Defender of the Realm

Defender of the Realm #1

by Mark Huckerby, Nick Ostler

For hundreds of years the United Kingdom has been protected by a mysterious guardian known as the Defender. Part myth, part superhero, few truly believed the Defender existed . . . until now.

Alfie thinks he knows his destiny. As Prince Alfred, heir to the throne of Great Britain, he's fated to become the most disappointing king in the nation's history. Alfie longs for a way to prove himself, but little does he realize that with the throne of England comes an ancient secret. He who wears the crown must protect the country as the legendary hero -- the Defender of the Realm.

Hayley is an ordinary girl, living an ordinary life. She certainly never believed in the mysterious superhero, the Defender. Then, after witnessing a very public battle at the Tower of London, everything is different, and Hayley is left with no doubt. The Defender is real.

Two kids with two very different lives are about to get caught up in a centuries-long battle for the fate of a nation. Monsters and criminals, villains and dragons, together Hayley and Alfie must protect their home at all costs.

Genres: Fantasy, Middle Grade, Magic, Dragons, Fiction, Urban Fantasy, Adventure

288 pages, Hardcover

First published March 3, 2016

Reviews

[Kadi P · Rating 5 out of 5]

The BEST book I have ever read. Honestly. I am shocked by how earth-shatteringly fantastic it is.

The characters are complex, likeable, and unique. Some chapters are from Alfie’s perspective, others from Hayley’s, and that really balances things out. They are both protagonists in this story, equal in importance. And you get to see both of them develop this way.

The character development is splendid. Alfie is so uncertain of himself but when he comes into his own it gives you such a victorious feeling. Alfie is the real star of this book, of course there are other characters, but you really root for him the most and he pulls through, to say the least.

The plot is divine. The best plot I have ever read in a book. So clever. So twisty and turny. So many exciting moments that had me actually gasp out loud with surprise. At one point I was hitting the pillow next to me I was so shocked by the turn of events. I mean that ENDING. Superb. Absolutely. Superb.

The book has a fantastic blend of superhero, mystery, royalty and humour. It doesn’t overdo any of these it has just the perfect balanced amount of each. And honestly this book is funny! Not in a try-hard way either. It handles quite heavy topics without being weighed down too much.

The fact that this book is middle grade is not a hugely defining factor. For me, this book has taught me a lot about duty, honour, what a good adventure entails, and how to execute a fantastic plot. Hence, I would recommend this to readers of all ages. If you love mystery, royalty, or even superheroes this is the book for you. Honestly, even if you don’t think this is for you I can guarantee you will love it.

[Amina (ⴰⵎⵉⵏⴰ) · Rating 3 out of 5]

I loved the humor, the setting and the plot but I would have loved more action!
Alfie is the future king, he's clumsy and wants a normal life, Alfie thinks his twin brother Richard is better suited for the job, a thought shared by the majority of the people. Alfie, obviously, thinks he's a failure and what's worse is that people make him believe he is.
But what Alfie doesn't know is that he really has blue blood in his veins, litteraly. and that there is more for being a king that he thought!

That ending! Terrific! can't wait for #2

[Mackenzie Pero · Rating 5 out of 5]

i knew there was going to be a twist but not an epic twist

[Chelley Toy · Rating 5 out of 5]

This review was originally posted on www.talesofyesterday.co.uk

I wasn’t sure what to expect from Defender Of The Realm, but as soon as it came through the post I skim read the first few pages fully intrigued and I was immediately drawn into a world that mixed the real world and fantasy world flawlessly and all with some historical facts, humour and well known United Kingdom landmarks too!

Defender Of The Realm tells the story or Alfie who is a reluctant heir to the thrown and who finds himself thrust into the limelight to take on his duty a little earlier in life than he would have thought. What Alfie doesn’t expect is the extra responsibilities that come with it… you know the kind of thing…Crown Jewels, Paparazzi, BECOMING AN AWESOME SUPERHERO CALLED THE DEFENDER AND SAVING THE WORLD FROM THE BLACK LIZARD! When Alfie becomes King he discovers a whole new duty to his country that is steeped in history and kept a secret for many years. And when the evil Black Lizard seems unstoppable Alfie has to learn to protect his country, be King and be The Defender, but is Alfie the right person for the job?

This book is a real page turner!

