Shards of Excalibur Complete Series, The

Edward Willett

Description

For the first time, enjoy all five books of The Shards of Excalibur series in one omnibus volume!
Ariane Forsythe and Wally Knight are just two ordinary Canadian teenagers until the morning they encounter the Lady of the Lake in the unlikely waters of Wascana Lake in Regina, Saskatchewan. Ariane learns she's heir to the power of the Lady, and she and Wally, who turns out to have his own unsuspected connection to the legends of King Arthur, are given the difficult task of finding the five scattered shards of Arthur's sword Excalibur before Merlin can, in his modern-day guise as wealthy and powerful computer magnate Rex Major. If Merlin gets the sword, he will use its power to take over the world and then launch an attack into his homeland of Faerie, no matter what the cost.
Ariane's and Wally's quest takes them all over the world (courtesy of the power Ariane has inherited that allows them to travel through water and the clouds), from Saskatchewan to the Northwest Territories to southern France; to New Zealand and the Caribbean; to British Columbia and Scotland, always struggling--and sometimes failing--to stay one step ahead of Rex Major. Along the way, they face betrayal and treachery, difficult choices, and unexpected discoveries. And when the quest is finally achieved and the sword reforged, what happens next is nothing at all like either Wally or Ariane imagined, and threatens everything they've sought to achieve--and everyone they love.

Includes Song of the Sword, Twist of the Blade, Lake in the Clouds, Cave Beneath the Sea, and Door Into Faerie.

Sujets

• Imaginaire
• Arthurian
• Myths
• Young Adult Fiction
• Merlin (Desambiguación)
• Fables
• Fantasy (canción de Mariah Carey)
• Canadá
• Contemporary history
• Legends
• General officer
• Mythology
• Fable
• Canada
• General
• Contemporary
• Merlin
• Saskatchewan
• Fantasy

Informations

• Publié par: Shadowpaw Press
• Date de parution: 23 décembre 2022
• Nombre de lectures: 0
• EAN13: 9781989398579
• Langue: English

Extrait

THE SHARDS OF EXCALIBUR
The Complete Five-Book Series


Published by
Shadowpaw Press
Regina, Saskatchewan, Canada
www.shadowpawpress.com


All books originally published by Coteau Books
Song of the Sword © 2014 by Edward Willett
Twist of the Blade © 2014 by Edward Willett
Lake in the Clouds © 2015 by Edward Willett
Cave Beneath the Sea © 2015 by Edward Willett
Door into Faerie © 2016 by Edward Willett


Second editions of all books
published 2021 by Shadowpaw Press


This omnibus edition @2022 by Edward Willett


All characters and events in this book are fictitious.
Any resemblance to persons living or dead is coincidental.


No part of this book may be reproduced in any form or by any electronic or mechanical means, including information storage and retrieval systems, without written permission from the author, except for the use of brief quotations in a book review.


Ebook ISBN: 978-1-989398-57-9


All books edited by Matthew Hughes
Covers designed by Tania Craan
PRAISE FOR SONG OF THE SWORD

“This is a fantasy of epic proportions, with the perfect blend of suspense; well-developed, likeable characters; and a touch of sarcastic humour.”
—School Library Journal

“Every so often . . . a writer is skilled enough to utilize the stories of King Arthur and Camelot to significant effect . . . a taut, compelling narrative, well-drawn characters, and a keen sense of genuine peril and true wonder. It’s a powerful, fun, engaging read, and it’s the first of a series, so readers have much to look forward to.”
—Quill & Quire

“Willett’s novel will please fantasy junkies with its intricate details; yet there’s also an appealing poetry to Ariane’s story, best manifested when she learns to use her powers to merge with water and transport herself wherever it flows. Song of the Sword is a unique twist on the old subjects of teenage rebellion and self-discovery.”
—Montreal Review of Books

“One thing that makes this tale different from many in the genre is that it is set in Regina, SK, and full of other Canadian place names, such as Yellowknife and Toronto. The story will appeal to those who enjoy fantasy and will not require a knowledge of the Arthurian tales to follow.”
—CM: Canadian Review of Materials

“A tight story, and [the] characters exhibit honest emotions . . . Fantasy references galore should ensure that readers who enjoy fantasy—and Arthurian legend in particular—come away satisfied”
—Kirkus Reviews

“The story . . . has wonderful Canadian references and some really funny passages. Ariane is constantly in danger, and the suspense is beautifully maintained.”
—Helen Wilding Cook, Library Bound

“. . . an exciting plot that gives a great new spin to a favourite story. It can also take credit for a great cast of characters . . . set up to play out what might become the battle of the ages. I can see that exciting adventures await as they all struggle to decide what’s worth fighting for: power, friends, or family.”
—think. thank. thought.

“. . . it was very well done indeed . . . Willett did an excellent job here . . . Ariane [has] quite a bit of personality and spunk.”
—Word for Teens
PRAISE FOR TWIST OF THE BLADE



“The sequel to  Song of the Sword improves on its foundation . . . Willett realistically explores the difficulties Ariane and Wally face and paints Rex Major in such a light that readers may be unsure as to whether he is a master manipulator or misunderstood hero . . . engrossing and more nuanced than its predecessor.”
KIRKUS REVIEWS


“A satisfying second instalment . . . Twist of the Blade  offers an enticing sense of danger and excitement as Ariane pursues her mission, but the narrative doesn’t shy away from the story’s human elements . . . It’s refreshing to read a story in which the heroes and villains are not cut-and-dried, and readers can look forward to three more instalments in this genuinely entertaining myth-based series.”
QUILL & QUIRE


