book grips you right away in the epilogue with King Arthur heading into battle. We then skip a few years and get to read about Arion who is competing in a tournament to become a knight for king Mordred, a brutal ruler that just want power and glory. The tournament itself is very fast paced, clean and easy to follow. To top it off, it has female knights, which I loved. After the tournament, a lost heir is found, people presumed dead re-surface and together they have to run for their lives.
This book kept me up reading way too long. I thought I knew what was going to happen a couple of times, like a certain monk being a father, but I was wrong most of the time. It had some nice turns and twist. One of those being: Van. At first It felt like a bit of a side-jump. Introducing a new character, one that has magic. But he ended up being my favorite character and if I could, I would have kept him!
It's very fast paced, funny (especially Van), well written and refreshing. It does leave you with some questions and of course, seeing as it’s the first book out of a series, it also leaves you with some cliffhangers. I do think it’s for the younger side of YA, but I’m an adult and I also loved it. I honestly can’t wait to see what happens in the next books with the runes, Arion, Shyla and of course, Van.
It has all the things you would suspect in a YA Arthurian Fantasie: Sir Lancelot, King Arthur, Excalibur, the knights of the round table. But this story is about what happens after the fall of King Arthur. The book grips you right away in the epilogue with King Arthur heading into battle. We then skip a few years and get to read about Arion who is competing in a tournament to become a knight for king Mordred, a brutal ruler that just want power and glory. The tournament itself is very fast paced, clean and easy to follow. To top it off, it has female knights, which I loved. After the tournament, a lost heir is found, people presumed dead re-surface and together they have to run for their lives.
This book kept me up reading way too long. I thought I knew what was going to happen a couple of times, like a certain monk being a father, but I was wrong most of the time. It had some nice turns and twist. One of those being: Van. At first It felt like a bit of a side-jump. Introducing a new character, one that has magic. But he ended up being my favorite character and if I could, I would have kept him!
It's very fast paced, funny (especially Van), well written and refreshing. It does leave you with some questions and of course, seeing as it’s the first book out of a series, it also leaves you with some cliffhangers. I do think it’s for the younger side of YA, but I’m an adult and I also loved it. I honestly can’t wait to see what happens in the next books with the runes, Arion, Shyla and of course, Van.
January 28, 2026
Thanks to the author for providing me with an ARC of this book.
This is a brief read that progresses well.
The prologue shows us the death of King Arthur where he drives the legendary lance ‘Ron’ into the ground. Ron is a magical, electrical lance that only the true heir of Camelot can wield. (Why it’s called ‘Ron’, I’m not entirely sure; perhaps it’s a piece of Arthurian lore I’ve missed.)
This book was a decent start to what is going to be a series; the prose is flowing and engaging, despite the rather obvious formatting mishaps and occasional language errors. A new paragraph doesn’t always denote a new speaker, which would be confusing in a book with more characters.
Lancelot features in this book, so it held my interest.
My only gripe is that we’re told Mordred’s rule (he took over after killing Arthur) is terrible, yet his kingdom seems pretty fair: any pauper can throw in their lot to become a knight in his army, even women, making Mordred’s kingdom more liberal than most other Arthurian societies that have been depicted. We’re told things are awful, but besides being shown a few starving people in the poor part of town, don’t really feel it in the book’s world-building.
Arion is a decent character and we have his deadly-with-a-bow-and-arrow insta-love interest Shyla, as well as a magical sidekick for some comic relief. The book covers a short period and has plenty of action with a lot of (perhaps too many) fight scenes.
A quick and easy read for those who like books about what happens after the fall of Camelot.
This is a brief read that progresses well.
The prologue shows us the death of King Arthur where he drives the legendary lance ‘Ron’ into the ground. Ron is a magical, electrical lance that only the true heir of Camelot can wield. (Why it’s called ‘Ron’, I’m not entirely sure; perhaps it’s a piece of Arthurian lore I’ve missed.)
This book was a decent start to what is going to be a series; the prose is flowing and engaging, despite the rather obvious formatting mishaps and occasional language errors. A new paragraph doesn’t always denote a new speaker, which would be confusing in a book with more characters.
Lancelot features in this book, so it held my interest.
My only gripe is that we’re told Mordred’s rule (he took over after killing Arthur) is terrible, yet his kingdom seems pretty fair: any pauper can throw in their lot to become a knight in his army, even women, making Mordred’s kingdom more liberal than most other Arthurian societies that have been depicted. We’re told things are awful, but besides being shown a few starving people in the poor part of town, don’t really feel it in the book’s world-building.
Arion is a decent character and we have his deadly-with-a-bow-and-arrow insta-love interest Shyla, as well as a magical sidekick for some comic relief. The book covers a short period and has plenty of action with a lot of (perhaps too many) fight scenes.
A quick and easy read for those who like books about what happens after the fall of Camelot.
January 28, 2026
Pendragon Rising: The Heir of the Lance is a fast-paced and engaging YA Arthurian fantasy that explores Camelot after the fall of King Arthur, when Mordred rules and hope feels all but lost. The premise immediately draws you in, especially the idea of a young squire unexpectedly pulling Arthur’s legendary lance from the stone and becoming Camelot’s most wanted.
