The Golden Sword by Rosie Morgan – a Review

Link to order The Golden Sword: Amazon

Description:
Meet Arthur Penhaligon on the day his life changes – forever.
On the day he skateboards into the past, discovering a world of magic and mystery; unaware that he was chosen before birth to fulfil a unique destiny.

All Arthur really wants is to have a normal life, doing normal things.
But unknown to him, before he was born – a very long time before – Arthur was chosen.
And that will mean that his life is going to be anything but ordinary.
Skate-boarding down his local street he is suddenly aware that everyone has disappeared, except for just one man, a sinister stranger – and a crow. And the stranger is waiting for him.

Arthur and his friends, Nick and Tamar, quickly find themselves pulled into a strange world of deep magic, mystery and danger.
A world involving the murderous Crow Man, and Matearnas – the self-crowned Queen of Cornwall, determined to rob Arthur of his ancient birthright.
At any cost.

Normal is just about to go out of the window.

Review:
The Golden Sword, set in Cornwall, England, centuries after the rise and fall of Camelot, is about Arthur Penhaligon, a young boy destined for big things.  Author, Rosie Morgan, tells a lovely story about a normal teenager with normal wishes for a great summer.  When peculiar events interfere with said plans and can no longer go ignored, Arthur innately rises to the occasion.  Great-Uncle Lance must have had something to do with that?

Arthur is being stalked by a man wearing a long coat and wide-brimmed hat…and a crow.  From their first encounter, “the stranger slowly and deliberately raised one arm and pointed right at him” to a near confrontation that riled up and assembled a charming cast of cats in Arthur’s defense.  These surreptitious visits would soon turn more menacing and set off a series of events linking Arthur to the legendary past…and his imminent future.

Rosie Morgan is not retelling the legend of King Arthur – rather, she’s preparing the stage (and a sequel, I hope!), for young Arthur’s remarkable destiny.  Armed with Tamar and Nick as his trusty sidekicks (headed for the current-day Round Table?), “they were a force to be reckoned with when they were on the same side”.

Fortuitous meetings with members of the “Watchers” slowly, but assuredly, place Arthur in line for a triumphant conclusion.  Good versus evil ensues and Arthur faces Matearnas, an adversary unwilling to relinquish her “guardianship” over the land.  In spite of his disbelief over the impossible circumstances that have invaded his life, Arthur displays faith and allows fate to dictate his actions.  In a nod to the legend, Bedivere, a knight and loyal follower of King Arthur indicates to young Arthur that he is in fact The One:

“There are more things under the heavens than we can ever imagine, Sire.”

At 187 pages, lots of authors would overwhelm you and cram details.  This is an unhurried, albeit slow-paced, story of a boy gathering his troops for more adventures.  Will they all be of heroic proportions?  Who knows, but if Ms. Morgan supplies us with enchanting new quests, I’m reading!  The Golden Sword appeals to all ages and I think that’s important for the YA audience when, undoubtedly, the past will encounter the present.  Ms. Morgan entwines a brief history lesson while delivering a thoroughly enjoyable read about Arthur’s journey.     

Reviewed by Carmen

Copy provided by Author