I loved the feel of this book. It felt so very British. I loved the way even though the characters are fictional I felt like I was taking a sneaky peak behind the scenes of the actual royal family. That’s how real the characters came across for me. I loved the references to historical landmarks or traditions which I recognised like The Tower Of London, Buckingham Palace and Westminster Abbey and the tradition of a Coronation and who knew there was a volcanoes under Edinburgh Castle

[Clarabel · Rating 4 out of 5]

Héritier du trône d'Angleterre, Alfie grandit sous les objectifs des photographes qui épinglent ses moindres faits et gestes. N'en pouvant plus, le garçon rêverait d'échanger sa place avec son frère jumeau, son cadet de dix secondes. Hélas leur père décède brutalement, contraignant Alfred à assumer son héritage sans plus attendre.
Découvrant alors les coulisses du pouvoir et ses enjeux, Alfie apprend qu'il doit désormais endosser l'armure du Défenseur du Royaume (sorte de superhéros masqué) et survoler le pays à dos de cheval pour lutter contre Dragon Noir !
Mais lors d'une récente attaque à la Tour de Londres, une adolescente, témoin de la scène, a emporté un petit souvenir du combat (une précieuse écaille arrachée de la cuirasse du monstre)... ignorant qu'elle vient aussi de sceller son destin.
Clap des mains pour cette série très originale !
L'idée d'un monarque à la double vie est excellente, même si l'histoire ne nous présente pas un garçon à la hauteur du rôle dévolu. On suit en effet un adolescent accablé par le poids des responsabilités, indécis et angoissé face aux attentes. D'où un héros attachant et proche du lecteur.
Attendez aussi une aventure tourbillonnante et un flot de péripéties qui rend cette lecture étonnamment drôle et distrayante ! Je ne m'y attendais pas... et j'ai tout aimé, sauf les couleurs criardes de la couverture du roman. À quand la suite ?

[Amy (Golden Books Girl) · Rating 4 out of 5]

I picked this up after seeing a positive review from a blogger I really trust, and I totally loved it. It`s about Alfie, heir to the throne, as he assumes his new role and discovers he must also become a superhero/vigilante figure known as the Defender, who deals with the mythical creatures that have caused all of the disasters in British history. I thought this was an unusual, cool and intriguing concept and I can`t think of anything especially similar to this. Alfie was a great main character as I really sympathised with him and wanted him to succeed and I also liked the supporting cast (I particularly appreciated LC and Brian, who are helping Alfie prepare for his new roles, and Hayley). I did find the book slightly slow paced in places but for the last 150 pages or so I physically couldn`t put this down as I was so desperate to know what was going to happen. This section was filled with twists and turns I didn`t see coming, and the one on the last page especially left me gasping, to the point where I went and ordered the sequel immediately. I`m so excited to pick up book two now!

[Phil · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is the inaugural book for the recently-formed B. Book Club, of which I am proud to be a founding member. The majority of members cannot yet drive, so I was skeptical at first, although I kept it to myself as one of the first rules established that you cannot complain about anyone's book choice. I ended up getting really into it, and look forward to the club's selections bolstering my annual book count. :)

[Beth (bibliobeth) · Rating 4 out of 5]

First of all, a big thank you to my fellow blogger Faye over at A Daydreamer's Thoughts who asked me if I would like to be part of this tour and to the team over at Scholastic UK for sending me a copy of the book in return for an honest review. I can't remember having read many books in the past, kid-lit or otherwise that were written by two people and I wasn't quite sure how it would work but the writing team that is Mark Huckerby and Nick Ostler is an undeniable force to be reckoned with for creating a story that is packed full of drama, adventure and excitement, a trip into a fantasy world that I thoroughly enjoyed.

Set in contemporary times, Defender Of the Realm is the first in a series that might make you look at the monarchy of the United Kingdom in a whole new light! Our main character and reluctant heir to the throne of Great Britain is Alfie, a fourteen year old boy that just wishes he was "ordinary," and didn't have the responsiblity of a kingdom resting on his shoulders. Alfie has a twin brother Richard and a little sister, Ellie but as he was born mere seconds before his twin brother so when his father the King passes away, the throne and all the power that comes with it will automatically revert to him. To make it worse, Alfie has always felt that his brother Richard would make a better king - he is popular, stronger and more sporty but unfortunately, rules are rules and Alfie must accept that one day he will be king.

