The Secret Prince

From School Library Journal

Grade 5-8–When the king of Kelhadden is killed, the land is taken by an evil tyrant, Ranulf, and the townspeople go into hiding. A prophecy has spoken of a savior and when Morwid, the deposed king's advisor, finds an infant abandoned at his doorstep, he knows that he has found him. He raises the child, keeping him a secret. At the age of 12, Thorn begins his mission to defeat Ranulf and win back his kingdom. First, he must find an amulet lost ages ago. He sets off on his quest and finds friends along the way, including a twin sister he never knew existed. The siblings fight danger and one another along the way. The quest and the hidden royal child have been done so many times before that it's hard to create a completely original story with this premise. The main character is the only one with any real depth, and the plot is a tad predictable. A twist at the end comes as a complete surprise but it is jarring and detracts from the narrative more than it adds. An additional purchase for libraries looking for more fantasy.–Saleena L. Davidson, South Brunswick Public Library, Monmouth Junction, NJ
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From Booklist

Gr. 4-6. A mysterious foundling named Thorn is raised in a cave by Morwid, an old warrior who consults The Book of the Ancients for prophecies about the kingdom of Kelhadden. At 12, Thorn learns that he is the hidden prince of Kelhadden and that the ancients have foretold his path: he will make a journey, find the long-lost amulet, and free his people by taking the throne from the wicked Ranulf, his own father. Love sets up the story well, creating a believable world through convincing details and introducing many well-defined characters along the way. Older fantasy fans may find the book predictable, but middle-grade readers will enjoy watching the central prophecy unfold through a series of adventures and plot twists. Although the final surprise is unconvincing, readers looking for adventure in a medieval fantasy world will find it here, providing they get past the rather dull jacket art. Carolyn Phelan
Copyright © American Library Association. All rights reserved