The Prophecy (review)

Prince Perryndon, or Perryn, as he would rather be called, is not the swaggering, belligerent warrior his father hoped he would become. Instead, the fourteen-year-old has spent years in the royal libraries quietly researching a foolproof method of killing a dangerous local dragon. While trying to elude a murderous traitor in the castle, Perryn finally stumbles across a promising dragon-slaying prophecy requiring the convergence of three beings: a true bard, a unicorn, and the Sword of Samhain (a tough-talking magical weapon). Certain that the slaying of the dragon will make his father love and respect him, Perryn sets out on his quest. Happily, Perryn is braver than he thinks and smarter than he knows; even without the prophecy, he is equipped with all of the tools he needs to slay the dragon. Bell is an adept storyteller who turns this straightforward, familiar plot into an intriguing and emotionally taut coming-of-age story, fusing the flourishes of battle scenes with humorous dialogue. The troubling of the "happily ever after" convention will appeal to readers who have outgrown an ideal ending: they will appreciate the well-told fairy tale and revel in the ambiguous, multifaceted nature of the protagonists and their uncertain futures. Issues of war, altruism, and the complicated bonds of family imbue the book with elements of realistic fiction, making it a likely sell even to non-fantasy fans (if they can get past the cheesy unicorn cover).