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jerefi's review
4.0
This book was a successful journey into one of my favorite book subjects: taking a famous story and looking at it from an evil character or foe who might more or less be misunderstood. Short and sweet, but a little more bittersweet in where it is destined to go. Definitely worth a read.
sadpendragon's review
5.0
This book broke me.
It was such an interesting and beautiful retelling. Taking Mordred’s POV, it was able to give us a whole new twist on the story without it actually interfering with all the popular tropes and themes of the legend that we know.
I loved Mordred, and his journey and struggle of wanting to fight fate was heartbreaking. Like, my heart bled for him...I just wanted to pluck him out of this story and hug him and tell him I love him and that he’s not cursed.
The Arthur and Mordred bond in this book is just soooo good. It was soft and subtle but it touched me deeply.
Arthur and Mordred kept saying how they are heartsick.....yeah me too now pals and it’s your fault!!
It was such an interesting and beautiful retelling. Taking Mordred’s POV, it was able to give us a whole new twist on the story without it actually interfering with all the popular tropes and themes of the legend that we know.
I loved Mordred, and his journey and struggle of wanting to fight fate was heartbreaking. Like, my heart bled for him...I just wanted to pluck him out of this story and hug him and tell him I love him and that he’s not cursed.
The Arthur and Mordred bond in this book is just soooo good. It was soft and subtle but it touched me deeply.
Arthur and Mordred kept saying how they are heartsick.....yeah me too now pals and it’s your fault!!
raebae's review
adventurous
challenging
dark
emotional
mysterious
sad
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
hissingpotatoes's review
1.0
Dry and bland. I appreciate the themes the author tried to incorporate, like preconceptions and fate. But it seemed like she bent and twisted the original Arthurian mythology to try to make those themes work, ultimately making everything seem unnatural and forced.
kailey_luminouslibro's review
3.0
Mordred tells his side of the Arthur legends, how as a baby he was saved from certain death by a lowly fisherwoman, grew up in the castle of King Lothien, and made his way to Camelot as a young knight, where he was reviled and scorned because he was the illegitimate son of King Arthur. Merlin's prophecy that Mordred would someday kill his own father in battle tears Mordred's soul apart, and he spends most of his youth fighting against his destiny.
I enjoyed this book mainly because of the excellent writing style. The writing is concise and powerful, with many beautiful turns of phrase that perfectly set the scene and create a mystical mood for the story.
I didn't really connect with Mordred as a character. I felt for him, but I wasn't cheering for him. I was interested in his story, but in a detached sort of way. Sure, I wanted him to find happiness, but I didn't cry when he did. He's an excellent character, well-written and engaging, but I don't love him. I'm mildly amused by his story, but I'm not going to cherish the book forever.
I truly enjoyed reading this story! I was delighted with the way the Arthur legends are reimagined from such a different perspective. I was especially impressed with the way the ending stays true to the Arthur legends, but also manages to have a hopeful ending in the midst of the despair.
I enjoyed this book mainly because of the excellent writing style. The writing is concise and powerful, with many beautiful turns of phrase that perfectly set the scene and create a mystical mood for the story.
I didn't really connect with Mordred as a character. I felt for him, but I wasn't cheering for him. I was interested in his story, but in a detached sort of way. Sure, I wanted him to find happiness, but I didn't cry when he did. He's an excellent character, well-written and engaging, but I don't love him. I'm mildly amused by his story, but I'm not going to cherish the book forever.
I truly enjoyed reading this story! I was delighted with the way the Arthur legends are reimagined from such a different perspective. I was especially impressed with the way the ending stays true to the Arthur legends, but also manages to have a hopeful ending in the midst of the despair.
chelsearm's review against another edition
adventurous
emotional
funny
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.5
Wow! What an excellent intro to Springer’s writing, I can’t wait to read more. The narrator of this edition, Steven Crossley, made this feel both like a booking epic and a cozy fireside tale.
sasbookreviews's review
4.0
After I read I am Morgan le Fey on a whim I knew I had to read this book too. If you love books about Camelot and King Arthur you will enjoy this book. Gull the pup is the icing on the cake.
k_wazlib's review against another edition
4.0
The interest in reading this sprung mainly from my current Merlin kick. In all honesty, I was shocked at how much I enjoyed it. I figured that it would play out as more of a children's book that wouldn't hardly scratch the surface of the pain and conflict that Mordred felt. Boy, was I ever wrong. I Am Mordred was a beautifully told story about a very conflicted and struggling boy. The characters were realistic as well as the dialogue and setting.