Tragically, the young royals lose their father much earlier than anticipated from a heart attack (..or was it?) and Alfie must assume his role and lead the country. What Alfie isn't expecting is the EXTRA roles that come with being King Alfred II, responsibilities that have been passed down from his ancestors and aren't your run of the mill royal duties. Alfie is pulled into a whole new world of secrets, underground passages, magical powers and monsters that wreak chaos from the Thames right through to Edinburgh Castle. Along with his new friend Hayley, Alfie discovers that there is a lot more to being King and being a hero than he could ever have imagined and they must work together to prevent an malign and deadly force in its attempts to get ultimate power for itself and begin a reign of terror, destroying Great Britain as we know it.

This book was unbelievably exciting and I'm so glad I read it. The characters are wonderfully drawn, from the awkward and loveable Prince Alfie to his brave and intelligent friend Hayley whose efforts are instrumental in helping Alfie defend his country and her adorable Gran, who I had a real soft spot for. The plot is entertaining and action-packed with a monstrous being that children will love to hate and battle sequences that are simply breath-taking. I'm so pleased it's the first in a series and look forward to reading hopefully many more adventures of our reluctant hero Alfie because believe me, when you get to the ending (and it's a real humdinger of a cliffhanger!) you're going to be desperate to read the next installment!

For my full review please visit my blog at http://www.bibliobeth.com

[Robin Stevens · Rating 5 out of 5]

I've got to agree with Derek Landy's quote - this book is just pure fun, through and through. It's fast-paced and exciting, and I quite literally couldn't put it down. I love Hayley's character especially, and I love the mix of folklore, history, magic and technology that this AU Britain has. I already can't wait for book 2!

[Diana Colby · Rating 5 out of 5]

I enjoyed the Defender of the Realm. I think 3rd -6th graders will enjoy this book. I does use the word "hell" twice. Once on Page 99 and the other they refer to the place. To recommend for 3rd & 4th grade, we need to decide if this is ok.

[Chris Callaghan · Rating 5 out of 5]

A majestically thrilling adventure, told with kingsized dollops of humour and charm.

[Mari · Rating 3 out of 5]

There were a lot of things this book tried to be, some that worked, some that fell horribly flat. As far as storytelling goes, this was supposed to be a YA book, but ended up reading more like a middle grade story. I ask the question 'who is this book for' a lot when reading, and this is the first time I really couldn't tell. The characters were high schoolers who read like middle schoolers throughout except for in one or two key moments. This book took itself more seriously than it needed to, but not seriously enough at the same time. The book boasted two main characters, but only one of them read like a protagonist. The other reads like another side character who occasionally gets to tell you what's going on in her head.

The things that worked, however, worked very well. While the action is key in a story like this, the characters and their relationships with each other is where this story shines. Not just the two protagonists, but every side character has moments to show who they truly are, and I found that enjoyable. While I occasionally find the swap from one person's point of view to another mid-chapter jarring, it served its purpose here better than I have seen previously. Were it used more frequently, I may have struggled with it, but each time the shift happened it felt purposeful and I enjoyed the development that came out of it.

Alfie as a main character is intriguing. Flawed, in over his head, but doing his best through circumstances he can't control is my favorite type of hero. I would have liked to see more of Hayley as a narrator, but at its core, this is Alfie's story.

This is not a bad read, barring my inability to really tell whether this is YA or middle grade, the two occasionally overlap and this feels like a good transition point from one to the other. I wrestled with whether to give it four or three stars, but because of some issues I had with the pacing in the later chapters, I ultimately bumped it down.

[Blank · Rating 3 out of 5]

Defender of the Realm is a book about superhero and a little bit of aristocracy and history. We are following Alfie, the Prince of Wales. Being the Prince of Wales isn't that good as apparently, there are many things that he wanted to do but can't, simply because of his status. And worse come down to crash as he suddenly becomes the King and found out that his job is not only come to boring parties ( in which he despise ) but also becoming the Defender.

There are lots of good point of this books, for starter, this book is using historical places in the UK and the author slipping some tidbits of information which in turn, spurred me to search for more of it at the Internet ( lol )

The writing is neat, there is some 'hard' part, and I kinda hate reading that part, but goes past that, it successfully able to kept me occupied reading it.

