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Lyonesse #2
Dark Solstice
Not long ago twelve year old Idris Limpet was just an ordinary schoolboy. That was until he was taken from his home and taught to tame monsters from another world. Then he pulled a sword out of a stone. Now, he is Idris House Draco, Rightful King of the Land of Lyonesse. Rightful kings have their problems, however, and Idris has his fair share. He is an exile - hunted from his country by the evil regent Fisheagle and her wicked son Murther. Moreover, Idris's dear friend and sister Morgan has been carried off as a slave to the distant land of Aegypt. And before he can return to fight for his throne and his people, Idris must make the treacherous journey to rescue Morgan. . . . But Idris is never on his own, for as he travels, he meets a company of friends. Friends who shall become Idris's faithful Knights of the Round Table, who will raise armies and return with Idris and Morgan to challenge Fisheagle's monstrous armies and reclaim his Kingdom of Lyonesse unless it is already too late. Praise for Lyonesse, Book THE WELL BETWEEN THE "Quietly superb prose and a memorable, unassuming hero make this Arthurian-flavored world fresh and beautiful even when it's bitterly ugly. . . .[A] rich and unpretentious gem." -- KIRKUS REVIEWS (starred) Sam Llewellyn's book in two parts, LYONESSE, has its roots in the world of Arthurian legend, but Sam has made the story and characters his own, drawing on a range of sources to create a fabulously rich and fresh adventure for every child, not just those with an interest in King Arthur.
402 pages, Paperback
First published January 1, 2010
4 people are currently reading
165 people want to read
About the author
Sam Llewellyn
103 books49 followersSam Llewellyn is a British author of literature for children and adults.
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Displaying 1 - 24 of 24 reviews
April 22, 2018
The writing fine,
Delivered by line,*
A story grand,
The best in the land.**
The characters of excellent character were,
Excepting the villains, but that's not what they're for.***
But the villains were well composed,
Like unto a book that stays closed.
So, all together, as you can perhaps see, this was a book worthy of even me,
That being the reason (and this is really quite key) that I gave it five shapes starry.
So you can read it and can judge which is worse,
The excellent book or this outstanding verse.
* Actually, more like sentence, but line is technically right. And it rhymes.
** Actually, it's not the best in the land, but that rhymed.
*** Note the alliteration here, which proves that I am an excellent poet. Also note all the rhyming.
Delivered by line,*
A story grand,
The best in the land.**
The characters of excellent character were,
Excepting the villains, but that's not what they're for.***
But the villains were well composed,
Like unto a book that stays closed.
So, all together, as you can perhaps see, this was a book worthy of even me,
That being the reason (and this is really quite key) that I gave it five shapes starry.
So you can read it and can judge which is worse,
The excellent book or this outstanding verse.
* Actually, more like sentence, but line is technically right. And it rhymes.
** Actually, it's not the best in the land, but that rhymed.
*** Note the alliteration here, which proves that I am an excellent poet. Also note all the rhyming.
June 16, 2022
I liked this book less than the first one, mostly because there was a lot of traveling and I find traveling stories b-o-r-i-n-g. However, it did a great job of delivering on the fantastical nature of the world it developed and definitely needs to be read along with the first one to get the full story.
March 30, 2019
Justice for this book series!!!!
April 25, 2014
The second book of Lyonesse concludes this most unusual variant of the Arthurian legend, based on the folklore of the author's native Isles of Scilly, off the southwest tip of Britain. It follows up on The Well Between the Worlds, which seemed such an engaging and original work of fantasy that I had read half of it before I realized that the resemblance between its characters' names and figures associated with King Arthur was more than a coincidence. Now on board with the secret, I read the second half of the saga and met even more familiar characters under a different guise. Amazingly, knowing what I already know from having read several tellings of the deeds of King Arthur and his knights, I didn't know enough to spoil the plot of this book. I guess you'd have to grow up in the Isles of Scilly to know what to expect. Maybe even then the creative touches added by the author of the Little Darlings series, and of many other novels for adults and children, would be enough to make the story seem new, richly inventive, and full of surprises.
