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The Shining Company by Rosemary Sutcliff

The Shining Company

Rosemary Sutcliff

Farrar Straus & Giroux · Paperback · September 1, 1992

Life is secure and peaceful for young Prosper, second son of Gerontius, until the day Prince Gorthyn arrives with his hunting party.

YA AdventureHistorical YA - EuropeMedieval YA
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Who it’s for
An eighth-century British adventure pairs rigorous preparation for battle with heroism against daunting odds.
Themes
Historical warfare, Heroism, Courage against the odds
Genres
Medieval YA, YA Adventure, Historical YA - Europe

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About this book

Life is secure and peaceful for young Prosper, second son of Gerontius, until the day Prince Gorthyn arrives with his hunting party. Prosper's unusual daring in the hunt catches the prince's attention, and he promises to make Prosper his shield-bearer when he comes of age. Two years later, three hundred princes are summoned to the king's fortress at Dyn Eidin, where they will prepare to fight the Saxon forces which are gaining strength in the east.

Continue reading

Prosper, with Conn, his bondservant, leaves his father's lands to join Gorthyn in the rigorous training for battle. With the coming of spring, word reaches the Three Hundred Companions that the Saxon leader has taken yet another kingdom. They set out at once for the Saxon stronghold of Catraeth, where Prosper must face the greatest challenges of his life. Adventure and heroism against impossible odds create a moving, robust tale set in Britain in the eighth century and based on actual events.

Courage Under Pressure

An eighth-century British adventure pairs rigorous preparation for battle with heroism against daunting odds.

Come here for

  • A coming-of-age adventure rooted in eighth-century Britain
  • The pull of history alongside hard-won courage

Expect

  • Battle training and a company facing Saxon strength
  • A moving, robust tale grounded in actual events

Where it sits

Medieval YA61%
YA Adventure57%
Historical YA - Europe54%

Percentages are BookFrontier’s reading of the book.

Publisher categories

  • Medieval YA
Authors
Rosemary Sutcliff
Publisher
Farrar Straus & Giroux
Published
September 1, 1992
Format
Paperback
Theme
Historical warfare · Heroism · Courage against the odds
Reading lane
Medieval YA