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Mmm. Shoot an apple off his friend’s head or lose his food, horse and clothes? Some decisions require little thought.
Archer is the sort of boy things happen to. Orphaned as a baby, his gifts make him different to other kids. He doesn't understand why he's so much stronger and faster than other boys; why a sword feels so right in his hand; or how every arrow he looses at a target will hit the centre, even if his eyes are closed.
At the Beltane ritual, he must fight his friends to see who is most worthy. But his real battle is with an enemy whose callous disrespect for the natural order brings dangerous consequences.
This swashbuckling romantic fantasy will appeal to fans of action-adventure, jousting and magical realism.
Archer is the sort of boy things happen to. Orphaned as a baby, his gifts make him different to other kids. He doesn't understand why he's so much stronger and faster than other boys; why a sword feels so right in his hand; or how every arrow he looses at a target will hit the centre, even if his eyes are closed.
At the Beltane ritual, he must fight his friends to see who is most worthy. But his real battle is with an enemy whose callous disrespect for the natural order brings dangerous consequences.
This swashbuckling romantic fantasy will appeal to fans of action-adventure, jousting and magical realism.
207 pages, Kindle Edition
First published July 28, 2010
105 people are currently reading
361 people want to read
About the author
Jacky Gray
38 books27 followersAs so often happens with these things, Archer was born while I was in the middle of writing another book. Events were conspiring to ensure I wrote this story, beginning with a trip to Warwick Castle where I stood enthralled with my friend and our kids while the Warwick Bowman talked us through the history of the long bow. He treated us to the ultimate demonstration, firing 100 arrows in rapid succession through a loop of rope, approximately the size of a human head. The warrior within me awoke - I was hooked.
I had recently read the first two books in Bernard Cornwell’s excellent Grail Quest series – these obviously made a big impact. I started writing it in march 2009; 18 days and 56,000 words later, Archer’s tale was told. After a year spent mostly in Wessex, the next four books were drafted and I was ready to go back and start editing the first two books.
I am currently writing the 6th book in the series and wondering if this will be the last.
I had recently read the first two books in Bernard Cornwell’s excellent Grail Quest series – these obviously made a big impact. I started writing it in march 2009; 18 days and 56,000 words later, Archer’s tale was told. After a year spent mostly in Wessex, the next four books were drafted and I was ready to go back and start editing the first two books.
I am currently writing the 6th book in the series and wondering if this will be the last.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 33 reviews
February 14, 2013
Archer is the first of six related books set in an alternate England, which though modern day is distinctly Medieval. Sixteen-year-old Archer is preparing to graduate and must compete against his classmates for the title of May King. He excels at archery but is no slouch at jousting or swordfighting either. He's also modest and popular, and most of the girls--and boys--in his class want a piece of him.
Much of Archer's story is told in a series a flashbacks he has while at this Mayday festival and graduation competition. My favorite scene is when he and two friends travel to Oxford alone to see a Bowman and after taking a wrong turn, end up having a showdown with a band of Renegates (like gypsies). Archer, who can shoot an arrow with alarming skill (even with his eyes closed), pulls a William Tell stunt and not only gains their freedom, but earns some new admirers as well.
Although targeting a teen boy audience, this story felt just right for me too, and would be right up the alley for many adults who read classics. This is a well-researched slice of Medieval life and even includes a glossary! I encourage anyone with teens who are interested in Medieval times and legends to pass this on to them. It is a very good coming-of-age story which shows young people making decisions that will define them and shape them into persons of character. The detail regarding archery is impressive, so if you have a Hunger Games fan in the house, this book can--using a fun story--enhance their knowledge of the lost art of bowmaking and {gasp!} shooting without using a sight.
Much of Archer's story is told in a series a flashbacks he has while at this Mayday festival and graduation competition. My favorite scene is when he and two friends travel to Oxford alone to see a Bowman and after taking a wrong turn, end up having a showdown with a band of Renegates (like gypsies). Archer, who can shoot an arrow with alarming skill (even with his eyes closed), pulls a William Tell stunt and not only gains their freedom, but earns some new admirers as well.
