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Grail Quest #1
The Camelot Spell
On the eve of the Quest for the Holy Grail, every adult in King Arthur's castle falls into an enchanted sleep. The future of Camelot rests on the shoulders of fourteen-year-old squire Gerard, who has dreamed of becoming a Knight of the Round Table his whole life. With the help of Newt, the stable boy, and Ailis, a young maidservant, he must face terrible dangers, including a monstrous bridge troll, a wise and scheming dragon—and finally, a dark, powerful force that will stop at nothing to destroy King Arthur, the knights, and the entire realm of Camelot.
304 pages, Hardcover
First published February 21, 2006
8 people are currently reading
183 people want to read
About the author
Laura Anne Gilman
122 books823 followersLaura Anne Gilman’s work has been hailed as “a true American myth” by NPR, and praised for her “deft plotting and first-class characters” by Publishers Weekly. She has won the Endeavor Award for THE COLD EYE, and been shortlisted for a Nebula, (another) Endeavor, and a Washington State Book Award. Her work includes the Devil’s West trilogy, the Cosa Nostradamus urban fantasy series, the Vineart trilogy, and the story collection WEST WINDS’ FOOL. Her upcoming move, UNCANNY TIMES, will be out from Saga Books in 2022.
She lives in Seattle with a cat, a dog, and many deadlines.
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Displaying 1 - 23 of 23 reviews
January 3, 2020
I read this book several years ago. I love King Arthur and everything about the tales. I will have to reread this one to give a full review. I can tell you, that this book ranges from thirteen and up( I did read it at a young age). It is a mid-grade aged book, but good none the less. There are three main characters, six main characters if you count King Arthur, Merlin and Morganna. Awesome book!
This next bit has been on my mind and thought should share.......I do understand that most readers have other thoughts on books, so I've learned from recently joining Goodreads. I say this with all do respect for everyone who is a memeber of Goodreads; be gracious with the reviews you give on books you don't entirely enjoy. As an author myself, I give thought when I write my reviews of books I don't aboslutely enjoy or do not find appropriate. Just be a little thoughtful books that authors took time and hard work to write.😊
Anyway, great book!
PS: I am a Christian girl and am very thoughtful on anything I do, say or write! Hence, what I have said above.😍📘
This next bit has been on my mind and thought should share.......I do understand that most readers have other thoughts on books, so I've learned from recently joining Goodreads. I say this with all do respect for everyone who is a memeber of Goodreads; be gracious with the reviews you give on books you don't entirely enjoy. As an author myself, I give thought when I write my reviews of books I don't aboslutely enjoy or do not find appropriate. Just be a little thoughtful books that authors took time and hard work to write.😊
Anyway, great book!
PS: I am a Christian girl and am very thoughtful on anything I do, say or write! Hence, what I have said above.😍📘
October 6, 2021
When I picked up this book I got so very bored with the first pages, I kept saying to myself to keep pushing through the the book even though the first chapter was completely confusing. But then once I got past the first couple chapters the book changed and became thrilling, and fun, with a good sense of humor. The characters were so perfect (my favorite was probably Ailis) they made the book so much more interesting. Gerard, Newt, and Ailis are faced with a daring adventure but with each others help they all came home alive to save their kingdom. This book makes a great thrilling fantasy book for readers 11-15. And don't get discouraged if you don't understand the beginning of the book because if you keep reading it becomes AMAZING!
April 22, 2020
Three teens must undertake the quest when a mysterious spell puts the other residents of Camelot into a deep sleep.
January 9, 2014
Grail Quest
The book Grail Quest (1), written by Laura Anne Gilman introduces three teens on a mission to save King Arthur's court. On the eve of the quest for Holy Grail, every adult in Camelot falls into a strange sleep. Marlin is only person who can undo the magic but he does not found anywhere. Three boys Gerard, Newt and Alias don’t not know what to do. Since, Gerard is the oldest and well trained squire, he decides to find a magician. These three guys use a map stolen from Arthur’s study to look on the road. This leads them to a house of ice in which Marlin kept. Gerard, Ailis and Newt knows that only Merlin can change it. So, they begin to trek to find missing magician. They are unaware that a malevolent force will kill anyone who tries to prevent the destruction of Camelot. They face many dangers like bridge troll, a wise and scheming dragon. Eventually, a powerful forces stops. And nothing happens to king Arthur, the knights and the entire kingdom of Camelot. Throughout the tale, Gilman is trying to show a mission of teens that must save the day.
