The Secret of the Swamp King (Wilderking Trilogy)
Grade 4-6–In this fantasy based very loosely on the biblical story of King David, teenaged Aidan has become the triumphant, giant-slaying hero of the court of King Darrow of Corenwald. He is also the best friend of the king's son, Prince Steren. The lords of the court praise Aidan–a little too much–in the king's presence. Darrow, increasingly paranoid and depressed, sends Aidan on an impossible quest to retrieve the mysterious frog orchid, whose essence is the cure for melancholia. He must travel to the depths of the Feechiefen Swamp–a journey from which no Corenwalder has ever returned. He is hopeful that his friendship with the secretive, elflike feechiefolk will aid in the search, but his optimism is shattered when a tribe of renegade feechies, led by the mysterious Wilderking, takes him prisoner and threatens to kill him. This sequel toThe Bark of the Bog Owl(Broadman & Holman, 2004) is obviously a Christian fantasy, with talk of the power of One God, but the religious message is subtle. With its fast-moving story and humorous and passionate dialogue, it is an engaging read for young fantasy fans.–Walter Minkel, New York Public LibraryCopyright © Reed Business Information, a division of Reed Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.