The Sword and the Sophomore - (American Martyr Trilogy) by B P Sweany (Hardcover)

Book Synopsis

"Terrifically entertaining! ...a whirlpool of teenage hormones, high-school life and Arthurian magic. Hilarious and engaging!" -- Diana Gabaldon, #1 New York Times bestselling author of the Outlander series

Arlynn Rosemary Banson is an atypical sixteen-year-old--the cool, popular outsider, effortlessly straddling the line between divas and dorks. Her forever young mother, Jennifer, is dedicated to making her life awkward by trying to be her friend. Her father, Alan, is a workaholic history professor who barely acknowledges his family's existence. Her boyfriend, Benz, the quarterback and homecoming king, has just broken up with her, while her best friend, Joslin, bears reluctant witness to Rosemary's romantic drama. But nothing prepares any of them for a Welsh foreign exchange student named Emrys Balin. Emrys looks like a teenager, but he seems to act much, much older.

Rosemary discovers she is part of the Lust Borne Tide, children born to the royal line of King Uther Pendragon who are imbued with mystical powers after being conceived in lust. Rosemary's parents are Guinevere and Lancelot, banished by King Arthur to twenty-first century suburban America prior to Rosemary's birth as punishment for their affair. Rosemary is the third in the Lust Borne line, after King Arthur and his son Mordred, the latter of whom has traveled to the future to continue the line of the Lust Born Tide by retrieving Rosemary and returning her to the late fifth century to conceive a child with her. But Rosemary has other plans--plans that involve training under Emrys and kicking Mordred's butt, as long as it doesn't interfere with prom or getting back with her boyfriend Benz.

Packed with action, emotion, and humor, The Sword and the Sophomore goes beyond the Camelot you know with an Arthurian tale fit for the modern world. Combining sword fights and epic quests with the real-life teenage issues of fitting in, sexual agency, and profound personal loss; this fresh take on the classic story of what it means to wield Excalibur and all the power it entails will make you rethink the power of legend.

Review Quotes

"Terrifically entertaining! Sucks you into a whirlpool of teenage hormones, high-school life and Arthurian magic. Hilarious and engaging!" -- Diana Gabaldon, #1 New York Times bestselling author of the Outlander series

-- Diana Gabaldon "#1 New York Times bestselling author of the Outlander series"

"A tongue-in-cheek, self-aware Arthurian fantasy set in a 21st century American suburb that's anchored by an empathetic, hilarious, whip-smart, fierce teen protagonist. The Sword and the Sophomore almost makes me want to write a young adult novel. Almost."
--Pierce Brown "#1 New York Times bestselling author of the Red Rising Saga"

"Captivating worldbuilding and an irresistible main character. I couldn't put it down."
--A.G. Riddle "Internationally bestselling author of The Origin Mystery Trilogy and The Lost Colony Trilogy"

"Dark forces from an ancient world descend on a high school near you. The Sword and the Sophomore is funny, scary, astute, and up-to-the minute. The pages turn themselves and you'll be cheering the unforgettable heroine on every single one."
--Peter Abrahams "New York Times bestselling author of the Edgar Award-winning young adult mystery Reality Check and the Agatha Award-winning Echo Falls series for younger readers"

"What wonderful storytelling, for any age! Loved this book and especially the incredible protagonist--I would have loved to have known her in school! An excellent read!"
--Heather Graham "New York Times bestselling author of the Krewe of Hunters series"

About the Author

A veteran of the publishing industry, B.P. Sweany has worked with many notable content creators, including Pierce Brown, Dean Koontz, Diana Gabaldon, Alice Walker, and Dolly Parton. The Sword and the Sophomore is the first in a projected trilogy.