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idoctor15's review against another edition
5.0
For being a book based off of a movie I felt that this book was very well done, and I really enjoyed it.
jmckendry's review against another edition
5.0
I'll admit, at first I was confused. When I think of King Arthur, I imagine a young, handsome boy pulling a sword from a stone. I imagine battles with dragons and mythical creatures. I imagine a hundred brave knights at a round table, dutifully serving Arthur, their righteous king.
Yet in the beginning, Arthur isn't a king. He's merely a Roman knight who was taken from his family when he was a boy. Taken to pay tribute to Rome, the conqueror of their country, Sarmatia. While he's a commander, he fights many battles and becomes a legendary warrior.
During this time, he chooses one hundred knights to serve under his command. And these knights join him at the round table.
At the time the story takes place, only seven knights remain of the original hundred and their fifteen-year terms of service for the Roman Empire have nearly come to an end. But before they are released, they are sent on their final, dangerous mission. A mission that will, when completed, either lead them to freedom or death.
Yes, I was confused, because this book differed from the actual story.
A few chapters in, I was finally clear with what was going on. I realized that the tales of King Arthur we know were only 'tales' in this story as well. I realized that this story was meant to be the real tale of the glorious king.
Don't let this minor confusion let you change your mind about this story, though. This book is amazing. No, it was much more than amazing. Words cannot describe how much I loved this book. It had me nodding, laughing, and on the verge of tears. (I'm sure I would have cried, had my brother, sister and mom been somewhere else. I don't cry in front of people.)
The story was so beautifully and wonderfully written. There was a perfect balance between action, romance and comedy in the book.
You know those books that change you? Those books that stick with you weeks, months, or even years after you've read them? One of those books that you not only remember, but you want to own? One you need to have in print and on your bookshelf to fully appreciate it?
Well then, you know how I feel about this book. Loved it. Just loved it.
Yet in the beginning, Arthur isn't a king. He's merely a Roman knight who was taken from his family when he was a boy. Taken to pay tribute to Rome, the conqueror of their country, Sarmatia. While he's a commander, he fights many battles and becomes a legendary warrior.
During this time, he chooses one hundred knights to serve under his command. And these knights join him at the round table.
At the time the story takes place, only seven knights remain of the original hundred and their fifteen-year terms of service for the Roman Empire have nearly come to an end. But before they are released, they are sent on their final, dangerous mission. A mission that will, when completed, either lead them to freedom or death.
Yes, I was confused, because this book differed from the actual story.
A few chapters in, I was finally clear with what was going on. I realized that the tales of King Arthur we know were only 'tales' in this story as well. I realized that this story was meant to be the real tale of the glorious king.
Don't let this minor confusion let you change your mind about this story, though. This book is amazing. No, it was much more than amazing. Words cannot describe how much I loved this book. It had me nodding, laughing, and on the verge of tears. (I'm sure I would have cried, had my brother, sister and mom been somewhere else. I don't cry in front of people.)
The story was so beautifully and wonderfully written. There was a perfect balance between action, romance and comedy in the book.
You know those books that change you? Those books that stick with you weeks, months, or even years after you've read them? One of those books that you not only remember, but you want to own? One you need to have in print and on your bookshelf to fully appreciate it?
Well then, you know how I feel about this book. Loved it. Just loved it.
misaothewitch's review against another edition
adventurous
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
3.25
I liked the book in the beginning but towards the end I just wanted to be done with it. Also it's as brutal as I expected and it's kinda thrilling but at the same time I found the characters very unlikable and the writing lacked a little (just my personal opinion tho). I liked the story that was told and the lenght of the book. What I hated for some reason is the way the horses were written, like I don't even know why but the way they were described annoyed me so much lmao
katmarhan's review against another edition
3.0
5/10
A very different take on the Arthurian legend. A warrior Guinevere, no love triangle, no bastard child, and most of the Knights of the Round Table have died before the story begins. The writing style is very descriptive, even somewhat gory, but there is little emotion or passion behind it.
A very different take on the Arthurian legend. A warrior Guinevere, no love triangle, no bastard child, and most of the Knights of the Round Table have died before the story begins. The writing style is very descriptive, even somewhat gory, but there is little emotion or passion behind it.
zoey_emma's review against another edition
4.0
An excellent read which had me laughing at some points and sitting on the edge of my seat at others. It deviates from the movie a little but I'm Ok with that.
4 out of 5 stars!
4 out of 5 stars!
kikiandarrowsfishshelf's review against another edition
2.0
As books based on movies go, this one wasn't too bad. There is some more character development. The editing at the end of the book, however, is bad, for characters who are alive after the battle are dead and then suddenly alive again. It is a little confusing.
amalia1985's review against another edition
3.0
We are taken in the Dark Ages as the last Roman legions are withdrawing Britain. There are many interesting tidbits not seen in the film, I especially enjoyed the extended role of Guinevere who takes central stage in Thompson's novelization as opposed to the film in which she is little more than a pretty (albeit, expressionless) face standing in the background, carrying a bow. Arthur and his knights are adequately developed, Cendric the Saxon is an imposing villain, but for me, the real hero in the film and in the novelization is Lancelot, the knight who sees further than anyone else and never stops questioning the purpose of a mission of madness.
A well-written novelization of the excellent 2004 film which departed from the popular story and tried to trace the historical figure of the man who became a legend.
A well-written novelization of the excellent 2004 film which departed from the popular story and tried to trace the historical figure of the man who became a legend.
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