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altoid 's review for:
The Winter King
by Bernard Cornwell
The Winter King is quite a delightfully realistic portrayal of Arthur's quest to unite the Britons. Gone is the romance of the classical Arthurian tales, lost in favor of a much more nuanced and grounded story that feels far more likely to have actually happened. The depiction from the point of view of Derfel is especially welcome, and his character is given a much broader depth than what we've come to experience from previous incarnations. His emotions and external perspective to the events unfolding make this novel very compelling, and the interplay he has with well-known heroes like Lancelot and Galahad breathe fresh air into the age old tales. His journey, from his humble beginnings as one of Merlin's pupils, to his rise in Arthur's war band, as well as a few thrilling detours on his own, make The Winter King a very fun and engaging read. The politics and various marriages evoke a very ASOIAF-esque feeling (I knew I would have to compare the two in some way), which only helps to enhance the tale as we get to see Arthur finally triumph over his enemies thanks to his helpful allies, ingenuity, and a few well-timed arrivals. Overall I'd highly recommend this if you have any interest in Arthurian legend, and I'm looking forward to reading Cornwell's next installments.