Keeper of the Grail (Youngest Templar Series #1)

A GREAT READ!!!

This is one of the bests books I've read in a while...it has action, humor and intrigue, and it has an interesting twist to the story of Robin Hood (a story many know and love). The book revolves around Tristian, an orphan raised by monks, who gets an oppurtunity to serve with the Knights Templar. In accepting the offer he embarks on a journey far from home that puts him in the middle of a war and in the mist of people who apparently know who he is.
The book has an amazing perspective (i'm not sure if intentional or not)on how christiandom should be and what it is for many. There is so much there! It's a must read!

Fresh Adventure

I really enjoyed reading this book. Spradlin deftly captures the essence of the adventure and danger of twelfth century for young readers. As Tristan leaves his safe home at the monastery and joins the Knights Templar as a squire, he engages in adventures that he would never before dream of. Sir Thomas offers him the opportunity of a lifetime by taking him to the Holy Land and giving him a strange audience with the King. Sir Hugh, obviously corrupt in some way, does what he can to tempt Tristan ...moreI really enjoyed reading this book. Spradlin deftly captures the essence of the adventure and danger of twelfth century for young readers. As Tristan leaves his safe home at the monastery and joins the Knights Templar as a squire, he engages in adventures that he would never before dream of. Sir Thomas offers him the opportunity of a lifetime by taking him to the Holy Land and giving him a strange audience with the King. Sir Hugh, obviously corrupt in some way, does what he can to tempt Tristan by alluding to the fact he knows about the boy's origins.


As a battle goes horribly awry, Sir Thomas entrusts Tristan with the Holy Grail, which he is to deliver safely back in England. Traveling with it, Tristan finds that it seems to have a protective sort of power in his darkest moments. Along the way he meets the fiery Robard Hode, who bears an uncanny resemblance to the character readers will recognize from the Robin Hood story, and the two of them unwittingly fall into the path of Maryam, who I have a feeling is not quite what she seems.


The most enjoyable part of the story to me is the mysterious aspects of Tristan's background. He seems to make King Richard feel uneasy, and Sir Hugh knows something about how Tristan was left at the monastery. His adventures in getting the Grail to safety are interesting enough, but I have a feeling that there is more in store for Tristan than that simple aspect of the story.


This is a well-written, engaging adventure that will appeal to readers young and old.

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Need a new view on the old Robin Hood tale?

What I liked most about this book is that it took the old Robin Hood myth and turned it on its head. As you read you can pick out some vague details and characters from the Robin Hood we all know but that's about it. Instead, we are greeted with Tristan and his vow to protect the Holy Grail. After a visit from the Knights Templar and the monastery Tristan has grown up in Tristan finds himself vowing to return the Knights most sacred relic, The Holy Grail to England. As he fights his way out of the Holy Land, Tristan meets Robard Hode as he saves him from the assassin Maryam the Maid.

0 out of 1 people found this review helpful.

Great Read

I am a teacher and just finished reading this with my 13 year-old son. In fact, my son is re-reading the story because he was too excited during the action-packed story to slow down and absorb everything.

I like the fact that Spradlin has been vague about several aspects of a normal story. Triston's background is very sketchy, the villians are slow to reveal themselves, there's a lot of ambiguity as to whom is more interested in the young female assasin, Triston or Robard, and the ending leaves you literally on the edge of your seat with questions.

I think this novel would be a wonderful title to use in teaching reading strategies, especially inference and predicting. And, I would use it to establish a base knowledge of various composition techniques.

Beyond using the book in the classroom, I would definately recommend students (6th+) to read the book for the sheer enjoyment of reading a great story. Plus, Triston is a boy who believes in hard work, honesty, and loyalty which are character traits that we should encourage all young teens to develop.

Exciting series!

Tristan doesn' know much about his past. He's been living with monks when a group of the Knights Templar request accommodations. He's asked to become a squire for Sir Thomas, a highly respected knight. However, he's also made a powerful enemy in Sir Hugh. After much decision, Tristan agrees to accompany the knights to Dover and from there to the Holy Lands where they will take part in the Crusade with king Richard the Lionhearted.

