Fiona Ingram - The Search For the Stone of Excalibur

32. The Search For the Stone of Excalibur by Fiona Ingram (2014)
The Chronicles of the Stone Series Book 2
Length: 353 pages
Genre: Fantasy
Started: 17 September 2015
Finished: 28 September 2015
Where did it come from? Many thanks to Dorothy at Pump up Your Book for sending me a copy of this book to read.
How long has it been on my TBR pile? Since 16 July 2015
Why do I have it? I like fantasy and Fiona Ingram is a new author for me.

Cousins Justin and Adam Sinclair have just recently returned from Egypt after spending several months desperately searching for the illustrious First Stone of Power - one of seven ancient stones that were lost centuries ago. After such a harrowing adventure, both boys are looking forward to going home and taking a well-deserved break from saving the world. Yet, before they've even thought about putting their feet up and taking a deep breath, Adam receives an urgent letter from his Scottish archeologist friend, James Kinnaird.

James reveals that the Second Stone of Power quite possibly has been found. This stone might be  embedded in the hilt of a recently discovered sword dating from the early sixth century A. D. Based on the location of the find: deep in a bog somewhere near Cornwall, archeologists seem fairly certain that this particular sword is truly exceptional - the legendary sword of battle belonging to King Arthur: Excalibur.

As Adam and Justin prepare to fly from their home in Durban, South Africa to James' ancestral home of Strathairn Castle in Scotland, they have no way of knowing that their long-standing nemesis, Dr. Khalid is intent on following them. Neither do they realize that another deadly society known as the Eaters of Poison are searching for them as well. The members of this particular society have their own private mission to complete, but don't have any qualms about how they accomplish it.

Time is apparently running out for the cousins as the confluence of the planets draws ever closer. Can Justin and Adam complete this second adventure in time? Will they find the second Stone of Power and survive? And why on earth would their poor, harried Aunt Isabel suddenly foist a mysterious twelve-year-old girl on them?

Justin and Adam must find the second Stone of Power and make sure that such an amazing artifact doesn't fall into the hands of the greedy Dr. Khalid. Their quest quickly expands to include locating and securing the safety of the mysterious Scroll of the Ancients, a secret document which holds important clues to the seven Stones of Power. As their adventure unfolds, the boys learn many things and face dangers that make even their perils in Egypt look tame. And how annoying for them that Aunt Isabel's surprising last-minute choice of traveling companion, Kim, seems to have such good ideas when they are both stumped.

I must say that I have always enjoyed reading anything having to do with the legend of Arthur or with Camelot itself. I love reading about the magic of that legend, although I will also say that I prefer reading stories based around an historically accurate representation of the legend of Arthur and the creation of Camelot. In my opinion, while I would have personally preferred to read the first book in this series, it is not absolutely necessary for the enjoyment of the second book. There was enough of a filling out of the background from the first book for me not to feel disconnected from the second book. I would give this book a definite A!

A! - (90-95%)

May you read well and often