As the story resumes, Idris (better known to us as Arthur) has been forced to flee the land of Lyonesse, where he is rightfully king, only to be attacked by corsairs and fished out of the sea by citizens of the neighboring land of Ar Mor. Idris begins this new chapter in despair. He has lost the sword Cutwater, which he had pulled out of a stone. He believes that his sister and best friend Morgan has been killed or taken into slavery. The future of his kingdom, ruled by an evil regent named Fisheagle and her horrible sun Murther, lies heavy on his heart. And now one of his loyal followers, a survivor of the corsair attack, is found clinging to a piece of wreckage, and even with the healing magic of the scabbard Holdwater Idris is helpless to save the man's life.
But the rescued man's dying thoughts, and the amazing return of Cutwater, set Idris on a new path. His quest is to travel to Aegypt and rescue Morgan from slavery. If he brings her back safely, he can count on the kings of the neighboring countries to support him in his fight to take back the throne of Lyonesse. Setting off alone, Idris steadily attracts allies until he has half a dozen young knights following him. Through one dangerous adventure after another, he leads them to the very walls of Aegypt: a country where slavery is a grim fact of life, and where vast ancient beings dwelling in pits hold an even more terrible mastery over everyone.
Skipping over a lot of what happens, let's just say that Idris comes back to Lyonesse more ready than ever to fight Fisheagle and the otherworldly monsters with whom she is conspiring to poison the land. He grows a lot, learns to bear himself as a king, and shows a knack for commanding the loyalty of man, woman, and beast. But the way things are situated back at home, it seems increasingly likely that the fate of Lyonesse will be tragic in one way or another. The only choice seems to be whether its end will be evil or ennobling. And that decision is ultimately up to Idris, a boy on the cusp of manhood, who would have been a good king if only he might have had a country to rule.
So, one thing this branch of Arthurian legend has in common with the main channel is the bittersweet ending, tinged by an indefinite hope for some brighter future. That much you can expect just from the fact that it has characters in it named Tristan, Gawaine, Galahd, Bors, and Lanz. It gets so that there is no point in trying to avoid spoilers, because you're dealing with a story everybody has heard many times, told in many ways. The difference is what happens along the way to Idris' (Arthur's) bittersweet-hopeful destiny. It has to do with hideous alien monsters that hunger for blood, living in a universe full of darkness and poison. It involves a massive conflict between good and evil, defined as those who care about how their choices affect other people and those who do not. It includes narrow escapes, clever capers, a variety of vivid imagination-firing scenery, and a wise wizard who tells a young hero the hard and painful truth.
Many of Sam Llewellyn's other works involve ships, boats, and settings along the west coast of Great Britain. His titles for younger readers include The Magic Boathouse and The Polecat Cafe. His books for grownups include sailing thrillers and nautical fiction, such as Blood Orange and Hell Bay. He has also written some nonfiction works, including a set of biographical sketches called Small Parts in History, and a phrasebook to different regions of Britain, titled Yacky dar moy Bewty!. Since tales of sails are among my special interests, I expect to read more of Llewellyn's work in the future—though I have a misgiving that these Lyonesse books may be his most outstanding work.
As the story resumes, Idris (better known to us as Arthur) has been forced to flee the land of Lyonesse, where he is rightfully king, only to be attacked by corsairs and fished out of the sea by citizens of the neighboring land of Ar Mor. Idris begins this new chapter in despair. He has lost the sword Cutwater, which he had pulled out of a stone. He believes that his sister and best friend Morgan has been killed or taken into slavery. The future of his kingdom, ruled by an evil regent named Fisheagle and her horrible sun Murther, lies heavy on his heart. And now one of his loyal followers, a survivor of the corsair attack, is found clinging to a piece of wreckage, and even with the healing magic of the scabbard Holdwater Idris is helpless to save the man's life.
But the rescued man's dying thoughts, and the amazing return of Cutwater, set Idris on a new path. His quest is to travel to Aegypt and rescue Morgan from slavery. If he brings her back safely, he can count on the kings of the neighboring countries to support him in his fight to take back the throne of Lyonesse. Setting off alone, Idris steadily attracts allies until he has half a dozen young knights following him. Through one dangerous adventure after another, he leads them to the very walls of Aegypt: a country where slavery is a grim fact of life, and where vast ancient beings dwelling in pits hold an even more terrible mastery over everyone.