Tristan learns how to defend himself as well as some tactical lessons. He's also learned not to say alone often as trouble follows him. He doesn't mind the hard work preparing for the trip. When they arrive in the Holy Land, things change and the battles begin. He learns that practicing and battles are entirely two completely opposite in terms of emotion, danger, and fear.

In a defensive move, when their fort is almost defeated, Sir Thomas hands Tristan the most powerful object in the world and makes him swear to take it back to England at all costs and above all to trust no one. Everyone wants the Holy Grail. Can Tristan get safety back or will trouble follow him still?

A great start to a new series that's half historical fiction and half adventure. A fabulous read! The end left me a huge cliff hanger and now I'm anxious to find out what happened! Plus, I love knights and the Holy Grail.

fun middle school medieval thriller

Cistercian monks have raised the orphan Tristan with love, but in 1191 at almost fifteen years old, he is given the choice of accompanying Knight Templar Sir Thomas as he joins the Third Crusade. Tristan agrees to go with the knight to Outreamer in God's name. Once in the Holy Land, Richard the Lionhearted and Templar Knight Sir Hugh act hostile towards the teen.

In the Holy Land, Tristan participates in the Battle of Acre. However, even at rest he finds Saracens seem to single him out for assassination though Tristan has no idea why they and bandits seek out a nonentity like him. He is fortunate that Robard Hode of Sherwood saves his life from a Saracen assassin Maryam the Maid even as he becomes the bearer of the holiest of relics, which makes him even more of a target from all sides of the dispute.

The first Youngest Templar middle school medieval thriller with hints of fantasy especially the climax is an exciting action-packed tale starring an intriguing young teen protagonist who does not receive a hero's welcome in the Holy Land from either side of the conflict. The story line is fast-paced while also having obvious ties to the modern day Middle East scenario as well as to Robin Hood and the title artifact. Tweeners will root for Tristan (no commentary as to his name) as he struggles with survival while protecting the relic with his life but also wondering why his alleged allies as much as his adversaries want him dead.

Harriet Klausner

0 out of 1 people found this review helpful.

Pretty Good

This book was full of action and keep me wanting to read more and more. I did find it lacking in character description and felt as if you didn't get to know the characters as i would have liked. I would highly suggest this book to others it is a great read!

Reviewed by Sally Kruger aka "Readingjunky" for TeensReadToo.com

KEEPER OF THE GRAIL is the beginning of a new series by Michael P. Spradlin. Readers might think that an adventure set in 1191 A.D. would be dry, historical reading, but in this case those readers would be totally wrong. Tristan's adventures are anything but dry. Though they may be historical at times, they are packed with one exciting event after another.

An orphan raised by a group of monks, Tristan never knew his parents or anything of his history. Now he is faced with taking his vows and remaining at the monastery forever or finding his true calling elsewhere. The decision is made for him one day with the arrival of a group of men on horseback.

A regiment of the Knights of the Templar come to the monastery seeking a place to rest themselves and their horses. Tristan is sent to the stables to tend to the horses and that task turns his life upside down. One of the knights, Sir Thomas, approaches Tristan with an offer. He has recently lost his personal squire and is in search of a replacement. Seeing how skillfully Tristan handles the horses, he invites the boy to join the regiment.

Although Tristan is reluctant to leave the monks and the only place he has ever called home, he recognizes this as the chance of a lifetime and accepts the position. Suddenly he finds himself headed off with some of the world's most famous knights to fight in the Crusades.

Imagine the excitement of a young boy actually meeting the king, King Richard the Lionheart, and learning that he is about to join him in battle. What follows takes Tristan from England to the Holy Land into a battle to save the city of Acre. There are bloody battles with plenty of flying arrows and clashing broadswords as the knights attempt to defend the King's lands. In the middle of all the fighting, Tristan is shocked to discover he is being given the responsibility of guarding the most valuable item imaginable - the Holy Grail.

THE YOUNGEST TEMPLAR series is sure to grab the attention of middle grade and teen readers. They will speed through this first book and be anxiously awaiting the second, due out next fall.

THIS BOOK IS ROCKS!

I just finished reading it and it was awesome.I highly encourage you to read this book.

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