Although targeting a teen boy audience, this story felt just right for me too, and would be right up the alley for many adults who read classics. This is a well-researched slice of Medieval life and even includes a glossary! I encourage anyone with teens who are interested in Medieval times and legends to pass this on to them. It is a very good coming-of-age story which shows young people making decisions that will define them and shape them into persons of character. The detail regarding archery is impressive, so if you have a Hunger Games fan in the house, this book can--using a fun story--enhance their knowledge of the lost art of bowmaking and {gasp!} shooting without using a sight.
March 14, 2019
I'm really surprised by all the great ratings. 2 from me.
Developed a great environment to host a story, but the plot itself was really weak, characters underdeveloped, and was just anticlimactic.
The plot points are there and should make for a good story, but the way it was presented made everything mundane. I was over halfway through the story and I couldn't figure out where the story was going.
Developed a great environment to host a story, but the plot itself was really weak, characters underdeveloped, and was just anticlimactic.
The plot points are there and should make for a good story, but the way it was presented made everything mundane. I was over halfway through the story and I couldn't figure out where the story was going.
April 11, 2013
Title: Archer
Subtitle: Hengist: People of The Book
Author: Jacky Gray
ISBN: 978-1446150191
Archer is an orphan teen with special gifts. He is stronger and faster than other boys his age, and a champ at sword fights and shooting arrows. His personality and abilities win him female interest, but also jealousy from an ardent competitor who, for years, tries his best to give Archer a hard time.
Archer is the first book of the refreshing YA adventure novels Hengist: People of The Horse. Set in a new parallel world which is a mixture of the Middle Ages and modern England, these chronicles follow the lives of Archer and his friends as they go to compete in jousting and shooting arrows like medieval knights at Beltane, the Festival of the May, in well-executed exhilarating action-packed and fun-packed scenes.
This series comes from an author who has spent three decades writing software and teaching maths at high school, and it looks like these experiences have greatly shaped her habits, including in writing. Her flow of thoughts is systematic, the settings and the characters are well detailed, and her presentation of the story is very clear. You get immersed in the engaging storyline instead of trying to figure out what she's trying to say. There isn't a single confusing moment, even as she teaches us new vocabulary, fascinating historical details, and the intricate arts and fun of jousting and archery that make you see these characters and events.
ARCHER is a well-researched book that will entertain its teen target while showing them an example of honorable attitude.
February 19, 2014
An amazing great Medieval Read for YA Boys and Girls
Archer is set in England during the Medieval times. Sixteen-year-old Archer is due to graduate competing against his classmates for the title of May King. He is a great archer popular with the girls the boys in his class envy him for that reason. He is the venter of attraction. When he and his two friends go to Oxford come across Renegates where Archer is a hero and is admired by all. It is set in the Medieval era a great coming of age read for youth/teens - boys and girls. A very impressive book with great description and knowledge especially on archery. An amazing character building example for the youth of today. It is true life experiences in teen lives. It is a typical book aimed at middle school and high school students. This is all the more reason it is recommended. The author has a great writing talents, she has taken a great deal of time to detail and research her work. I fully recommend it to the teens to read. This book could be considered a great read in a school literature curriculum. Great choice of cover. I fully recommend this book for YA, librarians, teachers and parents.
Anna O
Archer is set in England during the Medieval times. Sixteen-year-old Archer is due to graduate competing against his classmates for the title of May King. He is a great archer popular with the girls the boys in his class envy him for that reason. He is the venter of attraction. When he and his two friends go to Oxford come across Renegates where Archer is a hero and is admired by all. It is set in the Medieval era a great coming of age read for youth/teens - boys and girls. A very impressive book with great description and knowledge especially on archery. An amazing character building example for the youth of today. It is true life experiences in teen lives. It is a typical book aimed at middle school and high school students. This is all the more reason it is recommended. The author has a great writing talents, she has taken a great deal of time to detail and research her work. I fully recommend it to the teens to read. This book could be considered a great read in a school literature curriculum. Great choice of cover. I fully recommend this book for YA, librarians, teachers and parents.
Anna O
June 24, 2013
An electronic copy of this book was sent to me as a reviewer for IndePENdants. It passed their rating system on all aspects.
Archer, the title character, is an orphan with a lot on his mind. This character and many of the others around him are nicely drawn with more detail than I think is typical of books aimed at middle school and high school students. This is all the more reason they should read it.
