Growing up an orphan in an isolated cottage in the woods, young Terence never expected much adventure. But upon the arrival of Gawain, his life tak...
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May 12, 2011
Kermit's BFF
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Despite the fact that my library has had this book since as long as I can remember and doubly despite the fact that you'd think in at least one of my rambles through the teen section I'd have picked it up, I just never have. In fact, it was Anna who got it from the library. I think I might have read a different book in the series once, but that was a very long time ago and out of order to boot. I might have avoided it because the story is an Arthurian legend and I've had some bad experiences wit
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May 21, 2010
Scribbler
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This book is absolutely HILARIOUS!!!
I was first introduced to this book through my brother, who was reading aloud to my mother. I stopped when I heard something about 'Sir Hatubris' (I don't think I spelled that right) and was laughing after only a few sentences.
Basically, this boy named Terence who has lived with a hermit his whole life meets Gawain, who is on his way to King Arthur's court to try and become a knight. Terence ends up becoming his squire through an odd More...
I was first introduced to this book through my brother, who was reading aloud to my mother. I stopped when I heard something about 'Sir Hatubris' (I don't think I spelled that right) and was laughing after only a few sentences.
Basically, this boy named Terence who has lived with a hermit his whole life meets Gawain, who is on his way to King Arthur's court to try and become a knight. Terence ends up becoming his squire through an odd More...
Jan 01, 2012
Barky
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This review has been hidden because it contains spoilers.
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Jul 14, 2010
Andrea
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This is the first in a series of King Arthur adventures from the viewpoint of Morris's created character, a squire for one of the Knights of the Round Table. The story manages to capture the mood of the Arthurian setting. I enjoyed it and found the perspective to be fresh and funny. I recommend this book for Middle School aged children (My daughter found it in her middle school library and devoured the entire series!), but I also enjoyed it as an adult. What I liked: the squire's character,
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Oct 14, 2009
Julie
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Terrence comes from where he knows not, but was raised by a wise and humorous magician who sees the future but forgets the past. Terrence is lucky to be picked up by a soon-to-be Knight of King Arthur's Round Table, Sir Gaiwan, and together they begin their life of questing. As they seal their friendship, Sir Gaiwan and Terrence manage to find adventure, magic, love, and possibly where Terrence really comes from. A fantastic, funny, medieval tale, filled with a kooky and lovable cast of charac
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Mar 23, 2011
Isolde
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I randomly checked this book out last year because it sounded interesting which is surprising because Camelot/King Arthur isn't really my thing. However, I really enjoyed reading this book. It's about Terrence, a boy who has been raised in the forest by a hermit. He doesn't know anything about his past and he longs to know more about his family. Terrence becomes the squire of Sir Gawain, one of the knights of the round table. They go to Camelot and then on a quest (because that's what knig
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May 05, 2010
Olivia
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This is the book you should read before "The Savage Damsel and the Dwarf". It is about a boy named Terence who was raised by a hermit(a person who has withdrawn to a solitary place for a life of religious seclusion), who knows nothing about his own parents. He later becomes the squire of Sir Gawain, one of King Arthur's greatest knight. And he later figures out his parentage. I like this book, because I read the 2nd book and wanted to read the 1st one. More...
Apr 13, 2011
Jenalee
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I read this book many years ago and quite enjoyed it and while it is still a fun read, I think I've a bit outgrown it which makes me terribly sad. It's very fun, the characters are lovely and I still harbor a ridiculous love for Robin, but it's a really quick read for me now. I have the next couple of books in the series and I'm going to re-read them too because there are later books I haven't read yet, so I'm sure it's going to be fun and enjoyable, I just don't think it will be more than brai
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Oct 24, 2011
Molly
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I recently read an impassioned blog post by a children's librarian for Gerald Morris winning the Newbery. It inspired me to read this, his first novel in 'The Squire's Tales' series. I don't know about the award (and the post was more about his chapter books, anyway), but I understand the passion -- I really liked this book. It's a fresh take on an Arthurian tale, with Sir Gawain starring as the wry and gallant knight and Terrence, his squire, emerging as the true young hero of the story. A grea
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Sep 18, 2007
Jessica
rated it:
A pretty hilarious book, as far as I remember (it's been a while since I read it...I got it from the library :D) Here's the basic synopsis:
From School Library Journal
Grade 5-9-Terence, the squire in question, is not Chaucer's but a 14 year old of unknown parentage in Arthur's England, raised in the woods by a wizard who can see the future clearly but is foggy about the past. Gawain, not yet of the Round Table, comes across the boy and, needing a squire, takes him along. The sto More...
