Reviews

A few reviews, from both Amazon and Goodreads, of 'The Golden Sword' and 'The Time Smugglers'.

'The Time Smugglers' - shortlisted for the 2015 International Rubery Book Award - this is what the judges said:

This is the second in a series of books set in Cornwall.  The four protagonists, based on Arthur and his knights, are drawn into a secret parallel world where nothing is as it seems, and where the Crow Man and his colleagues are plotting vengeance and destruction.  It’s a world where apparently ordinary people possess secret knowledge, and help comes from unexpected sources.  Fast moving, dramatic and exciting, with pleasing pencil drawings placed throughout, and with a promise of further adventures to come.

Indiebrag rated 'The Golden Sword' 5 stars.
We are proud to announce that THE GOLDEN SWORD by Rosie Morgan is a B.R.A.G. Medallion Honoree. This tells a reader that this book is well worth their time and money!

'The Golden Sword' as rated by The Wishing Shelf Awards:
‘A fun, exciting fantasy adventure. A FINALIST and highly recommended.’ 
Star Rating: 5 stars
Number of Readers: 28

Readers’ Comments
‘Firstly, I must say this book looks fantastic. The cover is dazzling, the blurb enticing and the overall feel of the book is superb. Now, to the story. There’s lots happening here and it’s pretty non-stop. I enjoyed every twist and turn and I loved the strong fantasy element. The language also is very easy to understand and is nicely balanced between pace and character/setting description.’ Teacher


‘This book is very exciting. I liked the sinister Crow Man but he’s not in it much. I want to see more of him. Excellent ending too.’ Girl, aged 14


‘I liked the Cornwall setting very much and all the mythology. A powerfully written children’s story. I also liked the tiny drawing at the beginning of every chapter. A lovely book.’ Parent


‘I think the best part of this story was the pacing. I find many fantasy books slow to get started but this was different. There’s so much happening. I will read the next.’ Boy, aged 14


Of the 28 readers:
28 liked or loved the cover.
27 would read another book by this author.


The Time Smugglers

Another gem from Rosie Morgan. Fun, exciting; a page-turner for any teenager.’ The Wishing Shelf Awards

This book was recently entered and was a finalist in The Wishing Shelf Book Awards. This is what our readers thought:

Star Rating: 5 stars
Number of Readers: 32

Readers’ Comments
‘Such a fantastic cover. The map in the front was excellent too. Now for the blurb. I liked the ‘On a Cornish path’ paragraph. It made me want to open the book.’ Boy, aged 13


‘I read The Golden Sword too but I actually thought this was better. Arthur Penhaligon has really grown up and is more interesting now. I loved the Watchers. They are so scary, just watching you. Sort of creepy.’ Girl, aged 14


‘A very enjoyable read for my class of 14 year olds. They enjoyed all the magic and the modern take on the Arthur legend. What was particularly good for me, was how easily all my students followed the story from my top readers to readers of lesser ability. I would recommend it to any teenager looking for a page-turning read.’ Teacher, year 10

Stats
Of the 32 readers:
31 would read another book by this author.
32 thought the cover was good or excellent.
9 felt the best part was the ‘legend mixed with modern’ plot.
28 liked the ending and thought it was exciting.


Review of 'The Time Smugglers' by Pop Bop top 500 Amazon reviewer.

I liked this book and its numerous sneaky charms. The book seems to be for early middle graders; I'm thinking 3rd or 4th grade. It doesn't tell the complete Arthur story, but it incorporates elements of Arthur and related and similar British legends and traditions. And that's all good.

There are some stunningly good Arthur and Welsh/Irish/Cornish legend series for younger readers. I'm thinking of Susan Cooper's "Dark is Rising" sequence,The Dark Is Rising Sequence: Over Sea, Under Stone; The Dark Is Rising; Greenwitch; The Grey King; Silver on the Tree, and Jenny Nimmo's "Magician Trilogy",The Snow Spider (Magician Trilogy #1). Cooper's book really follows the Arthur story and is written with tremendous style and feeling. Nimmo references less well known episodes from that body of myth and legend and re-positions them in a modern setting that captures the feel and texture and mood of the old stories. But, those works and others like them can be demanding and, certainly, confusing for a young reader. The old stories can be incomplete and ambiguous and that confusion and lack of a clear linear plot can be tough going for younger readers.

There aren't many books that take the Arthur elements and put them together in a way that is exciting, suggestive of the old school, but still easy enough to follow and understand. That's where this book is its strongest, and that's why it seems fair to call it an introduction to Arthur-style storytelling. We have an Arthur character, we have a band of good guys. We have magic, shape-shifting, and a battle between good and evil. Animals and other living things are brought into the conflict. There are hidden good guys and creepy menacing bad things. For added oomph we have time travelers who drift into and out of the story, and some simple time travelling, all of which ties the modern story to the ancient and never-ending story of the battle between good and evil. This is exciting stuff, and illustrates what I mean by "Arthur-style".

