Knight School

by Andrew Mayne

It started as a game... At Ellison High School the student body’s favorite sport is waging medieval warfare with their rivals over a hidden fortune. To win, they have to battle for control of the forest and obey a code of conduct to keep their war from spilling into the outside world. The woods between the schools are filled with dangers and dark secrets. Central among them is Venn Maddox, the youngest student to ever lead a clan in the game. Brilliant and manipulative, some think he’s a sociopath who may have killed to protect his own secrets. New kid, Marv Whitlock, already dealing with his own troubles, finds himself in the middle of the decade old conflict and has to use his wits to avoid being one more pawn. Bestselling author Andrew Mayne, brings you Knight School, an adventurous cross of Friday Night Lights and Game of Thrones.

Genres: Young Adult, Fantasy

392 pages, Paperback

First published January 1, 2013

Reviews

[Brian · Rating 4 out of 5]

At the beginning I wasn't quite sure what to think of this but I kept on it. I am happy I did as the story evolved I became engrossed. Pretty good read and just what I needed to get out of reading slump.

[Christopher Hill · Rating 4 out of 5]

I really enjoy the works of Andrew Mayne, and this was no exception. Actually a little disturbing in a "Lord of the Flies" sense to think that kids could act this way, but enriched the story. I went four stars rather than five, mostly because I did not like the ending. The concept of it was fine, it just felt rushed.

[Richard W. McCuistian · Rating 4 out of 5]

Andrew writes really good books and I like them except for the foul language he sprinkles about, thus the four stars. Still, this book isn't as bad language-wise as some of the later ones. But Mayne's work is unpredictable and entertaining - although his earlier works have quite a few typos (misspelled words, etc.). Fun to read.

[alexander silagin · Rating 4 out of 5]

good book

Pretty interesting, good story, very engaging. Pace is good, characters are developed. I was a bit reluctant to read about teenagers but decided to do after some reviews. I like Andrew Mayne and so far have no regrets about reading any of his books will continue doing so

[Fred A. Hines · Rating 4 out of 5]

Great book for teens

The McGuffin is the hidden treasure. The objective is to teach young people about life. If one has no moral values the meme is "Life sucks & then you die." If you have moral values you can choose "To soar with eagles instead of scratching around with turkeys."

[Jo E Divoll · Rating 5 out of 5]

Just the knight stuff!!

Creativity reigns in the forest. This book takes teenage anxiety and reality games puts them together brilliantly. This is a story you can't put down. The characters are fleshed out so you can see people you know and care for.

[Steven Izbicki · Rating 1 out of 5]

Good start. Story kinda got silly.

First 130 pages really rolled along. Then the story goes into lala land. Gave up on it. I really like the author too. I guess we all have an off "day".

[Lloyd Davis · Rating 3 out of 5]

Knight School has some interesting twists and turns, but it's not Mayne's best. Regardless, Andrew Mayne is one of my favorite authors, and I don't regret purchasing this one at all. Mayne is a rare talent, and my goal is to read all of offerings.

[Brad Griffeth · Rating 5 out of 5]

Probably his best

There is a great mix of Lord Of The Flies and the Rats Of John in this. The story is well written, but the characters and themes are better. Harsh but truly beautiful in the end.

[Guy · Rating 4 out of 5]

Entertaining YA

Just good fun in a story many of us might have liked to have lived in high school. Give it a try.

[Taylor Penrose · Rating 5 out of 5]

Long knight

Picked it up on a whim. Needed something to pass the time. I could not put it down for long! I will be ejoying this series!

[Pdxsrw]

Well written, but very different than his other work. I can't recall if this was specifically targeting a YA audience, if so I believe it hits the mark.

[Laura Miller · Rating 5 out of 5]

Exciting

The plot and story were totally unexpected but intriguing and fun from the very start. I can’t wait to share this story

[Lindsey · Rating 4 out of 5]

Very enjoyable

[Lynn McMullin · Rating 4 out of 5]

Rather Good

This book is a different style than most of the others I’ve read by this author. Still I must admit it’s rather good

[Dennis · Rating 5 out of 5]

Imagine if all the hours you and your friends spent playing Cowboys and Indians, Cops and Robbers, Pirates and Ninjas, and Cylons and Humans was more visceral and more real. That's what happens to Marv when he transfers schools. No longer does he just have to worry about being at the cool table, getting picked first for basketball, or catching the eye of an attractive classmate, he has to worry about being at the planning table for the next skirmish, getting picked to attack an enemies stronghold, and whether or not the attractive classmate is looking kiss him or cave his skull in with a hidden cudgel.

