The Shadow Companion

Grail Quest #3

by Laura Anne Gilman

The Quest for the Holy Grail has finally begun, but now three very unusual teenagers are riding along with King Arthur's young squire Gerard, a stable boy named Newt, and Queen Guinevere's maidservant, the strangely magical Ailis. Packed with suspenseful action, fantastic creatures, and legendary characters, the Grail Quest trilogy is perfect for fans of King Arthur and anyone who loves exciting fantasies. In this spellbinding finale, talented author Laura Anne Gilman finally brings the three teens face–to–face with the dark foe that has been threatening the quest. Will Camelot's most unexpected heroes find the Holy Grail...and what will happen if they do? Ages 10 +

Genres: Fantasy, Arthurian, Historical, Young Adult

256 pages, Hardcover

First published November 1, 2006

About the author

Laura 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.

Reviews

[Charlene - Coffee and a Book · Rating 4 out of 5]

Overall, a much more enjoyable book than the second one. A lot more action, a lot more going on in general. However, the one downside is all of the things that feel more like plot conveniences than things that were actually planned out. We discover things the characters can do in the middle of the action, when it’s suddenly needed, with no indication that they could do this beforehand or even a hint that they might be able to. Not something a lot of kids might notice, but definitely something I did.



Content:
• Drugs and Alcohol – a few mentions of adults drinking alcohol
• Violence – quite a bit (men attacked by “spiders,” a whole village found dead, fighting with swords and magic (against creatures, a dragon, and a goddess)
• Themes – magic, a Greek goddess (has no skin, flame eyes, etc.)

[Nick · Rating 3 out of 5]

I enjoyed it, but found it frustrating that all of the main characters in the story had been written into corners, to explain why none of them were more famous in the Arthurian legends.
I was also a little annoyed by the author's insistence on letting us know which of the guys will eventually get the girl, even though that had nothing to do with the story itself.
The style was why it took me forever to get around to reading the third volume of this series, after polishing off the first two ages ago...well, that plus the cover art, which made the Shadow Companion look like an annoying Nazgul wannabe, instead of the much more frightening reality of who/what it was.

[Jane Irish Nelson · Rating 3 out of 5]

The quest to find the Grail has finally begun, and at King Arthur and Merlin's insistence, Gerard, Newt, and Ailis are among the searchers. Many of the knights questions this, especially as regards to Ailis, since she is the only female on the quest. And nothing goes well, Sir Matthias, the overall leader, decides to separate the knights into four groups, each going a different direction, but he keeps the three youngsters in his group. Ailis feels wary and suspicious; and then receives an enormous surprise when Morgain asks for her help! An interesting take on the Arthurian legend, as seen by three teenagers.

[Donna · Rating 3 out of 5]

3 teenagers accompany Arthur's knights on the grail quest. Morgain is making things difficult by her traps and the discord she is magically fostering between the knights. Behind Morgain is the shadow companion she has called up to help her acquire the Grail before any knight can find it.

[Jessica Salt · Rating 5 out of 5]

In the third book of Grail Quest Trilogy. The trio Gabirel, Newt, and Alis are on a quest for the Holy Grail. They go on the quest the King Author's men.

[Ian · Rating 3 out of 5]

Not as good as the first one. In the third installment in the series, Gerard, Ailis and Newt finally start the actual quest for the grail. The book was good, but not in any way the ending I expected.

[Laura Battle · Rating 3 out of 5]

Third in the series. Enjoyable.

[Michelle · Rating 4 out of 5]

Awesome, though I wish Gerard would marry Ailis.