Skipping over a lot of what happens, let's just say that Idris comes back to Lyonesse more ready than ever to fight Fisheagle and the otherworldly monsters with whom she is conspiring to poison the land. He grows a lot, learns to bear himself as a king, and shows a knack for commanding the loyalty of man, woman, and beast. But the way things are situated back at home, it seems increasingly likely that the fate of Lyonesse will be tragic in one way or another. The only choice seems to be whether its end will be evil or ennobling. And that decision is ultimately up to Idris, a boy on the cusp of manhood, who would have been a good king if only he might have had a country to rule.
So, one thing this branch of Arthurian legend has in common with the main channel is the bittersweet ending, tinged by an indefinite hope for some brighter future. That much you can expect just from the fact that it has characters in it named Tristan, Gawaine, Galahd, Bors, and Lanz. It gets so that there is no point in trying to avoid spoilers, because you're dealing with a story everybody has heard many times, told in many ways. The difference is what happens along the way to Idris' (Arthur's) bittersweet-hopeful destiny. It has to do with hideous alien monsters that hunger for blood, living in a universe full of darkness and poison. It involves a massive conflict between good and evil, defined as those who care about how their choices affect other people and those who do not. It includes narrow escapes, clever capers, a variety of vivid imagination-firing scenery, and a wise wizard who tells a young hero the hard and painful truth.
Many of Sam Llewellyn's other works involve ships, boats, and settings along the west coast of Great Britain. His titles for younger readers include The Magic Boathouse and The Polecat Cafe. His books for grownups include sailing thrillers and nautical fiction, such as Blood Orange and Hell Bay. He has also written some nonfiction works, including a set of biographical sketches called Small Parts in History, and a phrasebook to different regions of Britain, titled Yacky dar moy Bewty!. Since tales of sails are among my special interests, I expect to read more of Llewellyn's work in the future—though I have a misgiving that these Lyonesse books may be his most outstanding work.
August 3, 2017
I have waited years after finishing the first book to actually start reading this one. Perhaps the transition from being an adolescent to becoming an adult is one of the reason why I have been startled by my newfound recognition that this story has been written in a very childlike point of view and with a very young group of readers in mind.
Nevertheless, I find this book riveting in its own way. I have always enjoyed reading about Arthurian legends, and Llewellyn’s take on it is interesting, what’s with its fast pace, original characters building, and the auspicious expansion of the world within the pages. If the story in the first book has generally happened only in Lyonesse, the second one has Idris embark on a great quest that takes him many places, from the shore of Ar Mor to the dastard heat and sordid slave market of Aegypt. This, I imagine, has effectively changed much of Idris’s outlook in life and one of the more successful factors in his character development.
The appearance of the Knights of the Round Table, with their diverse backgrounds, personalities and circumstances as well as their overwhelming devotion to their King, is also a highlight of the story, though I have hoped that Llewellyn would have described the process in much greater details and have been less willing to have them place their trust in Idris so easily.
There’s nearly no spark of romance whatsoever in this book, unless you count Morgan and Lanz’s cliché love-at-first-sight and subsequent awkward instances of infatuation. However, as this is a book written for children, I can understand the author’s reluctance to dwell on such things.
At the same time, the siblings’ relationship is just as sweet as it has been in the first book. I love that Llewellyn has decided to envision a kind and righteous Morgan and depicted the close and loving family bond between the two, instead of going on the dark path of family feud, incestuous union and grotesque oath of nemesis ordeal.
The ending, for once, has been somewhat of a surprise for me, as my preconception of children’s books has led me to believe wholeheartedly in a happy and incredibly fulfilling ending. The ending of this book, however, is much bleaker than I have expected. Stills, by the end of the book, hope is still abound and the future, while uncertain, may yet be better.
A good read. Not perfect, no, but an enjoyable ride, nevertheless.
