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4.07 AVERAGE
4.07 AVERAGE
This was ok...but i never was a fan of Arthur...i like fantasies written with the Arthurian Legend in mind, but idk why i am not keen on Arthur's story. It was a little bit of a drag. But ok. I won't be reading this in quite a long time again...maybe a few years lol
4.5/5
Being a fan of historical fiction, this book did not disappoint. Cornwell uses fantastic imagery and pace throughout the book. The use of separate timelines (although minimal) are well done and well shifted between.
Action scenes are well paced and abundant throughout the book.
Having the story told by Derfel, an oath-bound warrior to Arthur, is an interesting and informative first-person narration. Here, personal opinions of Arthur, that I hadn’t expected or ever really encountered in my life, were brought forward of the historical figure(?).
The use of magic is fun and seemingly historically accurate. While no lightning bolts fly out of the sky, it is more of a warding off of curses and bad omens through spells, chants, and rituals.
The book loses a half star due to two reasons:
1) During the first half of the book (although well written, and compelling), little dialogue is encountered, which makes for long chapters and pages. To me though, the back half of the book more than makes up for this.
2) The old Briton spelling’s of territories, towns, and names (very few vowels, and I have no idea if I was even close to pronouncing them right in my head), were abundant and tough to keep track of (I started being able to distinguish between places and names after about the first 100 pages though).
All in all, I will be finishing this series and look forward to reading the rest of the books.
Being a fan of historical fiction, this book did not disappoint. Cornwell uses fantastic imagery and pace throughout the book. The use of separate timelines (although minimal) are well done and well shifted between.
Action scenes are well paced and abundant throughout the book.
Having the story told by Derfel, an oath-bound warrior to Arthur, is an interesting and informative first-person narration. Here, personal opinions of Arthur, that I hadn’t expected or ever really encountered in my life, were brought forward of the historical figure(?).
The use of magic is fun and seemingly historically accurate. While no lightning bolts fly out of the sky, it is more of a warding off of curses and bad omens through spells, chants, and rituals.
The book loses a half star due to two reasons:
1) During the first half of the book (although well written, and compelling), little dialogue is encountered, which makes for long chapters and pages. To me though, the back half of the book more than makes up for this.
2) The old Briton spelling’s of territories, towns, and names (very few vowels, and I have no idea if I was even close to pronouncing them right in my head), were abundant and tough to keep track of (I started being able to distinguish between places and names after about the first 100 pages though).
All in all, I will be finishing this series and look forward to reading the rest of the books.
adventurous
dark
inspiring
tense
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
The first of three books chronicling a tale of King Arthur as narrated by one of his fiercest warriors Derfel. Such meagre history remains of those dark times that it is fair that this fictional book can only twist a tale that brings imagined places, scenes, battles, religious ritual and scorcery, brutality, torture, love, fear horror and conquest to life. Bernard Cornwell truly knows his craft and I was fully immersed from the beginning. The first few pages are a little difficult trying to embed the key names of the places and protagonists, but once the story begins to unfold, I was turning pages eager to know the outcome of each event.
I like the fact that B.C. hasn't taken the usual Arthurian storytellers' stance and placed his characters way up high upon their pedestals. Each has realistic character flaws (especially Arthur), nicely grounding the story and adding a touch of worldly realism in an otherwise fantastical adventure.
First class. I very much look forward to reading the next in the series.
I like the fact that B.C. hasn't taken the usual Arthurian storytellers' stance and placed his characters way up high upon their pedestals. Each has realistic character flaws (especially Arthur), nicely grounding the story and adding a touch of worldly realism in an otherwise fantastical adventure.
First class. I very much look forward to reading the next in the series.
4.5 stars
I have always loved King Arthur and Merlin, books, movies, TV series, it doesn’t matter, I love them all. The Winter King by Bernard Cornwell, a retelling, or rather a reimagining of Arthurian legend, did not disappoint.
This is my first Bernard Cornwell book and I am hooked. This retelling is so well-written and imaginative, and the atmosphere makes you feel like you were dropped right into medieval times. In this first book in the trilogy the focus is on Arthur and his pursuit of keeping King Mordrid, who is still a baby, alive. Arthur also tries to keep the kingdom united without taking over the throne.
There are hints of magic but it is not the focus of this book and it does not completely follow the original story, choosing to take his own rendition instead. It is original and thought-provoking!
I have always loved King Arthur and Merlin, books, movies, TV series, it doesn’t matter, I love them all. The Winter King by Bernard Cornwell, a retelling, or rather a reimagining of Arthurian legend, did not disappoint.
This is my first Bernard Cornwell book and I am hooked. This retelling is so well-written and imaginative, and the atmosphere makes you feel like you were dropped right into medieval times. In this first book in the trilogy the focus is on Arthur and his pursuit of keeping King Mordrid, who is still a baby, alive. Arthur also tries to keep the kingdom united without taking over the throne.
There are hints of magic but it is not the focus of this book and it does not completely follow the original story, choosing to take his own rendition instead. It is original and thought-provoking!
adventurous
dark
emotional
tense
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
No
Really enjoyed this book, a refreshing take on the Artherian legend. Looking forward to the next one.
I don't like the writing style. It was hard to become engrossed in the story.
adventurous
dark
informative
tense
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Le gesta del valoroso guerriero Artù narrate dal fedele Derfel, prima scudiero e poi amico del reggente al trono, che cerca di mantenere la pace tra i popoli della Dummonia in attesa che il suo sovrano cresca, ma che manda tutto all'aria per la bella Ginevra.
Tante volte si è sentito parlare delle gesta del grande Artù, ma secondo gli storici non sono altro che leggende. A me piace pensare che sia esistito davvero un valoroso guerriero, buono, gentile, rispettoso e giusto come lui, amico del simpatico Merlino, grande e potente stregone alla ricerca della verità e che onora gli antichi dèi pagani.
La lettura è scorrevole e piacevole, non posso fare altro che continuare la saga!
Tante volte si è sentito parlare delle gesta del grande Artù, ma secondo gli storici non sono altro che leggende. A me piace pensare che sia esistito davvero un valoroso guerriero, buono, gentile, rispettoso e giusto come lui, amico del simpatico Merlino, grande e potente stregone alla ricerca della verità e che onora gli antichi dèi pagani.
La lettura è scorrevole e piacevole, non posso fare altro che continuare la saga!