Rating: 
Summary: The last of a three book series
Review: This book completes the three book series, the Warlord Chronicles, by Bernard Cornwell. The stories are narrated by Derfel, a Christian monk, recalling the Arthurian legend, in which he was a participant. If this is your introduction to this series, you would be well advised to begin with 'The Winter King.' Among other things, this is a story of the conflict between a fledgling Christianity in Britain, and the old religion, whose priests were the Druids. It is also the author's version of the legend of King Arthur. Bernard Cornwell has studied his subject, like Jack White, Mary Stewart and John Steinbeck. It amazes me how these people's fertile imaginations have ended with such different stories, given the same basic, if sparse, research facts. It was a real pleasure to read Cornwell's novels in this series, and I'm sorry to see the end. Of course, he's written a couple of dozen other books, including the entire series of Sharpe's adventures, so all is not lost. Joseph Pierre,
Author of THE ROAD TO DAMASCUS: Our Journey Through Eternity
Rating:
Summary: Excellent
Review: I must admit, the only reason I did not give the two previous books in this trilogy five stars is because the final book in the series was SO good I had to reserve it the best rating possible. It is very rare that I feel strong emotion when reading a book, or for me to become emotionally attached to the characters, but in this case, both occurred. Excalibur builds upon the solid foundations of the last two books, developing characters and plot to even further. The author still manages to surprise you, even if you know your Arthurian trivia. Most importantly, the conclusion was spectacular. Some might find it frustrating, but now I couldn't imagine it ending any other way. I won't give any more away.... Mr. Cornwell, if you are reading this, I beleive this could be a very successful film/series of films. The old Excalibur set the mould for the Arthur of the Romances, but this takes "The King" in entirely an new direction. This could become (unfortunately with much simplification) the definitive Dark-Age Arthur film. Anyway read the first two novels, then read this one... I practically didn't sleep until I finished it. Wonderful... I HIGHLY RECCOMEND!
Rating:
Summary: Cornwell Rex
Review: Excalibur is the best telling of the Arthurian legend since Mallory. Cornwell makes Arthur his own, and in finishing this third book of Cornwell's Arthurian trilogy, I wished for a fourth.
Cornwell tells his tale through Lord Derfel Cadarn, a monk and Arthur's retired warlord. Cadarn's version mocks the flighty tales of magic and pagentry passed down in ballads and (implicitly) in other authors' tellings. Cadarn was there. He was saved from death as a child by Merlin. He fought alongside Arthur at his greatest battles. He was there at Guinevere's downfall, and helped Guinevere on her course of reuniting with Arthur. And you believe him. Every word. Much of this belief is due to Cornwell's excellent crafting of the time and place. The tensions between Christians, pagans, druids, and just plain folk create a powerful cross-grain in this trilogy. Layers of Roman and druid and pagan architecture straddle the landscape. But it is not just historical veracity that lends Derfel his charm. Derfel is one of the warmest, most competent characters to emerge from my fiction reading in a long time. You just like him. You love being in his confidence. You accept his judgments. And you certainly live his fears and defeats and victories. What a read. Start at the beginning with The Winter King and read straight through.
Rating:
Summary: Cornwell's best work yet
Review: The Warlord Chronicles are, simply, three of the best books I have ever read, of any genre. In my experience, the vast majority of series show a marked decrease in quality from the first book to the last (and until Sharpe's Trafalgar, the Sharpe series seemed to be following the same lamentable pattern). The Warlord Chronicles, however, crackle with tension, excitement, and an appropriate sprinkling of humor and romance from beginning to end. The battle scenes are, of course, fantastic (this is Cornwell, after all, and one could hardly expect less). What really makes this series stand out, however, are the incredibly vivid characters Cornwell develops. Both heroes and villains are portrayed in exceptional detail; each one is an original individual, and this is no mean feat given the sheer number of retellings the Arthurian saga has undergone. Cornwell has deliberately gone back to the earliest historical records, and his tale includes many fascinating characters who were axed from later, romanticised versions. Also, there are enough surprise twists and turns that the reader is kept on his toes and never quite allowed to get comfortable and complacent. Turn your back for a moment, and a central character may have been killed off while you were napping. Cornwell has also outdone himself in providing the appropriate historical context, so as to give the reader the sense that he himself is living in Dark Ages Britain. From the details of weaponry and battle tactics to social customs, and above all the dramatic clash between the traditional Druidic religion and the rapidly expanding Christian faith, Cornwall convincingly recreates an entire society. This outstanding series is a major contribution to modern story-telling.
Rating: 
Summary: Cornwell Redeems Himself
Review: I began this trilogy HATING book number one. Book two changed my opinion and drew me into book three. With this last installment, Cornwell has completely redeemed himself in my eyes. Characters I had found dull and poorly developed in book one are now characters I miss since I've finished the series.
While I still found occassional glimpses of Cornwall's overly- flowery scenic descriptions and while the stroke by stroke battle descriptions were still quite long - I stayed enthralled. This book is by FAR not the traditional story of Arthur - the characters are there along with new ones, but the tale of Lancelot really threw me for a loop. I liked the twist! I also liked the inclusion of Arthur's children - nice to know that the family line was not as doomed as in other renditions. It is also a tale that is VERY military based. The descriptions of the battles are detailed, detailed, detailed. A student of military strategy would find particular interest in this book over any of the other Arthurian tales I've read. Looking for romance - there is a bit- but not the love triangles and romantic liasons that so many authors dwell upon when writing about Arthur. Come to think of it, I don't recall ever seeing the word Camelot in these books. I would encourage Cornwell to continue the saga - what was Derfel's life like at the monestary, what happened to Arthur's son, what did Nemue do next? There are still so many unanswered questions!
