Rating: 
Summary: Simply Masterful
Review: 'Enemy of God' is a thrilling read. Cornwell combines the best parts of the Arthur mythos with the realities of the 6th century (I believe) to create a believable depiction of the legendary Arthur.The story takes off in the final 100 pages to create the first exciting conflict of the entire series. Previously the battles had been interesting, but lacked drama. I don't often give out 5 star reviews, but this book is remarkable.
Rating:
Summary: brilliant
Review: Admittedly i know next to nothing of the arthurian legends, or the facts or lack thereof behind them. I bought this and the first book in the series after a recommendation from a forum, and the series has me absolutely spellbound. Cornwell completely blows away any conceptions one might have previously held of the popualr characters from the legends. His character development is excellent, as Lancelot plays an excellent cowardly villain (i was so pleased to see derfel get ceinwyn instead of him) and arthur is shown in altogether more human form than what little i had previously known of him. It is interesting that it is not a first person tale from the point of arthur, nor an omnipresent view, but a first person tale from the viewpoint of one of arthur's captains, the lovable saxon Derfel. The magic of merlin and nimue often provides comic relief, and at least it is interesting to note the differences between cornwell's interpretations of merlin's 'magic' and the overblown myths. A brilliant book, though it shouldnt be taken as historical fact, merely an excellent interpretation. I have yet to read the last in the series, but i look forward to it greatly. Buy these books today, you will not regret it.
Rating:
Summary: A worthy sequel
Review: After reading the winter king I thought that it could not be passed, I was wrong. It is a book that inchanted me from the first page to the last and every page in between. athe book kept me one my toes and I did not know what would happen or what to expect. A worthy sequel The Winter King. Bravo Mr Cornwell, finally a series worth reading.
Rating: 
Summary: Protest at Amazon's review
Review: Amazon, in its critical comments on Enemy of God, says that it is 'plagued with errors', and then cite three. The first is that using the word edling is to insult Welsh princes. On page 4 the narrator says he is writing the tale in his 'native Saxon' (i.e. English), so why is the use of edling (meaning heir apparent) any more insulting than the English words Prince, Lord, Crown-prince? Besides, the word is used in the Laws of Hywel Dda, a mediaeval Welsh law code. so presumably King Hywel the Good was insulting his son? The next 'error' claims that I have a man lifting a cauldron of gold, evidently impossible. The cauldron is made of silver, embellished with gold, and it says so plainly on p. 99. Lastly I am accused of throwing gold bars about 'like wood chips'. I have offered Amazon to pay $100 to the charity of their choice for every instance of this. So far (two weeks) they have not answered.
Rating:
Summary: Great Historical Retelling Of the Arthur Legend
Review: As a history student, I am always some-what careful when I read books of the "historical-fiction" sort. Needless to say, I was very impressed not only with this work, but the other two books in this series as well (The Winter King and Excalibur). This book (and series) is a fantastic and detailed historic version of the King Arthur Legend. Since I am not an expert on British history, I can't comment on the accuracy of it all, but it defintely made the time period come to life for me. This book is not a fantasy book. It seems that every time I read a book on Arthur it is filled with Dragons and wizards and the like. Those books have their place and can be fun to read. However, if that is what you are looking for this work may not be for you. Be warned that this book is not the musical "Camelot" revisited. Many of the characters and plot lines are slightly different than tradition, but I think that makes the story that much more enticing. A very human story with some great battle scenes, if you like the Historical Arthur give these books a shot!
Rating:
Summary: Great Historical Retelling Of the Arthur Legend
Review: As a history student, I am always some-what careful when I read books of the "historical-fiction" sort. Needless to say, I was very impressed not only with this work, but the other two books in this series as well (The Winter King and Excalibur). This book (and series) is a fantastic and detailed historic version of the King Arthur Legend. Since I am not an expert on British history, I can't comment on the accuracy of it all, but it defintely made the time period come to life for me. This book is not a fantasy book. It seems that every time I read a book on Arthur it is filled with Dragons and wizards and the like. Those books have their place and can be fun to read. However, if that is what you are looking for this work may not be for you. Be warned that this book is not the musical "Camelot" revisited. Many of the characters and plot lines are slightly different than tradition, but I think that makes the story that much more enticing. A very human story with some great battle scenes, if you like the Historical Arthur give these books a shot!
Rating:
Summary: A worthy sequel to one of the best Arthurian novels.
Review: At first I thought that The Warlord Chronicles, of which Enemy of God is the middle chapter, would not appeal to me as much as other Arthurian tales that had more fantasy elements in the story, I was wrong. It's true that author Bernard Cornwell is hell bent on demystifying every aspect of the arthurian legend such as Camelot (never existed), the sword in the stone (never happened), the round table (a small thing), not to mention that Arthur himself is not even a king, however it is is Cornwell's adherence to a more realistic telling of the events that separates this tale from many others. Enemy of God explores many themes but chief among them is the validity of oaths, laws and the allegiance to a king, however unworthy that king may be. Religion and its hold on people is another aspect of the story, three different beliefs are presented here, the Christian, the pagan and, oddly enough, the cult of the egyptian goddess Isis.
