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4.07 AVERAGE
4.07 AVERAGE
adventurous
inspiring
medium-paced
adventurous
emotional
informative
tense
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Picked this up mostly because I love the TV show the Last Kingdom and rather than read those books, I figured ones about King Arthur would scratch the same itch. Also, my son is really into King Arthur right now and I thought this would be a nice refresher.
And boy is it not! Right from the opening pages, it throws out the Arthurian legend you're familiar with, which isn't a bad thing. It often makes these kinds of books quite a bit more fun. I mean, it takes quite a while for Arthur to even show up, and when he does, he's not exactly who you expect him to be.
Then there's Lancelot! Oh my, what a delirious delightful turn.
Anyway, really dig this version of the story and characters. In some ways, it's both very similar to The Mists of Avalon, though sort of inverted. The major tension is between religions and cultures and there's a greater focus on the many competing factions of pre-Saxon Britain. In this way, it also has a similar feel to The Last Kingdom, in that religion and culture are the driving forces of tension in the larger backstory.
But, yeah, onto the next one relatively soon.
And boy is it not! Right from the opening pages, it throws out the Arthurian legend you're familiar with, which isn't a bad thing. It often makes these kinds of books quite a bit more fun. I mean, it takes quite a while for Arthur to even show up, and when he does, he's not exactly who you expect him to be.
Then there's Lancelot! Oh my, what a delirious delightful turn.
Anyway, really dig this version of the story and characters. In some ways, it's both very similar to The Mists of Avalon, though sort of inverted. The major tension is between religions and cultures and there's a greater focus on the many competing factions of pre-Saxon Britain. In this way, it also has a similar feel to The Last Kingdom, in that religion and culture are the driving forces of tension in the larger backstory.
But, yeah, onto the next one relatively soon.
adventurous
challenging
informative
mysterious
medium-paced
adventurous
dark
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Plot
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
N/A
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
Cornwell always does a really good job of setting a very grounded and historical vibe. Attention to detail in rituals, clothing, food, weapons, etc. helps transport you in time. The set dressing is always a highlight in Cornwell's books. The Celtic rituals are also really fun. I like how the druids were always spitting and pissing everywhere. The battle scenes were intense and exciting. The pre-battle insult contests are also a highlight. Overall, I really liked the re-interpretation of Arthurian folklore and the anachronisms were sparse, but well placed to include some of the classic Arthurian stuff.
I love our boy Derfel. I hope he and Galahad explore each other's bodies in the next book.
I always love when an Arthurian retelling makes Lancelot an asshole, and I like it even more when he's an overhyped warrior. I have a vendetta against the guy and also Chretien. I hope Gawain makes an appearance because he's my favorite, but he was just listed as one of Arthur's many warriors. I like this version of Merlin and I'm not sure how I feel about Nimue. At times I find her very compelling, and at other times her character feels a bit underdeveloped. Arthur and Guinevere are well developed and compelling, and some of my favorites in the book. Also Bishop/Saint Sansom is detestable and I like when Cornwell adds in a real historical bishop/priest to his novels and then decides that they were huge assholes and his main characters hate them. Asser in the Saxon Chronicles comes to mind.
I love our boy Derfel. I hope he and Galahad explore each other's bodies in the next book.
I always love when an Arthurian retelling makes Lancelot an asshole, and I like it even more when he's an overhyped warrior. I have a vendetta against the guy and also Chretien. I hope Gawain makes an appearance because he's my favorite, but he was just listed as one of Arthur's many warriors. I like this version of Merlin and I'm not sure how I feel about Nimue. At times I find her very compelling, and at other times her character feels a bit underdeveloped. Arthur and Guinevere are well developed and compelling, and some of my favorites in the book. Also Bishop/Saint Sansom is detestable and I like when Cornwell adds in a real historical bishop/priest to his novels and then decides that they were huge assholes and his main characters hate them. Asser in the Saxon Chronicles comes to mind.
DNF—This retelling is good and Cornwell is an incredible writer, but I cannot STAND Arthur’s smooth-brain behavior right now. Maybe I’ll finish this one day but certainly not anything soon.
adventurous
dark
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Plot
Strong character development:
No
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
No
adventurous
dark
tense
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Plot
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
adventurous
dark
emotional
mysterious
sad
slow-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