As a parent of two who are now grown and gone, I strongly recommend that parents and teens read the same books and talk about them. This is an ideal book for sharing in this fashion.
Archer, the title character, is an orphan with a lot on his mind. This character and many of the others around him are nicely drawn with more detail than I think is typical of books aimed at middle school and high school students. This is all the more reason they should read it.
As a parent of two who are now grown and gone, I strongly recommend that parents and teens read the same books and talk about them. This is an ideal book for sharing in this fashion.
March 29, 2014
Archer is a boy after my own heart. A little shy, wickedly clever (when he feels words are necessary), and loyal to the bone.
The author does a great job in teaching the reader about the medieval world, all the while making it accessible and interesting information. But I think the best part of this book is how human and endearing all the characters are. I want to know more about all of them and look forward to picking up the next in the series.
The author does a great job in teaching the reader about the medieval world, all the while making it accessible and interesting information. But I think the best part of this book is how human and endearing all the characters are. I want to know more about all of them and look forward to picking up the next in the series.
February 22, 2019
Kept me occupied during difficult emotional time. Not memorable.
April 25, 2018
Archer is a Hengist, People of the Horse. He lives a simple life in a far simpler time when there are no phones, electronics, media or malls. These people are aware of the cost to produce energy, paper and all the other things they need to survive and they care for the land so as not to lose their ability to live on it. He and the other children his age go to bed when the sun sets and get up when the sun rises. They learn many things in school like history and notable figures who have lived, warrior arts such as sword fighting, jousting, archery and protection through fighting. Archer is at the top of his class , he is polite and helpful, he is very smart and very good-looking. In short, he is the perfect 16 year old boy except for one thing. He is very shy and doesn't have any close friends. Sure, there are classmates who admire him but there are also classmates who deride him and bully him because he is so perfect and they think he is showing off.
This is the story of how Archer spends his junior year with some flashbacks to his past to explain why he is the way he is, and his unacknowledged quest to become King of the May, the honor given to the #1 boy in junior year. It is full of adventure, conflict and the sweet romance of teens becoming men and women as you follow Archer through all of his tribulations and triumphs of the year. Does he have what it takes to be King of the May? Perhaps the only one who doesn't think so is Archer himself! And whether or not he wins the honor, where does he go from here? And will he find the girl of his dreams along the way?
This is the first book in the Hengist, People Of The Horse series by Jacky Gray. I received a gift copy of this book from the author but this review is all mine and I say you should read this book. The simpler life will draw you in and make you wonder why we ever invented all this stuff that complicates our lives. And you will have a wonderful time following Archer through his life as well. Happy Reading!
This is the story of how Archer spends his junior year with some flashbacks to his past to explain why he is the way he is, and his unacknowledged quest to become King of the May, the honor given to the #1 boy in junior year. It is full of adventure, conflict and the sweet romance of teens becoming men and women as you follow Archer through all of his tribulations and triumphs of the year. Does he have what it takes to be King of the May? Perhaps the only one who doesn't think so is Archer himself! And whether or not he wins the honor, where does he go from here? And will he find the girl of his dreams along the way?
This is the first book in the Hengist, People Of The Horse series by Jacky Gray. I received a gift copy of this book from the author but this review is all mine and I say you should read this book. The simpler life will draw you in and make you wonder why we ever invented all this stuff that complicates our lives. And you will have a wonderful time following Archer through his life as well. Happy Reading!
May 3, 2019
No spoilers
3/5⭐️ Archer by Jacky Gray.
I was rather confused about this book. On one hand it is obviously well written but on the other, it has no real plot. The main character, Archer, is competing in some Beltane graduation tournament, while every little moment of that transports him into his memories of the years leading up to the day. Not only is it an odd arrangement but it also is difficult to know where you are in time. There weren’t any notices to say “3 years ago” or “present day”... it made certain parts difficult to track. I liked the characters but they seemed rather flat. Everyone was cast from Archer’s perspective of them and hinted minimally at their emotions and thoughts. Archer himself was very formal, as is expected due to the historical setting. However, Laurence from the Temeraire novels is also very formal due to the era but you still get a lot of personality. There’s a bit of personality missing here. I really wanted to like this book more than I did. There were excellent parts (or at least interesting parts) but overall it was pretty ‘meh’. I’m sure it doesn’t help that I’ve been reading it with a horrible toothache though. I might read the next one but I’m very undecided. I’ll definitely wait till I’m in a better mood to try. HOWEVER, I’m 90% sure I got this book free so in that case I feel bad giving it only 3 stars... I’ve paid more for worse after all. Finished May 1st, 2019
3/5⭐️ Archer by Jacky Gray.
