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Book Reviews of Prince of Fools (Sebastian Darke, Bk 1)

Prince of Fools (Sebastian Darke, Bk 1)
Prince of Fools - Sebastian Darke, Bk 1
Author: Philip Caveney
ISBN-13: 9780440240266
ISBN-10: 0440240263
Publication Date: 4/14/2009
Pages: 338
Edition: Reprint
Reading Level: Young Adult
Rating:
  • Currently 4/5 Stars.
 4

4 stars, based on 4 ratings
Publisher: Laurel Leaf
Book Type: Mass Market Paperback
Reviews: Amazon | Write a Review

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GeniusJen avatar reviewed Prince of Fools (Sebastian Darke, Bk 1) on + 5322 more book reviews
Reviewed by Natalie Tsang for TeensReadToo.com

Poor Sebastian Darke is just not funny. For most people, this is a minor inconvenience, but for the son of a successful jester, this is bad news.

After his father's untimely death, Sebastian is forced to put on his father's costume and continue his trade. The jester outfit doesn't really fit and neither does the profession. Undeterred but mostly just desperate, Sebastian sets off with his father's Buffalope, Max, to offer his humorous services to King Septimus of Keladon.

On the ensuing journey, the half-elf, half-human teen and his partner/pack animal meet the fierce but pint-sized Captain Cornelius Drummel and rescue a beautiful princess named Kerin. The four think their problems are over when they reach Keladon, but with a corrupt king on the throne the trouble is just starting.

SEBASTIAN DARKE: PRINCE OF FOOLS by Philip Caveney is a fast and fun-filled ride with bad jokes and worse villains. While the jokes are never good, the characters are wonderfully atypical. Philip Caveney follows in the rich tradition of evil crones, hair-brained schemes, and talking animals, and seems to have a lot of fun with it.

One of my favorite characters was Osbert, the barely intelligible but lovable royal Buffalope. An added plus are the pictures. And though I won't ruin the ending, I will say that it's refreshingly unexpected.