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The Knights of Arrethtrae #3

Sir Dalton and the Shadow Heart

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The shadow of doubt can destroy the most noble of men. Can Sir Dalton rediscover his allegiance before it's too late?

Sir Dalton, a knight in training, seems to have everything going for him. Young, well-liked, and a natural leader, he has earned the respect and admiration of his fellow knights, and especially the beautiful Lady Brynn.

But something is amiss at the training camp. Their new trainer is popular but lacks the passion to inspire them to true service to the King and the Prince. Besides this, the knights are too busy enjoying a season of good times to be concerned with a disturbing report that many of their fellow Knights have mysteriously vanished.

When Sir Dalton is sent on a mission, he encounters strange attacks, especially when he is alone. As his commitment wanes, the attacks grow in intensity until he is captured by Lord Drox, a massive Shadow Warrior. Bruised and beaten, Dalton refuses to submit to evil and initiates a daring escape with only one of two outcomes–life or death. But what will become of the hundreds of knights he’ll leave behind? In a kingdom of peril, Dalton thinks he is on his own, but two faithful friends have not abandoned him, and neither has a strange old hermit who seems to know much about the Prince. But can Dalton face the evil Shadow Warrior again and survive?

139 pages, Paperback

First published April 25, 2009

21 people are currently reading
716 people want to read

About the author

Chuck Black

37 books747 followers
Chuck Black first wrote Kingdom’s Edge to inspire his children to read the Bible with renewed zeal. This captivating expanded parable led him to write the Old Testament allegories, Kingdom’s Dawn, Kingdom’s Hope, Kingdom’s Call, and Kingdom’s Quest. Chuck's currents works include the Knights of Arrethtrae series, Call to Arms, and his series in progress, Wars of the Realm.

Chuck is a former F-16 fighter pilot and currently works as an engineer for a firm designing plastic consumer products and has coinvented eleven patented construction products now being sold internationally. He has a degree in electrical and electronic engineering and served eight years in the United States Air Force. Chuck and his wife have six children and live in North Dakota.

It is Chuck’s desire to serve the Lord through his work and to inspire people of all ages to study the scriptures in order to discover the hope and love of a truly majestic King and His Son.

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Displaying 1 - 30 of 54 reviews
Profile Image for Shantelle.
Author 2 books370 followers
September 20, 2016
An intriguing journey of faith set in a non-magical fantasy world and lived out by a young knight, Sir Dalton and the Shadow Heart is a Christian allegorical novel not to be missed! Eleven-year-olds and up should definitely check out THE KNIGHTS OF ARRETHTRAE by Chuck Black. My older brother and I, adults, also really enjoyed it!

This book is the third in THE KNIGHTS OF ARRETHTRAE series, which follows the KINGDOM series. The first series is an allegorical journey spanning Genesis to Revelation (or so I hear). And the second series follows individual knights and struggles. Sir Dalton and the Shadow Heart centers on doubt, and how it cripples Dalton in his most dire battles.

I loved the spiritual tone of this book. Such a beautiful allegory ... such a grand fantasy world, filled with impacting adventures. Sir Dalton and the Shadow Heart is the first book I've read by Chuck Black, but I'm so excited to read about all the other knights and their stories! And also the KINGDOM series! As I mentioned above, my older brother and I both really liked this book, and my teen sisters and eleven-year-old brother are planning on reading it too. It's a meaningful Christian book for the family!

That being said, there are some violent/gruesome parts and dark scenes. I thought it was all pretty tastefully done, and drove the point home. But it'd definitely be a bit scary for younger children. So yes, I think 11+ is a good audience! *smiles*

The end of the book left me happy and satisfied to a certain extent, yet so wanting to get my hands on the next book and start Lady Carliss's journey! These characters have found their ways into my heart. ^_^

I don't know what else to say. Sir Dalton and the Shadow Heart was a quick but deep tale. I loved it! If you want a poignant and adventurous fantasy/allegorical story, then pick up these books. I highly recommend!
Profile Image for Jaiden Phillips.
Author 10 books134 followers
March 23, 2024
Wow... I just wrote a whole review and GR deleted it *bangs head on tablet*🥴 So, I had a great review but now you get the short and sweet one...lol...thanks for nothing GoodReads🙄🥴 let's see if I can collect my thoughts... again...lol...

Language: N/A

Violence: Just your average fantasy fight scens and action, nothing graphic.