I was rather confused about this book. On one hand it is obviously well written but on the other, it has no real plot. The main character, Archer, is competing in some Beltane graduation tournament, while every little moment of that transports him into his memories of the years leading up to the day. Not only is it an odd arrangement but it also is difficult to know where you are in time. There weren’t any notices to say “3 years ago” or “present day”... it made certain parts difficult to track. I liked the characters but they seemed rather flat. Everyone was cast from Archer’s perspective of them and hinted minimally at their emotions and thoughts. Archer himself was very formal, as is expected due to the historical setting. However, Laurence from the Temeraire novels is also very formal due to the era but you still get a lot of personality. There’s a bit of personality missing here. I really wanted to like this book more than I did. There were excellent parts (or at least interesting parts) but overall it was pretty ‘meh’. I’m sure it doesn’t help that I’ve been reading it with a horrible toothache though. I might read the next one but I’m very undecided. I’ll definitely wait till I’m in a better mood to try. HOWEVER, I’m 90% sure I got this book free so in that case I feel bad giving it only 3 stars... I’ve paid more for worse after all. Finished May 1st, 2019
May 5, 2017
BULLSEYE!
I love just about anything Medieval, and Archer was no exception. Even though it is probably a bit more targeted toward the YA crowd, I really found myself enjoying this magical, charming tale. The story had an engaging and fast-moving plot and featured endearing, technicolor characters that not only tugged at my heart, but made me laugh and smile, as well. At times, the story had a very Robin Hood-esque fairy tale feel to it. Although the cover and synopsis of this book is what initially drew me in, what I found beyond is what held my attention and kept me rapidly "swiping" the pages. I am heartily looking forward to the next book in the series!
*I received a complimentary copy of this book in order to read and provide a voluntary, unbiased and honest review, should I choose to do so.
I love just about anything Medieval, and Archer was no exception. Even though it is probably a bit more targeted toward the YA crowd, I really found myself enjoying this magical, charming tale. The story had an engaging and fast-moving plot and featured endearing, technicolor characters that not only tugged at my heart, but made me laugh and smile, as well. At times, the story had a very Robin Hood-esque fairy tale feel to it. Although the cover and synopsis of this book is what initially drew me in, what I found beyond is what held my attention and kept me rapidly "swiping" the pages. I am heartily looking forward to the next book in the series!
*I received a complimentary copy of this book in order to read and provide a voluntary, unbiased and honest review, should I choose to do so.
May 20, 2019
Archer is a boy with unique powers, and his story is set in medieval times and combines the spirit of the Athurian and other English legends and heroes. He is comparable in some ways to William Tell but is greater than that due to his amazing concentration in all that he does which lifts him a notch above his fellows and friends
March 15, 2019
Wasn't sure about the beginning but the more I read, the more I like what I was reading. It is a light-hearted account of a boys life. Not complicated but quite enjoyable.
April 22, 2019
Enjoyable, easy read and relatable.
Likeable characters and easy story to follow. Unusual ending leaving me wanting to know more. I'll go down the rabbit hole.
Likeable characters and easy story to follow. Unusual ending leaving me wanting to know more. I'll go down the rabbit hole.
June 30, 2019
Thanks
Masterfully written, looking forward to reading the other books in the series. This first part has me wanting to know what happens next.
Masterfully written, looking forward to reading the other books in the series. This first part has me wanting to know what happens next.
March 17, 2017
Teen angst and raging hormones.
A fun romp through a midieval prep school swirling with the abilities we all wish we had. Girls feel too much and boys not enough.
A fun romp through a midieval prep school swirling with the abilities we all wish we had. Girls feel too much and boys not enough.