Although there is a little problem, As the Main Character, Alfie is inconsistent, going from one way to another with seemingly no reason. To make it worse, I think there is little motivation involved when he decides to become The Defender aside from duties. But, Hayley is an interesting character, if anything, I would not mind if there are some changes of POV at the subsequent series.

All in all, this book is a good introduction to the series. I like how the author is slipping facts about the history of the scene. The styling is neat and engaging. Despite the shortcoming, this book is still a good read.

[B For Butterfly Books · Rating 5 out of 5]

Alfie wants nothing more than to be a normal 14 year old boy. Unfortunately for him he's heir to the throne of England and keeper of a family secret passed down from generation to generation since the time of Alfred the Great. When his father dies unexpectedly, Alfie suddenly finds himself as the new king thrust into a battle he didn't even know existed.

Defender of the Realm is a fun filled action packed adventure which presents an alternative view (or is it?!) on what the Royal family really get up to behind the scenes. I loved the mixture of historical fact and fiction and the use of real locations throughout the book.

My son is 7 and so I'll probably save this for him to read in a few years' time but I can imagine him absorbing information such as the details of the Coronation and going to look them to see if they're true! (Wahoo - free history lesson. Win win!)

The two main characters, Alfie and Hayley couldn't be more different but the friendship they form is completely believable. Add to that the contrasting personalities of Brian and LC and you have scenarios and dialogue that are both funny and moving.

Packed full of superhero's and villains as well as normal everyday life situations, this is a great read for young and old alike.

[Nika Maliuk · Rating 3 out of 5]

Before we start, the book was so much better than expected. To be honest, I got it on a blind date with a book, so I never saw the front cover before.

Anyways, let us begin. Storyline. Less predictable than expected, but too much like other books. The start, 2 main plots, the end. Only the end was a bit better than excepcted. 3/5.

The way it was written. Pretty good. I mean, it was not bad, but not like amazing and wonderful. It was like other boosk were written, but also not so much. 3/5.

Characters. Alfie was good. So was Haley. The could have been more, though. Richard was really good. Lock should have had less screen time because of who he was in the end. Ellie was amazing, loved her. The farther was just right. So was the mother, but too much hate for her from her children. LC and Brian were good. The bully was normal. Overall, 3/5.

And we come to the end. I think this book deserves so much more than what it has. Also, I learned not to judge books by their covers, it can be good.

[Cindy Mitchell *Kiss the Book* · Rating 4 out of 5]

Huckerby, Mark Defender of the Realm, 320 pages. Scholastic, 2017. $18.00. Language:PG (1 swears, 0 “f”); Mature Content:G; Violence:PG-13 (impaling with description of bloodshed).


Alfie will be known as the “Most Disappointing King” to rule England. But, after his father is announced dead by a “heart attack,” Alfie becomes the new king, and also gains the ancient power of “Defender of the Realm.” Now he is tasked with protecting England from a dragon that seeks to become the new king.

This book is well written with a lot of good detail. Alfie really grows from a prince who doesn't want to be a prince to a king who is willing to give his life for his country. The book makes the title of king into something that doesn’t seem too fun. This book is one of the better books that I’ve read in 2017.

MS - ADVISABLE Student Reviewer 8th Grade DJ
http://kissthebook.blogspot.com/2017/...

[Elouise · Rating 4 out of 5]

Reluctant newly crowned king, Alfie, finds himself learning about the Defender, skills of a super power, to defend England of the evil Black Dragon. The Black Dragon killed Alfie's father in a battle at Stonehenge; the dragon's power and strength has increased due to finding parts of the ancient crown. Sadly, the Defender dies in this battle and Alfie, being a few minutes older than his twin, Richard, ascends the throne.

Meanwhile, Hayley, a fellow twelve-year-old, discovers a piece of the Black Dragon's tail at the Tower of London. She becomes an unlikely but spunky friend and partner to Alfie as he learns about his powers.

The book is full of action but better editing and a little more depth of character might have helped elevate this novel from good to great. Fortunately there is a second part as this one ends on a cliff-hanger as the identity of the Black Dragon becomes ominously apparent and surprises the reader at the very end.

