If I were handselling this I would say it was a cross between Avi’s Crispin series and The Ranger’s Apprentice series, which would probably have boys taking it from me without question. This would also appeal to girls who like historical fiction/fantasy type crossovers, of course.

It’s leveled for teens but I’m not entirely sure why – the main character is 13, but this isn’t any more grownup or violent than either of the previously mentioned series.

Tormod is a seventh child (and we all know that the number seven carries magic with it, especially in families) and he does have visions which tend to come true. Since these visions became harder to hide, everyone treats him differently. It’s the evening of the village Beltane Festival, and Tormod’s switched jobs with his brother – who’s managed to mess everything up, and now it looks like Tormod’s going to take the blame. As usual.

Suddenly a Knight Templar shows up at the door of Tormod’s family home, and Tormod is the only one there. The Knight charges him with taking a message to the Abbot, which Tormod agrees to do. But one thing after another goes wrong that night, and Tormod finds himself on the run with the Knight and caught up in a web of espionage and danger that will carry him far from everything he has ever known – and show him that his visions are more than just the dreams of horror he always thought them to be.

I’ve always had a bit of a thing for tales of the Knights Templar (I’ve read Katherine Kurtz’s Adept novels I can’t tell you how many times) and I think this is a series that might start many a middle-schooler down the road to obsession. Black obviously did her research, and historical fact is woven in with fantasy and legend quite adeptly. (Hee. Look at what I did there with “adept.”) Tormod’s coming-of-age is drawn slowly enough that the reader does not feel thrust forward into parts of the story too quickly, but the pages are packed with enough adventure to keep the plot advancing at a satisfactory pace. In other words, Black’s writing is as good as her research ability. I look forward to the next chapter in Tormod’s story.

Preorder at Powell’s or find your local independent bookstore.