King of the Middle March (Arthur Trilogy #3)

ANNOTATION

Arthur de Caldicot, on his way to becoming a man, witnesses the horrors of the Fourth Crusade in Venice and Zara, as well as the downfall of King Arthur's court, in his seeing stone.

FROM THE PUBLISHER

In the year 1202, newly knighted Arthur de Caldicot finds himself in Venice at the launch of the Fourth Crusade. But jealousies and greed rive the Crusade, turning Christian against Christian at horrifying cost. And Arthur must choose his way in the battle.

Fans of the first two books about Arthur will find their questions about his home life answered in deeply satisfying (though often surprising) ways. Arthur's betrothal to Winnie becomes uncertain, while his search for his birth mother, so often stymied by his vicious father, comes to a close. And while Arthur has his magical seeing stone for guidance, he soon realizes that the exploits of King Arthur and his knights, like those of the Crusaders, are often as shocking as they are glorious-and sometimes end in bloodshed that betrays the ideals they represent.

Yet when a great dream is destroyed, an even greater legend can rise from the ruins. King of the Middle March brims with the medieval texture and dazzling detail that Crossley-Holland fans have come to expect, but also with new depths of feeling and wisdom. In this book, Arthur steps forward to become a man worthy of his kingly name.

FROM THE CRITICS

Publishers Weekly

Third in the Arthur trilogy, King of the Middle March by Kevin Crossley-Holland begins amidst attempts to launch a European crusade against the Saracens. Young Arthur-who views the actions of the legendary king through the magic stone of the launch title, The Seeing Stone-struggles to understand why Saracens are sworn enemies and to deal with his tempestuous father. In a starred review of the series debut, PW called Arthur a "clever, ethical and passionate hero." Copyright 2004 Reed Business Information.

Children's Literature - Beverley Fahey

The third installment of the Arthur trilogy completes Arthur's journey from boy to man and ties all the loose ends that have kept reader's attention in the past two books. It has all the verve and action that is missing from book two. Arthur de Caldicot, recently knighted, finally embarks on the Fourth Crusade with his antagonistic father Sir William, Lord Stephen De Holt, his foster brother Sir Serle, and loyal friend and squire Bertie. Recently betrothed to the winsome Winnie De Verdon, Arthur is loathe to leave her and the comfort of home but anxious to take up the cross of God and battle the evil Saracens. A layover in Venice to secure sailing vessels and finances from the Doge and a battle to liberate the people of Zara reveals to Arthur that there are shades of gray in war and that battle is dirty and bloody, and that evil is not so easily defined. Arthur still carries with him his obsidian stone that he turns to for comfort and guidance. As the idyllic era of Camelot begins to unravel with the betrayal of Sir Lancelot and the vengeance of King Arthur it parallels events in Arthur's world where glorious deeds and altruistic motives are often mired in greed and self service. The search for his mother still consumes Arthur and an encounter with his father comes to a tragic ending. This multi-layered novel rich in medieval detail and with strong, well-defined characters is brilliantly written. The story of the two Arthurs is expertly interwoven and readers are rewarded with an exciting adventure with a satisfying ending. Arthur De Caldicot comes of age and rightly takes his place as a fair and noble king. 2004, Arthur A Levine Books, Ages 14 up.

KLIATT - Janis Flint-Ferguson

After two and half years, the final installment of Crossley-Holland's Arthur trilogy is complete. Picking up after Book Two ends, the Fourth Crusade (1202) and the legend of King Arthur are interwoven into the story of now 16-year-old Arthur de Caldecot, who is being called by his real name, Arthur de Gortanore. Book Three offers little summary of the previous books and instead begins in the middle of Arthur's service to Lord Stephen as the Fourth Crusade musters in Venice, Italy. Arthur becomes a knight and learns what it means to be a part of a large multinational army. But the business of preparing for battle is not as honorable as he thinks it should be; and when his father Sir William de Gortanore arrives, Arthur is further troubled to be related to such a disagreeable man. There is infighting among the troops, including a disturbing scene in which a young boy is trussed and put into a catapult, and personal conflict involving Arthur's difficult father. Arthur still carries his obsidian stone and follows the life of the legendary King Arthur, the search for the Holy Grail and the final battles that destroy Camelot. Along with Arthur is Bertie, a 13-year-old squire; Serle, Arthur's older cousin; and Simona, the Venetian shipbuilder's daughter. It is not until the end of the story that the mysteries surrounding Arthur's parentage, which are significant in Book Two, are resolved and the surprising connection to King Arthur is revealed. (Arthur Trilogy, Book 3). KLIATT Codes: J*—Exceptional book, recommended for junior high school students. 2004, Scholastic, 432p., Ages 12 to 15.

School Library Journal

Gr 7 Up-A glorious and uplifting conclusion to the trilogy. As before, Arthur de Caldicot tells his story, which this time finds the teen on an island off the coast of Venice waiting for a Crusade to begin. He is full of both wonder at his surroundings and the multinational band of men and anxiety over what is expected of him. Arthur is knighted and takes his oath to defend God seriously, but he is conflicted to learn that the Saracens are educated and devout people not unlike the Europeans. At the forefront of his thoughts is Merlin's admonition to keep asking questions. When money and politics wreak havoc with the plans for the Crusade, Arthur becomes disillusioned, and he faces a crisis of faith when the Venetians bring the Crusaders into an internal conflict to siege the city of Zara. Concurrently, Sir Stephen, Arthur's lord, is wounded and must be taken home to England, and because of duty, Arthur takes him and leaves the Crusade. Parallel to Arthur's own quest is that of legendary King Arthur and the Grail knights, whom Arthur watches in his seeing stone. He watches as Camelot is thrown into chaos, and he learns that not all battle ends in glory and that treachery exists even there. In a return home at Easter that is full of symbolism, Arthur finds answers to lifelong questions. Whether readers are familiar with the two previous Arthur sagas or not, they will be gratified by the majestic resolution to the parallel stories of Sir Arthur's coming of age and King Arthur's demise.-Cheri Dobbs, Detroit Country Day Middle School, Beverly Hills, MI Copyright 2004 Reed Business Information.

Kirkus Reviews