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Title: Keeper of the King
Score:
Author: Nigel Bennett
Rating: Not available
Hits: 77

Review of Keeper of the King

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Comments for Keeper of the King

• Posted on 2009-01-01
  Not really what I was looking for...
  
  Having red the second book in the series, and not really being impressed by it, I picked up the first. The first book in most book series are the best of the bunch and, also, I am a fan of P.N. Elord.
  The Holy grail, a assassin and vampires. It should have been great. It was OK. I am sorry, but Elord is a great author when working ALONE.
  Get it used and try it out. But don't buy the other books till you have decided if you like this one or not.
  
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• Posted on 2008-01-03
  different twist on vampire lore
  
  Courtesy of CK2S Kwips and Kritiques
  
  PLEASE NOTE: This review is of the abridged audio version of the book.
  
  Richard Dunn is a knight who desperately needs to win the tourney he's competing in if he hopes to make any kind of name for himself. But just as he's about to win, Sabra steps in. The Goddess needs someone to champion for King Arthur and she has chosen Richard for this honor, using her servant Sabra to convert him to a vampire.
  
  Now in present day Richard is working on a case to see why the IRA is after an ancient manuscript. However, at the same time, his beloved Sabra is dying, losing her battle with the vampire beast within. Richard must find the famed Holy Grail to save his love and save himself, for he is also losing control of his beast. With only his failing immortal lover and his new mortal love to assist him, will it be enough to conquer evil once more?
  
  I've been meaning to try PN Elrod for a long time and just never seem to find the time to squeeze her in. So when I had the opportunity to try Keeper of the King I took advantage of it. I loved the whole different twist on vampire lore, having them born as protectors of the Goddess and her chosen ones like King Arthur and everything they stand for. While some of the traditional vampire weaknesses were found here, there were a couple I don't recall seeing before. For example, the idea of having fresh running water like streams and lakes be so dangerous to them. I don't remember ever seeing that before. I also liked the idea that they aren't quite as immortal as everyone, including their own kind, believes. That added a sense of urgency to the story, having Richard in a race against time as well as enemies, to save Sabra.
  
  While the abridgement was well done and the story presented in the audio version felt complete and that it wasn't missing much, there was a noticeable absence of what I can only assume was one of the secondary plots, based on the title. Aside from the King Arthur connection in the conversion of Richard to a vampire and the grail quest, that aspect of the story was absent. The focus of the story was on uncovering the plans of the IRA and their hired assassin and the race to find the grail. I would have loved to see an unabridged version that included more of the Arthurian lore I can only assume was edited down.
  
  © Kelley A. Hartsell, December 2007. All rights reserved.
  
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• Posted on 2005-12-29
  This is good but is definitely not a FOREVER KNIGHT story
  
  One rainy afternoon I was looking through the book store bargain table and came across this. At first I thought that it was a tie-in to FOREVER KNIGHT since Nigel Bennett (LaCroix) was co-author but a glance at the inside flap description set me straight. Still the description looked good so I got it anyway, hoping that I wouldn't be disappointed. I wasn't a bit and will be getting the rest of the series....at full price.
  
  The story opens in Normandy, where Richard, a champion knight is at yet another tournament and realizes that no champion lasts forever...until he finds that there are exceptions to everything. He is brought across and begins a new life as champion and companion to the Lady Sabra and protector of the Holy Grail.
  
  The action then shifts to modern day Toronto where Richard has adapted to the modern world. He soon finds himself called to his Lady's service again to safe guard the Grail. He travels across Canada and then returns to England in his pursuit to locate the Grail and then to save his Lady. Along the way he battles both mortal and immortal foes and finds some unlikely allies.
  
  I totally enjoyed this novel, much to my surprise. At times the story did seem to drag a bit, and there was perhaps a bit too much plot. Both flaws are common first novel problems but do not detract from the story too much but kept it from 5 star status. I look forward to Richard's continuing adventures.
  
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• Posted on 2005-07-22
  Forever Knight the novel!
  
  It's pretty much an episode of Forever Knight. We start back in the middle ages when Richard is made into a vampire and face forward to modern day in the city of Toronto, Canada (best city in the world by the by) and Richard is a security specialist helping to protect Canada's Prime Minister.
  
  My problems with this book are:
  1) Unrealistic characters/dialogue.
  2) The IRA terror plot is outdated.
  3) The vampire is too human and too weak.
  4) Not dark enough for a vampire novel.
  
  Still, I like PN Elrod and they can't all be keepers (excuse the pun) but I can't recommend buying a new copy. Get it used.
  
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• Posted on 2004-12-03
  captivating
  
  I was absolutely captivated by this novel. I didn't expect to think much of it, but in fact it was amazing. I received it Monday and had it devoured by Wednesday.
  The goddess elements and mythology used were very accurate. I enjoyed the descriptive quality and word usage. It flowed very well. I like to describe the book as James Bond meets Anne Rice. An enjoyable fun read!
  
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