May 6, 2016
Archer is a novel I read from Kindle Unlimited. I enjoyed the book. The story is intricately detailed, well researched, and has a little bit of everything--romance, adventure, drama, comedy. The author is clearly very talented at her craft. Lovely descriptions were sprinkled throughout the book. If you are interested in archery or bow making, there is plenty of detail to satisfy your curiosity. The fantasy/medieval setting was very well developed, and truly felt like stepping into another world with customs that were both familiar and unfamiliar at the same time. While the book was very clean in content and could be read by a very broad age range, some of the culture in the book had a distinct "pagan" feel to me (like the May Day celebration and the reverence placed on nature), rather than a "Christian" slant, so that was different and not what I usually read. There was a page-turning quality for the events that took place in the "present" time in the plot, but I found myself putting the book down during the flashbacks, some of which came right in the middle of high tension moments, which extended the reading time for me. I had a few other issues with the book, too. Archer himself seemed much too perfect. He excelled at everything and came across with little to no character flaws, to the point it was hard to believe. At times, I even found myself sympathizing with Edlyn, the villain of the story, and could totally understand why he was jealous of Archer and lashed out at him--after all, Archer got the girl, won the prizes, had songs written about his greatness, had unshakable morality and great humility, and on top of all that was always wittier in banter. Another issue I had with the book was that there were so many characters thrown in from the very beginning. I had trouble keeping track of who was who, especially since character descriptions are almost nonexistent, so I had to learn to distinguish them through other means, but that took some time, and there were still moments later in the story when I couldn't remember certain minor characters and would have to go back and look. Perhaps the biggest problem I had with the book was the ending. What exactly did I read? I'm honestly confused. The book was going along great, and then BAM, total change dropped right at the end that made very little sense to me and ruined the romance that had been building for the entire book. There was zero resolution for what happened with Edlyn --whether he lived or died, or even learned from his hateful deed. I don't understand the whole plot thing with Bow and was genuinely confused by that entire section of the book, but especially Acher's by feelings on that subject. I feel the plot needed more development there so the reader would have a greater understanding of what was happening. There is a cliffhanger in the last page or two that I believe is meant to compel the reader to pick up the next book in the series, but that was the source of my confusion and nearly ruined the book for me. Despite all of that, the book is still intriguing and different. I think it would be fascinating to compare it to other epic hero tales and perhaps write a paper on shared themes. There aren't many books I've read that I feel could compare to classic novels, so that is definitely a point of distinction for Archer that is much deserving of praise. Certainly an interesting, adventurous read with lots of historical detail!
May 12, 2015
The May King – A review of the novel ‘Archer’
“The years teach much which the days never knew.” - Ralph Waldo Emerson
Author Jacky Gray’s novel ‘Archer’ tells the tale of its titular protagonist and appears to be set in medieval England. Archer is an exceptionally skilled young boy who must partake in various competitions to be crowned an important tribal title. And the path to such glory is filled with numerous coming of age life events.
The jousting event at the start of the book takes the reader into the thick of the action. And everything you needed to know about all the major characters gets revealed in the first ten minutes of reading. As the story moves ahead, more magical and fantasy elements make their presence felt in the narrative. The alternate society and family system with their own deep seated set of traditions and culture comes alive in the author’s writing. And the attention to detail in creating a unique civilization is quite brilliant.
The aura of Archer looms large over the story’s narrative. There’s something very likeable about Archer. His earnestness, his fighting skills, his loyalty and his code of honor all make for a very interesting character. And the explanations into jousting, sword fighting and archery should entice a whole new set of readers towards this book.
Interesting revelations are made once we get to the epilogue and it’s sure to psych you up for the next set of adventures.
“The years teach much which the days never knew.” - Ralph Waldo Emerson
Author Jacky Gray’s novel ‘Archer’ tells the tale of its titular protagonist and appears to be set in medieval England. Archer is an exceptionally skilled young boy who must partake in various competitions to be crowned an important tribal title. And the path to such glory is filled with numerous coming of age life events.
The jousting event at the start of the book takes the reader into the thick of the action. And everything you needed to know about all the major characters gets revealed in the first ten minutes of reading. As the story moves ahead, more magical and fantasy elements make their presence felt in the narrative. The alternate society and family system with their own deep seated set of traditions and culture comes alive in the author’s writing. And the attention to detail in creating a unique civilization is quite brilliant.
