Swords for Hire: Two of the Most Unlikely Heroes You'll Ever Meet by Will Allen, David Michael Beck (Illustrator), Nancy Cartwright (Foreword by)

From the Publisher

National award winner, with foreword by Nancy Cartwright, the voice of Bart Simpson. The day Sam Hatcher turns sixteen he meets Rigby Skeet, a wise-cracking guard, and their adventure in the ancient kingdom of Parmall begins. They embark on an exciting search for King Olive, who was betrayed by his evil—and very strange—brother, and imprisoned in the BonemanÕs dungeon.

Patrick Darby, Teen Reviewer - VOYA

This book is an enjoyable fast read. It quickly sucks you in and won't spit you out until you've read it all. Anyone who likes fantasy and a good laugh should read this book. Sam and Rigby are hilarious, and the whole book is just as funny and enjoyable as they are. VOYA Codes: 4Q 5P M J S (Better than most, marred only by occasional lapses; Every YA (who reads) was dying to read it yesterday; Middle School, defined as grades 6 to 8; Junior High, defined as grades 7 to 9; Senior High, defined as grades 10 to 12). 2003, CenterPunch Press, 168p,

Donna Scanlon - KLIATT

This tongue-in-cheek fantasy is about a simple farm boy named Sam Hatcher and a royal guardsman and "sword for hire" called Rigby Skeet, and their quest to rescue the rightful king. Said king, Olive, has been imprisoned for the past three years by his evil brother and usurper Boonder, a nasty piece of work who likes to put worms in his hair. All the trappings of fantasy are here: a feisty damsel in distress, treachery and betrayal, narrow escapes, villains who tend to blather on about their villainy (thus setting themselves up for defeat) and of course the heroes who overcome impossible odds. While very funny throughout, like Terry Pratchett's work, Swords for Hire has a serious undercurrent that gives it substance beneath the froth. A promising young writer, Allen died in 1980 just after completing the book, and that is a sorry loss to the genre. Appealing, engaging and well paced, Swords for Hire will appeal to a range of readers. KLIATT Codes: JSA;Recommended for junior and senior high school students, advanced students, and adults. 2003, CenterPunch, 168p.,

School Library Journal

Gr 5-8-Sam Hatcher is an ordinary farm boy in the kingdom of Parmall, until his father sends him off to join the elite Royal Guard. The only catch is that the 16-year-old has no military experience. He soon finds himself teamed up with the slightly unbalanced soldier of fortune, Rigby Skeet, and they set out on a mission to find the rightful monarch of Parmall, King Olive, who has been deposed by his sneaky brother, Boonder. Wacky high jinks ensue. The story moves along at a nice clip, and Sam and Rigby develop a funny bantering relationship. The only potential sticking point is the inclusion of some details that seem inappropriate for the intended age group, e.g., Boonder beating his reluctant bride into submission, and saying that he will "put [her] in the tender care of my Elite guards" if she is uncooperative on their wedding night. However, it does not detract enormously from the value of the book.-Alison Ching, North Garland High School, Garland, TX Copyright 2003 Reed Business Information.

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