The Orphan King

by Tyler Chin-Tanner, James Boyle (Artist)

Overview

After training in secret with his mother’s sister, the magical Lady Taleissa, Prince Kaidan returns home to find his kingdom destroyed and his parents, King Gorlan and Queen Olwen, gone. With the monarchy overthrown, Kaidan is set adrift in a lawless land where his birthright is no longer recognized. To make matters worse, there’s a price on his head set by the warlord who wants to ensure that the royal line has no chance to return.

Kaidan seeks refuge with a merry band of outlaws hiding in the forest, who were neither loyal to the monarchy nor to the current leadership. Kaidan joins them until they betray him, selling him out to a local merchant and giving the money to the poor.

Now a captive, Kaidan prepares to be exchanged for the reward money until his outlaw friends reveal their plan to rescue him. Kaidan then discovers that the King was indeed killed but his mother is most likely alive, though imprisoned by the warlord.

Kaidan's rescuers offer him a new home among them. He’s tempted, but with his mother still missing, he realizes that his aunt, the Lady Taleissa, must be searching for her. Kaidan resolves to find them both and set things right even if being King is no longer a reality.

Product Details

ISBN-13:	9781949518146
Publisher:	A Wave Blue World Inc
Publication date:	09/21/2021
Series:	THE ORPHAN KING GN
Pages:	144
Product dimensions:	6.50(w) x 8.90(h) x 0.50(d)
Age Range:	13 - 18 Years

Editorial Reviews

SCHOOL LIBRARY JOURNAL - Gr 6 Up-Prince Kaidan, heir to the Aesolan throne, is sent to the Isle of Woman with his aunt, the mystical Lady Taleissa, for training. His father, King Gorlan, gives him the sword Taliburn so all will know of his lineage. Years pass, and now Kaidan is finally returning home. Crossing the water with the ferryman in the opening pages, Kaidan is eager to see his family again but finds to his horror that his kingdom is in ruins and his mother is missing. Those who have taken over are none too happy to see Kaidan, and there is a reward for his capture. With the Knights of Vermillion on his tail and the possibility that his mother may be alive, Kaidan teams up with a group of outlaws reminiscent of Robin Hood's Merry Men for a new adventure. This tale introduces a realistic world with hints of magic, filled with characters influenced by Arthurian legend. The pages alternate between flashbacks to Kaidan's childhood and the present. Lush, detailed artwork and coloring add to the action-packed story. Readers will eagerly await the next volume to see what happens to Kaidan and learn more about the other characters. Kaidan and his family are white. VERDICT A strong series opener, recommended for most young adult graphic novel collections, especially where tales of fantasy and adventure circulate well.-Marissa Lieberman, East Orange P.L., NJ

KIRKUS — A young prince returns home to find his kingdom destroyed. in this graphic offering, the first in a proposed series, readers meet Prince Kaidan, who left his homeland, Aesolan, to train at the Isle of Woman. When he arrives back home, he discovers Aesolan destroyed and its people gone. All Kaidan has left is Taliburn, a special sword bequeathed to him by his father. Meanwhile, Aesolan and the surrounding lands have fallen under the control of the sovereign Scathelocke, who wants to capture the young prince. Confronted and pursued by dangerous men and beasts, Kaidan soon meets up with three people who seem kind-Anne, Sir Robert, and Sturdy Jon-but who have ulterior motives. As the story alternates between flashbacks and the present, Chin-Tanner builds this medieval-flavored tale that mixes together monsters and men, ample battle scenes, and nods to Arthurian legend and Robin Hood. Falling somewhere between original and familiar, this will be a comfort read for fans of such tropes. Boyle's full-color illustrations are highly stylized and tidily arranged, with cinematic flourishes emphasizing action and close-ups. Each chapter ends with a tantalizing cliffhanger, keeping pages flying as Kaidan overcomes each new obstacle. The majority of characters present White; Sturdy Jon has locs and brown skin. An intriguing, adventure-filled series opener. (character designs) (Graphic fiction. 12-16)

From the Publisher

2021-06-24
A young prince returns home to find his kingdom destroyed.

In this graphic offering, the first in a proposed series, readers meet Prince Kaidan, who left his homeland, Aesolan, to train at the Isle of Woman. When he arrives back home, he discovers Aesolan destroyed and its people gone. All Kaidan has left is Taliburn, a special sword bequeathed to him by his father. Meanwhile, Aesolan and the surrounding lands have fallen under the control of the sovereign Scathelocke, who wants to capture the young prince. Confronted and pursued by dangerous men and beasts, Kaidan soon meets up with three people who seem kind—Anne, Sir Robert, and Sturdy Jon—but who have ulterior motives. As the story alternates between flashbacks and the present, Chin-Tanner builds this medieval-flavored tale that mixes together monsters and men, ample battle scenes, and nods to Arthurian legend and Robin Hood. Falling somewhere between original and familiar, this will be a comfort read for fans of such tropes. Boyle’s full-color illustrations are highly stylized and tidily arranged, with cinematic flourishes emphasizing action and close-ups. Each chapter ends with a tantalizing cliffhanger, keeping pages flying as Kaidan overcomes each new obstacle. The majority of characters present White; Sturdy Jon has locs and brown skin.

An intriguing, adventure-filled series opener. (character designs) (Graphic fiction. 12-16)

Kirkus Reviews