Nevertheless, I find this book riveting in its own way. I have always enjoyed reading about Arthurian legends, and Llewellyn’s take on it is interesting, what’s with its fast pace, original characters building, and the auspicious expansion of the world within the pages. If the story in the first book has generally happened only in Lyonesse, the second one has Idris embark on a great quest that takes him many places, from the shore of Ar Mor to the dastard heat and sordid slave market of Aegypt. This, I imagine, has effectively changed much of Idris’s outlook in life and one of the more successful factors in his character development.
The appearance of the Knights of the Round Table, with their diverse backgrounds, personalities and circumstances as well as their overwhelming devotion to their King, is also a highlight of the story, though I have hoped that Llewellyn would have described the process in much greater details and have been less willing to have them place their trust in Idris so easily.
There’s nearly no spark of romance whatsoever in this book, unless you count Morgan and Lanz’s cliché love-at-first-sight and subsequent awkward instances of infatuation. However, as this is a book written for children, I can understand the author’s reluctance to dwell on such things.
At the same time, the siblings’ relationship is just as sweet as it has been in the first book. I love that Llewellyn has decided to envision a kind and righteous Morgan and depicted the close and loving family bond between the two, instead of going on the dark path of family feud, incestuous union and grotesque oath of nemesis ordeal.
The ending, for once, has been somewhat of a surprise for me, as my preconception of children’s books has led me to believe wholeheartedly in a happy and incredibly fulfilling ending. The ending of this book, however, is much bleaker than I have expected. Stills, by the end of the book, hope is still abound and the future, while uncertain, may yet be better.
A good read. Not perfect, no, but an enjoyable ride, nevertheless.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
April 15, 2015
Idris has escaped the regent Fisheagle and her son Murther, but the victory feels hollow at best, for his sister Morgan has been taken as a slave to Aegypt. Where Lyonesse and the surrounding countries are struggling against the monsters from Wellworld, Aegypt has creatures that make even the strongest monsters shudder. Idris is determined to rescue Morgan and take back his kingdom. He has until next Darksolstice, when Murther will come of age and inherit the kingdom.
I am still of two minds about the Aurthurian legend in this. Part of me wants this to be a wholly original world, as the names of certain characters like Gawaine and Galahad are a dead giveaway as to their role in the plot. The other part of me really likes the weird way this retelling reshapes all the familiar bits of legend around an inventive world.
I love Idris. He's polite, kind, and humble, and although he has no idea how he's going to take back his kingdom, he knows he must. I also liked the Knights. Only a few of them got a chance to grow beyond initial stereotypes, but I liked the flickers of magic in many of them, and the way they each had a particular skillset that is useful and necessary. One of my few regrets is that the Knights don't get even more time. They are an interesting bunch, but a large chunk of the book has them not here yet, or off doing other things.
The prose feels both lyrical and languid. The pacing felt good all the way through, and the dangers range from action scenes to puzzles. I was surprised at the end, although I had caught the hint that foreshadowed it. It was yet another example of the Arthur legend intersecting in a strange way with the actual book.
This would probably stand decently alone, but several returning characters get virtually no introduction, so it's better read together with the first book. This does appear to cap off a duology, so everything more or less wraps up. I rate this book Recommended.
I am still of two minds about the Aurthurian legend in this. Part of me wants this to be a wholly original world, as the names of certain characters like Gawaine and Galahad are a dead giveaway as to their role in the plot. The other part of me really likes the weird way this retelling reshapes all the familiar bits of legend around an inventive world.
I love Idris. He's polite, kind, and humble, and although he has no idea how he's going to take back his kingdom, he knows he must. I also liked the Knights. Only a few of them got a chance to grow beyond initial stereotypes, but I liked the flickers of magic in many of them, and the way they each had a particular skillset that is useful and necessary. One of my few regrets is that the Knights don't get even more time. They are an interesting bunch, but a large chunk of the book has them not here yet, or off doing other things.
The prose feels both lyrical and languid. The pacing felt good all the way through, and the dangers range from action scenes to puzzles. I was surprised at the end, although I had caught the hint that foreshadowed it. It was yet another example of the Arthur legend intersecting in a strange way with the actual book.
