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llsburg 's review for:
Enemy of God
by Bernard Cornwell
At almost 1000 pages into this epic series, I find myself thinking and talking about Arthurian legend and medieval British history often. The problem being, most people really don't care to have extended conversations on this topic. If someone I know starts reading this series, let's discuss!
This second book in the series, as most seconds in trilogies, tries to fit in a lot of the most popular legends () into the story. For this reason, it reads somewhat disjointed compared to the first book, but it does well at setting up the political factions and their interests.
Cornwell brings you into this world. Arthur, Merlin, Derfel: they are well-rounded characters that you care about. This is a difficulty because we all know the story will end tragically. Again and again, the rational and orderly plans of Arthur are spoiled by the impulsive whims of men (or by the chaos of the Gods, if you believe the Druids). The story comes so close to an idyllic conclusion, more than once, and it is gut-wrenching to read each shocking upheaval of these carefully laid strategies ... which, of course, also makes the book all the more captivating.
This second book in the series, as most seconds in trilogies, tries to fit in a lot of the most popular legends (
Spoiler
Tristan and Isolde, Guinevere and Lancelot, the Holy Grail/Cauldron of the Gods, e.g.Cornwell brings you into this world. Arthur, Merlin, Derfel: they are well-rounded characters that you care about. This is a difficulty because we all know the story will end tragically. Again and again, the rational and orderly plans of Arthur are spoiled by the impulsive whims of men (or by the chaos of the Gods, if you believe the Druids). The story comes so close to an idyllic conclusion, more than once, and it is gut-wrenching to read each shocking upheaval of these carefully laid strategies ... which, of course, also makes the book all the more captivating.