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pedroalmeida's review against another edition
4.0
I came upon this take on the Arthurian legends by recommendation by someone dear to me and by the lure of pretty covers, an indulgence to which I’m joyfully guilty. Contrary to perhaps many of the readers, I do not see myself as an Arthur fan but that I think may have added to the magic of the story.
“The Warlord Chronicles” by Bernard Cornwell is a set of three books comprising “The Winter King”, “Enemy of God” and “Excalibur”, which take on the trodden but timeless story of Arthur, a leader of the Britons when England laid swarmed by the invading Saxon at the end of the 5th century. The tale is framed narrative told by Derfel Cadarn a shield-brother to Arthur during the length of his life-long campaign against the Saxon.
Though best described as historical fiction (not withstanding the questionable authenticity of historical Arthur), The Warlord Chronicles mix a tint of the fantastic namely under the hands of the pagan Druids, whose conflict with the rising Christianity make a good deal of the venomous web of intrigue, running side by side with the political struggle between the petty kingdoms of Britain. The story also includes the anachronistic but iconic Merlin and Lancelot, both presented with a personality twist that adds great flavour to the tale.
Cornwell is a prolific writer having written the Sharpe novels along with others tomes of historical fiction. He is a skilled man, capable of weaving fierce page turners and, perhaps more rewarding, of digging deep into History to portray as accurately as possible the customs of the time – something he probably acquired during his career as a journalist.
Throughout the novels and in the first two book in particular, one can almost feel the structured nature of his prose, how the complex chronology and every unfolding event seems to have been meticulously thought out long before any actual writing – a trait common to organized and proficient writers. But, alas, it also robs the story of its mystery as much of what passes is utterly predictable.
Don’t take me wrong. The prose is extremely well-written (if not slightly over-descriptive) and the characters are expertly drawn but for the most part the books lacks the rabid flurry of inspiration. But I guess that is probably something to expect from historical fiction.
Luckily, however, the third book seems to echo the nature of the author more strongly, as characters are more willing to discuss and reflect upon themes likely committed to the (un)consciousness of the writer and the action unfolds more franticly and more on the brink of the unexpected. It is in the final book, I think, that Cornwell speaks more truly as if he had dropped his notes on Annales Cambriae and Historia Brittonum and let the keystrokes run their course.
The series is a rewarding read, profoundly instructive and imaginative and by the time it was over my heart ached and mourned for Arthur, The Once and Future King.
“The Warlord Chronicles” by Bernard Cornwell is a set of three books comprising “The Winter King”, “Enemy of God” and “Excalibur”, which take on the trodden but timeless story of Arthur, a leader of the Britons when England laid swarmed by the invading Saxon at the end of the 5th century. The tale is framed narrative told by Derfel Cadarn a shield-brother to Arthur during the length of his life-long campaign against the Saxon.
Though best described as historical fiction (not withstanding the questionable authenticity of historical Arthur), The Warlord Chronicles mix a tint of the fantastic namely under the hands of the pagan Druids, whose conflict with the rising Christianity make a good deal of the venomous web of intrigue, running side by side with the political struggle between the petty kingdoms of Britain. The story also includes the anachronistic but iconic Merlin and Lancelot, both presented with a personality twist that adds great flavour to the tale.
Cornwell is a prolific writer having written the Sharpe novels along with others tomes of historical fiction. He is a skilled man, capable of weaving fierce page turners and, perhaps more rewarding, of digging deep into History to portray as accurately as possible the customs of the time – something he probably acquired during his career as a journalist.
Throughout the novels and in the first two book in particular, one can almost feel the structured nature of his prose, how the complex chronology and every unfolding event seems to have been meticulously thought out long before any actual writing – a trait common to organized and proficient writers. But, alas, it also robs the story of its mystery as much of what passes is utterly predictable.
Don’t take me wrong. The prose is extremely well-written (if not slightly over-descriptive) and the characters are expertly drawn but for the most part the books lacks the rabid flurry of inspiration. But I guess that is probably something to expect from historical fiction.
Luckily, however, the third book seems to echo the nature of the author more strongly, as characters are more willing to discuss and reflect upon themes likely committed to the (un)consciousness of the writer and the action unfolds more franticly and more on the brink of the unexpected. It is in the final book, I think, that Cornwell speaks more truly as if he had dropped his notes on Annales Cambriae and Historia Brittonum and let the keystrokes run their course.
