Green Jasper (The De Granville Trilogy)
Grade 5-9–Green Jasperbegins whereBlood Red Horse(Walker, 2005) ended. With King Richard imprisoned and supposed dead, there is turmoil in England in the 12th century. Will and Gavin de Granville have returned from the crusade older, wiser, and scarred from battle, Gavin having lost an arm. His betrothed, Ellie, has waited patiently for their return and now is preparing for her marriage. The ceremony is disrupted by Constable de Scabious and his men, who have spread rumors that King Richard is dead and that his brother John has taken the throne. When Ellie is kidnapped and taken to de Scabious's castle, Will feels that his duty is to rescue her while Gavin, who has been injured again, believes that they must be more cautious. Ellie, while waiting and hoping for rescue, holds on to her green jasper necklace, a wedding gift from Gavin that represents faith. Throughout this second adventure of the de Granvilles, loyalties are divided, conflicts arise, and villagers are unsure whom they can trust. Hosanna, the blood red horse, plays an important role in tying the characters together and aiding the knights in their quest to protect the king and rescue the woman they love. Although this action-packed novel can be read alone, it is much more enjoyable if read in sequence.–Denise Moore, O'Gorman Junior High School, Sioux Falls, SDCopyright © Reed Business Information, a division of Reed Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.--This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.