Publish Date |
October 16, 2018 |
Category |
Juvenile Fiction / Action & Adventure Juvenile Fiction / Royalty |
Price |
$10.99 |
ISBN: 9781481437691
Format: Paperback
Pages: 208
Publisher: Atheneum Books for Young Readers
Published: October 16, 2018
“Told from Lambert’s point of view, the first-person narrative effectively avoids the complicated political backstory and focuses on the boy’s experiences as he learns the unfamiliar speech, manners, and knowledge and plays his part. Avi . . . again makes the past vivid and personal in this relatively short, accessible book.”"Though few details exist about the boy’s actual life, the author builds a credible and compelling narrative around known events. . . . An interesting slice of history told by an engaging and believable protagonist. Hand to fans of the author, young Tudor enthusiasts, and readers who enjoy medieval-set fiction."“Replete with authentic period details, page-turning brief chapters, and a plot filled with twists, turns, and political intrigue. . . . An appealing protagonist pursuing a grand adventure and struggling with themes of power, pride, and identity will appeal to fans of historical fiction.”“Short, accessible chapters and candid first-person narration create suspense and strongly evoke the political climate of the era, revealing an odd, mysterious chapter in England’s history.”“This brief, colorful moment in British history makes an engaging middle-grade novel, all the more so as it recounts what most readers will associate with a trope of wish-fulfillment fantasy—the orphan who learns he’s king—as a historical event. Avi tells the story through Lambert’s retrospective voice, with a direct, accessible narrative style, providing adequate historical detail without bogging the story down.”* “It’s a juicy tale upon which to construct a work of historical fiction . . . deftly crafted for readers who care more about a rousing story than a history lesson, tossing them into the action without ever uttering “War of the Roses” . . . With a bit of judicious booktalking, this may be a title to entice new readers to historical fiction.”“Swiftly moving and utterly engrossing. The Player King's real strength comes in the form of language . . . Avi tells a story that seems too outrageous to be true, but an author's note confirms it all happened. That—the fact behind the fiction—is what truly makes this book a worthy read.”