Odo and Eleanor are catching eels in the riverbed near their home village when they discover an enchanted sword. The sword awakes when Odo cuts his finger on the blade, and it declares that Odo has the blood of a true knight. Odo has never wanted to be a knight, unlike Eleanor, who has dreamed of it all her life. Prompted by the sword, they set off on an adventure to discover why the river is drying up (working theory: dragons?), and along the way they have many adventures.

This is a fun romp of a story, though the plot doesn't really bear up under close inspection. Still, it's full of humor and action, and fans of lighthearted juvenile fantasy should take a look. ( )

I really enjoyed this book. This is def. middle grade book but I so loved the main characters in this story. It had so many unexpected twist and turns but I ended this book with a smile on my face. I loved the adventure and how much it was such a fast pace story. I would def read more books int his series. It reminds me a lot of the series I read many years ago. I do rec. if you like books like a school for good and evil! ( )

I really enjoyed this book. This is def. middle grade book but I so loved the main characters in this story. It had so many unexpected twist and turns but I ended this book with a smile on my face. I loved the adventure and how much it was such a fast pace story. I would def read more books int his series. It reminds me a lot of the series I read many years ago. I do rec. if you like books like a school for good and evil! ( )

"Odo and Eleanor did not set out to find their destiny. At best, they were hoping for eels."

These first two sentences set the tone for the whole story, which is full of wry humor, excellent characters, and dangerous adventure. Odo, seventh child of a miller, has no appetite for adventure, but when he pulls a sword out of the dwindling river, he has knighthood thrust upon him. Eleanor, who has always dreamed of being a knight like her mother, agrees to be Odo's squire, and the three of them head upriver to find the source of the problem. Along the way, they encounter kind people and bandits, blacksmiths and "urthkin" and apprentices and a knight who is not what she appears - and, at last, a dragon, Quenwulf, who dispenses justice to all.

See also: The Last Dragonslayer by Jasper Fforde (YA), Up and Down the Scratchy Mountains by Laurel Snyder, Minor Mage by Ursula Vernon/T. Kingfisher; Into the Land of the Unicorns by Bruce Coville, Tuesdays at the Castle by Jessica Day George

"It's nothing to do with being a knight. It's just doing what's right."(Odo, 171)

"But Time marches on forgetful feet, as they say." (Wenneth, 196)

He'd been so sure when he left that he didn't want to be a knight. Now...he was almost sure he didn't want to be a miller's son again. (249) ( )

Lots of fun, interesting world. I look forward to seeing more. ( )