Magic: N/A

Right *stares at wall*
Well, like I said, my other review was rather good if I do say so, and I barely remember any of it...lol...*facepalm*
This book was so amazing and beautifully written! The story was... wow! The story was incredible, one of those stories where you're just like "Don't cry, don't cry, don't cry" I did a little, honestly when I was reading and Rescue by Lauren Daigle came on, I just couldn't... (you should totally listen to that song if you read this, just not while you read this, because *wipes at eyes* I just can't.)
This story was so beautiful and impactful because it wasn't your average redemption story. It's not I found Jesus, it's I strayed away but You came to Rescue me when I was in darkness and called upon You to lead back. *wipes eyes* So beautiful! Really, I can't explain what this book did for me, you should just totally read it! 💖💖
I love how Black takes such complicated things and makes them so easy to understand by using the characters physical struggles and battles to represent their internal battles! It was very powerful that whenever Dalton doubted his beliefs and was swayed by the Enemy, he got some kind of physical injury to represent the wounds upon his soul. So enlightening and beautifully done...what am I kidding? This whole book was gorgeous! You should go read it, like now!💖💖 *shoves book a box of tissues at you*

12+
Profile Image for Lovely Day.
990 reviews168 followers
May 3, 2021
4⭐️

Sir Dalton desperately wants to be a Knight for the prince, so when he goes to train, he is a bit surprised with the laid back approach that the knights in charge have. This mediocre drive to train up solid, skilled knights reflects itself in Dalton when he is challenged by the enemy and feels very inadequate in the sword fight. The rest of the knights-in-training love the easy vibes of the training camp and begin to bully a brother and sister duo who don’t want to put up with the lazy method and insist on proper training.
While Sir Dalton begins to feel the conviction that proper training is necessary, he is also torn by his affection for Lady Bryn, who is often one of the bullies.

I just love this series. So wholesome, and convicting and powerful!
Profile Image for Josiah.
302 reviews
December 17, 2018
I was honestly really surprised at how good this was. The other ones were great, but this one had a really powerful message about how easy it is for us to go away from God. Sir Dalton is a knight who is struggling to know what to think about God and his faith. He befriends a strong believer and they become great friends, but then Dalton is kidnapped and taken to a prison where him and fellow Knights of the Prince are being pressured to get away from God. The story tells about how Dalton strengthens his faith and helps others. This is a really amazing book that tells a great lesson. Great for any boy or girl from 10-15!
Profile Image for Celestria.
367 reviews473 followers
August 3, 2017
Probably around my fifth time reading this, except this time I'm reading it out loud to my 11 year old brother. I love the allegories and that even though it has a little romance, it's not the focus of the book. Even though I read a lot of romance novels and enjoy them, to be honest, I sometimes get plain sick of them, so it's nice that there's guys like Chuck Black writing great Christian fiction like this and Wars of the Realm. This is one of my favorite Knights of Arrethtrae books....but then so is Lady Carliss, and Sir Quinlan, and Sir Bentley, and basically all six books!
Profile Image for Kaitlyn Rinehart.
90 reviews
September 3, 2024
I enjoyed this book a lot! Again, Chuck Black is a very good author. In this book, he emphasizes who you are in Christ. It is a convicting and encouraging book.
Profile Image for Catherine Hawthorn.
114 reviews
January 13, 2020
My library didn't have book 2, so this is the first book I picked up after reading book 1 over a year ago.

I really liked the "infiltration" of bad knights premise because it's a really relevant issue in today's Church. I did feel the allegory aspects were really obvious - especially Master Sejus.
Profile Image for Angie Thompson.
Author 49 books1,111 followers
February 11, 2018
This is the third of the Knights of Arrethtrae books that I've read, and while the style isn't my favorite, I've appreciated the lessons contained in them. This one, though, touched me in a way that the others haven't even come close to. I'm sure a lot of it was due to the fact that I've struggled with doubt and my inability to remember the answers I've been taught when faced with questions in my own life. Dalton's struggle felt absolutely real, as did the array of enemies and circumstances calculated to snare him. His time with the old man in the cave was also spot-on as we saw his faith stripped down to its foundations and established again on the rock. And I literally broke down and wept at his teacher's parting words. God's faithfulness is so great, even in the midst of our greatest despair and deepest failures. Many thanks to Chuck Black for this powerful reminder!
Profile Image for Kaysie.
10 reviews2 followers
February 19, 2015
Sometimes you will stumble and have to get back up. Sometimes you will fail and have to trust that The Lord forgives you and loves you. This book is a wonderful read! The road is not always straight, the path is not always clear. He knows there is something missing, something others have but he doesn't, what is it he wanders. This characters journey to finding a personal relationship with his Lord and not one shaped by others opinion is beautifully written and one I will enjoy for a long time to come.
Profile Image for Glenn.
1,724 reviews8 followers
December 15, 2016
Another read through and still a great book...
Profile Image for Diana.
259 reviews
December 10, 2019
Who doesn't enjoy a great adventure story with struggles of good and evil?! The question that always runs through my mind is the hope that yes, once again good will triumph over evil! The story begins with Sir Dalton, a knight of the Prince. The Knights of the Prince fight in honor of the King and his son the Prince. Lord Drox is a fallen knight, who now fights against the Knights of the Prince and tries to gain allegiance from Knights of the Prince who falter in their loyalty.
Lord Drox preys on the fears of fellow soldiers and takes Dalton to his cavernous prison. Here, Dalton finds other Knights of the Prince who have given up their zeal and hope of escape.
Following his daring escape, Dalton is mortally wounded by Lord Drox but survives due to the rescue of a mysterious man who claims to collect things and make them like new.
Once healed, Dalton decides to return to the prison and rescue his fellow Knights.
This allegory of good vs. evil is a strong tale that young adult readers and all ages will appreciate and understand the symbolic religious significance.

