The Youngest Templar: Trail of Fate - Author: Michael P. Spradlin - 230 pp. Review by Kevin Gerard.
Kevin is the author of Conor and the Crossworlds, a fantasy series for young adults.

Trail of Fate is even better than the first book - Keeper of the Grail. The writing seemed much tighter, the story moved along briskly with a great deal of action, and the main characters' personalities started to emerge as the chapters flew by.

The book opens as Tristan, the squire of Sir Thomas of the Knights Templar, finds himself aboard an ill-equipped craft in turbulent seas. The storm is so violent he is tossed overboard with the Holy Grail in tow. He comes to learn a short time later that his companions were also ditched into the sea when the boat disintegrated amidst the huge swells.
Miraculously, Tristan washes up on shore at the foot of a small band of individuals on horseback. They speak French and are led by an uncommonly beautiful woman by the name of Celia. The riders help Tristan regain himself, warning him about Father Renard, the High Counsel to the Archbishop of Languedoc, who roams the area seeking her band of "heretics".

Of course, Tristan encounters the high counsel, but not before reuniting with Maryam and Robard, his compatriots in Keeper of the Grail. Their first meeting with Renard is short and benign, but Tristan and his two friends know they would do well to stay clear of the High Counsel in the future.

Sir Hugh sticks his ugly face into the morass about half way through the book. Spradlin masterfully constructs the Templar's character. I'm not sure I've ever detested anyone as much as I do Sir Hugh. The High Counsel joins forces with the Templars in an attempt to wrest the Grail from Tristan and defeat the heretical insurgency at Montsegur, a stronghold high in the mountains of France. Sir Hugh and the High Counsel use their most effective strategies, but Tristan, Robard, and Maryam put up an exceptionally strong defense.

The book concludes with Tristan's surprise visit with the Queen of England, mother of Richard the Lionhearted. Without giving too much away, Trail of Fate ends the way each chapter ends, with a terrible cliffhanger that readers will have to live with until the third installment arrives. Something very crucial is revealed at the end of this book.

Favorite Character: Without a doubt, Robard. So much of his character emerged in this book. If I was lost in the forests of England, I'd feel much safer with him at my side. I'd laugh a lot more, too.

What I liked about The Youngest Templar: Trail of Fate: The pace is much quicker, which will please young readers. The personalities of the main characters blossomed during this story. I enjoyed their interactions.

What I didn't like about The Youngest Templar: Trail of Fate: Nothing, really, except I wouldn't be surprised if Tristan really is Merlin. It seems he can get out of any situation!

I thoroughly enjoyed reading this book. Hopefully there are many more to come.

You can contact Kevin on the website of his Conor series: www.ConorAndTheCrossworlds.com

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