Product Description

Set in the late Middle Ages, a quick-witted orphan, abused by his grandfather, risks his life to care for a wounded knight who is on a quest but can't remember what he is searching for. Exciting, engrossing, enchanting!

Product Details

• Amazon Sales Rank: #269500 in Books
• Published on: 2001-06-01
• Original language: English
• Binding: Paperback

Customer Reviews

More Great than Terrible
Why this book has never been re-printed, I'll never know.

Lovett has written a flawless tale of adventure soaked in mystery, but without resorting to the magic and wizardy that normally leaves a person unable to identify with the characters.

The story is about a young boy named Trad, his (evil) taskmaster of a guardian, and the burning desire to find out where he truly belongs. It begins when he finds an old, wounded soldier while out one afternoon. Badly injured and without memory, Trad joins him in a quest to find out who they both really are. Who the soldier turns out to be and how, ultimately, he is connected to Trad makes for a story that is both deep and original, avoiding all of the jaded plots of its genre.

A very serious story for the age group it deals with, it proves that a good childrens book can hold its own without having to be sophpomoric. Mature themes (duty, honor, friendship) are presented in a digestable format that give the book far more meaning and substance than its candy-coated counterparts.

If you have a maturing child at home, or are a child at heart, pick the book up. While difficult to find, if you can get a copy for under $20, its well worth the money.

A Wonderful book for teens
I found this book in my local library when I was a teenager. I loved it so much that a decade later, I both remembered "The Great & Terrible Quest" and recommended it to a younger relative. He loved it so much that decades later, he both remembers it and recommends it to others. Really, how many books can you say this about, decades after you've read them?

This story centers on a young boy, an orphan, who is growing up in the care of a cruel man. The young boy helps a wounded stranger, an act of generosity and kindness, and saves the wounded stranger from his cruel guardian. The stranger is an old man who is suffering memory loss but must desperately complete a very important quest to save their country. The young boy sets off to help the old man with his quest.

"The Great and Terrible Quest" is a wonderful book, exciting and vivid, with a wonderful ending, well worth reading over and over again. This book is still in print, according to the publisher, but appears to not be available through Amazon.com at this time.

The Great and Terrible Quest
This book is currently back in print. I found it for under ten dollars from Sonlight Curriculum. It's my 14 and 10 year old daughters' all-time favorite book. We actually wrote the author, who is over 90, and she very kindly wrote us a lovely letter back. It's a terrific adventure story and really stretches the imagination as you keep wondering how the characters in the book all fit together. The little boy, in his unselfishness and bravery, is a true hero.