This exciting book was my very first introduction to a whole series created by Chuck Black. I plan to read more!
Profile Image for Rachel.
382 reviews
March 15, 2022
This was one of the more relatable stories in the series. A new teacher comes to the haven and teaches Sir Dalton and the others in a more vague cultural way. Not as helpful or useful in battle, but less challenging and more fun. Unfortunately, because of their lack of skill with the Sword Sir Dalton and some of the other young people (and some older Knights as well) fall prey to the doubts Drax attacks them with and are ultimately imprisoned. Dalton attempts to escape, but is captured and is pinned to the ground to die. The Prince comes to his rescue and trains him properly in sword play and with the help of Lady Carliss and Koen he defeats Drax and sets the captives free.
It was quite obvious from the start the allegory is the dangers of the more cultural teaching that some churches do. It has a lack of substance and when hard times or challenges come people lose their faith.
Like the other books this has discussion questions and answers in the back as well as author commentary that explains the book in case there were things that you didn't understand.
I read this before I went bed and oddly enough I think it gave me nightmares.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
Profile Image for Phoebe Hinkle.
Author 6 books17 followers
December 31, 2024
*sobs* Sir Dalton, I needed your book 😭 Not that I currently have problems with doubt, but it's such an important topic. I need that fire inside me that Dalton has after training with Master Sejus 🥲

Every time I read a new Chuck Black book, I'm amazed at what a good storyteller he is. The pacing is excellent, the symbolism is easy to pick out without being heavy-handed, and the lessons are invaluable. The world of Arrethrae is so vivid and real - I can always picture the setting clearly, yet he's very concise in his descriptions.

This book started out more intense than the other two I've read - and some pretty rough things happen to Dalton - but Chuck Black is pretty good at keeping gory detail at an appropriate level. Any injuries taken are pretty much always for a reason: in Dalton's case, they're part of the symbolism of doubt.
Profile Image for White House Public Library.
417 reviews4 followers
February 16, 2022
If you read the first two books in the Knights of Arrethtrae, you will definitely love this one as well. Similar to the first two books, this one has all new characters. I liked these characters and the struggles they have. All of the books have Christian themes, but this one deals with doubting one's faith and knowing why you believe what you believe. All and all, another exciting book with a great plot, characters, and themes that both boys and girls will enjoy reading.
15 reviews2 followers
October 18, 2021
Epic story

Review by my 9 yo son:

I like this book for it is a tale of bravery and a story of intelligence.It is a epic battle between good and evil.And it is a reminder that goodness and courage will always defend and defeat all of evils ways.But still has a little love which makes me think that girls and boys alike will like this story of bravery!The king reins! And his son!!!
17 reviews2 followers
February 21, 2022
I was first introduced to these books by my sister. Even at the first sentence I was glued. This book
had incredible action and always included a twist or a turn! One of my favorite parts of the book
was the questions and answers at the end. If you like suspense, allegory, sword fighting, and a hint of romance, this is the book for you!
Profile Image for Deigan Marie.
153 reviews31 followers
January 24, 2023
Honestly. . . this was my least favorite book in this series so far. I'm sorry, but it just wasn't as exciting as I had hoped, and there were times when I felt that the character should've known things that he didn't. It was still very well written and enjoyable, but not my favorite so far :)
Profile Image for E. Joy.
163 reviews
November 26, 2022
An incredible story. Dalton's journey from a misguided young knight plaugued with doubts and questions to a mighty man on fire for the Prince, is wonderfully told.
Profile Image for Landon Killian.
22 reviews
April 18, 2023
This book tells of a story about a boy who never gave up. We should look at the character and never give up as well with Christ help.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
Profile Image for Zanna.
472 reviews3 followers
September 22, 2023
if you really wanted to you could figure out this guy's exact stance on most evangelical issues solely from how he writes these books. i do not mean that kindly.
Profile Image for Lexie Jackson.
16 reviews
May 13, 2024
I didn’t think I would love these books as much as I do! This one is my favorite so far just bc I feel like Dalton and I share a lot of things in common. Soo excited for this next one tho
1,120 reviews2 followers
September 13, 2024
Still good but a lot darker than previous books. The focus of this book is a man who has committed to the son of the king in name only. It shows the battle for his heart.
Profile Image for Lilly W..
32 reviews
August 9, 2011
Started book on July 22
Option One Last Book (Fourth Book)
Sir Dalton And The Shadow Heart

