The Forever Court

May 1, 2017
In this sequel to Knights of the Borrowed Dark (2016), Denizen Hardwick, along with his friends Simon Hayes and Abigail Falx, are Neophytes in the Order of the Borrowed Dark. They now live in a house in Seraphim Row under the care of Denizen's newly discovered mother, Vivian Hardwick, a Knight Superior of the order. There, Denizen and his friends train to defend it. Some of their fiercest enemies are the nefarious Tenebrous, dark, shape-shifting creatures who live in a sort of in-between world and who have powers that Denizen seems to be able to channel. As he feels he is losing his ability to control these powers, he is offered help by an unlikely ally, one he must convince his mother to trust if they are to protect the order from a possible assassination that could incite an interdimensional war. In this middle volume, Denizen is forced to call upon his courage to protect the order from dark forces that wish to destroy it. Though Rudden creates compelling, likable characters in this fierce, magical world, there is a repetitiveness to the narrative that slows up a rather lengthy book. The numerous interleaved scenes with Denizen's secret ally give the story a "let's get on with it" feel. Abigail is described with dark skin; the white default seems to apply to the rest of the principals. With many of the wrinkles from Volume 1 ironed out here, there are just a few more to manage to make Volume 3 a corker of a conclusion. (Fantasy. 10-15)

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July 1, 2017

Gr 5-8-The second volume in the trilogy picks up with 13-year-old hero Denizen Hardwick visiting the court of the Endless King. The King would like to thank Denizen for his heroic endeavors, which saved his daughter in the previous book. It's especially monumental that Denizen accomplished this feat since he has only just learned of his special powers and knightly prowess. Growing stronger in his newfound ability, he has become part of a family in the motley crew of knights who are also in training. Denizen's mom gives the knights a strict education. He questions why his mother chose to avenge his father's death, abandon her son, and allow Denizen to believe he was an orphan (he recently realized that she is still alive). The narrative echoes the first title with its engaging mix of fantasy, suspense, strange creatures, and courtly drama. A violent battle ensues with members of the Forever Court, and an interesting wrinkle is introduced when the knights discover another order of warriors-the Croits. Unlike Denizen and his cohorts, the Croits support the dark and will stop at nothing to bring shadows back to power. VERDICT An absorbing continuation of an epic tale of knights, odd creatures, and battles between good and evil. Hand to fans of John Flanagan's "Ranger's Apprentice" series.-Julie Shatterly, W.A. Bess Elementary School, Gastonia, NC

Copyright 2017 School Library Journal, LLC Used with permission.

January 1, 2018
In the second installment, Denizen's life has (kinda) returned to normal--which for him includes dealing with monsters and understanding the powers Mercy left within him. A meeting between the Knights and Tenebrae reveals the cultish Croits, who worship an ancient Tenebrous. Rudden creates two intriguing focal points with the Knights and Croits; however, following both complicates the story line and makes it difficult to connect with the characters.

(Copyright 2018 by The Horn Book, Incorporated, Boston. All rights reserved.)