This would probably stand decently alone, but several returning characters get virtually no introduction, so it's better read together with the first book. This does appear to cap off a duology, so everything more or less wraps up. I rate this book Recommended.
November 15, 2012
Reviewed by Kira M for TeensReadToo.com
In a kingdom where corruption and power reign, and where well waters are poisoned, lives Idris. Idris Limpet is no longer an ordinary schoolboy. Since pulling the sword out of the stone, he's become Idris House Draco, rightful king and ruler of Lyonesse. Saved from the execution block and trained to be a monstergroom and knight, he is Lyonesse's only hope.
But he is a king in exile.
His kingdom has been taken over by Fisheagle, a half-woman/half-monster, and her cruel son, Murther. His sister, Morgan, is a slave in the wicked land of Aegypt. Now, he only has until the Darksolstice to find his sister and save his homeland before Fisheagle destroys them both.
Determined to rescue her, he sets out on a quest and meets Gawaine, Galahad, and Tristan. After travels that involve imprisonment and unlikely escapes - aided by similarly unlikely allies - Idris and his band arrive in Aegypt only to discover that Morgan may be dead.
Will Idris find his sister alive? Will he be able to save Lyonesse?
DARKSOLSTICE is a great fantasy adventure for fans of King Arthur and his Knights of the Round Table. A great prequel to the well-known tales, this book has well-developed characters, a fast-moving plot, and a great storyline. Those who have read the first book in the LYONESSE series, THE WELL BETWEEN THE WORLDS, or who are fans of fantasy and adventure, will truly enjoy reading this book.
In a kingdom where corruption and power reign, and where well waters are poisoned, lives Idris. Idris Limpet is no longer an ordinary schoolboy. Since pulling the sword out of the stone, he's become Idris House Draco, rightful king and ruler of Lyonesse. Saved from the execution block and trained to be a monstergroom and knight, he is Lyonesse's only hope.
But he is a king in exile.
His kingdom has been taken over by Fisheagle, a half-woman/half-monster, and her cruel son, Murther. His sister, Morgan, is a slave in the wicked land of Aegypt. Now, he only has until the Darksolstice to find his sister and save his homeland before Fisheagle destroys them both.
Determined to rescue her, he sets out on a quest and meets Gawaine, Galahad, and Tristan. After travels that involve imprisonment and unlikely escapes - aided by similarly unlikely allies - Idris and his band arrive in Aegypt only to discover that Morgan may be dead.
Will Idris find his sister alive? Will he be able to save Lyonesse?
DARKSOLSTICE is a great fantasy adventure for fans of King Arthur and his Knights of the Round Table. A great prequel to the well-known tales, this book has well-developed characters, a fast-moving plot, and a great storyline. Those who have read the first book in the LYONESSE series, THE WELL BETWEEN THE WORLDS, or who are fans of fantasy and adventure, will truly enjoy reading this book.
June 21, 2010
Idris (Arthur), intrepid young hero and King of Lyonesse from the first book, has a mission: to rescue his beloved sister, Morgan, from the slavers of Aegypt. Along the way, he gathers an assortment of variously-skilled young men who become his Knights. They face danger and adventure and are not at all assured of the success of their mission. Fisheagle's grip on the world increases as monsterharvesting grows out of control, and the Wells poison the fair land. Idris must somehow claim his kingdom.
Llewellyn's version of the Arthurian legends is based on the stories he heard growing up on the Isles of Scilly, and he is a master storyteller. These are astonishing, profound, marvelous books. Though the stories are ancient, they contain relevant lessons. (Wells drilled, spewing black poison, remind you of anything in the news?)
Llewellyn's version of the Arthurian legends is based on the stories he heard growing up on the Isles of Scilly, and he is a master storyteller. These are astonishing, profound, marvelous books. Though the stories are ancient, they contain relevant lessons. (Wells drilled, spewing black poison, remind you of anything in the news?)
