His Majesty's Elephant

By Judith Tarr

Book Overview

When Rowan, the emperor's youngest daughter, discovers a magical plot to kill her father, she must overcome her fear of magic to save him. "An appealing work, lightly touched with genuine period detail but focusing more on a prickly preadolescent not-quite-friendship, family ties, and a girl's reluctant awakening to magic."--LOCUS

• Format: Hardcover
• Language: English
• ISBN: 0152007377
• ISBN13: 9780152007379
• Release Date: September 1993
• Publisher: Clarion Books
• Length: 224 Pages
• Weight: 0.85 lbs.
• Dimensions: 0.8" x 5.8" x 8.5"
• Age Range: 12 years and up
• Grade Range: Grade 7 and higher

Customer Reviews

Courtesy of Teens Read Too

A little known fact, that Charlemagne was once gifted with an elephant, becomes the basis for Tarr's deft blend of historical fact and fantasy in this novel. When the elephant arrives in what is now Germany, one of Charlemagne's daughters, Rowan, is instantly captivated. In the excitement over the elephant's arrival at court, another gift, a necklace said to bear a sliver of the cross of Christ, is hardly noticed. Except by Charlemagne's enemies. A headstrong and stubborn girl, Rowan often sneaks off to spend time in the city or to ride her pony. It is on one of these escapes that she begins to suspect that an ambassador to her father's court may not be all that he seems. Not just a spy, but a sorcerer. When her visits to the elephant bring her into contact with Werrec, the elephant's proud and prickly keeper, Rowan forms an unlikely alliance to foil the sorcerer's plans. Deftly avoiding many of fantasy's cliches, Tarr creates a richly detailed world populated by intriguing characters. Of particular note is how she stays true to the historical time period and yet makes the magic she envisions, and the solution to the challenges faced by Rowan and Werrec, an integrated part of this world. With a plucky heroine who must overcome her own fear of magic in order to save her father's life, and a hero desperate to prove himself and win back his family's honor, readers of both sexes will find something to enjoy. A fast-paced, shorter read highly recommended for younger teens. Reviewed by: Dena Landon

Entertaining fantasy

Judith Tarr has written an exotic and unusual fantasy in His Majesty's Elephant. The plot centers around one of Charlemagne's daughters, Rowan, the new elephant Abul Abbas given to Charlemagne, the elephant's caretaker Kerrec, and a talisman supposedly containing a splinter of wood from Christ's crucifix. When the talisman falls into the wrong hands, Charlemagne and his empire are threatened. A reluctant Rowan must recognize the magical powers given to her from her witch mother and combine them with Kerrec and Abul Abbas' to save the kingdom from destruction. Quite an entertaining little fantasy with an intriguing backdrop and engaging characters. The interaction between Rowan and Kerrec is particularly amusing. However, it is on the slight side; one wishes Judith Tarr had put a bit more detail into the setting and clarified the climactic magical battle. Nevertheless, a definite contrast to the all too common generic sword-and-sorcery tale pervading the shelves; recommended for fans of YA fantasy, history, or elephants.Ailanna