Tuesday, October 31, 2017

Knights of the Borrowed Dark: The Forever Court by Dave Rudden - ESSENTIAL



Rudden, Dave.  Knights of the Borrowed Dark: The Forever Court.  416 pages.  Random House, 2017.  $16.99.  Sexual Content: G.  Violence: PG.  Language: G (2 swears). 

The second book in the Knights of the Borrowed Dark series, takes place a few months after the last book.  Denizen is still struggling to connect with his mother who left him in an orphanage for thirteen years to pursue a suicidal revenge mission.  Denizen has over seventy cants in his mind, words with magical power that seem to want to be used.  But every time magic is used—there is a cost.  Mercy, the daughter of the Endless King, who Denizen helped rescue wants to meet with the Knights of the Borrowed Dark to talk peace.  The Palatine sees it as an opportunity.  Denizen sees it as a chance to see the girl he fancies.    
A new character is introduced named Uriel Croit.  He is the narrator of every other chapter.  His family lives on a hidden island and worships the Redemptress.  His twin sister Ambrel and he are both blessed with powers.  The Redemptress awakens and Uriel is disturbed at the changes in his sister.  The Redemptress wants to take over the world and doesn’t care who she hurts to do it.  The Croit family kidnaps Denizen and Uriel must pick a side to fight for.
Magic, mystery, knights, and a hint of romance.  What more could a middle-schooler want from a fantasy adventure book?  The plot moves quickly and the twists and turns all come back neatly together at the end.  Author, Dave Rudden has excellent world-building in both books, but this second one expands the reader’s understanding of the existence and the history of the Endless King, his daughter, and the Tenebrous.  Denizen continues to be a likeable character.  Uriel’s character development is the heart of his story.  How can he do what is right and still be loyal to his family?  A great book for boys (and girls).  This is the perfect series to recommend to Rick Riordan fans.    
MS-ESSENTIAL.  Samantha Hastings, MA, MLS. 

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