The aura of Archer looms large over the story’s narrative. There’s something very likeable about Archer. His earnestness, his fighting skills, his loyalty and his code of honor all make for a very interesting character. And the explanations into jousting, sword fighting and archery should entice a whole new set of readers towards this book.
Interesting revelations are made once we get to the epilogue and it’s sure to psych you up for the next set of adventures.
September 11, 2016
A captivating book of a budding warrior.
A beautifully written story that goes in flashback at times, has a sprinkle of action, drama, romance and bit of a humour as well. Set in the middle ages, the story revolves around students’ life, hence, a young adult fiction. But this novel has the charm to intrigue adult readers too. Story begins with these students competing in various sporting activities including joust, and a lot of detail is given to mastering archery, Archer, the main character’s passion. He is a magnificent archer who is skilled enough to shoot an arrow with his eyes closed (I like such an extraordinary talent in main characters, which of course makes them unique and more admirable). Despite his abilities, Archer has no friends at Lehren, because he doesn’t belong to any of the groups: Warrior, Magi, and Outil. As a result Archer becomes friends with girls and is ready to help whether it be perfecting warrior skills or being involved in going to restricted places (the joys of student life!). The author wonderfully shows Archer’s strength when he is being bullied by others, including his major enemy, Edlyn. Soon Archer’s persona outshines the bullies and he is rewarded with boys who respect his friendship. A very well written book which makes the reader want to read more of it.
A beautifully written story that goes in flashback at times, has a sprinkle of action, drama, romance and bit of a humour as well. Set in the middle ages, the story revolves around students’ life, hence, a young adult fiction. But this novel has the charm to intrigue adult readers too. Story begins with these students competing in various sporting activities including joust, and a lot of detail is given to mastering archery, Archer, the main character’s passion. He is a magnificent archer who is skilled enough to shoot an arrow with his eyes closed (I like such an extraordinary talent in main characters, which of course makes them unique and more admirable). Despite his abilities, Archer has no friends at Lehren, because he doesn’t belong to any of the groups: Warrior, Magi, and Outil. As a result Archer becomes friends with girls and is ready to help whether it be perfecting warrior skills or being involved in going to restricted places (the joys of student life!). The author wonderfully shows Archer’s strength when he is being bullied by others, including his major enemy, Edlyn. Soon Archer’s persona outshines the bullies and he is rewarded with boys who respect his friendship. A very well written book which makes the reader want to read more of it.
June 5, 2016
I received this book in exchange for an honest review by the Author. Thank you for this wonderful opportunity!
Archer has an adventurous storyline that keeps you flipping the pages to read more.
The story starts in the thick of the it, mid-action during a medieval tournament of sorts. Archer is a young boy, on a path of self discovery. The tale is of his journey through these times.
“Not the fiery energy of a sword dance, but the graceful story-telling of a spirit dance.”
“And you’ve given me my first proper battle scar. Can’t be a true warrior without one.”
“I thought they used horses’ dung to cure the leather.”
The characters are very enjoyable and Archer, the main character is a hero to root for! The author does an amazing job with description, you can visualize the scene as if you were there. You can also tell the amount of research that was put into this book. The finer details of archery and other tournament descriptors sets this book apart from other.
I did have trouble switching back and forth between the present time and the flashbacks, but the flashbacks were very enjoyable and helped further describe the characters. All in all, this was a fun read.
Archer has an adventurous storyline that keeps you flipping the pages to read more.
The story starts in the thick of the it, mid-action during a medieval tournament of sorts. Archer is a young boy, on a path of self discovery. The tale is of his journey through these times.
“Not the fiery energy of a sword dance, but the graceful story-telling of a spirit dance.”
“And you’ve given me my first proper battle scar. Can’t be a true warrior without one.”
“I thought they used horses’ dung to cure the leather.”
The characters are very enjoyable and Archer, the main character is a hero to root for! The author does an amazing job with description, you can visualize the scene as if you were there. You can also tell the amount of research that was put into this book. The finer details of archery and other tournament descriptors sets this book apart from other.
I did have trouble switching back and forth between the present time and the flashbacks, but the flashbacks were very enjoyable and helped further describe the characters. All in all, this was a fun read.
