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4.07 AVERAGE
4.07 AVERAGE
adventurous
dark
slow-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
Complicated
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
A gripping reincarnation of the Arthur myth that seems much closer to likely reality than any of the more popular versions. Absorbing, vivid, and engaging. Highly recomended.
adventurous
emotional
reflective
slow-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Complicated
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
Very uneven. Drags in places, is a page turner in others. Overall a fantastic book for those who want a more modern, grounded retelling of Arthur's adventures.
This audiobook was excellent!
It took me a while to get used to the Welsh names, but once I was settled, it was an incredibly pleasant reading/listening experience.
This type of storytelling (older person recounting the events of their earlier days) can really take the tension out of a story for me, but luckily that was not the case here. The only reason I wasn't listening to this at every possible moment, was because the story was quite dense (especially at the start).
However, I can't wait to continue on with this series, this was a really promising start!
It took me a while to get used to the Welsh names, but once I was settled, it was an incredibly pleasant reading/listening experience.
This type of storytelling (older person recounting the events of their earlier days) can really take the tension out of a story for me, but luckily that was not the case here. The only reason I wasn't listening to this at every possible moment, was because the story was quite dense (especially at the start).
However, I can't wait to continue on with this series, this was a really promising start!
I don't usually go for fantasy books like this but I'm really glad I read The Winter King. I liked the retelling of the Arthurian myth and how familiar elements popped up here and there alongside new twists. I would have liked to see a few female characters that weren't conniving, useless, assaulted, and/or crazy. But I know this book is a product of its time, genre, and setting. Most of the geography was meaningless to me and I only somewhat kept track of all of the names but none of that took away from how much I enjoyed reading this book. I'm surprised to say, I can't wait to read the rest of this series.
I had to think long and hard about how I wanted to rate this. I'm putting it at 4, though at times I felt maybe it should go higher or lower. Why? This book is great and while the first act is rather slow the final battle is cinematic in its grandeur. A battle any warrior would dream to be apart of and win and thus exciting as hell to be frank. Not to mention the actual encounters with the Frank's that are almost equally as exciting. I thoroughly enjoyed the character of Derfel at some instances more than I enjoy Uhtred in the Saxon Stories, and it did not feel like simply episode 1 or 2 of a series like the Saxon Stories have. This felt like it's own tale that COULD be continued but doesn't force itself to be and that's what makes it greater than others.
I really enjoyed the book. I had a few times where I took a day or so break from it. But mostly it read well
Lo stravolgimento di tutto quello che si è raccontato della saga di Artù di Camelot. Lascia un po' perplessi all'inizio, ma superati i pregiudizi "scorre" molto bene. Crudo, violento e cinico in molti punti.
The Winter King is a captivating re-imagining of the Arthurian legends, and I thoroughly enjoyed every moment of it. Bernard Cornwell breathes life into a well-known myth, grounding it in a gritty, historically rich version of Dark Age Britain. This first book in The Warlord Chronicles series follows the rise of Arthur, but through the eyes of Derfel, a loyal warrior whose perspective brings a sense of authenticity to the tale.
What I found particularly engaging was Cornwell’s ability to blend legend with historical realism, creating a world that feels both familiar and fresh. The characters are complex and flawed—Arthur, a reluctant hero burdened by the weight of leadership, and Merlin, a mysterious, often unpredictable figure. The battle scenes are vivid and intense, and the political intrigue adds depth to the story.
Cornwell’s writing immerses you in a harsh, unforgiving world where loyalty, honor, and survival are constantly at odds. The pacing is excellent, and the plot is full of tension and action, making it hard to put down.
Overall, The Winter King is a fantastic start to the series, combining myth and history in a way that feels both epic and intimate. It's a must-read for fans of historical fiction and Arthurian lore. I can't wait to read the other books in this series.
What I found particularly engaging was Cornwell’s ability to blend legend with historical realism, creating a world that feels both familiar and fresh. The characters are complex and flawed—Arthur, a reluctant hero burdened by the weight of leadership, and Merlin, a mysterious, often unpredictable figure. The battle scenes are vivid and intense, and the political intrigue adds depth to the story.
Cornwell’s writing immerses you in a harsh, unforgiving world where loyalty, honor, and survival are constantly at odds. The pacing is excellent, and the plot is full of tension and action, making it hard to put down.
Overall, The Winter King is a fantastic start to the series, combining myth and history in a way that feels both epic and intimate. It's a must-read for fans of historical fiction and Arthurian lore. I can't wait to read the other books in this series.
Leído en mis años mozos, no me gustó. Supongo que en aquella época una versión de la leyenda artúrica cercana a la historia real, firme en los primeros siglos del medievo, con raíces en la mitología céltica y alejada del Camelot de [a:Hal Foster|52862|Hal Foster|https://images.gr-assets.com/authors/1387455991p2/52862.jpg] o [a:T.H. White|426944|T.H. White|https://images.gr-assets.com/authors/1246071532p2/426944.jpg] era demasiado para mí. Yo buscaba la Tabla Redonda, la Unificación de Inglaterra, Lancelot y Ginebra, Mordred y Gawain, Merlín, Excalibur y Morgan LeFay. Ahora, esta versión oscura, más reducida y sucia me ha gustrado más. Veo en ella los posibles origenes del mito y le perdono la falta de épica. También me ha gustado el narrador anciano que recuerda los años de Arturo y que se presta mucho al audiolibro. Aun así, tengo presente la frase del editor en El hombre que mató a Liberty Valance: "Esto es el Oeste, señor. Cuando la Leyenda se convierte en Hecho, imprima la Leyenda", y sigo a la búsqueda esa versión perfecta que no terminó de darme [b:The Once and Future King|2176728|The Once and Future King|T.H. White|https://s.gr-assets.com/assets/nophoto/book/50x75-a91bf249278a81aabab721ef782c4a74.png|1140206] ni [b:The Mists of Avalon|40605251|The Mists of Avalon (Avalon, #1)|Marion Zimmer Bradley|https://i.gr-assets.com/images/S/compressed.photo.goodreads.com/books/1529610467l/40605251._SX50_.jpg|806813]