krisglomb 's review for:

Spear by Nicola Griffith

4.75

adventurous hopeful inspiring mysterious medium-paced

Plot or Character Driven: Plot

Strong character development: Complicated

Loveable characters: Complicated

Diverse cast of characters: Yes

Flaws of characters a main focus: No

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Wow! This took my breath away! As someone who loves Arthurian legend, this little novella was so well written and felt and read like the chivalric romances it’s based on. 

Even though the description gives a good overview of the plot, I was still surprised and delighted at the execution. The way the story was told helped to make it and really highlighted why these stories of the potential to be told, re-told, re-imagined, and expanded on and on. 

This hits on some of my favorite Arthurian trope highlights: destiny, identity, magic and magical items with lore, a witchy mother in a cave…this one has it all!

The story is so well steeped in the “original” myths and stories that when we do get new and original elements added by the author, it almost feels like a revelation: “how did I not remember that? How could I not see for that potential in my first reading? Wow, this character has become bigger and more real at the same time.”

I was also delighted with the surprising amounts of tension for a story that is written in that somewhat detached chivalric romance style. 

The only thing that I might have wanted was for some of the author’s note at the end to make its way into the story. This is definitely a story for those familiar with the legend but even some of the emotional climax was improved after reading the note. 

This was excellent either way and exactly what you want with a retelling story. 

Arthurian rating 10/10