Dalton and Brynn were young and were training to become knights of The Prince. But from their younger ages love steers them from the Prince and all they really care about is each other. Now there are many knights that come to teach them how to fight with swords and how important the Prince really is. from Dalton's younger age he has doubted the Prince a little like if he is real or if he really is all mighty or if he is just saying that to get power. These doubts have been influenced by a Shadow Warrior named Drox. Drox has the power to change into other things is what I believe.And as Dalton gets older he is sworn to become a knight of the Prince and when Drox ( When he is not as strong as he should tries to kill Dalton, Dalton is saved by a fellow knight named Koen. And Drox runs away. Later on Dalton was taken to Koen's home so his arm could heal from the fight with Drox after it is practically healed with the help of Koen's strange and quiet sister he decides to leave to go home see his family and his beloved Brynn.
But with the storm and some scary crows that scare his horse he is beaten up and dragged to Drox's horse. When Koen came on his horse searching for Dalton he wanted to cry out for help,but Drox said if he screamed to Koen He would kill him before Koen could even get near. How could a now huge guy that could snap anyone in half. Drox put him on his horse and rode off that is all he remembered since his shoulder was hirt again pretty bad and the pressure from the horse moving up and down knocked him out. For a long time Dalton was kept in a cell with no doors along with hundreds of other knights. And found out later the reason why everyone is staying is when you get out Drox will either kill you or haunt you the rest of your life. Well after a while Dalton had enough left and found out they were in the middle of a circular canyon and was stabbed in the stomach and woke up in a cave with a man named Master Sejus and he taught himabout the prince and how to sword fight better.When he was completly healed he left and told the head Knights. Now you have to read the book to find out what Koen said to Brynn, what roles Koen and Carliss (Koen's sister) play at the end, and what happens to Carliss and what Dalton finds out about her.
Profile Image for Denali Christianson ~Semi-active~.
85 reviews47 followers
August 12, 2021
I'm not going to give a long review on this book because everything about it was just sooo good and I don't think you want to read a long paragraph of me gushing over the whole book! In short, everything from the writing to the character development to the plot was stunning and I absolutely loved all of the plot twists Black included! This is by far the best Knights book so far and I highly recommend it to anyone who is a fan of swords, adventure, and high fantasy!
Profile Image for Rachel.
649 reviews
February 15, 2014
“Dalton turned to look at the hermit again. 'Is it that simple?' 'The only way to have a complete heart for the Prince is to know it is true. A man who doesn't is like a wave of the sea being tossed by the wind.'”

Sir Dalton has pledged his life to the Prince, yet he feels he still is lacking and not the knight he desires to be. When a new leader enters the haven of knights to train them, new doubts enter his mind. Blinded, too, by the beauty of Lady Brynn who mysteriously doesn't like the new kids – Koen and Carliss, who seem like Dalton to desire more than the casual appearance of allegiance to the King and His Son. It is the tale of overcoming fear and doubts that cloud the Christian mind... and of seeing people for more than they appear to be on the outside.

Loved this story! Though a little more dark than Chuck Black's other books at times, the story is a powerful one of seeking Christ and following Him above other teachers and people in our lives, and one of friendship with those who truly know Him. Dalton is one of my favorite character's from both series.

“The Prince is the personification of the Code. By Him the kingdom lives or dies. Do not let the vain teachings of wayward instructors cause you to wander from the resilient truth of the Code and the Prince! Test it...and see if it is not true.”
Profile Image for Virginia.
Author 123 books349 followers
Read
May 20, 2009
Sir Dalton is a knight serving the Prince, Son of the King who rules the great Kingdom across the Sea. Sir Dalton's early training is conducted by a knight who plants seeds of doubt in his mind with his endless discussions of theory and very little practical training in combat. When Sir Dalton is captured by a powerful dark lord, he faces his own doubts and weakness.

In this thinly-veiled allegory of the Christian faith, the author presents many thought-provoking issues that Christians face today. Why do we believe? Can we articulate what we believe? Is the Bible (the Code, in Sir Dalton's world) real and applicable today, or was it only appropriate for the people living in the time in which it was written? And most importantly, what can we do when we want to believe, but deep inside, we have doubts that seem to zap the strength of our convictions?

This book would be terrific as a youth group discussion tool. The symbolism is obvious and easily discerned, and there are a set of extremely comprehensive discussion questions in the back, along with the author's answers to those questions.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 54 reviews

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