The Bard and the Beast

The Kingdom of Wrenly #9

by Jordan Quinn, Robert McPhillips (Illustrations)

Prince Lucas discovers that sometimes music is the only way to defeat a savage beast in this newest adventure from the fantastical Kingdom of Wrenly series.

Prince Lucas does not want to learn to play the lute. He would much rather be outside exploring with his best friend Clara. When a traveling bard pays a visit to the castle, he tries to convince the young prince that there is magic in music, but Lucas isn’t falling for it. And when the two go for a walk in the hills and stumble upon a ferocious monster, Lucas learns that the bard might just be telling the truth after all.

With easy-to-read language and illustrations on almost every page, The Kingdom of Wrenly chapter books are perfect for beginning readers.

Genres: Fantasy, Chapter Books, Middle Grade, Fiction, Childrens, Audiobook, Dragons

128 pages, Paperback

First published November 24, 2015

About the author

Librarian Note: There is more than one author by this name in the Goodreads data base.

Reviews

[Meg Mueller · Rating 4 out of 5]

The character of the Bard that we met in this one was great and really helped pull the Prince out of his shell and teach him something valuable when it came to music.

Also, being that my only exposure to a basilisk was from Harry Potter, I learned something new in this one as that is NOT what a mythological basilisk is and if you want to know what one ACTUALLY looks like, read this book or go do a quick Google search---this one is definitely more terrifying than just a BIG snake.

This was one of our favorite books of the series so far. My daughter even read the last 3 chapters out loud to me because she was enjoying it so much!

[Andrew J · Rating 4 out of 5]

This has been an interest series to say the least, and it's the one of only 2 series of more than 10 books that I've actually kept reading. Clara, Prince Lucas's best friend and the child of Queen Tasha's servant, has a small role in this one. King Caleb and his wife have decided that that part of their son's royal schooling will include music. Lucas has to choose an instrument even though he really isn't very keen on it. He's much more interested in the newest visitor to Wrenly: Will, the bard (Until reading this and looking it up afterward, I didn't know that a bard could be more than a poet) who plays the pipe. I'm not exactly sure if Lucas's interest in the bard is necessarily a hint that he's interested in boys. It probably isn't, but it could be, is what I'm saying. It doesn't matter either way. Anyway, this bard is more than just a musician. He uses his music to make animals happy, put them in a trance, or put them to sleep. Apparently, the creature on the cover is a basilisk. I didn't know till looking it up that a basilisk is not always a snake. This sequel is actually really good. It gets four stars from me.
P.S., the bard is hot.

[Angie · Rating 5 out of 5]

James: I liked how they were picking berries at Primlox and found a feather and it was bigger than Lucas's forearm. They heard some music and followed it and found a bard (he travels the world looking for animals to tame with music). The bard stayed at the castle and he got to be Lucas's music teacher for one day. Then Lucas showed the bard around the kingdom. They found a cave and were going to go in, but they heard screeching. It was a basilisk, so they had to close their eyes so it wouldn't kill them. And I liked how the bard told them stories.

Abbie: I liked how Lucas did't like music at all but then he LOVED it by the end.I liked that his friend William (Will) taught him a music lesson, but first it was a different teacher and Lucas definitely loved Will better.

[Angie · Rating 4 out of 5]

My Review: I have been enjoying this series and the way it relates to the target audience, this book in particular. Lucas is struggling with the point of music lessons, something probably several young readers can relate to, being forced to take lessons or participate in something they have little interest in or see the point of. The story does progress and gives Lucas a reason to practice his music and a good role model to follow, though it isn't what can be applied to real life but it is still something young readers will enjoy.

[Amanda Lechel · Rating 5 out of 5]

Read aloud to R & J. I really enjoyed this book and it is one of my favorites of the series. It was interesting that the Basilisk was different than the basilisk in the HP series - book 2. I loved the message the music is powerful and can save lives!

Robert: My favorite part was when the basilisk came because it looked really funny.

Joseph: I liked that it was about the Prince and the Bard & they found the beast!

[Alex · Rating 3 out of 5]

I did not like this book because I did not like the part when I learned that a basilisk can kill you if you look into its eyes. I enjoyed this book because I liked the part when Lucas and Will made the basilisk fall asleep with music.

[brooke · Rating 4 out of 5]

The detail and plot in this book was amazing and adventurous. I had an awesome time reading this book!

[Andrea Wright · Rating 4 out of 5]

This one had a lovely life lesson on the importance of music in your life.

[DeNae · Rating 2 out of 5]

If you call it the bard and the beast, I expect more about the taming of the beast.

[Elena Gussman · Rating 5 out of 5]

Who new music could be life saving! I do want to know more about the basilisk.

[Shannon Delany · Rating 5 out of 5]

So cute! I'd say 4.5 stars. A nice lesson about the value of the arts is given through an adventurous story starring Prince Lucas, Clara, and a new friend.

[Harper · Rating 5 out of 5]

Amazing, if your not into fantasy then it's not for you

[Ferren · Rating 5 out of 5]

My 8 year old says she gives this 5 stars because the beast was really cool and she loved the bard and hopes to be able to play a ton of instruments and travel like he does when she grows up.

[Zazie · Rating 3 out of 5]

This is a cute series, but this book was not. my favorite. I'm gonna try to read as many of these as I can, though. I already gave my niece the first 8 books and she started reading the first story.

[Alex · Rating 4 out of 5]

Loved this one!

[Maximilian Lee · Rating 4 out of 5]

I liked this book because I like big hairy monsters. I also liked this book because I like little red dragons.

[Sharlee · Rating 5 out of 5]

My 3 & 4 year old’s favorite so far!

[jacky · Rating 3 out of 5]

The whole family had major trouble with a basilisk is being a giant rooster. We've read and seen Chamber of Secrets.

[AMY · Rating 4 out of 5]

Fiction; 117 pgs; Prince Lucas has to take unbearable music lessons. Later while picking berries he and Clara meet a wanderer named Will. He is a bard and visits Prince Lucas' castle. Later their adventures carry them to an area where they meet a basilisk. Will is able to lull it with his music before it can attack the group. Great story. Gr. 3-4; recommended.

[Krista · Rating 3 out of 5]

Simon loves this series and was so glad there was a new book out. I would have liked a bit more of Clara in this one.

[Anna]

The discussion about mother birds singing to their eggs was wonderful and goes along with current research findings!