ethan_bluestone's review
adventurous
dark
mysterious
fast-paced
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Injury/Injury detail, Death, and Death of parent
Moderate: Blood
jlacomfora's review
adventurous
emotional
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
2.0
If I were a 14 year old boy and not a 29 year old woman I probably would have loved it.
gilmargirl's review
adventurous
dark
funny
mysterious
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
2.5
to_be_zy's review
adventurous
fast-paced
3.0
I don't remember much about it (since I read it as an adolescent) but I do remember that I liked it.
laurenlinquel's review
2.0
This book sounded really interesting at the outset - unlikely teenage guy finds himself mixed up in the drama surrounding the descendants of the knights of the round table and Excalibur. In theory, this'd be great!
But then I started getting into the book. Yes, that plot was there. But I didn't like Alfred, and I didn't like the author's writing style (especially regarding Alfred).
Nothing was really surprising about this book - the same events happened in different locations throughout the latter part of the book. And that was okay. But I was definitely glad to finish this book.
But then I started getting into the book. Yes, that plot was there. But I didn't like Alfred, and I didn't like the author's writing style (especially regarding Alfred).
Nothing was really surprising about this book - the same events happened in different locations throughout the latter part of the book. And that was okay. But I was definitely glad to finish this book.
hikaru_yuy's review
4.0
An interesting take on a modern day King Arthur kind of legend. Some twists and turns I didn't exactly see coming. Bennacio was my favourite character if I'm honest.
stevenk's review
4.0
I like Alfred Kropp, he seems much more like an actual teenager than many of the teen heroes that you find in YA books in that even when he is saving the day, he's not all that sure of himself but yet ready with a smart remark when adults are around. The downside of this realism is that the beginning of the book is kind of a bummer as we find out that Alfred's mother died of cancer and he never knew his dad, and that he bounced from foster home to foster home until his uncle takes him in. The adventure in the book is a unique take on Excalibur and it's protectors and I enjoyed Alfred's globe trotting quest to help recover the legendary sword that he stole, even if it took him quire a while to live up to his potential. I'd rate this book 3.5 if Goodreads allowed half stars.
iceangel9's review
4.0
The first book in the Alfred Kropp series. Alfred never knew his dad, his mother has died of cancer, and he is living with his uncle in Tennessee. When Uncle Farrell decides to help a stranger steal a mysterious sword from his employer Alfred finds himself on the adventure of a lifetime. He is on the run from killers with a man who claims to be descended from a knight of the Round Table. Oh brother! A whiz-bang adventure from the get go. Boys will love this tale of adventure & growing up.