Further, while the author takes liberties with the old conventions she is true to the feel of the old stories and touches upon most of the best-loved characters and events. The overarching sense that good will prevail if people of goodwill band together and fight bravely, which is one of the greatest messages of Arthur lore, is particularly well represented in this story. Clever references to Lancelot, Bedivere, the Lady of the Lake, Excalibur, and so on certainly add to the authentic Arthur connections.

And, this book seems to have been written for the reader who is often overlooked. This isn't the very young Disney "Sword in the Stone" treatment, but it also isn't a complex, almost academic treatment. It is a clean, tight, dynamic and understandable tale that a middle reader can get into and understand. It has the right mood and feel and sense of legend and mystery.


.... It seems to me the idea was to create a rip roaring fantastic yarn with a feel for Arthurian romance and in that it succeeds. If it whets the reader's appetite for more advanced or sophisticated fare, swell. If not, it's still a good, solid read and well worth your consideration.

(This is the second book in the "Camelot Inheritance" series. It is accessible even if you have not yet read the first book, since the author brings you up to speed very efficiently within the first chapter or two.)

Please note that I found this book while browsing Amazon Kindle freebies. I have no connection at all to either the author or the publisher of this book.


John Trott on twitter:
Reading 'The Time Smugglers' by with my 8 yr old. A fictional story based on the beautiful landscape of . He loves it.

Review of 'The Golden Sword' by Lucinda - top reviewer ranking 1,815 on Amazon
Plunging into a supremely magical world where nothing is as it seems, I felt like I had uncovered an exciting *new* children's fantasy world and the start of something truly EPIC.
Inspired concepts, creatures and breathtaking settings transport readers both young and old into the most remarkable creation of wondrous delights. Despite being a middle grade/ YA story it is also a novel that the older reader can connect with and enjoy, as something containing universal meaning and thought-provoking nuance. Action-packed, fast-paced and engaging "The Golden Sword" is a thrilling story that's mesmirizingly magical and which cleverly combines modern-day with ancient myths & legends.

I have always loved Arthurian mythology and so as a fan of BBC Merlin and tales of King Arthur, I was delighted to encounter those iconic elements within the deftly woven narrative {i.e. Sword Excalibur and Arthur}. Stalked by a sinister crow man, observed by invisible watchers and surveyed by a mysterious writer...this one boy's ordinary life transforms into something quite extraordinary. If the dazzling cover of this book doesn't catch your eye then the exquisitely beautiful illustrations by author Rosie Morgan will, as like in the book `Inkheart' the written world is brought to life on the page!!

The past and present collides in an explosive fusion of 21st century school life and archaic prophecies relating to Merlin & Arthur, that's brilliantly realised in gloriously rich detail. The short, punchy chapters full of twists and turns kept me sat in suspense and glued to the page, with intense animated exuberance as to what was about to happen next...

"Later, Arthur would wonder why he'd wished for a more interesting life. His had been fine as it was. School, skateboarding and hanging out with his friends should have been enough. But maybe it wasn't his wish that changed everything - maybe it would have happened anyway"

A 4.5 star read.
* I would like to thank the author for providing me with a copy of the first book in `The Camelot Inheritance' to read & review *


5* Fantasy

This review is for: The Golden Sword (The Camelot Inheritance ~ Book 1) (Kindle Edition)
I received a copy of this book from the author in return for an honest review.

This is the first book in a series for middle grade children that takes the myths and legends of Arthur and gives it a modern twist. I loved it!

Arthur Penhaligon is a fabulous character. I liked him very much. He is an intelligent young man, with some wonderful friends. He's a normal teenager, who loves to use his skate board and hang with his friends. Little does he know what danger awaits.

This story intrigued me. I have read many stories about King Arthur and the Knights of the Round Table, from history text books to fictional re-tellings. King Arthur's myth and legend has intrigued many people over the years. There have been several books, TV programmes and movies made over the years. However, this book is a completely unique and modern tale that captured me from the first page! Set in Cornwall, England, this book was eerily creepy and spooky in places, especially some of the scenes on Bodmin Moor - I had chills! There are some interesting characters in this book. Arthur's friends, Nick and Tamar, are complete opposites. Nick is fun loving, and has an easy going attitude. Tamar is a more serious and studious person; she is quite logical in her thinking.
This tale has magic and myth wrapped in an exciting adventure that will capture young readers' imaginations. I am looking forward to reading the next book in the series!

Rosie Morgan is a debut author who has written an extremely atmospheric tale that children will love. Her take on the Arthurian legend is most certainly unique! I will follow her career with interest.

