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The Adventures of Sir Balin the Ill-Fated (Knights' Tales #4)
by
Gerald Morris,
Aaron Renier (Goodreads Author)
Many years ago, the storytellers say, the great King Arthur brought justice to England with the help of his gallant knights of the roundtable. While most of King Arthur’s knights freely chose a life of duty, for Sir Balin the Ill-Fated, destiny was foretold in a prophecy. And seriously, "ill-fated" is right there in his title, so Balin’s not surprised when things go sour....more
Hardcover, 112 pages
Published
April 3rd 2012
by Houghton Mifflin Books for Children
(first published April 2nd 2012)
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At his christening, Balin is proclaimed as the victim of a heavy prophecy: he shall be known as the noblest knight in England! But- he’ll bring misfortune wherever he goes, bring down two kingdoms in a single day, strike the Dolorous Stroke, and in the end, destroy the knight he loves most in the world. His mother just hopes he’ll marry a nice northern girl. As he gets older and starts his adventures, he seems doomed to fulfill this prophecy, but is there a way to escape his fate?
I love Gerald M...more
I love Gerald M...more
Sir Balin, The Ill-Fated is the 4th book in the Knights' Tales series by Gerald Morris. They are stories of the knights of King Arthur's court that are easily accessible for younger readers (ages as young as 7). Hilarious and historically accurate to the time period and the lives and activities of the medieval knights, these books are a rollicking read-aloud for bedtime, in classrooms, or as an independent read.
My children (ages 8 and 10) and I read Sir Balin as a bedtime story (and are now in t...more
My children (ages 8 and 10) and I read Sir Balin as a bedtime story (and are now in t...more
Just as he did in the earlier titles in this series about King Arthurs's knights (The Adventures of Lancelot the Great, The Adventures of Sir Givret the Short and The Adventures of Sir Gawain the True), simplifies the tales for a young, modern audience. Since he focuses only on Sir Balin in this story, readers are able to follow his adventures from the time as an infant when he receives a prophecy of doom to his final circumnavigation of that doom. The book raises questions about destiny as Sir...more
After Balin’s christening, the Old Woman of the Mountain prophesies that the newborn is destined to a life of doom. He shall be known as the noblest knight in England but he’ll bring misfortune wherever he goes, bring down two kingdoms in a single day, strike the Dolorous Stroke, and destroy the knight he loves most in the world.
When Balin becomes a knight, and embarks on a life of adventure, it seems he is doomed to fulfill these predictions. Is there a way for Balin to overcome his destiny?
Fa...more
When Balin becomes a knight, and embarks on a life of adventure, it seems he is doomed to fulfill these predictions. Is there a way for Balin to overcome his destiny?
Fa...more
I love these short Knights' Tales books almost as much as the longer Squires' tales ones. Gerald Morris is a master at retelling King Arthur stories and this one is no exception. The right amounts of humor, adventure, and sword play make this a fabulous story for all ages.
Poor Sir Balin was given a prophecy at birth that he would be great, but ill-fated, and kill the knight he loved most in the world. So, the unlucky Sir Balin tries to live carefully but he ends up in King Arthur's dungeon for killing his cousin, although even King Arthur admits that his cousin might have deserved it. So Sir Balin goes free and travels the countryside foiling plots and trying to be careful. Turns out that this prophecy is just a bunch of malarkey, but there are plenty of laughs a...more
Humorous, with a serious undertone - entertains, while making you question the concept of fate & whether we are prisoners or authors of our fate. And just cute!
Cute story which my son enjoyed. Personally I found the humor too modern and sarcastic. I just don't want to teach my 6 year old to be sarcastic, this was borderline. I will try another in the series because it was recommended and give the series a second shot.
Love his statement here about destiny. The prophecy does come true. . . And let that be a lesson to you. Your mother will always have the last word. :D
Gerald Morris channels Monty Python in this funny addition to his Knights Tales series for young King Arthur fans.
Enjoyable book about two brothers who are knights - good for 3rd and 4th graders.
More violent than the previous books and quite as witty in my opinion.
One of the best middle grade/juvenile chapter book series out there.
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Cute, trippy, and fun! :)
Morris sure does finish his books strong.
Fun and light, but not without substance. Sir Gawain is still my favorite of this series, though. I'd like to try one of these with my 3rd-5th grade book discussion some year.
Light & fun middle grade Arthurian story. My 9 yr. old's favorite in this series is Sir Lancelot the Brave; mine is Sir Givret the Short. :)
This is really funny. I would recommend this to young males who are reluctant readers.
May 17, 2013
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Gerald Morris is known for his light yet addictive series of stories for preteen and teen readers based in the Middle Ages during the time of King Arthur. Collectively called "The Squire's Tales", the series includes The Squire's Tale, The Squire, His Knight, and His Lady, The Savage Damsel and The Dwarf, and Parsifal's Page. The books at the start of the series focus on Gawain, but primarily on T...more
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