One of the strongest aspects of this book is its pacing. At just over 130 pages, the story moves quickly while still giving enough room to establish the world, the stakes, and the larger series arc. The tournament scenes stand out in particular well-written, easy to follow, and used effectively to show the contrast between honor and cruelty under Mordred’s rule.
Arion is a likable and sympathetic protagonist. His quiet strength, sense of justice, and uncertainty about his destiny make him easy to root for, and the hints surrounding his past and future add intrigue without giving everything away too soon. The writing style is clear and accessible, making it a smooth and enjoyable read for YA fantasy fans.
Overall, this is a solid and promising first installment that blends classic Arthurian legend with a fresh perspective. It sets the foundation for a larger story and leaves you curious about what comes next. I’m definitely interested in continuing the series and seeing how Arion’s journey unfolds.
One of the strongest aspects of this book is its pacing. At just over 130 pages, the story moves quickly while still giving enough room to establish the world, the stakes, and the larger series arc. The tournament scenes stand out in particular well-written, easy to follow, and used effectively to show the contrast between honor and cruelty under Mordred’s rule.
Arion is a likable and sympathetic protagonist. His quiet strength, sense of justice, and uncertainty about his destiny make him easy to root for, and the hints surrounding his past and future add intrigue without giving everything away too soon. The writing style is clear and accessible, making it a smooth and enjoyable read for YA fantasy fans.
Overall, this is a solid and promising first installment that blends classic Arthurian legend with a fresh perspective. It sets the foundation for a larger story and leaves you curious about what comes next. I’m definitely interested in continuing the series and seeing how Arion’s journey unfolds.
February 3, 2026
I think I may be a little too old for this book, but it’s definitely something I would have loved when I was younger. This Arthurian retelling follows the secret son of King Arthur as he discovers his true identity—and the danger it puts him in with his uncle, Mordred.
The novel hooks you immediately with an action-packed prologue, and that fast pace continues throughout, supported by entertaining and gripping plot twists. The main characters were enjoyable and likeable, though they occasionally felt a bit flat. My favourite was Van; his uncontrollable fire magic makes him stand out, and he serves as excellent comic relief—especially after moments where characters might have died (though I never believe a death until I see a body).
While the book does explore some darker plot points, they’re handled in a way that keeps the story appropriate for younger readers. Overall, this was a strong debut novel and a great introduction to Graham’s world and overarching plot. I’m definitely interested in seeing where this series goes next.
The novel hooks you immediately with an action-packed prologue, and that fast pace continues throughout, supported by entertaining and gripping plot twists. The main characters were enjoyable and likeable, though they occasionally felt a bit flat. My favourite was Van; his uncontrollable fire magic makes him stand out, and he serves as excellent comic relief—especially after moments where characters might have died (though I never believe a death until I see a body).
While the book does explore some darker plot points, they’re handled in a way that keeps the story appropriate for younger readers. Overall, this was a strong debut novel and a great introduction to Graham’s world and overarching plot. I’m definitely interested in seeing where this series goes next.
January 23, 2026
I am a real sucker for anything that is about Arthurian legends so I had extrememly high expectations going into this book... and I'm glad to say that this gem did not disappoint!
Right off the bat, the prologue was engaging and really set the scene - it set up Mordred's character well. The world building in this book was great and drew vivid comparisons between life under Arthur the current world under Mordred. The fight/action scenes are fast-paced and enjoyable and there were a couple of moments I was genuinely on the edge of my seat.
The cast of characters was good and we had a mix of old characters of legend and newer characters who had a fresh take on the story.
Overall this is a fresh take on a much loved legend!
Right off the bat, the prologue was engaging and really set the scene - it set up Mordred's character well. The world building in this book was great and drew vivid comparisons between life under Arthur the current world under Mordred. The fight/action scenes are fast-paced and enjoyable and there were a couple of moments I was genuinely on the edge of my seat.
The cast of characters was good and we had a mix of old characters of legend and newer characters who had a fresh take on the story.
Overall this is a fresh take on a much loved legend!
January 19, 2026
This is a tale of what happens after King Arthur dies. We have found family and the forging of bonds through battle. This is such a great story for starting readers. You have the start of a love story and destiny. This draws you in and doesn't let you go. The way this story ends makes you wish you had the next one and makes you jaw drop. This is such a quick and great story. The detail that was put into this makes it jump out of the page. It is fast paced and keeps you in it.
January 24, 2026
This was giving to me as an ARC here is my voluntarily and honest review.
This book is right to the point from the beginning I like that . I really enjoyed the book is short , straightforward and easy to understand. Arion’s journey from humble squire to potential heir of Camelot is gripping and emotional, and the worldbuilding adds a darker, political twist to classic legend. I can’t wait to read book 2 .
This book is right to the point from the beginning I like that . I really enjoyed the book is short , straightforward and easy to understand. Arion’s journey from humble squire to potential heir of Camelot is gripping and emotional, and the worldbuilding adds a darker, political twist to classic legend. I can’t wait to read book 2 .
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