Black Horses for the King »

ANNE McCAFFREY is one of the most popular fantasy authors writing today, and she is the first woman to have won both the Hugo and the Nebula Awards. Her many bestselling novels in the Dragonriders of Pern series include three for young readers, two of which were chosen as ALA Best Books for Young Adults. Born in Boston, Anne McCaffrey now lives in Ireland. www.annemccaffrey.net

The story of King Arthur as it has never been told before

Publishers Weekly

McCaffrey steps out of her niche as a Hugo and Nebula award-winning fantasy writer to tackle her first historical novel for young adults, retelling the Arthurian legend-minus the Round Table, Guinevere and Merlin-through the eyes of Galwyn Varianus. A Roman Celtic youth, Galwyn helps the future king of Britain, known here as Lord Artos, acquire the legendary Black Horses of his legions. The author's tender reverence for equine history (she raises horses in Ireland) makes for vivid descriptions of frightened steeds in the hold of a ship across the English Channel; it also allows an undue amount of horsey jargon. A teenage boy interested exclusively in horseshoes rings not quite true, yet the well-drawn story moves along at a compelling trot, climaxing in a battle in which horses help Lord Artos reclaim Britain for future mad cows and Englishmen. Ages 12-up. (Apr.)