There is not as much warfare as in The Winter King, but still much blood is shed as a result of betrayals and much political intrigue. Upon reading, I found myself immersed in a story that is as joyous as it is tragic, full of nobility and acts of pure evil, but most of all it is the characters of Arthur and Derfel, the story's narrator, that fascinate the most. Both men are as different as can be, yet they share a friendship and loyalty that is inspiring.
Enemy of God is a book that is more than just the middle chapter in a trilogy, there is an evolution of the characters from the first book to this one, the story moves forward and introduces new protagonists and storylines. A deeply enthralling novel to say the very least... Onward to Excalibur!
Rating:
Summary: One of the most satisfying books I ever reas
Review: Being a long term fan of Cornwell's Richard Sharpe series didn't prepare me for how much I would enjoy the Warlord Trilogy - of which this is the second book. The main character, Derfel Cadarn, is a masterful achievement. This retelling of the 'King' Arthur story as gritty, though imagined 'history' rather than fairytale legend, creates a stunning human saga as gripping and emotionally satisfying as any piece of fiction I have ever read. Cornwell's use of language is superb and each sentence is so well crafted that I was tempted to read the book out loud. I loved the story, the characters, the sturcture of the book, the irony gained by having the book narrated by Derfel in his old age - as an unbelieving priest who is pretending to be writing a translation of the gospels while actually writing Arthur's story as an entertainment for the young queen. This is a fabulous book - as are the other two. Cornwell obviously just gets better and better. If you haven't read any of his many books, this is a great place to start. I highy recommend it.
Rating:
Summary: Political thriller? Not really
Review: Bernard Cornwell bring the Arthurian legend to life in a historical real world format that is a delight to read, but to call this a political thriller would be calling Lord of the Rings a Classical Drama. This is historical fiction, grand wars, and myth brought to life by an extraordinary storyteller. We all know the names, but the roles have changed. One reads and believes that if it happened, it could very well have happened just like this. Historical fiction with a hint of fantasy and myth, but not a political thriller. Politics are there indeed, but I would not downplay a good intrigue story with politcs. Drama maybe, but not politcs. If you like Arthur and the Knights of the Round, if you like Romance, Drama, and War, this is the story for you.
Rating: 
Summary: Clash of Pagans Versus Christians Roils Britain
Review: Bernard Cornwell continues his wonderful "Warlord Chronicles" trilogy -- Cornwell's take on King Arthur -- with the "Enemy of God." While Cornwell tells a vastly different tale than the classic Arthurian legends, his Arthur nevertheless rises to mythic heights.
At the close of "The Winter King," Arthur has established himself as the mightiest warrior in England following his shocking victory at Lugg Vale. But to the frustration of many, Arthur's main goal is to support the divine right of kings, and the High King is Mordred, a petulant, vile young man. Nobody but Arthur will support him, but since Arthur hopes against hope that Mordred will grow into his noble position, everyone reluctantly lets Mordred sit on the throne.
But even though Mordred is the High King, other kings abound. Lancelot is also a king, and Arthur also feels great pangs of guilt for failing to come to Lancelot's aid as his kingdom was sacked in "The Winter King." Blinded by his guilt to Lancelot's various faults -- including raging vanity -- Arthur continues to support Lancelot against all reason.
Of course, neither Mordred nor Lancelot are particularly grateful for Arthur's support, and Arthur will soon learn to his great horror that loyalty and self-sacrifice are not always rewarded.
This being Cornwell, these political conflicts are often resolved by spear and sword, and "Enemy of God" is replete with numerous battle scenes, and nobody writes a better battle scene than Mr. Cornwell. Fans of his other works will not be disappointed!
The title for the novel comes as a bit of a shock for those familiar with the Arthur legend. In most tales, Arthur is a Christian king, and his Knights of the Round Table are examplars of Christian might. Cornwell's Arthur, however, is a pagan . . . although his religious convictions are lukewarm at best. This Arthur puts his faith in men rather than gods (or God). Unfortunately for Arthur, the Christians of his time (we're rapidly approaching 500 A.D.) are convinced that the Rapture is on the horizon, and they must scour the land and cleanse it of all pagans -- whether through conversion or through slaughter.
At times like this, Arthur's policy of benign tolerance is completely out of step, and it leads Arthur into several errors of judgment that have catastrophic consequences.
Most of the major elements of the classic Arthur tales are present. Tristan and Isolde's famous tragic tale of lost love occupies several pages. Fans of Merlin will see their favorite Druid swing from triumph to despair and back again. And Queen Guinevere's betrayal of Arthur with Lancelot may be different than one expects, but it is no less shocking or heartbreaking.
All in all, "Enemy of God" is a thought-provoking, historically informed take on the Arthur legend, and is a worthy read for fans of historical fiction or the Arthur legends. Check it out, but only after reading "The Winter King" first so you can have Cornwell's backstory for all the characters, rather than working from your presuppositions taken from other works.
|
