The Widow and the King - Softcover

Dickinson, John

Softcover

ISBN 10: 0553495038 ISBN 13: 9780553495034

Publisher: Laurel Leaf, 2007

Synopsis

This stunning book opens 12 years after the end of The Cup of the World and tells the story of Ambrose, son of Phaedra and last in the king's line, who is living exiled with his mother in the dilapidated manor of Tarceny.

Ambrose's life is threatened by the hooded priest of the Undercraft, an ancestral spirit of pure evil who must end Ambrose's life in order to survive himself. And even when Ambrose is hidden within the house of the Widow of Develin, a hallowed place of learning and haven of education, the priest and his minions slowly and subtly infiltrate within, subverting the minds of those most educated and powerful and leaving Ambrose in mortal danger.

About this title

About the Author

John Dickinson is married with two children. He lives in Exeter, England.

From School Library Journal

Grade 9 Up -This intricate and lushly written sequel to The Cup of the World (Random, 2004) continues the story 10 years later. Phaedra, widow of the hated, self-proclaimed king, has fled her homeland for her husband's desolate stronghold in the mountains. She and their son, Ambrose, 12, live in constant fear of Paigan, the boy's uncle across nine generations who has remained alive for 300 years with the help of under-craft, a powerful black magic. For the past 10 years he has been trapped in a magical circle of stones, but he's determined to escape and kill Ambrose in order to prolong his own life. When the vengeful, power-hungry son of an old friend of Phaedra's discovers under-craft, he helps Paigan escape and Ambrose has to flee for his life. He finds refuge in the household of the Widow of Develin and trains as a scholar under an assumed name. The Widow's headstrong daughter, Sophie, takes an interest in him while falling in love with an older scholar with ties to Ambrose's past. In doing so, they become unwitting pawns in the warring factions within the Kingdom. This coming-of-age tale explores the themes of power and the price that's paid for it, revenge and forgiveness, all set in a fully realized medieval world where philosophy and religion dominate. The characters aren't always likable, but sophisticated readers will empathize with their struggles and find themselves drawn into this richly imagined fantasy world. To fully appreciate this complex series, it's recommended that the books be read in order.-Sharon Rawlins, Piscataway Public Library, NJ
Copyright © Reed Business Information, a division of Reed Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.

About this edition

• Publisher: Laurel Leaf
• Publication date: 2007
• ISBN 10: 0553495038
• ISBN 13: 9780553495034
• Binding: Paperback
• Number of pages: 624