Travel back to medieval England in Avi’s engaging The Player King

THE PLAYER KING, by Avi, Atheneum Books for Young Readers, Oct. 17, 2017, Hardcover, $16.99 (ages 8-12)

I will never forget the first book I read by Avi — The True Confessions of Charlotte Doyle. I was 10 when the book came out, and I still have my copy. Since then, I’ve always had a soft spot in my heart for the author, though I tend to gravitate toward his historical fiction. That is why I was excited to read his latest novel, The Player King.

The Player King is based on the true story of a young boy who was pulled from the streets and trained to become the king of England.

The year is 1486, and King Henry VII has just ascended the English throne. Prince Edward should be the next king, but he seems to have disappeared. The circumstances are questionable, but most accept their new king and move on.

Most but not all.

You see, there’s a kitchen boy named Lambert Simnel working in a tavern in Oxford, and according to a friar by the name of Brother Simonds, he’s anything but a kitchen boy. Brother Simonds buys Lambert from the tavern keeper and reveals to the boy his true destiny. Lambert is none other than the lost Prince Edward, the true king of England.

Lambert highly doubts this revelation, but sees no reason to not become Edward. Under the tutelage of Brother Simonds, Lambert starts to believe he really is the lost prince. Being a prince and becoming a king are two different things, though, and Lambert quickly learns the path to the throne is more dangerous than he could have ever imagined.

Told from Lambert’s point of view, The Player King immediately takes on a sense of immediacy. You truly get a sense of why Lambert would follow such a path. Since the story is being told by Lambert, the historical/political aspects are paired down and a lot easier to swallow. In fact, this book is more about the person than the events, which is what makes it shine.

Short chapters and Avi’s clean prose make for a fast read. And the added excitement of mystery, sword fighting and battles make The Player King come alive. It’s easy as a reader to become so swept up in Lambert’s story that you keep reading straight through to the end.

I found the plot line intriguing. In many books, the main character has or is called to a destiny. Yet, I have never read a story where the main character tries to convince himself to become the destiny he desires. In addition to the unique twist, I enjoyed the fact that it is based on a true story. However, I felt that the story was rushed which prevented me from investing my interest into the main character and his circumstances. Also, several aspects of the story left me with more questions than answers. Overall, I did like the book. I think this book could spark some great discussions and be connected to several non-fiction texts.

A little boring, compared to other titles in this genre (False Prince, etc.) and I wish I would have caught the info that it was based on a real person before reading. I would have approached it differently. Maybe. It felt as though it skimmed the story and left out some of the important (and probably interesting!) details.

Here we have an interesting little riddle? We all know that truth is stranger than fiction, but what happens if you turn that strange truth into fiction? Why you get a thrilling and most memorable little story.
It’s one of the most suspenseful children’s historical fiction I’ve ever read. Avi tells the story of Lambert Simnel just as he would have experienced it so it’s all told in the first person. You get to see what it might have been like for Lambert to become king for a while. Was Lambert a dupe or a traitor? Could he have been some of both? What happens to those who play king?
The only concern I would have about giving it to a child is the number of insults, many of them quite stinging and rude, that are thrown around quite freely. They may have been period correct and not foul, but still, I would think carefully before I gave it to a young child.
I received this as a free ARC from NetGalley and Simon and Schuster Children's Publishing Atheneum/Richard Jackson Books. No favorable review was required. These are my honest opinions.

I've never been a big fan of historical fiction but I have always made an effort to read Avi, including his works in the genre. I've yet to be disappointed by him and I sincerely don't it will ever happen. This is the story of the boy who tried, and failed, to take the throne from Henry Tudor. Well written and exceptionally researched, it is a great historical novel. The only reason I could not give it a full 5 stars is that, I believe, it will be lost on its' target audience - children. It may be a quick read but the language could be daunting to a younger audience. I would have to recommend it to a teen audience or older to be fully appreciated. I do believe that there are some kids who will thoroughly enjoy it, if only to see a young boy rise from poor orphan to king, even if does not end week. Overall, it's definitely an enjoyable read

It’s England in the 1400s with a usurper king on the throne, King Henry VII. When a friar spots kitchen boy Lambert Simnel, he tells him that Lambert is really the next in line to the throne, that he is the missing Prince Edward. So begins Lambert’s journey from poor pauper to heir-in-hiding. Based on true events, Avi skillfully weaves a believable story of this little known historical event. Fascinating.

First line: My tale begins in Oxford, England, in the Year of our Lord 1486.

Summary: Lambert Simnel is a young spit boy in a tavern. With the appearance of a monk, Friar Simonds, buys the boy from the owners he has lived with as long as he can remember. He is suddenly told that he is the true heir to the throne of England. His name is Edward Warwick. He is taught to act, speak and be a king. Led by the Earl of Lincoln, they begin to gain support and lead an army from Ireland against King Henry VII in order to take the throne of England.

Highlights: For a children’s book this is very historically accurate. The story follows true events but also makes it enjoyable. I could tell it was written for kids but it was not written as if it was talking down to them.

Lowlights (or what could have been better): Lots of lead up and then a very quick ending.

FYI: Great for early readers on English history.

A fascinating time in history made accessible for younger readers.

Once again Avi does not disappoint. The Player King is a great story filled with well developed characters and a suspenseful story line that did not let me put the book down until I finished the story. Then to find out the main character is based on a real person what icing on the cake for me. Great book, loved it and thank you!!!

Lambert Simnel is an esciting character, based on real events in history. The story is exciting and full of treachery, and a bit of bloodshed. Double crosses abound as well. A great choice for boys.

This book is based on the life of Lambert Simnel who was chosen to pretend to be the missing heir to the throne Edward VI. It tells of his rise to power and subsequent loss of power just as quickly. What I liked was the length and accessibility. Unfortunately, to me the length was also a disadvantage as was the 1st person telling. I never felt like I really got immersed in the conflict or Lambert's life - just not long enough to accomplish that.