From School Library Journal
Grade 5-9-Terence, the squire in question, is not Chaucer's but a 14 year old of unknown parentage in Arthur's England, raised in the woods by a wizard who can see the future clearly but is foggy about the past. Gawain, not yet of the Round Table, comes across the boy and, needing a squire, takes him along. The sto More...
Dec 04, 2011
Kat
rated it:
Fun, upbeat retelling of Arthurian legend. I remember reading this years ago and stumbled across it available for the kindle at a good price. Still very, very enjoyable -- so much so that I bought the next four in the series and will probably buy the rest eventually. I like the way it gentle spoof aspects of "chivalry" and knightly lore while still showing an appreciation for the ideals embodied in the Round Table. Highly Recommended.
Jun 02, 2011
Annie
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The first 150 pages read like a hodge podge of Arthurian legends smooshed into one book with a young protagonist thrown in. I considered not finishing for a while, but then the last 60 pages were fantastic! This would be a lot better if there was less Gawain (jousting, sparring, boasting, tale telling ... bo-ring) and a lot more Terence (unknown parentage, fairy visions ... yes, please). But ultimately it's a pretty good, fresh take on some old tales.
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Aug 02, 2010
Stephen
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This is the first of Gerald Morris's Arthurian retellings. I loved each one. Morris captures the magic of the legends while celebrating the inherent humor of the stories in away that magnifies and compliments the genius of their medieval authors such as Chrétien. It's not merely irreverent, pointless, Monty Python but a celebration of chivalry in all of its fantasty, manliness, silliness and sometimes downright weirdness.
Jan 06, 2009
Tawnya
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I found this in the juvenile section, and the only problem I had was the cavalier attitude it showed towards killing. Very matter of fact that a knight would kill another knight and for no good reason. I'm sure it was the attitude held at the time, but was a little odd.
That said it was a fun read, and incorporated several tales you may be familiar with regarding the knights of the round table.
That said it was a fun read, and incorporated several tales you may be familiar with regarding the knights of the round table.
Apr 08, 2010
Tressa
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This was an unexpected read. I thought it was going to be just a simple story, but it wasn't. It was a magical and ridiculous (funny) story about one of King Author's knights and his squire. I would have enjoyed this more as a tween and would recommend it for that age group. I will probaly read the rest of the series just to see what other crazy things happen.
Jul 24, 2011
Beth
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This is a clever retelling of the adventures of Sir Gawain, a knight of King Author's Round Table, and his squire, Terrance. I look forward to reading the next of the series. I would recommend this book to peopel who are interested in knights and ladies, retellings with a twist or anyone who wants a light hearted gallop through time, adventure and mystical, magical worlds.
Sep 12, 2011
James
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It wasn't as humorous as I had been led to believe. There were a few mildly funny bits. However, it was well-written and I enjoyed the story. The only real plot point that I had issue with was just how smart Terence got so quickly but that is a minor quibble. I'll definitely have to track down the second book in the series and read it at some point.
Feb 04, 2012
Melinda
rated it:
Fun book for older kids, based on some of the King Arthur legends about Sir Gawain. Possible problems: Several people get killed off, Western style (the gun goes off, guy falls off horse, not much description--in this case, a sword, of course, not a gun) and there's some magic, medieval style.
Dec 19, 2011
Josiah
rated it: 
the worst book! all they do is go on a mission to kill people!how does everyone like this book! it was so bad i could not finish it!