[Seawood · Rating 3 out of 5]

I enjoyed this more than expected to! The British Royal family has diverged from real life here and we find ourselves seeing the world from the heir, 14 year old Prince Alfie's point of view. I've often wondered where the "boy" equivalent of school stories has been hiding - since Harry Potter we've not had many male lead characters in boarding school tales, but we have had the likes of Murder Most Unladylike and so on. Alfie is super - though he's the elder twin, he's klutzy and overshadowed by younger siblings, and consequently filled with doubt about himself and his role in the world. There can't be many 14 year old boys who don't feel that way at some point! Despite being royalty and caught up in a supernatural, fantastical adventure, there's something endearingly down to earth about Alfie, and when he meets his total opposite - smart, black, council-flat carer Hayley - it's this quality that helps them connect. I'll definitely be recommending this to all our KS2 readers!

[Karen · Rating 3 out of 5]

Alfie is an unlikely hero. He just wants to escape his “prison,” i.e., his boarding school to eat pizza in peace. Alas, the paparazzi and school bully won’t leave him alone because he is Prince Alfred, future King Alfred the Second of England. When Alfie’s father the King dies suddenly, Alfie not only must prepare to ascend the throne but to also take up the mantle of Defender of the Realm that has been passed from one monarch to the next for centuries. The Defender battles dragons and other monsters using the real crown jewels and magical armor. Alfie is helped by non-royal Hayley who just happened to witness Alfie’s father as Defender in a fierce battle. With the help of his twin brother Richard (younger by 10 seconds), his history professor, and bodyguard Alfie learns what it means to take on his two new roles. The first book in a trilogy, this should be a popular book with fantasy readers. It was nominated for the 2018-2019 Maine Student Book Award for grades 4-6 and grades 6-8.

[The Library Lady · Rating 3 out of 5]

Written by a pair of TV writers who know how to tell a story that will appeal to kids, this has a couple of totally predictable twists at the end, setting this up for a sequel, or, Lord help us, a lengthy series. This should do well,but I am likely to skim future volumes just to keep up with the plot, and I find it sad that apparently this is up for a "best debut" award by some group in Britain. It's good, and better than a lot of other things I've recently read, but it is NOT great!

[Kathy Hoopmann · Rating 5 out of 5]

What a rollicking fun read! An underappreciated heir to the crown. A distant daddy with a massive secret. A smart-talking street-wise sidekick. An evil nemesis and an astounding twist. This book has it all. Sure, it might be aimed at a much younger generation than mine, but it didn’t stop me enjoying every minute. As the authors are also screenwriters, I hope this comes out as a movie soon.

[Laura · Rating 3 out of 5]

I read the hardback, not sure why there's not a choice of that in Goodreads. Fast-paced, strong beginning, very interesting setting and premise. Character development a little light, putting it as more for younger readers imho. Nice ending, although not unpredictable. Will read the next in the series.

[Samantha · Rating 3 out of 5]

I liked the character of Hayley a lot. It's not my favorite MSBA book I've read this year (although it is for some of my kids!) but the cover is one I really liked. It kept catching my eye. Parts of it were fairly predictable to me, and I figured out the ending. I think if I were a kid, I would like it more.

[Nilay Jones · Rating 5 out of 5]

Seems like a 5th-grade thriller at first, but the wealth of information about England's monarchy, the suspense, relatable characters and great, cliffhanging ending encourages all readers to shout, Encore!

[Lynn · Rating 4 out of 5]

I'm sure some highly critical readers will find many holes in this story (I did wonder about the dialogue - if it resembles how British youngsters talk), but I think middle grade readers will like the action and twists, and the plot was easy to follow.

[Azalea · Rating 5 out of 5]

Sort of scary but it didn't make me cry or scream my head off. It's like a mystery book where you have to really think, but when you get to the end of the book you don't find out that much because this was only book #1.

[Lee Willie · Rating 5 out of 5]

Great fun

A novel teams on the superhero genre and I thoroughly enjoyed it. It says for 9-11 year olds but only in the same way that Harry Potter are for kids only. Great plot and enjoyable characters and looking forward to the sequel.

[Katie Hamstead · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was a fun read. I bought it as a school book fair to read with my oldest. I think I enjoyed it more than her! I'll be looking into the next book. It's a pity I can't get a matching cover for this one.

[Sandra · Rating 4 out of 5]

I read this for bookfair talks. A good younger age (5th or so) book for boys. New boy King to become superhero. Fun super villains and quick action packed read.

[Joe Holman · Rating 4 out of 5]

Cute book and interesting take on the "heir and a spare" theme.