I highly recommend this story to both boys and girls in the 7 to 14 age range. However, I also recommend this book to adults if you love YA or fantasy genres. - Lynn Worton   



Review for 'The Golden Sword' by Peter Martin

A great story with an unusual twist! Any fan of King Arthur and connected stories will thoroughly enjoy this read. The nice realism of Bodmin Moor adds to the intriguing page-turning of the tale.
The Golden Sword is slightly strange, eerie and atmospheric.
Fantasy lovers, children and adults will be drawn into Morgan's magical world.
It will be good to see more from the author 5*****

5* by Jenna on Amazon

This book was terrific! Once I started reading I didn’t want to stop until I’d finished the whole thing. It pulls you in from the beginning, and I enjoyed the author’s “voice” and style of writing. You honestly cannot fake that, either you have it or you don’t. Nothing worse than an adult who is “trying” to sound like a kid! Thoroughly enjoyed the Arthurian element and the lively cast of creatures/characters. I’d love to read more from this author in the future! The next book in the series is already available. Recommend for readers ages 14 and up.

5* for The Time Smugglers by Pam, Goodreads reviewer
The Time Smugglers is the second book in the Camelot Inheritance series. It is written and illustrated by Rosie Morgan. It is loosely based on the King Arthur stories from Cornwall, UK. Rosie lives here with her husband and two cats. She was a teacher and is still teaching through her books. This book like book 1 is an excellent book. It was hard to put it down when it was time for bed. I will recommend both books to my middle school teacher friends and librarian. All students should have a chance to read this book. 
Arthur, Nick, Tamar, and Gawain are once again united in a story of good vs evil. They have been given the honor and privilege of being the Guardians of Cornwall. It is up to them to keep the dark from taking over. They are to help the memories of Cornwall’s past live on. They come into conflict with Lady Clehy (ice), Crow man, Skeleton man, an albino with an albino dog, and other evil creatures. They have help from Zephaniah, Argo, Michael, Bedivere, and Lancelot as well as from a green stone dragon, a stone angel, and Lightning, now Arthur’s dog. 
Tamar is kidnapped in an attempt to separate the Guardians. She is placed in the hold of a ship that sails the bay with no wind. In the hold of the ship, Tamar meets a prisoner named Hairy Face and his dog. He shows her a pocket watch that he keeps hidden in his beard. He gives it to her and tells her she is the new Timekeeper. As she watches, her name is inscribed on it as if by magic. Soon Gawain, also kidnapped, is thrown into the hold. Hairy Face breaks his fall so he is not further hurt. However, he is badly hurt. Tamar uses the pocket watch to help him. How will they get out so they can help Arthur? 
The story has several humorous parts involving the green dragon who comes to life but can’t always control his fire. The Watchers almost get caught by Gawain and Arthur but manage to disappear quickly, although once one Watcher leaves his shoe, a jester’s shoe. Once one Watcher brings the boy he is watching in a different era to the beach. There is nothing there for him to see that would change history. He allows the boy to play in the surf but keeps a sharp eye on him as well as on Arthur. However, a plane flies overhead and the boy sees it. When he takes the boy back to his time, the boy begins to draw pictures of man being able to fly. The boy is Leonardo da Vinci. Now we know where he got the idea of his drawings of planes. 
The book is exciting and humorous as well as suspenseful. It is an excellent book and I wait with bated breath for the next in the series. 

Karen 'ReaderGirl' Indie Book Reviews rated 'The Golden Sword' 5*

I really loved “The Golden Sword” by Rosie Morgan, and I’m an adult in my 30’s. To me this novel has the type of cross age-appeal as say, Harry Potter or Percy Jackson. Kids will love it, but so will the adults! I thought it was excellently written and I loved the drawings too! I thought the characters were great, and I was genuinely surprised at a few things that happened. The pacing is brisk, and there is plenty of action and lore to keep even the pickiest reader captivated. Looking forward to the next one! 

Claire rated 'The Golden Sword' 5 of 5 stars
I was hooked from the first paragraph of “The Golden Sword” and my interest never wavered for a moment! I loved the creative and strong characters and plots that continued to build and shock and surprise. Just when you think you know what’s happening, something comes along to throw a wrench in it. This is good because I HATE books that are super predictable. And this one isn’t. Although there are some familiar themes and tropes at play, the author brings a new voice and makes it all her own. I’ve read a ton of fantasy for all ages over the years so I’m rarely surprised by anything anymore but I can say that this author managed to do it. I appreciated the quick pace and the descriptive details that really brought the story to life – world building and character development is absolutely crucial in selling a ‘fantasy’ story and it is done quite nicely here. Will be interested in seeing where this series leads. Recommend for anyone who enjoys a well-written, action packed, alternative reality novel with unexpected twists.

To find more reviews, go to my Goodreads page: 
https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/7020563.Rosie_Morgan

Or look on Amazon: http://www.amazon.com/Rosie-Morgan/e/B00AWR0920

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