Grail Prince, a 2003 novel by Nancy McKenzie

Nancy McKenzie

Nancy Affleck McKenzie is an American historical fiction writer. Her primary focus is Arthurian legend.-Publishing career:McKenzie published The Child Queen in 1994, and its sequel, The High Queen, a year later...

 written in the tradition of Arthurian legends, recounts a version of Galahad

Galahad

Sir Galahad |Round Table]] and one of the three achievers of the Holy Grail in Arthurian legend. He is the illegitimate son of Lancelot and Elaine of Corbenic, and is renowned for his gallantry and purity. Emerging quite late in the medieval Arthurian tradition, he is perhaps the knightly...

's quest for the Holy Grail

Holy Grail

The Holy Grail is a sacred object figuring in literature and certain Christian traditions, most often identified with the dish, plate, or cup used by Jesus at the Last Supper and said to possess miraculous powers...

. The novel is a sequel to McKenzie's Queen of Camelot

Queen of Camelot

Queen of Camelot is an Arthurian-legend based novel shown through the viewpoint of Queen Guinevere. It is a combination of two of McKenzie's previous books The Child Queen and The High Queen...

(2002).

Plot summary

Before his death, King Arthur sends young Galahad the oldest son of Lancelot and Elaine on a quest to find the lost treasures of an ancient king — a Grail, a Spear, a Sword — which will safeguard Britain’s future.

For Galahad the search becomes a transforming journey into manhood.

Publication and critical reaction

Publishers Weekly

Publishers Weekly

Publishers Weekly, aka PW, is an American weekly trade news magazine targeted at publishers, librarians, booksellers and literary agents...

s' review was positive, writing "Familiarity with the Arthurian legends isn't necessary to enjoy this engrossing medieval fantasy". Jennifer Baker of the Library Journal

Library Journal

Library Journal is a trade publication for librarians. It was founded in 1876 by Melvil Dewey . It reports news about the library world, emphasizing public libraries, and offers feature articles about aspects of professional practice...

wrote those that enjoyed The Mists of Avalon

The Mists of Avalon

The Mists of Avalon is a 1983 novel by Marion Zimmer Bradley, in which she relates the Arthurian legends from the perspective of the female characters.-Plot introduction:...

and Persia Woolley

Persia Woolley

Persia Woolley is an author, perhaps best known for her Guinevere trilogy. She also has written a number of works on writing, such as How to Write and Sell Historical Fiction.-Works:...

's Guinevere trilogy "will be delighted with this addition to the modern interpretation of Arthurian legend".

Prequel

The novel is prequeled by Queen of Camelot

Queen of Camelot

Queen of Camelot is an Arthurian-legend based novel shown through the viewpoint of Queen Guinevere. It is a combination of two of McKenzie's previous books The Child Queen and The High Queen...

, parts of which intertwine with this novel.