Green Jasper

I have to begin this review explaining that I am an AVID reader.... I have been reading one book a day since second grade...I was reading His Dark Materials by fourth grade.....the point I am trying to make here is that I read ALOT....and Green Jasper, is a book that AMAZED me..I know that alot of people think that I'm crazy, but I dont understand how somene can NOT love this book.....Ellie, Will, Gavin, Kamil and Hosanna's emotions, are expressed very well, and the events that take place aren't unrealistic. The very real events that occured during the time such as the crusades, only help you immerse yourself in the story. All in all, this is an AMAZING buy....as is Blood Red Hose, the first book in the DeGranville Trilogy

Just like its predecesor, this book blew me away. I felt scathing anger and extreme loathing toward the once trusted Piers de Scabious. That vile creaton was no better than the black horse; a coward he shamed himself to be. In my opinion, he should have been hanged after Prince John arrived. I admire Gavin's thorough thought and William's bravery; however it seemed senseless for Will to go off in such a hurry and for Gavin to lag so far behind. Ellie did truly love Gavin, but to say it in the way she did was witless. If she ever hoped for a future with Will, why on Earth should she tell Will in such immense detail?!? This book created true emotions within me; more real than any other book has. The only sorrow in me that Green Jasper evoked was merely that this is a trilogy, and I only have one more book to enjoy before I reread the trilogy until I can recite every line by memory.

When I picked up The Blood Red Horse a year ago, I did not know what to expect. I found myself dropped into the world of The Crusades and cheering for three young people caught up in those turbulent times. Green Jasper continues the story of Will and Gavin De Granville and the heiress, Ellie. Home from the Crusades, Gavin is uneasily settling in as the new lord of the manor. The loss of his arm is difficult to handle. His younger brother, Will, has been gifted a title and lands by King Richard. Although closer to Will from childhood, Ellie has agreed to marry Gavin as they have been betrothed since she was very young. In the middle of the marriage ceremony, she is kidnapped by the vile Constable deScabious. DeScabious is Prince John's man and John is making his move for the throne of England as King Richard has not returned from the Holy Land. Meanwhile, in Palestine, the dying sultan, Saladin, orders young Kamil to take a message to King Richard. Against his will, he must travel to Europe to find Richard who is a captive in Austria. Richard charges Kamil with a new mission, to take the news that he is still living to the DeGranville brothers as their loyalty to the king is certain. Loyalty and the bonds of brotherhood between kin and between cultures set the stage for the action that follows. The throne of England and their lives are at risk. As a stranger in Europe, where will Kamil's loyalties lie? Hosanna, the amazing horse trained by Will and briefly owned by Kamil will have a role to play. Grant richly evokes the times but the history never overwhelms the story. I have truly enjoyed reading these books.

This is an excellent sequel to The Blood Red Horse! It was great fun for my children and me to read it to one another. There is so much excitement. It keeps you anticipating on each page!

I started reading this at bedtime and couldn't put it down - it kept me up all night in the end. It's a really exciting story about friendship and intrigue during the Crusades, and just gets better and better as you go along. I can't wait till the next one comes out!