Overview
Book one of Kat Black's thrilling historical fantasy trilogy full of intrigue, mystery, and adventure is now available in paperback!Ever since thirteen-year-old Tormod MacLeod had a prophetic vision, things haven't been the same. Even his family treats him differently. So when he has the chance to join a Templar knight on a mysterious quest, Tormod doesn't hesitate. Now in a desperate race for his life, Tormod and the Templar must evade the armies of King Philippe le Bel of France or pay the price for what they've found, what they've seen, and what they know.
In this thrilling historical fantasy, a boy discovers visionary skills he didn't know he had---and a friendship worth dying for.
Synopsis
Scotland. 1307. Thirteen-year-old Tormod MacLeod is different. He knows things before they happen. Even his own brother treats him differently, and all Tormod can do is bide his time until he's old enough to leave the village and make something of himself. His chance comes sooner than expected when a Templar knight asks him to deliver a secret message. But Tormod's efforts end up endangering both their lives. What follows is a desperate journey to escape the army of King Philippe le Bel of France. If he is to survive, Tormod must learn to harness the powers within.
"Kat Black is a refreshing voice in young adult fiction--wonderfully original, compelling, and thought-provoking."--Allen Say
"A fascinating book . . . with a depth of history. The blend of religion and the supernatural make this a very intriguing novel. Engrossing, well-researched, and well-told."
--Ed Masessa, Scholastic Book Fairs and author of #1 NY Times bestseller The Wandmaker's Guidebook
"A Templar's Apprentice hooked me from the first page and never let up. With her amazing gift of bringing ancient settings to life, Black creates a world so complete that when I closed the book I could still feel its pull on me. With one surprising turn after the next, she brings the reader along on an exhilarating adventure of Templar Knights, a stolen map, a mysterious carved statue, and a brave boy with second-sight. I can't wait for the next in the series."
---Wendy Mass, author of A Mango-Shaped Space
Publishers Weekly
In Black's impressive debut, first in the Book of Tormod series, the Knights Templar weren't merely a crusading religious order-they possessed powers ranging from precognition to mind control and used them to fight the excesses of King Philippe of France. Tormod, a Scottish teenager, occasionally has prophetic visions, but has learned to keep this information to himself. After a chance encounter with the knight Alexander, he is drawn into an adventure that eventually takes him to mainland Europe. Along the way, Alexander trains Tormod in combat, his special powers and the history of the Knights Templar. The action is frequent and often brutal, but never feels out of place. Black gives Tormod a strong and clearly Scottish voice that readers will quickly comprehend. There are moments that seem dubious, but they never impede the fast-paced plot. A captivating mix of history, fantasy and religion, the novel is a solid adventure that makes good use of its historical setting. Ages 12-up. (Feb.)
Copyright © Reed Business Information, a division of Reed Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.Editorials
Publishers Weekly
In Black's impressive debut, first in the Book of Tormod series, the Knights Templar weren't merely a crusading religious order-they possessed powers ranging from precognition to mind control and used them to fight the excesses of King Philippe of France. Tormod, a Scottish teenager, occasionally has prophetic visions, but has learned to keep this information to himself. After a chance encounter with the knight Alexander, he is drawn into an adventure that eventually takes him to mainland Europe. Along the way, Alexander trains Tormod in combat, his special powers and the history of the Knights Templar. The action is frequent and often brutal, but never feels out of place. Black gives Tormod a strong and clearly Scottish voice that readers will quickly comprehend. There are moments that seem dubious, but they never impede the fast-paced plot. A captivating mix of history, fantasy and religion, the novel is a solid adventure that makes good use of its historical setting. Ages 12-up. (Feb.)
Copyright © Reed Business Information, a division of Reed Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.School Library Journal
Gr 6-9
It is 1307 in Scotland, and 13-year-old Tormod is rushing through the night to fetch a tinderbox to light the Beltane fire for his village when a Knight Templar interrupts his errand to send him on another that is even more pressing. Tormod spends the entire tale rushing from one place to another in the company of Sir Alexander as they follow a map without knowing what lies at the end and are pursued by the French king's soldiers. The constant chase is exciting at first but begins to grind, particularly after Tormod loses two toes in a mishap and must still continue his flight on foot. The historical setting is well drawn, and additional interest is added by visions that both Tormod and Alexander receive, although the images seem to be invariably of death and doom. Their dialogue is written in a pseudo-brogue, so there are many examples of "ye" and "o'" (for "of") but otherwise their speech is modern. The visions and the Templar theme may interest readers but they may be drawn up short at the cliff-hanger ending.-Eric Norton, McMillan Memorial Library, Wisconsin Rapids, WI