Struggling with plenty of challenges is the great thing they has done. While fighting with a woman Ailis yelled with fear and anger “I am not a witch!’ “ Take it from her, Gerard.” Even though these boys face many challenges, they did give up. Instead, they sought above from it and fought.
Overall, I found the story at some point is boring. It has little more dramas and this make unbelievable. An example of an unbelievable and dramatic conversation can seen in the given sentences.
“you have what you came for,” the dragon said, keeping its head low and watching them. “ Go now. Brother me no more”.
This conversation is from the middle of story where three boys are fighting with a powerful dragon. As I read, I felt this book is not hard and interesting as I expected. However, I found glimpse of historic facts.
The book Grail Quest (1), written by Laura Anne Gilman introduces three teens on a mission to save King Arthur's court. On the eve of the quest for Holy Grail, every adult in Camelot falls into a strange sleep. Marlin is only person who can undo the magic but he does not found anywhere. Three boys Gerard, Newt and Alias don’t not know what to do. Since, Gerard is the oldest and well trained squire, he decides to find a magician. These three guys use a map stolen from Arthur’s study to look on the road. This leads them to a house of ice in which Marlin kept. Gerard, Ailis and Newt knows that only Merlin can change it. So, they begin to trek to find missing magician. They are unaware that a malevolent force will kill anyone who tries to prevent the destruction of Camelot. They face many dangers like bridge troll, a wise and scheming dragon. Eventually, a powerful forces stops. And nothing happens to king Arthur, the knights and the entire kingdom of Camelot. Throughout the tale, Gilman is trying to show a mission of teens that must save the day.
Struggling with plenty of challenges is the great thing they has done. While fighting with a woman Ailis yelled with fear and anger “I am not a witch!’ “ Take it from her, Gerard.” Even though these boys face many challenges, they did give up. Instead, they sought above from it and fought.
Overall, I found the story at some point is boring. It has little more dramas and this make unbelievable. An example of an unbelievable and dramatic conversation can seen in the given sentences.
“you have what you came for,” the dragon said, keeping its head low and watching them. “ Go now. Brother me no more”.
This conversation is from the middle of story where three boys are fighting with a powerful dragon. As I read, I felt this book is not hard and interesting as I expected. However, I found glimpse of historic facts.
November 7, 2013
My grandson is reading the Grail Quest series, and I'm joining him :-) I really like the characters in this version of King Arthur's story--Gerard is a squire, Alis is a maid, and Newt (my favorite) tends the horses. When all the adults are suddenly put to sleep under a spell, it's up to our intrepid three to save the day. Morgain's Revenge is the second in the series, with The Shadow Companion completing the story.
Gilman shows the three having the usual squabbles, yet sticking together--a theme I'm noticing in much YA literature. The adults aren't present (asleep in this case), so the kids have to figure things out for themselves. The recipe seems to work, since my grandson is reading these very quickly.
Gilman shows the three having the usual squabbles, yet sticking together--a theme I'm noticing in much YA literature. The adults aren't present (asleep in this case), so the kids have to figure things out for themselves. The recipe seems to work, since my grandson is reading these very quickly.
September 6, 2011
I love the book! Although sometimes, especially in the first part, things are a little boring. Its mainly about three children who set out on a quest to find three talismans, in order to awaken the adults at Camelot who have fallen into an enchanted sleep, thanks to Morgain, who is Arthur's sister. The oldest who is Gerard, a squire, with Newt and Ailis who is a stable boy and maid servant respectively. The two boys do not get along very well, so Ailis acts as a mediator sometimes. She hides her secret about hearing what seems to be Merlin's voices in her head, until some time later.
The children faces a lot of danger, ranging from becoming 'zombie' slaves for life to facing a bridge troll. In the end, Ailis finds out that the voice might not be Merlin's, as she thought, but Morgain's. Gerard gets invited to go on the quest for the grail at the same time.
