The Questing Knights of the Faerie Queen
by Geraldine McCaughrean
Illustratrated by Jason Cockcroft
Published on September 21st
Spenser's famous romance focuses on six virtues exemplified in the quests of six knights from the court of the Faerie Queen. To re-tell such an epic poem, and make it accessible for young readers, is a challenge Geraldine McCaughrean ably rises to.
She skilfully intertwines the numerous characters and shifting situations of the plot, and enlivens the telling with witty touches and asides. The morals of the story are highlighted with fresh, striking metaphors.
I feel the book will appeal to more able readers who can follow multiple strands of story without difficulty. The illustrations and layout might also put off less confident readers ? the font size is small, and some pages are illustrated only in black and white, or with no pictures at all, creating overall a text heavy impression.
Fluent readers however, boys and girls alike, will enjoy journeying to the Land of Faerie and meeting an engaging cast of beasts and dragons, blackguards and sorcerers, witches, sirens and wraiths.
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