Archer - warrior
Archer now available on: Kindle UK , Kindle US and Barnes & Noble Nook
One boy’s fight against adversity to find friendship, romance and the generosity to love his enemy.
Archer is the sort of boy that things happen to. Orphaned as a baby, he has certain qualities that make him very different to all the other kids. He doesn’t understand why he is so much stronger and faster than other boys his age, why a sword just feels right in his hand, or how he can fire an arrow at a target and it will hit the centre even if his eyes are closed. He does know that he has to fight his friend Finn in a joust and compete against his best friend Fletch to see who is the most worthy. Whoever wins the competition becomes King of the May, rewarded with fame, honour and plenty of female adoration. Edlyn has been a big thorn in Archer’s side for many years and he will go to any lengths to win, but his lack of respect for the natural order has dangerous consequences. Archer is the only one who can save him, but after the way Edlyn has treated him, does he really want to?
Be Brave, Be Worthy!
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Available now on Amazon UK Kindle UK Amazon US Kindle US B&N Nook or Lulu |
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| To read an extract of selected chapters from Archer (pdf format), click here |
| If you prefer a word version, click here |
| “This read perfectly, as a action adventure story should. The plot pacing moved quickly, and the excitement of tournament was written so realistically that I could hear the hush and roar of the crowds as if I was there too. I also enjoyed the main character, Archer, he was likable and very much the classic story hero.” |
ABNA |
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“Archer is a great read, that once I started I just had to keep going. As a medieval re-enactor myself I found Archer very close to heart with what I do as a hobby. Jacky has achieved a great sense of being in the setting of a Medieval village and the events leading up to Archer's graduation. The relationship between Archer and his fellow companions lead you into an enthralling adventure of training, learning and achieving great goals.” |
The Bearded Dragon, |
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“Archer is a tale spun in the days of the knights, but takes a different twist than traditional knight’s tales. Ms. Gray brings to the reader a new world filled with authentic traditional language, giving a sense of travelling back in time. This is not a book filled with fluff and half masked characters.” |
Vickie Hollar, |
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| “Archer is fascinating and captivating! I love the way the characters, scenes and general description of Archer's world are portrayed so eloquently. Jacky Gray not only tells a wonderful tale; she manages to capture the sounds, smells and emotional energies of his world.” |
Sarah Dyer, |
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“I have to say I loved Archer so much. I can't explain how this book makes me feel, thank you so much. I am reading Rory now - I am so glad to hear there are other books 'coz I was thinking I want to read more.” |
Sharon Kemp |
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“Jacky Gray is a great writer. I have read Archer and could not put it down – as the adventure unfolds it gets more gripping. Hey! If there are any film producers out there – Jacky's book would make a brilliant film!” |
Maria Wheatley, |
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| “I thoroughly enjoyed Archer! The detail on jousting was very interesting and the whole story began to captivate me, I couldn't put the book down.” |
Hedgewitch, Glastonbury |
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| “I FINALLY finished Archer! Oh I LOVED it!!! I had so many favorite parts! I love the part that they get into trouble with the renegates, and the whole story about how he made his bow, and his connection with her ... I'm in fantasy land ♥” |
Jaime B, USA |
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“Anyone who promotes Archery in any of its forms is to be congratulated in my book and I think somewhere along the way Jacky must have got caught up in the sport judging by the passion of her writing. I thought the sword and buckler bout between Finn and Archer was incredibly well done, a very engaging piece of writing.” |
JJ, Archer and Historian |
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| “I read your excerpt - I adored it and got quite irritated when it stopped (always a good sign). First off, Archer is cool. Your fanbase is leaning more towards the Rick Riordian portion on the great bookshelf of life, but, I read him too... I love the way Finn has a mental connection with his horse. I adore the dance lesson, the dialogue had rhythm and flow. Side note - I love how Archer has absolutely no clue that these girls are flirting with him. LOOOOOVE how you Glee-up the graduation ceremony!! :) :) Brilliant work Jacky :) Your story and writing is brilliant/amazing/awesome...” |
Jamie Hoad, |
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“Archer was amazing! I couldn't put it down, it only took me two days to read it when it normally takes me a week. If I met Archer I would have a lot of questions to ask him about what it is like to live in his world. I love the way the girls get to do archery and the rings and I would love to do all the drama bits. Archer was so brave when he stood up to the terrifying Renegates and was even cheeky to them. The book was so good, I know that there will be a movie someday and I hope it's sooner rather than later!” |
Drama Cat, |
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“The setting is unique and the joust between friends was very well written and easy to follow along. Even someone without knowledge of the time of knights and jousts would have an easy time following along and picturing the scene in their mind while reading.” |