“Edward Willett capably brandishes the trust issues of teens, especially those related to their families, as the means to progress the story. But it’s these same issues with which Merlin and Arthur had to deal . . . without their anger and self-doubt, Ariane and Wally could not learn to believe in others and themselves as worthy of the challenge to bring together the shards of the legendary sword of King Arthur . . . ”
CANLIT FOR LITTLE CANADIANS
PRAISE FOR LAKE IN THE CLOUDS



“At the heart of these novels is the evolving relationship between Ariane and Wally. In a world of absent parents . . . they must rely upon themselves and upon each other. They must learn to trust each other, for they are being changed by their contact with and use of old magic steeped in old conflicts, desires and mysteries — all of which become particularly vital in  Lake in the Clouds . How Ariane and Wally deal with such changes, and with the increasing responsibilities of their quest, makes them truly admirable characters..”
MATTHEW JOHNSTONE,  CANADIAN CHILDREN’S BOOK NEWS


“Well written, and fast moving, with touches of humour,  Lake in the Clouds  will appeal to young readers who enjoy adventure as well as adults who might like a modern visit to the timeless story of King Arthur and his knights. Recommended.”
RONALD HORE,  CM MAGAZINE


“The overlay of the Arthurian legend on a modern Canadian context works surprisingly well. Merlin’s magical powers are invested in Rex Major’s spyware embedded in the internet. Wally’s loyalty and courage accurately reflect both Arthur’s strength and his fatal flaw. Ariane’s coolly calculated actions echo the dispassionate deeds of the Lady of the Lake . . . Readers who are invested in the series will eagerly anticipate the final two books.”
PATRICIA JEREMY,  RESOURCE LINKS MAGAZINE


“ By continuing to develop his characters so that they never remain good or evil or secondary, Edward Willett has ensured that the plot doesn’t stagnate . . . With Ariane and Wally both being affected by the shards and learning of new abilities, as well as other characters being drawn into the story in different ways,  Lake in the Clouds  becomes a fuller story. The plot itself continues to evolve and the adventure is grand . . . The journeys are part of the quest but hold on because your travelling companions are switching places and your next seatmates may be a surprise . . . ”
CANLIT FOR LITTLE CANADIANS
PRAISE FOR CAVE BENEATH THE SEA



“In  Cave Beneath the Sea , Edward Willett has created as exciting a read as the earlier books in the series, continuing to develop his characters and their relationships while the action-filled plot carries the reader to intriguing national and international locales . . .  It’s hard for me to decide which is the stronger foundation for the story, the characters or the plot, as both are substantial and intricate.  Regardless,  Cave Beneath the Sea  takes The Shards of Excalibur a fast-moving step closer to the  Door into Faerie , the magical entity and Book 5 in the series.”
HELEN KUBIW,  CANLIT FOR LITTLE CANADIANS


“The author has created interesting characters as the villain and the heroes all have occasional uncertainties about their actions . . . Cave Beneath the Sea will appeal to young readers in search of adventure as well as adults who enjoy another version of the timeless story of King Arthur . . . Recommended.”
RONALD HORE,  CM MAGAZINE
PRAISE FOR DOOR INTO FAERIE



Aurora Award finalist for Best Young Adult Novel


“ Door into Faerie  will appeal to young readers in search of adventure as well as adults who enjoy the timeless story of King Arthur. It represents a suitable ending to a story of youthful characters who have wandered the world and suffered several successes and failures in search of their goal. Highly recommended.”
RONALD HORE,  CM MAGAZINE


“ . . . I read it without reading its predecessors, and also, admittedly, with a bit of a bias against the fantasy genre . . . Well surprise, surprise: I loved this YA fantasy. Willett wields his well-honed writing chops from page one, and my interest was maintained until the final word . . . I can’t imagine teens not enjoying this entertaining story, perhaps especially if they’ve read the books that’ve preceded it. This adult enjoyed it, too . . . magic and all.”
SHELLEY A. LEEDAHL, SASKBOOKS REVIEWS


“This fifth book is as forged with magic, conflict, action and travel, as well as a little history, as the earlier four books– . . . but family, which has always been important, becomes paramount. Brothers and sisters Merlin and the Lady of the Lake, and Wally and Felicia, as well as mothers Emily Forsythe and Jessica Knight, drive the story, and ultimately help resolve its plotlines, a monumental task in a fantasy based on the Arthurian legends. Yet Edward Willett accomplishes this easily with his consistent intensity and fluidity of plot progression . . . ”

HELEN KUBIW,  CANLIT FOR LITTLE CANADIANS
CONTENTS




Song of the Sword


1. A Walk in the Mist

2. The Staircase in the Water

3. “The Power Be Yours”

4. “If I Were You, I’d Run”

5. The White Ford

6. Going with the Flow

7. The Ponytailed Man

8. A Dip in Hudson Bay

9. Attack of the Lizardoid

10. North. North. North!

11. A Pair of Lovebirds

12. Intruder in the Pit

13. Sinks, Pools, and Toilets

14. A Thing of War


Twist of the Blade


1. Sleepless

2. Blindsided

3. News Travels Fast

4. The Return Of The Song

5. Up, Up And Away

6. Road Trip

7. Bon Voyage

8. Slippery Choices

9. Call Of The Dark

10. Be My Guest

11. Lost And Found

12. Calm Before The Storm

13. Twist Of The Blade


Lake in the Clouds


1. Fairy Island

2. The Lap of Luxury

3. Behind Enemy Lines

4. Major Makes a Move

5. Awkward Conversations

6. The Dreaming