A review by joshgauthier
The Archer's Tale by Bernard Cornwell

4.0

For one of my first experiences with historical fiction, Cornwell's [b:The Archer's Tale|68531|The Archer's Tale (The Grail Quest, #1)|Bernard Cornwell|https://d.gr-assets.com/books/1407709312s/68531.jpg|425641] was a well-crafted introduction to the genre. While the narrative POV felt odd at times and there were a few points where it felt like improbably occurrences took place to serve the story, such flaws do not outweigh the skill with which Cornwell tells his story. "The Archer's Tale" is an often brutal portrayal of the realities that faced soldiers, peasants, and nobility alike at the start of the Hundred Years War. His conflicted and flawed characters love and do battle in a war-torn landscape marked by engaging detail and commitment to realism. And as the story progresses, Cornwell reveals himself to be a skilled storyteller as he weaves together strong characters with story-lines of faith, loss, and redemption, all set against a tapestry of social, military, and historical turmoil. Fit for fans of historical fiction and high fantasy alike, "The Archer's Tale" is a satisfying read for anyone not overly bothered by depictions of medieval warfare.