Today I’m reviewing Clifton Chase and the Arrow of Light by Jaimie Engle, an ebook ARC received through Library Thing. Clifton is already available in paperback through the usual channels, and will release in ebook format on September 1, 2013.
The summary, adapted from Goodreads:
A strange arrow transports young Clifton Chase to Medieval England in 1485. Thrust into adventure, he must evade the king’s army, rescue the two princes from their uncle, King Richard III, escape the fierce fires of a Crestback Dragon, outsmart the Mer King, and get the girl, all the while protecting the Arrow of Light. And when Clifton discovers the arrow’s purpose for choosing him, he must decide if he is willing to risk his life for the lives of others.
The review:
Clifton Chase is a middle grades adventure novel that combines historical fiction and fantasy with a religious twist. My favorite parts were the historical elements, from the descriptions of Medieval England to the political intrigue of the War of the Roses. Engle weaves the history into the story in a way that teaches without dumping facts on the reader, with just enough fantasy to keep things interesting. The pacing in the beginning was a little slow for me, and I would have liked a more concrete connection between the modern-day elements and the fantasy world, but this is still a solid middle grades read.
4 out of 5 stars.
Music for today: Heavy Feet by Local Natives.
