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lootgoblin's review against another edition
3.0
According to Goodreads, Knight’s Castle is the second book of this series. I don’t believe it makes any difference in which order you read these first few books. However, I enjoyed reading Half Magic first and would have preferred to read Magic by the Lake afterwards just because the characters are the same. If you don’t mind a change of characters back and forth than I would just read them in the order Goodreads has listed. The only detail you miss if you skip this book is that Martha and Katherine are the mothers of the children in this book.
I thought Knight’s Castle was an okay book. I liked others in this series much more, but it would be a great book for anyone who really likes castles and the medieval era. I didn’t much enjoy the medieval speech much either and their was a lot of it. I’m not sure if younger children would even be able to understand the speech very well.
I really enjoyed the characters and thought they were well described right away, especially Roger and Ann. If you ever read Half Magic their mother is Martha. Also, their cousins, Jack and Eliza were well described and they are the children of Martha’s sister Katherine. It was very interesting to know that they are the children of the characters from the first Tales of Magic book. However, their parents don’t play much of a role in this novel. I was looking forward to hearing more about the adventures of Martha, Katherine, Jane, and Mark, but I wasn’t entirely disappointed. I just get so familiar with a set of characters that I enjoy reading about them again, and it is harder to start over with new characters.
The plot was pretty interesting and I will say that I believe this novel is written more for younger boys than girls, whereas Half Magic was pretty gender neutral. There are a lot of battle scenes (not too gruesome, but a part did mention heads being chopped off) and discussions about witches, magic, relationships, and marriage. Nothing that should be too inappropriate for younger children. Always reading the book yourself before giving or reading it to your child is always a good idea.
One of the great things about the story are all the literary references that Eager throws into his novel. In this book Ivanhoe and Robin Hood are part of the story. If a child likes these particular characters or wants to know more about them it’s a great way to get them to read more books.
Overall, it was a good book and I did enjoy it, but it’s not my favorite. I believe that it would be a great book for a younger boy, or anyone who enjoys great adventures and loves castles and knights!
I thought Knight’s Castle was an okay book. I liked others in this series much more, but it would be a great book for anyone who really likes castles and the medieval era. I didn’t much enjoy the medieval speech much either and their was a lot of it. I’m not sure if younger children would even be able to understand the speech very well.
I really enjoyed the characters and thought they were well described right away, especially Roger and Ann. If you ever read Half Magic their mother is Martha. Also, their cousins, Jack and Eliza were well described and they are the children of Martha’s sister Katherine. It was very interesting to know that they are the children of the characters from the first Tales of Magic book. However, their parents don’t play much of a role in this novel. I was looking forward to hearing more about the adventures of Martha, Katherine, Jane, and Mark, but I wasn’t entirely disappointed. I just get so familiar with a set of characters that I enjoy reading about them again, and it is harder to start over with new characters.
The plot was pretty interesting and I will say that I believe this novel is written more for younger boys than girls, whereas Half Magic was pretty gender neutral. There are a lot of battle scenes (not too gruesome, but a part did mention heads being chopped off) and discussions about witches, magic, relationships, and marriage. Nothing that should be too inappropriate for younger children. Always reading the book yourself before giving or reading it to your child is always a good idea.
One of the great things about the story are all the literary references that Eager throws into his novel. In this book Ivanhoe and Robin Hood are part of the story. If a child likes these particular characters or wants to know more about them it’s a great way to get them to read more books.
Overall, it was a good book and I did enjoy it, but it’s not my favorite. I believe that it would be a great book for a younger boy, or anyone who enjoys great adventures and loves castles and knights!
sherwoodreads's review against another edition
5.0
As always with Eager, the Nesbitt influence is strong, but that's no bad thing. I read this book over and over as a kid.
cinderelles's review against another edition
5.0
I once paid my brother $1 to read this book and it was absolutely worth it, because in my opinion this is one of the greatest books of all time. (Plus, my brother really enjoyed it, despite having to be bribed to start it!)
Of Edward Eager's Magic Series, my favorite book series, this book is my favorite. When I was younger, I really enjoyed books with toys that are alive, one of my favorites being [b:The Doll People|268917|The Doll People (Doll People, #1)|Ann M. Martin|https://i.gr-assets.com/images/S/compressed.photo.goodreads.com/books/1414349095l/268917._SX50_.jpg|3215584] and that is one reason for why I loved this book so much.
So, you have living toys. Then add ordinary magic, knights, battles, literary references, humor, (I love that when Roger and Ann put their board game away, Edward Eager points out that it was unusual of them) adventure, cousins, and a city of blocks, oh, and the kids from Half Magic all grown up. It's no wonder this book is my favorite. I've re-read it many times, along with the rest of Eager's Magic Series, and I love it every time.
Three cheers for Roger, for he lead soldiers!
Of Edward Eager's Magic Series, my favorite book series, this book is my favorite. When I was younger, I really enjoyed books with toys that are alive, one of my favorites being [b:The Doll People|268917|The Doll People (Doll People, #1)|Ann M. Martin|https://i.gr-assets.com/images/S/compressed.photo.goodreads.com/books/1414349095l/268917._SX50_.jpg|3215584] and that is one reason for why I loved this book so much.
So, you have living toys. Then add ordinary magic, knights, battles, literary references, humor, (I love that when Roger and Ann put their board game away, Edward Eager points out that it was unusual of them) adventure, cousins, and a city of blocks, oh, and the kids from Half Magic all grown up. It's no wonder this book is my favorite. I've re-read it many times, along with the rest of Eager's Magic Series, and I love it every time.
Three cheers for Roger, for he lead soldiers!
debbiebarr's review against another edition
5.0
Edward Eager is a great author to give to your kids. I'd put his books somewhere around The Chronicles of Narnia range. The magic is light and humorous, and while the children in the book are human and make mistakes, they learn from them as well. Knight's Castle is as good as all the others.
tiamushka's review against another edition
4.0
I read this in my childhood and was so excited to find it again in a second hand book shop. While it wasn't the same reading it as an adult, I have fond enough memories of the story that stayed with me since I was a kid, it must be a good book!
ehays84's review against another edition
3.0
Not as good as the first. I think if you had just read Ivanhoe or some other Medieval classic, it might be better. Still love the series though.
belleoftheb00ks's review
adventurous
lighthearted
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.5