The children faces a lot of danger, ranging from becoming 'zombie' slaves for life to facing a bridge troll. In the end, Ailis finds out that the voice might not be Merlin's, as she thought, but Morgain's. Gerard gets invited to go on the quest for the grail at the same time.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
November 18, 2010
Yet another story of King Arthur and Camelot and the Quest for the Holy Grail, except that King Arthur only plays more of a supporting role and the quest hasn't even begun yet. The main characters in this story are three children, the oldest being fourteen. King Arthur and his court (or at least the ADULTS) of his court, including the adult servants and entertainers, have fallen under a spell and it is up to those three children to save them. Danger waits for this trio, be it human or not, as they meet up with those that magic has either influenced or are magic themselves in the case of a dragon. Fascinating read and I can't wait until I read the rest in the series.
August 31, 2020
(Five, of course!) If anyone hasn't noticed, I rate almost of the books I read, with four to five stars. *Shrugs*
Anyway, I found this book at Goodwill several years ago. It was my first King Arthur read EVER. Back then I was in love with Nancy Drew books! (Still am!) So the change of pace was like a cup of fresh tea.
I loved the story. It was an awesome adventure and full of twists and turns. I'd have to reread it again to give a really good review, but overall, it's one of my favorite middle-grade books.
Recommended if you're looking for a change from the genre you might currently be reading. Also if you're in the mood for a clean, fun middle-grade book.
Anyway, I found this book at Goodwill several years ago. It was my first King Arthur read EVER. Back then I was in love with Nancy Drew books! (Still am!) So the change of pace was like a cup of fresh tea.
I loved the story. It was an awesome adventure and full of twists and turns. I'd have to reread it again to give a really good review, but overall, it's one of my favorite middle-grade books.
Recommended if you're looking for a change from the genre you might currently be reading. Also if you're in the mood for a clean, fun middle-grade book.
July 25, 2016
On the eve of the Grail Quest, all the adults at Camelot fall asleep. Obviously magic is involved; but Merlin is missing. So three teenagers — Gerard, a squire; Newt, a stable boy; and Ailis, a maidservant — go in search of him in hopes that he can reverse the spell. But when they find him, he sends them on a further quest to find the talismans they will need to remove it themselves. Believable characters and an enjoyable story.
March 21, 2009
Probably a 4 star for the intended audience- YA
Arthur and his knights are put under a sleeping spell by Morgain while Nimue has Merlin locked in a house of ice. Gerard, the oldest squire; Newt, the stable boy; and Ailis, an orphan who has become a Camelot serving girl, set off on a quest to find the talisman to end the sleeping spell.
Arthur and his knights are put under a sleeping spell by Morgain while Nimue has Merlin locked in a house of ice. Gerard, the oldest squire; Newt, the stable boy; and Ailis, an orphan who has become a Camelot serving girl, set off on a quest to find the talisman to end the sleeping spell.
November 8, 2008
Three 14 year olds go on their own quest once King Arthur and all of Camelot fall under a sleep spell. They have 7 days to find 3 talismans to return things back to normal. This is an easy juvenile book to read.
March 29, 2012
This book was a really good story. I really enjoyed this book. It was about three teenagers. They have to go on a quest to save all the people in King Author's court. The whole kingdom went under a spell. Went to sleep!!! I really love this book. It is my favorite Trilogy.
August 9, 2016
There's a lot to like about this book, which concerns the adventures of three teenagers who live at Camelot. I love the characters, the adventure was fun and exciting, and it fed into my love of all things King Arthur. Definitely recommended.
Read
April 6, 2008If it's still uninteresting after 100 pages...
September 11, 2008
a great book
October 15, 2008
Average fantasy story set in Arthurian England.
June 20, 2010
it was good.
April 20, 2012
Skeletal everything. Characters, plot, etc. Ugh, I don't have much to say about this book, really. Such mary sues/gary stus!
February 29, 2016
First in what looks to be an interesting series.
July 20, 2010
It bored me. Sorry. I liked the idea, but ... nope.
November 28, 2011
It was interesting but sometimes I got bored.
I would not recomend it
I would not recomend it
June 23, 2015
There were boring spots, but the story was altogether good.
April 1, 2017
A solid fantasy story, complete with Arthur and Morgaine. The three protagonists, Ailis, Gerard and Newt, are all sympathetic and likeable. Some good plot twists, too.
Displaying 1 - 23 of 23 reviews