#c.j.busby

Max Pendragon is receiving magical training from the great Merlin himself. It is and endeavor to be rather proud of but Max is also dedicated. He knows that he has to really concentrate and delve deep into the powerful stranglehold of Morgana Le Fay’s sorcery and try his hardest to learn how to unravel her magic. Matters are taking a dangerous turn for Morgana truly has a dark and devious plot up her goth sleeves this time. She intends to use something called a “Swordspell” that will, once and for all, put an end to good King Arthur and his rule.  Yet again, it is up to Max, Olivia, Adolphus, Ferocious and a host of brave knights to save the day. With wonderful twists, introduction of two more familiar characters from the Arthurian Legend (Gawaine and Guinevere ) and a fast-moving plot, Swordspell is a fitting climax to a rather enchanting series.  I really and truly enjoyed the four books in the SPELL series. And I earnestly hope that the author comes out with a few more instalments. 

Things are heating up in Camelot. Or to be more precise, things are freezing up in Camelot. Young Max Pendragon, in a foolish and unsuspecting moment, has encased Camelot in a mountain of ice. Powerful sorceress Morgana La Fey and her nasty young sidekick (and Max's greatest enemy) Snotty Hogsbottom have a role to play in this devious spell. Max is guilt ridden and helpless. And this time there is no Merlin, King Arthur or Lancelot to help him out for they are all stuck inside Camelot. It is up to the fledgling magician, his brave sister Olivia and their trusty sidekicks, Adolphus the dragon and Ferocious the rat to save the day. Adventure follows, spells are cast and reversed and royal ducks go searching for stray bits of bread. All this and much more in the third instalment of the SPELLSseries. As always, I come away with a smile on my face.

It is time to take yet another canter around King Arthur's court. And the protagonist here is eleven year old Max Pendragon. Max is a reluctant squire. His real talent lies in magic and he hopes to be a legitimate wizard one day. But familial pressures, snotty competitors and awry spells combine to make him one very frustrated and hapless little boy.  Events suddenly take a dangerous turn when King Arthur's son is kidnapped by the nefarious and powerful Lady Morgana le Fay. It is up to Max, his accidentally brewed batch of Frogspell, his feisty sister Olivia (who wants to be a knight), his world-weary pet rat Ferocious and Olivia's overenthusiastic but slightly dim baby dragon Adolphus to save the day. A well-etched cast of characters (including a stern Merlin and a dark Morgana), quick plotting, humorous happenings and a story that flows effortlessly makes Frogspell an engaging read. The action begins from the start with hardly any dilly-dallying and this works for the young reader. It is also a good way to pique the kiddie-brigade's interest in the Arthurian Legend. Littered with beautiful illustrations, Frogspell sets the path for a fun medieval ride.