The Book of the Lion

by Michael Cadnum

Book Overview

Returning to the same era of his In a Dark Wood, Cadnum's majestic novel--part mystery, part history--chronicles the pageantry and brutality of the Crusades under King Richard. This description may be from another edition of this product.

• Format: Hardcover
• Language: English
• ISBN: 0670883867
• ISBN13: 9780670883868
• Release Date: March 2000
• Publisher: Viking Children's Books
• Length: 204 Pages
• Weight: 0.85 lbs.
• Dimensions: 0.8" x 6.7" x 8.6"
• Age Range: 12 years and up
• Grade Range: Grade 7 and higher

Customer Reviews

The Book of the Lion Review by Colin

The Book of the Lion: Michael Cadnum Edmond's life is perfect. He is an apprentice of a blacksmith and is friends with a girl that he likes named Elviva. One day all this was ruined when his master was caught counterfeiting gold coins. His master was brutally killed by the soldiers and Edmond had a choice of his hands being chopped off or get sent off with the crusade because he was no better than a thief. He chose to be sent off with the crusade and believes that he won't be able to see Elviva again. Edmond becomes a second squire of a knight called Sir Nigel. After a long trip across the ocean there was a gust storm and a squire fell off the ship. Since Edmond was already a second squire of Sir Nigel he took place of the lost squire. The crusaders lay siege on the Castle of Acre. The story takes place in the medieval days where squires and knights take place. I felt like I was in the story myself as Edmond being one of the many squires and knights fighting their way into Acre. Once I started reading I couldn't put down the book for hours and the next thing I knew it was done. I recommend this book who likes historical fiction and lots of action at the climax. -Colin

Knights and Shining armor

"The Book of the Lion" by Michael Cadnum is a very well written book. The book takes place during the midevil era. The young teenager that is the main character goes on many adventures during his time as a squire. Fighting with a knight forfor Brittian who allied with the French, and the Franks. They all fought with the king Lion Heart as their leader. They fought to gether and the battle of.....Well You'll just have to read the book.I liked this book because it was a long book but I ZOOMED through it. I liked this book so much that I really got into it and it seemed as though i was right there with the soldiers as they charged the castle. I encourage people who like long suspencful books.

You can smell the middens

Michael Cadnum puts us squarely into the alien environment of the 12th century in this well written and evocative novel of a young man's coming of age. Young apprentice Edmund is sentenced to go on Crusade for abetting his criminal master, and finds himself caught up in the excitement and terror of the Cause. Cadnum's vivid imagery had me holding my nose when Edmund's ship drifted down the sewage-laden Thames; this is not a pretty portrait of a romantic Middle Ages. Battlefield rape, smashed skulls, torture, and mutilation should put this novel out of reach of anyone under middle school age, but the unsentimental story and exquisite writing recommends it to anyone older, including adults.

A GREAT BOOK!!

This book is about Edmund a young apprentice to a metal worker whose Master is a counterfeiter. Edmund goes to prison but gets out with a knight as a squire. So he goes to war and fights at Acre and Arsuf. It is bloody but VERY exciting. I couldn't stop reading. When you read it, it is like your there. I could hear the cry of wounded men, the sound of metal on metal and the rocks on the walls. If i could rate this book on a scale from 1-10 it would be a 9 1/2!

Good book!

I liked this book because it wasn't a fairy tale. It told the Middle Ages like they were. Cleanliness and personal hygene weren't exactly a priority. People waited like, years before they had a bath. Nobody could read and write (except monks). And people died everday from pointless duels and disease (not to mention the bubonic plague). Nothing good came of the Crusades. They didn't even win back the Holy Land. Trade finally started up again, but that was about it.If you liked this book you should try: "Catherine Called Birdy" and "The Midwife's Apprentice" by Karen Cushman, and "The Door in the Wall" by Marguerite deAngeli.