The Letter For the King
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4.4 • 16 Ratings
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- $9.99
Publisher Description
A NETFLIX ORIGINAL SERIES
For fans of Tolkien-inspired fantasy and Arthurian mythos comes this prize-winning fantasy adventure about one knight’s battle against evil
It is the dead of night. Sixteen-year-old Tiuri must spend hours locked in a chapel in silent contemplation if he is to be knighted the next day. But, as he waits by the light of a flickering candle, he hears a knock at the door and a voice desperately asking for help. A secret letter must be delivered to King Unauwen across the Great Mountains—a letter upon which the fate of the entire kingdom depends. Tiuri has a vital role to play, one that might cost him his knighthood.
Tiuri's journey will take him through dark, menacing forests, across treacherous rivers, to sinister castles and strange cities. He will encounter evil enemies who would kill to get the letter, but also the best of friends in the most unexpected places. He must trust no one. He must keep his true identity secret. Above all, he must never reveal what is in the letter . . .
The Letter for the King is the thrilling story of one boy’s battle against evil, set in an enchanted world of chivalry, courage, and true friendship.
PUBLISHERS WEEKLY
Following its 2013 release in the U.K., which marked its first English translation, this 1962 Dutch children's classic now hits American shelves, allowing a wider audience to enjoy this old-fashioned tale of knights, quests, and derring-do. Sixteen-year-old Tiuri is on the brink of achieving knighthood when he answers a call for help that launches him on an journey to deliver a letter of vital importance to a neighboring kingdom. His trek through the wilderness is long and hazardous, filled with allies and enemies from the justice-seeking Gray Knights to the ominous Red Riders and perils at every turn. There's a timeless charm to Tiuri's quest, a mixture of innocence and death-defying adventure, invoking chivalric ideals and a sense of refinement. Dragt conjures up elements of Tolkien and the Arthurian mythos, combining the traditional hero's journey with an episodic structure, as though the novel was made for serial storytelling, or to be read aloud. Though some modern readers might find the story tame or slow-paced compared to more recent offerings, the rich language, lush descriptions, and sense of wonder allow it to hold its own against any competitor. Ages 12 up.
Customer Reviews
A Page-Turner
My 7-year-old grandson received this book (paper, not digital) from a friend. His mother started reading it to him. But he lost patience—he couldn’t wait until his mother was available for the next installment. So he started reading the book to himself. This is the first book that he has read to himself, but it’s not the last. After he finished, he loaned the book to me. I’ve just completed it. Like my grandson, I lost patience and abandoned the schedule I had set for my reading. Instead, I’ve taken every possible opportunity to read—even if I had time for only a page or two. I’ve just finished the book, and I’m ready for the sequel (The Secrets of the Wild Wood). Although my grandson now owns the sequel and would let me borrow it, I’m buying the digital version instead, because it’s readily available, and I may not see my grandson again for several months. My grandson and I agree: if you have the imagination to indulge in Arthurian fantasies, and if you enjoy being in continual suspense as a story unfolds, then this is a book for you!