P.S not all my book reviews r mean to the book but...........
NEVER EVER READ THIS!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
(UNLESS YOU LIKE KILLING EVERY 5 SECONDS)
P.S not all my book reviews r mean to the book but...........
NEVER EVER READ THIS!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
(UNLESS YOU LIKE KILLING EVERY 5 SECONDS)
Dec 22, 2008
Libby
rated it:
I loved this modern retelling of the Authurian legends. It was laugh-out-loud funny at times, a good antidote to stuffy seriousness. The only reason I didn't give it 5 stars was occasionally the shift between a down-to-earth retelling and the style of an epic fantasy was a bit jarring.
Feb 07, 2012
Faith
rated it:
This was a gross book! It was so casually violent and bloody that it reminded me of Monte Python's "The Search for the Holy Grail" (shiver shiver yuck!) These knights go around chopping other knight's heads off for the smallest insults! And I don't like how they talk about women...
Feb 05, 2012
Kathy
rated it:
A good read - I chose this book because my son, who was not a reader at the time, read it & liked it. A retelling of some of the stories associated with King Arthur, it has knights, fairies, kings, dragons, witches - you name it. And a little humor thrown in. I will have to read more....
Dec 08, 2010
Cece
rated it:
I have really enjoyed Gerald Morris' take on Arthurian legends. Great fun for those who like knights-and-ladies stories that aren't too sexist, adventures, the existence of magical lands etc. These books (there are many in the Squires Tales series) are what I think of as fantasy cozies.
Mar 22, 2010
Rushna
rated it: 
This book is about Terence, a boy who doesn't know about his parents or past. He soon meets a knight, Gawain, who wishes to be a knight of the round table of King Arthur. Through his adventures as Sir Gawain's squire, he meets new people, faces new challenges, and is able to answer the question of who is he and who are his parents.
This book is okay, the descriptions were pretty well, but other than that, I thought the plot was a little weak and the ending didn't come out too well.
This book is okay, the descriptions were pretty well, but other than that, I thought the plot was a little weak and the ending didn't come out too well.
Oct 14, 2009
bratfarrar says, "whimsy and maturity and general decency are why I really like Diana Wynne Jones and Garth Nix and Gerald Morris. That is, each writes characters that I care about and worlds that I want to explore, and tells stories that make me want to be a better person."
Dec 07, 2011
Erika
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I love Arthurian stories and I fell in love with Gawain after reading "Sir Gawain and the Green Knight", so I decided to give this saga a try. If anything, this book made me like Gawain even more. A light, witty retelling of knightly adventures really worth your time.
Jul 14, 2010
Erica
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As a huge fan of King Arthur, I absolutely loved this story. It tells the story of Gawain from the point of view of his squire, Terence. There is questing, love, magic, fighting, and all of my favorite characters and it is written at about a fifth grade level.
Jun 26, 2009
Ann
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I really enjoyed this book. I generally tend to avoid all Arthurian legend retellings, but this one did well. I really liked both Terrance and Sir Gawain. It was funny and heroic, a great afternoon read. Can't wait to read all 8 books in the series!
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Mar 04, 2008
Alyson
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This book was a hoot! It's YA lit and when it was presented in book club last month I couldn't work up much excitement for it. I should learn, I've enjoyed most of the YA lit I've read.
Anyway, though it is written in language safe for teens, he handles many adulty situations with humor and aplomb so it doesn't feel like I'm missing out on what the story would have been if grown ups had been the intended audience. Every chapter had at least one line or situation that made me laugh out More...
Anyway, though it is written in language safe for teens, he handles many adulty situations with humor and aplomb so it doesn't feel like I'm missing out on what the story would have been if grown ups had been the intended audience. Every chapter had at least one line or situation that made me laugh out More...
Nov 29, 2011
...Kels...
rated it:
This is the first book in a series I read while in my first years of high school and it is simply a great funny read :) The whole series is! Highly recommended to those looking to read something light, funny, or just to a kid at night.
