Second in the Monsters of Lyonesse series about a world where the water is always rising and there are monsters who rise out of the wells to the underworld if people aren't careful. Idris has found and lost his sister Morgan in the first book, and now he must travel to AEgypt to rescue her. On the way, he meets a rag tag group of orphans, criminals, farm boys and soldiers and they become his Knights of the Round Table, for Idris is in fact King Arthur re-told through the legends of the Scilly Isles where the author grew up. The best part of this book is the first half where he meets his knights and has to take Morgan out of AEygpt a special way as she will die if she passes any of the gates. The actual battle with the puppet regent and his evil mother and her monsters at the end of the book is a bit of an anti-climax, and I actually read it twice to double-check that he had won that easily! (Sorry : that was a major plot spoiler there but hey, it's King Arthur so you just KNOW he wins!) Boys who like creepy monsters, strange magic and quests will love this book.

Reviewed by Kira M for TeensReadToo.com

In a kingdom where corruption and power reign, and where well waters are poisoned, lives Idris. Idris Limpet is no longer an ordinary schoolboy. Since pulling the sword out of the stone, he's become Idris House Draco, rightful king and ruler of Lyonesse. Saved from the execution block and trained to be a monstergroom and knight, he is Lyonesse's only hope.

But he is a king in exile.

His kingdom has been taken over by Fisheagle, a half-woman/half-monster, and her cruel son, Murther. His sister, Morgan, is a slave in the wicked land of Aegypt. Now, he only has until the Darksolstice to find his sister and save his homeland before Fisheagle destroys them both.

Determined to rescue her, he sets out on a quest and meets Gawaine, Galahad, and Tristan. After travels that involve imprisonment and unlikely escapes - aided by similarly unlikely allies - Idris and his band arrive in Aegypt only to discover that Morgan may be dead.

Will Idris find his sister alive? Will he be able to save Lyonesse?

DARKSOLSTICE is a great fantasy adventure for fans of King Arthur and his Knights of the Round Table. A great prequel to the well-known tales, this book has well-developed characters, a fast-moving plot, and a great storyline. Those who have read the first book in the LYONESSE series, THE WELL BETWEEN THE WORLDS, or who are fans of fantasy and adventure, will truly enjoy reading this book. ( )