Mordred's life has always been one full of pity and tragedy. When he was just a baby his father King Arthur tried to kill him. Without his knowing, he survived and was found by a fisherman who took him home. After so many years, Mordred finds himself being taken away from his adoptive family and being placed in another home, but this time with the nobility. Taunted and sometimes just ignored, Mordred grows up here knowing that his father is King Arthur. He also learns that it was foretold that he would be the one to kill his father in the future, and thus becomes so conflicted and worrisome that he yearns for more answers. At fifteen, he is sent to Camelot with his older adoptive brothers to become a part of Arthur's kingdom. It is here with his father that he hopes to find the answers that he's been looking for his entire life.
The writing was really wonderul. Nancy Springer did a fabulous job in detailing Mordred's inner struggles from child to young adult. We really got a feel as to what was swirling around in his head, and doing so made me feel so much for him. Also, she set the scene in such a realistic way that it was almost like watching a reenactment on the History channel. It was all done so beautifully as well, it was all just so very very good.
Pacing-wise, I had no problems with this book. The transitions are smooth and not rushed at all.
The characters were also written and developed in a nice way. We get to see Mordred's transformation in a smooth way, and how much more conflicted he becomes within himself. His thoughts and feelings are obvious and present and portrayed in a realistic manner. By the end of the book I just really wanted to give the boy a hug.
We also got small backstories on Nyneve, who was a vital person in Mordred's growth and Morgan Le Faye. Truly, they were all done so very well that I don't have many complaints. Their dialogue was well done and fit the time and their actions just the same.
Overall, I Am Mordred was a nice and beautiful story of a boy coming to terms with who he is and will be. The writing as well as characters were spot on and truly fit the era of time. Nearly everything about this book was beautiful. If you're into Arthurian legend or anything of the sort then I do recommend that you pick up this book and let it move you as it did me.
☆☆☆☆/5
Recommend?: If you're into Arthurian legend and are curious.
If you want to read a nice story about a magical boy who finally finds himself.
Mordred's life has always been one full of pity and tragedy. When he was just a baby his father King Arthur tried to kill him. Without his knowing, he survived and was found by a fisherman who took him home. After so many years, Mordred finds himself being taken away from his adoptive family and being placed in another home, but this time with the nobility. Taunted and sometimes just ignored, Mordred grows up here knowing that his father is King Arthur. He also learns that it was foretold that he would be the one to kill his father in the future, and thus becomes so conflicted and worrisome that he yearns for more answers. At fifteen, he is sent to Camelot with his older adoptive brothers to become a part of Arthur's kingdom. It is here with his father that he hopes to find the answers that he's been looking for his entire life.
The writing was really wonderul. Nancy Springer did a fabulous job in detailing Mordred's inner struggles from child to young adult. We really got a feel as to what was swirling around in his head, and doing so made me feel so much for him. Also, she set the scene in such a realistic way that it was almost like watching a reenactment on the History channel. It was all done so beautifully as well, it was all just so very very good.
Pacing-wise, I had no problems with this book. The transitions are smooth and not rushed at all.
The characters were also written and developed in a nice way. We get to see Mordred's transformation in a smooth way, and how much more conflicted he becomes within himself. His thoughts and feelings are obvious and present and portrayed in a realistic manner. By the end of the book I just really wanted to give the boy a hug.
We also got small backstories on Nyneve, who was a vital person in Mordred's growth and Morgan Le Faye. Truly, they were all done so very well that I don't have many complaints. Their dialogue was well done and fit the time and their actions just the same.
Overall, I Am Mordred was a nice and beautiful story of a boy coming to terms with who he is and will be. The writing as well as characters were spot on and truly fit the era of time. Nearly everything about this book was beautiful. If you're into Arthurian legend or anything of the sort then I do recommend that you pick up this book and let it move you as it did me.
☆☆☆☆/5
Recommend?: If you're into Arthurian legend and are curious.
If you want to read a nice story about a magical boy who finally finds himself.
kcmerolling's review
5.0
I had never cared much for King Arthur stories until I read this book. The ending was not what I expected and I loved the twist. The characters are not what many people take them to be in this book. Many say Mordred is bad and Merlin is great. These two characters are the complete opposite. I'm glad I took the time to read this.