misssusan's review
3.0
this is the 'lol prophecy' book of the series
balin gets a childhood prophecy that says he'll do great things but they'll go sour and he'll generally bring misfortune to all those around him. things proceed as you'd expect. confirmation bias is a thing that happens. everything ends happily ever after!
3 stars
balin gets a childhood prophecy that says he'll do great things but they'll go sour and he'll generally bring misfortune to all those around him. things proceed as you'd expect. confirmation bias is a thing that happens. everything ends happily ever after!
3 stars
lagobond's review
5.0
What a riot! I haven't read any other versions of the King Arthur stories, so I can't compare. But man, I had so much fun with this little book. It's clever, irreverent, and an exciting adventure with tons of gloriously funny twists. It's meant for younger readers, but that didn't matter at all, I had a blast.
yapha's review
4.0
I love these short Knights' Tales books almost as much as the longer Squires' tales ones. Gerald Morris is a master at retelling King Arthur stories and this one is no exception. The right amounts of humor, adventure, and sword play make this a fabulous story for all ages.
tami_provencher's review
4.0
Sir Balin, The Ill-Fated is the 4th book in the Knights' Tales series by Gerald Morris. They are stories of the knights of King Arthur's court that are easily accessible for younger readers (ages as young as 7). Hilarious and historically accurate to the time period and the lives and activities of the medieval knights, these books are a rollicking read-aloud for bedtime, in classrooms, or as an independent read.
My children (ages 8 and 10) and I read Sir Balin as a bedtime story (and are now in the process of reading all the rest of the books in the series). None of the three of us could stop laughing.
As an infant, Sir Balin and his parents are visited by the Old Woman from the Mountain. (The specifics of which mountain she is from is the subject of a very funny discussion between the Old Woman and Sir Balin's father.) The Old Woman foretells that Sir Balin will be an extremely successful knight in his endeavors but that he will bring bad luck with him wherever he goes and that bad luck will be visited upon everyone around him--especially those about whom he cares the most.
The wise and funny story follows Sir Balin--who absolutely believes in the Old Woman's prophecy--in his adventures. His brother, Sir Balan (Yes, the similarity of names is ALSO fodder for some extremely funny exchanges.), tries to convince him that the prophecy is just something an old woman said and that Sir Balin, himself, is the one in control of his life: his destiny is what HE determines it to be.
These stories are delightful to read and to share. They are short (only about 5 chapters) so they are less likely to intimidate young or reluctant readers than books with more volume. Adults who love Monty Python (as I do) will find a similarity in tone and humor; young readers will glory in the silliness and slapstick aspects of knights and their servants.
If you enjoy a good laugh and are interested in--or would like to teach or learn about--medieval knights and life in King Arthur's kingdom you cannot do better than Gerald Morris Knights' Tales series!
My children (ages 8 and 10) and I read Sir Balin as a bedtime story (and are now in the process of reading all the rest of the books in the series). None of the three of us could stop laughing.
As an infant, Sir Balin and his parents are visited by the Old Woman from the Mountain. (The specifics of which mountain she is from is the subject of a very funny discussion between the Old Woman and Sir Balin's father.) The Old Woman foretells that Sir Balin will be an extremely successful knight in his endeavors but that he will bring bad luck with him wherever he goes and that bad luck will be visited upon everyone around him--especially those about whom he cares the most.
The wise and funny story follows Sir Balin--who absolutely believes in the Old Woman's prophecy--in his adventures. His brother, Sir Balan (Yes, the similarity of names is ALSO fodder for some extremely funny exchanges.), tries to convince him that the prophecy is just something an old woman said and that Sir Balin, himself, is the one in control of his life: his destiny is what HE determines it to be.
These stories are delightful to read and to share. They are short (only about 5 chapters) so they are less likely to intimidate young or reluctant readers than books with more volume. Adults who love Monty Python (as I do) will find a similarity in tone and humor; young readers will glory in the silliness and slapstick aspects of knights and their servants.
If you enjoy a good laugh and are interested in--or would like to teach or learn about--medieval knights and life in King Arthur's kingdom you cannot do better than Gerald Morris Knights' Tales series!
theblessedeveryday's review against another edition
4.0
A small little book I read while waiting in line somewhere, but rating it just so I can remember this series for my boys. This was humorous and great and would be a great complement to a more serious study of Arthurian tales. I’ll be checking out more of these. A great early chapter book option for boys (and to me far preferable than the more crude alternatives that seem to abound).
skundrik87's review
3.0
This is really funny. I would recommend this to young males who are reluctant readers.
groundedwanderlust's review
3.0
There is definitely a pattern with this series. This book, like the other three, was kind of silly and not at all on the level of Morris' other Arthur series. Likewise, I give this book 3 stars for an older audience, but 5 stars for a younger audience (6 or 7 and younger). Again, I think that this series would be perfect for a first introduction to King Arthur.
csd17's review
4.0
Love his statement here about destiny. The prophecy does come true. . . And let that be a lesson to you. Your mother will always have the last word. :D