I enjoyed this quick easy historical fiction for youth. I think most of the concerns I have for it will hopefully be resolved in the rest of the series. I enjoy how our hero is left on the door step of an abbey as a baby with a note saying it is for his own safety. From the beginning you wonder who this boy really is. Sir Thomas and some other Knights of the Templar show up and suddenly Sir Thomas requires a new squire and Tristan is just at the right time of his life for it. From the beginning I liked him but could tell he knows more than he's letting on. The meeting with King Richard also stirs some questions. Sir Hugh is the bad guy you love to hate but somehow Tristan always manages to squeak out of his grasp. When the city is surrounded Sir Thomas makes sure that Tristan escapes with the holy grail with a mission to deliver it. On his way he meets up with a young Robin Hood and the two of them decide to travel to the port city together. I liked how it didn't get too deep into the political debates of the Christian Crusades but I'm eager to see where the books go from here after they added Maryam, a warrior from the Saracens. There are parts that are not historically correct, but considering this is a work of fiction some leeway should be made. I liked how Tristan wasn't all about the battle. Being raised by monks made him virtuous first. The ending was quite the cliff hanger leaving you questioning things and eager for book 2. There was a few curses, no romance and some battles. It's not too gory, but there are attacks, battles and deaths and an arrow being removed which might be too much for some younger kids. I see this as a good series for my boys. I might add this to our list of read alongs for the family. Will continue to the next. Tristan, orphan and newbie Templar, sets off on an adventure to learn who he really is. A familiar enough premise, but pulled off with a strong voice and likable characters. I found the similar but different theme stretched a little far with 'Robard Hode' and 'Maryam' who turn up later in the story, but their genuinely funny characters made their names forgivable. Tristan was by far my favourite character. I appreciated his honesty, innate chivalry and the way that he didn't shy away from hard work. Unfortunately, just as I was beginning to like him, I hit the end of the book with a voilent thump, licked my wounds and began wondering where the next volume was.Coming soon, I am told. I hope so! This book has a mother of all cliff hangars on the final page and really must be read with the sequel readily to hand.Now to distract myself while I wait for 'Trail of Fate' to arrive.
What do You think about The Youngest Templar (2008)?
An engaging read very similar in style, subject matter and appeal as Cathrine Jinks' Pagan series.
—tala
Good story line and a nice twist on Robin Hood - and he isn't the main character either!
—tay
I love the character from a distant land taking a journey books, this was no exception.
—geo
Good book. Looking forward to reading the rest of the series.
—indah
