Have sword, will travel by Garth Nix and Sean Williams

Allen and Unwin, 2017. ISBN 9781742374024
(Age: 9+) Highly recommended. Fantasy. Knights, Chivalry, Swords. When a reader picks up a book by New York Times bestselling authors, there is always a treat in store and Have sword, will travel is certainly that. From New York Times bestselling authors Garth Nix and Sean Williams, comes this funny adventure story starring a talking sword and two young friends.
When Odo and Eleanor find a magical sword in a river they are astounded to discover that not only does it speak but it claims that Odo is now a knight. Eleanor isn't too happy about this as she had always wanted to become a knight but Odo is the one that Biter insists must carry him so she is forced to go along on a quest to save their village from dragons and villains.
Full of quirky humour and entertaining dialogue this fantasy adventure story is a joy to read. Odo and Eleanor's epic journey finds them encountering a group of bandits, meeting Sir Saskia a real knight, rescuing a young lad from slavery in a village where arms are forged and discovering river that has been dammed up. Eleanor is a feisty young girl, courageous and adventurous and comes into her own in the story. Odo is a steady boy who has no desire to be a knight, but knows that he must do the right thing. The sword Hildebrand Shining Foebiter ('call me Biter'), provides much of the humour in the tale with its funny comments.
This is an easy book to read as the adventures and action keep the reader fully engrossed in what's going on. In addition, the main protagonists are very likeable and the villains satisfyingly dastardly.
I look forward to meeting these characters again in book 2, Let sleeping dragons lie.
Pat Pledger