August 15, 2011
Ages 10 and up. Loosely based on the King Arthur legend, this is the 2nd book in the Lyonesse series. Idris , who has recently discovered that he is the true king of Lyonesse, leaves home to rescue his sister Morgan, who was kidnapped and taken to Aegypt. The journey is full of perils, but along the way Idris recruits knights to help him, and establishes the Round Table, where all are equals. Meanwhile, Fisheagle has usurped his rightful throne and is turning his kingdom into a dark and menacing world of monsters. Will he rescue Morgan and return to Lyonesse before Darksolstice, beating Fisheagle's son Murther in coming of age to take over the throne? Although I didn't read the first book, it was relatively easy to pick up what I missed. An engaging tale of adventure and fantasy, with a satisfying ending but leaving room for more adventures.
July 28, 2014
AMAZING BOOK, GUYS!!!! I would recommend it to anybody and everybody! But make sure to read the first one, The Well Between The Worlds before this one.
Even though it is yet another Arthurian series, this one has a quite unique twist to it. Due to spoilers, I won't ruin the fun for you. Also, the main protagonist, who is essentially Arthur, is instead called Idris.
Why is it that the amazing series, like the Thief Errant series (whose first book is Star Crossed, for any of thosde interested), always are cut short? I NEED THEM!!!
Well, enough of my rant. You'll see me in my next book rant soon, though ;)
Even though it is yet another Arthurian series, this one has a quite unique twist to it. Due to spoilers, I won't ruin the fun for you. Also, the main protagonist, who is essentially Arthur, is instead called Idris.
Why is it that the amazing series, like the Thief Errant series (whose first book is Star Crossed, for any of thosde interested), always are cut short? I NEED THEM!!!
Well, enough of my rant. You'll see me in my next book rant soon, though ;)
December 13, 2022
I remembered this book being better than book 1 but this time around I very much disagree! This book took ages to read, it was slow going the whole way and not the most interesting. I think that if you like stories with a fairy tale kind of writing then you will like this more than I did. A lot of events happen because of Idris' destiny rather than Idris's actions which kind of flattens a good chunk of any tension.
I think the best thing about this book is seeing more wellworld worldbuilding - I enjoyed how spooky it is and this is one part that I think the somewhat flowery writing style of this series really suited.
April 27, 2011
All in all, a decent read. I liked the first one well enough that I snatched this one up when it came in at the library. Llewellyn's take on the King Arthur story was interesting and different enough (while still respecting the source) to keep me reading. I found the ending a bit sad but could totally see it coming. It seems that no matter what arc of the Arthur story you follow it has to end tragically. That said, I applaud the explanation crafted for the fate of the land of Lyonesse - a sunken area off the British coast steeped in ancient mystery.
October 2, 2011
So, I was reading some reviews and finally figured out (from reviews) that this is a retelling of the Arthurian Legend. Now it makes a lot more sense!! I have read Arthurian novels by Mary Stewart a long time ago and then I started noticing the parallels. This second book was kind of slow from beginning through the whole middle for me.
January 26, 2011
I enjoyed this book a lot. It was very well written, and very interesting. There were many twists and turns, but I hope that this is the last book. The story wasn't very well thought out. It was very interesting, but there is only so much you can do with such a book.
February 2, 2011
A retelling of sorts of the King Arthur myth. VOYA says original, but I'm not sure how it is original. Think I would have liked this better had I not read that it was "original." Kind of long, not sure how many middle schoolers would stick with it. Hard core fantasy fans, possibly.
May 4, 2010
Book two of a great little series based on the Arthurian legends
September 2, 2010
This was a great book. I sent it to my grandson, Matthew because he had recommended the first one to me.
November 5, 2010
Classic King Arthur type book where the young and inexperienced boy takes control of his throne
Read
February 28, 2011Wonderful book. I thought it a very unique take on alternate history.
July 12, 2011
Another good story in a strong series.
April 10, 2013
Why did it have to end?
D;
D;
March 26, 2017
I won't waste time finishing this book. I may have liked it a lot more if I was younger and had I realized this was the second in a series.
August 13, 2010
Too much expository writing.
December 1, 2010
A great finish to a very different story about King Arthur and his Knights.
Displaying 1 - 24 of 24 reviews