Overall - a fast read, interesting story line, enough twists to be very fascinating despite what you think you know about the Arthurian legend.
Rating:
Summary: Excalibur
Review: Excalibur Griffin July 1999
Pp.436 ... Bernard Cornwell ISBN:0312206488 Have you ever wanted to experience war and how it was fought hundreds of years ago? Not with guns and bombs, but with swords and shields. Bernard Cornwell takes to back to the medieval times when kings ruled the lands and alliances are formed and broken. In this book, the story of the legendary Arthur is brought back to life. Once you get started reading this book it is almost impossible to put it down.
The book is told from one of Arthur's warlords Defrel. Who is now an old monk rewriting of his days when he battled in war and was among one of Arthur's greatest warriors. But now he is just waiting to be taken to the otherwold. Defrel who was once a Saxon boy was brought up and raised by Merlin, and learned the ways of Britain and its cultures. The Saxons are at war with all of Britain fighting for their land. The Saxons have been waiting for over five years to advance on Britain and now after five long years they attack. Though it seems they are outnumbered and do not have enough spearmen to hold up, they come together and fight the battle of a lifetime.
If you are interested in a novel that keeps you at the edge of your seat and always keeps you wondering, then the book Excalibur is right for you. -Kevin Sossaman
Rating:
Summary: Don't Let It End!
Review: Excalibur is the final book of a trilogy that retells the Arthurian Legend. Following the tradition of book one, The Winter King, and book two, Enemy of God, the story teller, Derfel, picks up the tale where it left off at the end of book two. Derfel is a Saxson slave who grew up in Merlin's compound and joined Arthur's warriors as a young man, worked his way up through the ranks to become a Lord, and became Arthur's friend and trusted companion. His loyalty to Arthur stretched through his whole life, and he may be the last living person who can tell the tale the way it really happened.
Now, late in his life, Derfel is living as a monk, and retelling the tale to Queen Igraine. Unlike the songs of the bards, who have earned their livlihood by embellishing these ancient tales with glory and beauty, Derfel tells it like it happened. When all is said and done, this proves to be even more fascinating than the bards retelling. Filled with pagan magic, cunning kings, brave warriors, and strong and beautiful women, this gripping tale will keep you turning pages to the very end! If you love Arthurian legend, then I would recommend that you buy the whole trilogy today. An excellent read from beginning to end.
Rating:
Summary: Without question, the best modern arthurian novel.
Review: The tale of Arthur has been told many times since the middle ages, each telling bringing something new to the story, but hands down, The Warlord Chronicles is the absolute best version of the modern era. Gone are the romantic elements that have permeated the story since the middle ages and replaced with an absolute reality and profound humanity that is not present in any other Arthurian novel.
Bernard Cornwell is one hell of a writer and is best known for his successful Richard Sharpe series, historical novels of the Napoleonic Wars, so you know you're in good hands as you read this book. Cornwell takes his liberties with the tale, yes, but he knows just how far he can go with the characters and events to keep things always interesting. Even if you've read many other Arthurian novels, I guarantee it, this one will surprise you.
Excalibur is the final book in the Warlord Chronicles trilogy, and I'm tempted to say the best one, but you MUST read the first two in order to fully appreciate this tale. Here one learns of the final fate of all the characters, the idealistic Arthur, his faithful man-at-arms Derfel, the treacherous Guinevere, the slimy Lancelot and of course Merlin who is single minded in his ploy to bring the Old Gods back to Britain. The Warlord Chronicles are destined to become classics of modern literature and the standard by which all other Arthurian novels will be judged. Not to be missed.
Rating:
Summary: Excalibur
Review: The finale of Cornwell's excellent historical fiction (as opposed to fantasy) Arthurian series. Cornwell did some of his best writing, and especially some of his best characterization, in these books. Derfel is a romantic, an affectionate and idealistic man, who's also perfectly capable of hacking enemies into small pieces. Female characters, not always a Cornwell strength, are excellent here, especially Guinevere and Nimue. The framing device here works especially well as things actually happen in the "present" timeline--careless readers may even miss the impending attack. The "past" timeline has quite a bit of exciting action, though it does drag at times, probably inevitably for a narrative that covers many years. As in previous volumes, battles are an obvious strength, and the portrayal of Dark Ages Britain is fresh and interesting. As a former student of the period, I found little that struck me as incorrect here, though obviously much of the material on religious belief and mentalities is pure speculation. The only disappointment was an anticlimax regarding the loss of Derfel's hand--not how he loses it, but the description is lacking. Thematically, Cornwell is saying something here about magic and religion; something especially appropriate to the too-often-ethereal Arthurian genre. I highly recommend these books.
Rating:
Summary: Disregard bad reviews... one of the best books of fiction
Review: I read all three books of the Warlord Series in the space of about 3 weeks. This book, and the others, are some the finest examples of historical fiction I have read. Keep in mind that I find most fiction dull due to poor writers and bland characterizations. Too often an author is lazy, just giving the characters odd names to differentiate them. Not so here. Moreover, I disliked the Arthurian legends because I knew that bards in the age of chivalry added so much nonhistorical aspects to the legend as to make them unreadable. Here, Cornwell sets the Arthurian legends in the proper historical time frame, with the appropriate weaponry and style. He makes the novels a conflict between Christianity and the older religions, with heavy references to how much they lost with the decline of Rome. I highly recommend this and the other books of this series.
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