The series is a rewarding read, profoundly instructive and imaginative and by the time it was over my heart ached and mourned for Arthur, The Once and Future King.
sarazeen95's review against another edition
5.0
I've spent years searching for a solid, admirable adaptation of the King Arthur mythos. Unfortunately, most of them turned to be either poorly written, unbearably cringy, or so far from the actual legends that it was called "Arthurian" only for the sake of it.
Then I found this, thanks to a subreddit. Cornwell really did change my mind.
Without spoiling anything, this has to be one of the most outrageously well-written, gripping, and solid books I've ever had the privilege to read. This is the kind of writing, storytelling, and characterization that remind me of why I fell in love with books — and never fell out. Every single page was stunning. I had literal goosebumps during the fight scenes, and I don't know how he did it, but Cornwell knows how to punch his readers right in the feels.
This is how Arthur, if he were real, might truly have been: flawed, mistake-ridden, but inherently admirable.
This is the kind of book that will draw you in, and you'll only emerge hours later, gasping for breath, realizing that the sun has risen and you're due for work in two hours.
I give this a perfect 5 out of 5. This is how stories should be told.
Then I found this, thanks to a subreddit. Cornwell really did change my mind.
Without spoiling anything, this has to be one of the most outrageously well-written, gripping, and solid books I've ever had the privilege to read. This is the kind of writing, storytelling, and characterization that remind me of why I fell in love with books — and never fell out. Every single page was stunning. I had literal goosebumps during the fight scenes, and I don't know how he did it, but Cornwell knows how to punch his readers right in the feels.
This is how Arthur, if he were real, might truly have been: flawed, mistake-ridden, but inherently admirable.
This is the kind of book that will draw you in, and you'll only emerge hours later, gasping for breath, realizing that the sun has risen and you're due for work in two hours.
I give this a perfect 5 out of 5. This is how stories should be told.
papernapkin's review against another edition
3.0
The prose in this book was excellent, and if Arthur existed, this would be a very accurate account, because essentially it's a bunch of warlords trying to fight off the Saxons while a lot of infighting among factions is taking place simultaneously.
Much like war, the plot is long stretches of not much happening followed by a heart-pounding event here and there. For me that didn't work because I'm not big on military battles. I like political intrigue, but the planning-and-plotting side rather than the slogging-up-hill-through-mud-while-arrows-zing-past-you side.
Cornwell has expunged the story of almost all magic, but I wish we could've seen more of Nimue (Merlin's SO) because even without magic she was absolutely riveting-- the most interesting character in the book by far.
Cornwell immediately made me love Arthur because from his first moments on the page he's fair, and kind, and honorable. But later I was pissed because he's always yammering on about defending King and kingdom, and then chucks that right out the window for Guinevere, who is the Yoko Ono of the Dark Ages.
I won't be continuing with the series, but if you like historical fiction with a lot of military stuff, I recommend this.
Much like war, the plot is long stretches of not much happening followed by a heart-pounding event here and there. For me that didn't work because I'm not big on military battles. I like political intrigue, but the planning-and-plotting side rather than the slogging-up-hill-through-mud-while-arrows-zing-past-you side.
Cornwell has expunged the story of almost all magic, but I wish we could've seen more of Nimue (Merlin's SO) because even without magic she was absolutely riveting-- the most interesting character in the book by far.
Cornwell immediately made me love Arthur because from his first moments on the page he's fair, and kind, and honorable. But later I was pissed because he's always yammering on about defending King and kingdom, and then chucks that right out the window for Guinevere, who is the Yoko Ono of the Dark Ages.
I won't be continuing with the series, but if you like historical fiction with a lot of military stuff, I recommend this.
katherinehamilton's review
adventurous
challenging
dark
emotional
sad
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.0
Content Warnings
Moderate: Rape and Sexual assault
bresek's review
adventurous
dark
informative
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
ebarrett3's review
adventurous
sad
tense
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.0
jbighetti's review against another edition
adventurous
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.25
itspanicszn's review
3.0
I found it to be really dry. For King Arthur fiction I loved MK Hume’s books and kind of expected this to be similar but instead I found it read more like a textbook than fiction. His love interest took me by surprise. There was very little lead up to it. Definitely felt there could have been a lot more to the story itself than there was.