Shortly after Marv's father passes away he is forced to transfer schools, and on his first day learns that there is more to this school than initial appearances would suggest. He is quickly introduced to Venn an unquestioned genius of questionable motives, who is in charge of a group determined to claim a prize set up by a student from years past. What follows involves castles, sky fortresses, underground bunkers and daily battles in the forest behind the school.

Knight School is a great story for teen and pre-teen readers, and those who remember their years as teens. A great read by an author who keeps bringing inventive and interesting narratives.

[Mike Nemeth · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book by Andrew Mayne initially slipped by me. I didn't know what to think when I purchased the Kindle edition of "Knight School," but Mayne hasn't let me down yet. At first, I thought period piece. OK, I thought, I've read those before. A little slash-and-rend fiction. But that's not it. The story starts with Marv Whitlock, a geeky kid who's decent at judo, entering a new school. In typical Mayne fashion, the action begins almost immediately. Marv, short for Marvel as his dad was a comic fan, gets noticed right off by Venn Maddox. Venn is a smart, crafty and sinister type. He recruits Marv through a series of downright mean tests into his team of modern-day renaissance warrior. Their school, Ellison High, goes up against the rich folks on the other side of town. They fight mean in a deep woods with wooden arrows and swords. The battles are mostly tactical and based on an honor system. Kids get hurt but not maimed. It's something like rugby and field hockey with shields and armor tossed in for effect. Venn is obsessed with winning. He's brilliant, but he's devious. Marv is a natural and loves the game. But subplots are afoot. It seems everybody's scheming. There's Nazi gold at stake. Or is there? Doesn't matter. It's a fun story and really well developed characters.

[Logan · Rating 5 out of 5]

Knight School is the story of two rival schools that are in the same town, but share a much darker secret: the secret of Nazi gold buried in the forest. Now it is up to Marv Whitlock to fight his way thru school as well as a world of girls and knights who would rather see him bloodied and beaten than find the treasure.




Along the way, he meets Venn, leader of the Dragons, the knights who lurk in secret at his high school, and several other notable characters. Each character has his own tendencies, so they don’t seem to be interchangeable.




As the story progresses, Marv finds out about himself, what he is made of, and how far he is willing to go to find the gold.




This book is a quick read, but it is by no means a skim. You will find yourself deeply immersed in the world, and begin to feel the arrows and sticks as the battles rage and the teenagers fight for acreage in the forest.




I hope that Andrew continues to write like this, as this was his best book to date, and he can only go up from here.

[Doofendad · Rating 5 out of 5]

Andrew Mayne has crafted another yet another fantastic story. He sets your mind to spinning in circles trying to figure out the mystery, and delivers dynamic action and believable characters you can actually care about. I've loved his previous books as well, but in my opinion this is the best one yet. Worth well more than the $0.99 price.

Please, Mr. Mayne, GIVE US A SEQUEL!!! TAKE MY MONEY NOW!!!

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[Eric Johnson · Rating 4 out of 5]

Andrew Mayne, one of my favorite micro publish writers, has entered the young adult market. If I was a kid I would really Iove this. As a middle aged man I still did enjoy it, despite the fantasy base. It is a good yarn, and yeah, it is pitched to the15-25 crowd, but it really still works as a story. Still a big AM fan.

[Jeff · Rating 5 out of 5]

What a fun book. This book is a fast paced story with some great characters and a very interesting plot. This is by no means a literary classic filled with stuffy prose and tiresome dialogue, but rather an easy read, not childishly easy, that is fun to sit back and enjoy. The author should definitely be charging more than .99 for it.

[Dan Barbier · Rating 4 out of 5]

Another interesting Andrew Mayne novel, never boring, it's a Lord of the flies meets The Dead Poet's Society story with some violence and humour.
It could very well add a follow-up sequel, but it's open ending is satisfying as well.

[Kathleen · Rating 3 out of 5]

Nicely done young adult novel, details an outsider who finds friendship in a new school through membership in a secret club. That understates the plot. Some of the writing could have been smoother, but it holds your attention.

[Bryan Spencer · Rating 5 out of 5]

the realm

a fun trip with twists and turns into the forests in search of treasure leads them to find their trueselves. when you have nothing left to loose, what will you do. this was yet another great book by Andrew Mayne.

[Simone · Rating 5 out of 5]

So great!!! Another wonderful adventure by Andrew!

[Jeff · Rating 4 out of 5]

A very fun read. All of Mayne's stuff is, really.

[Jim Ballmann · Rating 5 out of 5]

Great short and fun read. Would nightly recommend it to anyone else

[Willam R. Patton · Rating 5 out of 5]

Twisting plot, good character development...but

This is a great read that takes a little patience. Very realistic in portraying the best and worst of people in a sacked out version of capture the flag