The Sword of Ice and Fire

Arthur has lived his entire life in a mysterious castle in the valley of Avalon. He is raised to be a knight by his foster parents, Sir Hector and Elaine, with only their son Cai as a playmate (and occasional bully). However, as Arthur grows older and begins asking questions about his origins, he learns his destiny is greater than he could have imagined. With legendary figures such as Merlin the Enchanter and Bercilak the Green Knight as his teachers, and other magical creatures from Celtic lore as allies, Arthur sets out on his path to become a hero and king.

This fast-paced, engaging read is an excellent stepping stone for readers new to the story of King Arthur. It has enough dragons, magic, and prophecies to please any fan of high fantasy, but is also a story about growing up. Arthur is very relatable as a mischievous ten-year-old boy who cuts classes, fights with his cousin, and disobeys his guardians. His curiosity and restlessness as he explores and has adventures will speak to middle-grade readers, as will his butting heads with Cai and his foster parents. Meanwhile, Arthur’s growth as a hero – the empathy and courage he shows in rescuing a friend from an enemy sorcerer – makes for a realistic and satisfying character arc. Matthews brings to his writing a keen expertise in Celtic mythology, and his interpretation of Arthur’s childhood will surely inspire a love of the Arthurian legends in a new generation of readers.

Anna Benn