lisalark's review
4.0
Well, Elizabeth Wein is a genius and everyone should read her. Wonderful second installment in the Lion Hunters Cycle.
She writes people who are real, lovable, fallible, ambitious. And she does her homework and research, too. I particularly love that she doesn't write like white Europe was the only thing going on at the time when honestly, it was pretty backward during the Dark Ages.
Anyway. Read Wein. Great for fans of Megan Whalen Turner desperately looking for something similar.
She writes people who are real, lovable, fallible, ambitious. And she does her homework and research, too. I particularly love that she doesn't write like white Europe was the only thing going on at the time when honestly, it was pretty backward during the Dark Ages.
Anyway. Read Wein. Great for fans of Megan Whalen Turner desperately looking for something similar.
rebecca713's review
5.0
I think this would have been a 4 (it's pretty dense) except that it made me cry harder than any book ever has before. so there's that
jessalynn_librarian's review against another edition
4.0
Although the setting and some characters have changed since the first in the series - The Winter Prince - the tensions of that book definitely inform this one, and I would recommend reading them in order. It could stand alone but wouldn't feel as rich. We moved from chilly Arthurian Britain to ancient Ethiopia, and the focus shifted to Arthur's daughter finding her new place in the world. Like The Winter Prince, the feel of the relationships and political scheming reminds me of Megan Whalen Turner's books in the best way possible, and I gulped this one down. Strongly recommended to anyone from middle school to adulthood who enjoys non-fluffy historical fiction (with plenty of creative license), fascinating characters, and complex plots and motivations that might require a careful read. It's not necessarily a page turner (although I couldn't put it down) but it is a satisfying read.
katmarhan's review
3.0
7/10
Very different direction for an “Arthurian legend” story, taking place in Africa. An easy read, no complaints but not all that gripping or memorable. Good enough that I will continue the series.
Very different direction for an “Arthurian legend” story, taking place in Africa. An easy read, no complaints but not all that gripping or memorable. Good enough that I will continue the series.
annika2304's review
emotional
hopeful
reflective
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
nostoat's review against another edition
emotional
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Loveable characters? Yes
5.0
This book DESTROYED me. I have never cried so much during a book. It's 210 pages of carefully constructed emotional HELL and I loved every bit of it. My chest still hurts with all the emotions this book stirred up. God what a book!!!!
cosmogyral's review
adventurous
emotional
hopeful
informative
inspiring
fast-paced
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
ejoa's review
4.0
Within the first few pages, I almost wanted to stop reading, not through any fault of the author, but because the opening chapter comes as a shock if you've just finished reading The Winter Prince. Fortunately, for the rest of the book, I suffered the opposite problem: not being able to put it down!
Although A Coalition of Lions is the second book in Elizabeth Wein’s Lion Hunter series, it can be read on its own. Following the death of her entire family in the battle of Camlan, the British princess Goewin escapes to Aksum (modern-day Ethiopia), where her fiancé Constantine serves as Britain’s ambassador. But the man she finds is not someone she wants to marry, nor hand over the British throne to. Caught in the political strife of not one but two countries, Goewin searches for another heir and discovers a nephew she never knew she had: the bastard son of her bastard brother Medraut.
The sixth-century Ethiopia setting quite literally sets this book apart from other Arthurian adaptations. It is so refreshing to read a medieval adventure that is not set in Europe, especially a book that, for the most part, spits in the face of imperialism. Goewin is an equally refreshing narrator, likable and formidable without seeming too modern. The way her situation mirrored Morgause's created tension when it was most needed. Some of the other characters (especially Turunesh, who suffers the same fate as Ginevra in The Winter Prince, only with more screen time) could have been fleshed out more, but I have to give Wein props for creating a dramatic plot without any obvious villains.
My biggest criticism is perhaps unfair because it has very little to do with this book and everything to do with the previous book. The opening chapter essentially undoes the work of the first novel by. Although I loved the new characters, not knowing the fates of some characters from the first book (especially Morgause's sons) bothered me—and probably no one else, because I'm an Arthurian nerd. Perhaps if Priamos had played a role in the first book, the transition would have gone more smoothly.
That being said, I think Wein made the right call to tell this story instead of a rehashing of Camlan. The fact that the first two books function more as an anthology than a series doesn't bother me, and if the third one (starring the delightful Telemakos) follows that pattern, I would be just as eager to read it.
Edit 2/22/18: Having now read The Sunbird, I retract what I said. Wein's decision provides much better drama and is truer to life.
Spoiler
I did not expect Camlan to come so soon!Although A Coalition of Lions is the second book in Elizabeth Wein’s Lion Hunter series, it can be read on its own. Following the death of her entire family in the battle of Camlan, the British princess Goewin escapes to Aksum (modern-day Ethiopia), where her fiancé Constantine serves as Britain’s ambassador. But the man she finds is not someone she wants to marry, nor hand over the British throne to. Caught in the political strife of not one but two countries, Goewin searches for another heir and discovers a nephew she never knew she had: the bastard son of her bastard brother Medraut.
The sixth-century Ethiopia setting quite literally sets this book apart from other Arthurian adaptations. It is so refreshing to read a medieval adventure that is not set in Europe, especially a book that, for the most part, spits in the face of imperialism. Goewin is an equally refreshing narrator, likable and formidable without seeming too modern. The way her situation mirrored Morgause's created tension when it was most needed. Some of the other characters (especially Turunesh, who suffers the same fate as Ginevra in The Winter Prince, only with more screen time) could have been fleshed out more, but I have to give Wein props for creating a dramatic plot without any obvious villains.
My biggest criticism is perhaps unfair because it has very little to do with this book and everything to do with the previous book. The opening chapter essentially undoes the work of the first novel by
Spoiler
killing off Lleu right after he and Medraut learned to live together. I would have liked to see how their new relationship played out, especially without Artos looming over themSpoiler
who apparently don't have a claim to the throne despite being nephews of ArtosThat being said, I think Wein made the right call to tell this story instead of a rehashing of Camlan. The fact that the first two books function more as an anthology than a series doesn't bother me, and if the third one (starring the delightful Telemakos) follows that pattern, I would be just as eager to read it.
Edit 2/22/18: Having now read The Sunbird, I retract what I said. Wein's decision
Spoiler
to kill Lleu off prematurelyevaseyler's review
3.0
I spent the first half of this adrift in a sea of NAMES and trying to ignore the NAMES in favour of story, but then things started to click. :-) Much enjoyed. Kind of love Priamos, and hated that he had to LEAVE GOEWIN at the end. Even if he does promise to return.
Also, Telemakos makes me grin like crazy. BABY LIONS. XD
/incoherent comments
Also, Telemakos makes me grin like crazy. BABY LIONS. XD
/incoherent comments