In the year 1100, King William II of England was shot with an arrow and killed during a hunting trip in New Forest. Historians still disagree about whether his death was a simple hunting accident or a part of a plot to take the throne. This is a novel about that tumultuous event. Simon Foldre is a young half-Norman, half-English nobleman who is invited along on the hunt to assist the powerful nobleman Walter Tirel. Simon gladly accepts in hopes that this will be an entry into high society and a prosperous future. However, the events of the hunt soon find Simon on accompanying Tirel on a run for their lives.

Although I saw references in previous reviews to action, romance, and mystery, I thought the plot of this novel lacked all of those elements. The characters were also underdeveloped and did nothing to move the story along. I felt this read more like a fictionalized history written more to teach about customs and important events than to entertain. I had no investment in the story or characters and it never managed to capture my interest. I only continued to read because it was short and I always hoped that something exciting was bound to happen around the next page. Cadnum is a good writer, but I will have trouble recommending this title to anyone who isn’t looking for extra reading on this particular subject. ( )

The plot was a bit thin, and the characters a bit underdeveloped but it made for an interesting read. About a young man named Simon who is both Norman and English living in England and his want to serve an English lord during a royal hunt. Other situations occur and lead him to flee the county with his new friend. ( )

drags a bit at first but good for higher junior high and YA. Sophisticated.