January 6, 2017
This is a wonderful coming-of-age adventure with the fascinating backdrop of an Arthurian-style knight tournament. There is plenty of action for younger fans, a smattering of first love, and plenty of adventure as we follow Archer on his exploits. You can tell the author put in countless hours tirelessly researching customs of the time period, as well as the various fighting techniques, and weapon crafting. Archer is a sweet, innocent boy just becoming a man and the reader can easily identify with his trying to understand the world around him and the actions of other people, some of whom are nefarious, as well as trying to understand girls and read between the lines with just becoming a teenager. The story ties up nicely with the results of the tournament, as well as leads into the beginning of the next in the series which sounds like it’s going to turn everything on its head and have young Archer facing an entirely different adventure.
April 13, 2015
This was a good book. I enjoyed the young man in this story. I tried my hand at archery before and I was not real good. I'm know Archer is better than me. I think this was a good book of a boy growing up and having some great adventures. Reminds me a little of a Judy Blume book I read when I was younger "Super Fudge". I'm not sure why it reminds me of this but I really like Judy Blume too. There are great descriptions in the story and I felt right in the middle of the action. Archer is a very likable character for me too. * I received this book from the author in exchange for my honest review*
May 1, 2014
I read this book on my first day of vacation and couldn't put it down. Archer is such a great character, with all the strengths you could want and the vulnerability that cuts straight to your heart.
The world the book is set in is so well described that you actually feel as though you are there. Archer's friends (and nemesis) are so real I found myself feeling a part of the story.
I loved it so much I spent the next couple of days of my vacation reading the next two books in this series (by the pool, of course).
The world the book is set in is so well described that you actually feel as though you are there. Archer's friends (and nemesis) are so real I found myself feeling a part of the story.
I loved it so much I spent the next couple of days of my vacation reading the next two books in this series (by the pool, of course).
July 24, 2015
A really entertaining and cleverly plotted novel which will appeal to teenagers. The main characters are strong and believable with a clever and plausible narrative that twists and turns through events that quickly feel real. The novel reaps the benefit of thorough research which helps successfully transplant medieval England to modern times, an original twist which would translate well to the big screen. I would definitely recommend it.
September 27, 2016
Archer was an enjoyable read with lots of characters that are totally relatable. The main character, Archer, is an awesome character who never lets much get under his skin. Well, maybe a girl or two. A lot happens in this book and it's an interesting tale with well-described settings that you can totally visualise. When I finished this book, I made the mistake of reading the sneak peak of the next one. I guess I know what I'll be doing next week!
October 20, 2020
Archer is a well told coming of age adventure. Ms. Gray's attention to detail and historic research is second to none. She draws the reader into this mythical world with great skill and amazingly realistic characters. I loved watching Archer grow into his powers and mature. He makes a wonderful hero. This book has bullies, friends, foes and family just as the world has today. You can lose yourself (and the rest of the day) quickly in this wonderful world. I highly recommend this book.
July 25, 2015
With a cleverly imagined, well planned and intricate plotline that, I was quickly hooked with Archer. Personally I thought that the characters were very relatable without being overly complex, especially Archer and I loved the originality with the mixed periods. There’s a lot to commend this book but more importantly it’s a strong start to a very promising series.
March 11, 2019
2.5 stars. Wanted to like this but there wasn't enough world building to really introduce the character. Why was he different to everyone else? How did he end up being an orphan and raised by foster parents? Who were his mum and dad? I realise that some of these sorts of things may get answered in book 2 but I don't feel that invested in the character. It didn't really tell me enough about him.
March 9, 2016
I received a free copy in exchange for an honest review.
If you enjoy Mediaeval like stories, then you will want to read Archer. The story is filled with a wide variety characters, some you'll love and others not so much. There's a lot of adventure going on that will keep readers on their toes.
If you enjoy Mediaeval like stories, then you will want to read Archer. The story is filled with a wide variety characters, some you'll love and others not so much. There's a lot of adventure going on that will keep readers on their toes.
August 18, 2015
Good story
Interesting characters, story keeps me wanting more. Can't wait to continue to read the rest of the series. Enjoyable reading
Interesting characters, story keeps me wanting more. Can't wait to continue to read the rest of the series. Enjoyable reading
April 11, 2016
I received a copy of this book in exchange for my honest review. I enjoyed this book about a boy coming of age. My son very much enjoyed reading of Archer and his adventures in life.
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