ABNA |
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“My mum was planning to read the book before I did but I insisted on reading it first so she has to wait. So far your book has been one of the best I've read in years. I'm looking forward to your next book if you are publishing one. Best wishes for becoming an author,I hope you do,good luck.” |
Anil, age 11 |
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| “I really like this opening of yours, I always have a preference for jumping straight into the meat of the story. I know the exact feeling Archer and Finn feel after the impact, I've done competitive contact martial arts for almost twenty years and I can tell you, I really love the detail you put here. It connected me to the characters in a visceral way. The archery scene in the 3rd chapter cracks me up, because I have a scene similar in my novel where the main character walks through the sequence of how you prepare to draw the bow traditionally. It is great!” |
Kyle Kirk, |
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“Absolutely wonderful! Jacky Gray's beautiful story telling takes me right to England! I loved it! and I actually learned a few things about jousting and archery. Exciting and wondrous. Can't wait to read the next one!” |
Miss Black, Amazon reader, Los Angeles |
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“Jacky has nailed the character of a medieval archer and the books are a thrilling blend of action and rich historical detail.” |
Kevin Hicks, Archer and Historical Actor |
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| “An exhilarating story that sucks you in so it feels like you’re actually there. Pure genius.” |
Chloe’, age 11 |
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“Archer’s People of the Horse live their lives in harmony, honouring the seasons with ancient rituals and using the healing power of the earth.” |
Kerry-lyn Tosh, Spiritual Healer |
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| “Jacky loves to experience the world through the wondrous eyes of a child where anything can happen, where the fantastic mingles with an emerging reality. ... The tempo pulls me along as if I am flowing down a river upon a strong current. I couldn't jump out of my canoe in the midst of a chapter even if I wanted to. The flow is brilliant and the story is engaging... I think she does a magnificent job on the dialogue, very well thought out and believable exchanges...” |
Buzz Malone, |
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“Archer takes you into his world and you can feel the atmosphere of his surroundings.” |
Callum, age 14 |
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“I enjoyed 'Archer', an engaging story whose Pagan spirituality is gently and attractively presented. Jacky has produced a credible parallel universe, a combination of the English middle ages blended with modern-day England in realistic and well realised settings. I especially enjoyed travelling across Alternative Oxfordshire.” |
Ronald Hutton, |
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“The action scenes are so exciting it’s like watching a film.” |
Joe, age 16 |
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“Having read this wonderful book, I have to confess that I didn't fully appreciate where Archer was until the end of the book, but I do know that I would rather live in that Utopian parallel than this reality! ... Archer's 'vision' with the stave that became Bow was a very powerful bit of writing. Archer's time with Bowman is a highlight especially the making of the two bows - Master Head must've really drawn her in! Thank you Jacky for an engaging book and congratulations on the creation of your opus!” |
Blackadder 4th, |
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| “Archer is exciting, interesting and very well written, with realistic natural dialogue. Your idea scores highly on originality, it is quite different to all these fantasy world stories and the style is good. I liked and enjoyed the whole medieval feel, the detail on archery etc is good and I particularly liked the merging with the bow – the best part of the story.” |
Tim Emery, |
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“... Archer is a proper hero, a real man’s man, but with a shyness around the girls that is very endearing. At the start, I wasn’t sure if a teenage boy would be as brave as Archer appeared to be, but I realised that each ordeal he survived made him stronger. Finn and Fletch are the perfect mates, they don’t allow him to take himself too seriously and are a real comedy double act. The characters are written with a warmth and humour that gets you rooting for them from the first few page. ... Amazing twist at the end – definitely didn’t see that one coming.” |
Avalonia, |
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“... Archer is the first book in a series that will surprise you - whilst there are formulas out there for writing stories, these books are not going to be so predictable. I am kind of old for these books, I am 24 ... even though I am years out of the intended age group I had a good time reading it. Make up your own mind about this :). The connections that the author has made with pagan and natural rituals are obviously well researched and clearly understood. Another book from which to learn about the world, to know things that the parents don't and, most importantly, to be right!” |
Heyautonomy, |
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Lyric Quiz - can you identify the title of the song with these lyrics?
"Gazing at people, some hand in hand, just what I’m going through, they can’t understand"
To check the answer and find some more, click here. All of the songs are about scenes or characters in the book - if you don't have a clue, ask Mum/Dad/a Rock fan. Email your answers to
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and I'll tell you how many you got right.
