Review by Jill Williamson
In Tuck, Stephen Lawhead’s third and final installment of his King Raven Trilogy, William the Red has reneged on his promise to restore Elfael to Bran Brychan, the rightful king. Bran and his flock flee back to the forest as Abbot Hugo’s men give chase. The rebels make it back safe, but Bran knows that something more must be done. The Normans are men without honor and will not listen to reason. And Bran’s band of rebels is not enough to overtake his Norman foes. Without some assistance, Bran will never manage to take back his throne. So Bran goes north to his kin to plead for assistance. There he finds Norman invaders have taken over this place as well. Bran weaves a plan to spring the rightful Welsh king from prison.
This third volume in the King Raven Trilogy follows Friar Tuck, for the most part. My favorite scenes in this story were when Bran was masquerading as the Spaniard nobleman in an attempt to free the Welsh king from prison. I also enjoyed Tuck’s dialogue very much. Here is an example of the bowlegged little friar’s words.
“God love you, man,” sighed Tuck. “Changing horses in the middle of the stream—is this a good idea, I ask myself?”
“From what you say, Friar,” replied Bran, “Wolf Hugh is no respecter of the church. Good Father Dominic may not receive the welcome he so rightly deserves.”
“Who would fare better?” wondered Tuck.
“Count Rexindo!” announced Bran, taking the name of a Spanish nobleman mentioned by the ship’s master.
Tuck moaned. “All very well for you, my lord. You can change like water as mood and whim and fits of fancy take you. God knows you enjoy it.”
“I confess I do,” agreed Bran, his twisted smile widening even more.
“I, on the other hand, am a very big fish out of water. For all, I am a poor, humble mendicant whom God has seen fit to bless with a stooped back, a face that frightens young ’uns, and knees that have never had fellowship one with the other. I am not used to such high-flown japes, and it makes me that uneasy—strutting about in someone else’s robes, making airs like a blue-feathered popinjay.”
“No one would think you a popinjay,” countered Bran. “You worry too much, Tuck.”
“And you not enough, Rhi Bran.”
“All will be well. You’ll see.”
Tuck leaves me wishing I could read a more of these characters. All were introduced back in the first book, but it wasn’t until this book that I really felt connected to them all. Tuck is a fun story that would stand fine on its own, but is also a satisfying end to this trilogy.
Age Range: 16 and up
Genre: Medieval Fantasy
Part of a Series: Book three in the King Raven Trilogy
Pages: 437
Publisher: Thomas Nelson
Released: 2009
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