The Widow and the King

John Dickinson is the author of The Cup of the World. He lives in Exeter, England.
From the Hardcover edition.

Grade 9 Up -This intricate and lushly written sequel to The Cup of the World (Random, 2004) continues the story 10 years later. Phaedra, widow of the hated, self-proclaimed king, has fled her homeland for her husband's desolate stronghold in the mountains. She and their son, Ambrose, 12, live in constant fear of Paigan, the boy's uncle across nine generations who has remained alive for 300 years with the help of under-craft, a powerful black magic. For the past 10 years he has been trapped in a magical circle of stones, but he's determined to escape and kill Ambrose in order to prolong his own life. When the vengeful, power-hungry son of an old friend of Phaedra's discovers under-craft, he helps Paigan escape and Ambrose has to flee for his life. He finds refuge in the household of the Widow of Develin and trains as a scholar under an assumed name. The Widow's headstrong daughter, Sophie, takes an interest in him while falling in love with an older scholar with ties to Ambrose's past. In doing so, they become unwitting pawns in the warring factions within the Kingdom. This coming-of-age tale explores the themes of power and the price that's paid for it, revenge and forgiveness, all set in a fully realized medieval world where philosophy and religion dominate. The characters aren't always likable, but sophisticated readers will empathize with their struggles and find themselves drawn into this richly imagined fantasy world. To fully appreciate this complex series, it's recommended that the books be read in order.-Sharon Rawlins, Piscataway Public Library, NJ
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