''The Firebrand'' is a

fantasy Fantasy is a genre of speculative fiction involving Magic (supernatural), magical elements, typically set in a fictional universe and sometimes inspired by mythology and folklore. Its roots are in oral traditions, which then became fantasy ...

historical novel Historical fiction is a literary genre in which the plot takes place in a setting related to the past events, but is fictional. Although the term is commonly used as a synonym for historical fiction literature, it can also be applied to other ty ...

Debra A. Kemp Debra A. Kemp (March 7, 1957 – February 8, 2015) was an American author. She wrote historical fiction and drew inspiration for her ''House of Pendragon'' series from the Arthurian legends. She originally studied nursing and earned her degree ...

and first published by Amber Quill Press. It is the first in the ''House of Pendragon'' series; it was followed by ''The Recruit'' published in January 2007.

Plot summary

After the fall of

Camelot Camelot is a castle and court associated with the legendary King Arthur. Absent in the early Arthurian material, Camelot first appeared in 12th-century French romances and, since the Lancelot-Grail cycle, eventually came to be described as the ...

at the

Battle of Camlann The Battle of Camlann ( cy, Gwaith Camlan or ''Brwydr Camlan'') is the legendary final battle of King Arthur, in which Arthur either died or was fatally wounded while fighting either with or against Mordred, who also perished. The original leg ...

, Lin, daughter of

King Arthur King Arthur ( cy, Brenin Arthur, kw, Arthur Gernow, br, Roue Arzhur) is a legendary king of Britain, and a central figure in the medieval literary tradition known as the Matter of Britain. In the earliest traditions, Arthur appears as a ...

and Queen

Gwenhwyfar Guinevere ( ; cy, Gwenhwyfar ; br, Gwenivar, kw, Gwynnever), also often written in Modern English as Guenevere or Guenever, was, according to Arthurian legend, an early-medieval queen of Great Britain and the wife of King Arthur. First ment ...

, is torn by grief and self-doubt. Believing herself unworthy to follow in her father's wake, Lin leaves Camelot. Twelve years later, while exploring the deserted castle with her four children, Lin tells them about her own childhood in the distant kingdom of

Orkney Orkney (; sco, Orkney; on, Orkneyjar; nrn, Orknøjar), also known as the Orkney Islands, is an archipelago in the Northern Isles of Scotland, situated off the north coast of the island of Great Britain. Orkney is 10 miles (16 km) north ...

, before she learned the truth of her birth. Lin's earliest memories are of sorrow and hardship as a

slave Slavery and enslavement are both the state and the condition of being a slave—someone forbidden to quit one's service for an enslaver, and who is treated by the enslaver as property. Slavery typically involves slaves being made to perf ...

in the castle of Arthur's half-sister Queen

Morgause The Queen of Orkney, today best known as Morgause and also known as Morgawse and other spellings and names, is a character in later Arthurian traditions. In some versions of the legend, including the seminal text ''Le Morte d'Arthur'', she is ...

. At five years old, the only mother she knows dies, leaving Lin alone with Dafydd, the boy she believes is her true elder brother. On Lin's twelfth birthday, she is given a slave collar and a new master: Prince

Mordred Mordred or Modred (; Welsh: ''Medraut'' or ''Medrawt'') is a figure who is variously portrayed in the legend of King Arthur. The earliest known mention of a possibly historical Medraut is in the Welsh chronicle ''Annales Cambriae'', wherein he ...

, who knows she, not he, is the true heir to the throne of Camelot. After Lin resists Mordred's every attempt to break her spirit, Mordred decides to sell Dafydd. But through a misunderstanding, Lin is sent to the auction block as well. King Arthur's brother

Sir Kay In Arthurian legend, Sir Kay ( cy, Cai, Middle Welsh ''Kei'' or ''Cei''; la, Caius; French: ''Keu''; Old French: ''Kès'' or ''Kex'') is King Arthur's foster brother and later seneschal, as well as one of the first Knights of the Round Table. ...

witnesses the auction in progress. Appalled to see children for sale, he frees all those who have not been sold, including Lin. Kay notices her

family resemblance Family resemblance (german: Familienähnlichkeit, link=no) is a philosophical idea made popular by Ludwig Wittgenstein, with the best known exposition given in his posthumously published book ''Philosophical Investigations'' (1953). It argues tha ...

and takes Lin to Arthur, who wants to avenge his innocent daughter for the abuse she endured. Lin has several reasons for stopping her father. She views slavery as a stigma and wants it to remain secret. She also realizes she cannot let her father fight her battles. She must face Mordred alone as she has always done.

Critical reaction

Kathleen Cunningham Guler, author of ''In the Shadow of the Dragons'', wrote that ''The Firebrand'' "skillfully blends history, legend and fiction in a story that illuminates one of the darkest corners of the Arthurian legend". British historian Roland Rotherham stated the novel was "highly readable, highly enjoyable and highly recommended".

Awards and nominations

*2005 EPPIE nominee for best historical fiction *2003 Dream Realm Award nominee for best fantasy

Publication history

*2003, USA, Amber Quill Press (), pub date October, 2003, hardback (first edition)

References

{{DEFAULTSORT:Firebrand, The 2003 American novels Modern Arthurian fiction American historical novels American fantasy novels Novels set in sub-Roman Britain