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Summary: One of the best historical fiction I ever read!
Review: I've read all 3 books in this series and now that I finished "Excalibur" as well, I feel like I parted from my lover. This book is a fresh & different perpective of a centuries old epic tale. The characters are so real, down to earth, the story is so well-knit that it makes you think this may be how the real characters were and this may be how the story really might have happenned. The narration is so vivid and descriptive, it helps you to visualize every detail in your mind and while you read the book, you live in it's world. I envy the beginner readers of this series, enjoy it!
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Summary: Brilliant Finish
Review: A brilliant finish to an extraordinary trilogy. I've read various versions of the Arthur tales, including Mallory's, and this is the most satisfying and moving of all. Beautifully written without being sentimental, and because of its sense of reality, the most powerful rendition of the tales.
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Summary: "Breaking point - Arthur & Westernhistorical change"
Review: I'm happy to join the armies of those who have discovered Cornwell'sArthurian reconstructions and love them! Great read! great storyteller! Given the fact that authentic Arthurian sources are very scarce, his imaginative reconstruction of the events of this breaking point in British and Western history rings very true. The clash between the old Britons and the invading Saxons, the collision between pagan Druidism and rising Chrstianity is authentic. After contemorary Bosnia, Rwanda etc, those floods of refugees fleeing war and its ravages are chillingly real. As a Bible student,I better understand how the Hittites, Hivites, Canaanaites, the worshippers of Baal(Bel?) must have responded when Joshua's Israelites arrived in Palestine. Cornwell has given us a fascinating view of the minds of those destined to lose their land to the new invaders. The human drama through which he reimagines history is also dramatically right.Cornwell is a major writer.See pg 160 of Excalibur for a Shakespearean type formulation of good writing-to satisfy both balcony and pit.His success-genuine and authentic-proves he has found the secret of good writing that will last. I now add this trilogy to the few clasics I want to keep and reread and think about. thank you, Bernard Cornwell. I must try your other books now.
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Summary: A great read!
Review: If you are new to Arthurian then I Strongly recommend these books. They are all written very well and are all quick reads, that are sure to keep the reader involved and interested from the 1st page. I rate books by how late I stay up at night. And all three books in the series kept me up into the wee hours. So if you need you're sleep, then maybe "The Horse Whisperer" is more you're speed! Enjoy.
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Summary: A Fabulous Story Teller
Review: Cornwell is, by far, is the best story teller. Excalibur is a wonderful ending to an epic that gives readers the chance to experience a believable tale of war, politics, romance, and tragedy. Cornwell's writing is challenging and intelligent, while his command of the English language is used subtly to paint a strong image of the aesthetic and personal personal descriptions of characters and scenes. This is a wonderful book and I would recommend reading the trilogy over and over.
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Summary: Braveheart Does Camelot
Review: Bernard Cornwell saved his best for last. Excalibur is one of the best Arthurian tales I've read. His attention to detail and explicit descriptions of battle scenes and everyday life give the reader a good feel for the times. It is easy to become attached to the narrator and I was saddened by the fact that the tale had to end. Highly recommended.
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Summary: Suggestion: Try the audiobooks
Review: Tim Pigott-Smith does a wonderful job with the audiobook version of The Warlord Chronicles. The combination of an excellent story with Pigott-Smith's delivery is awesome. It reminded me of a time in elementary school when the library had a professional storyteller come and tell us old Native American stories. Even if you don't normally get audiobooks, I think the Warlord Chronciles definitely deserve to be heard.
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Summary: Excalibur and The Warlord Chronicles
Review: I read the whole Warlord Chronicles while I was visiting Cornwall, UK on a medical elective. This is the region where the story takes place, but it's called Kernow in the book. However, many places here still use the names that are mentioned in the book. It was truly satisfying to have read something in a novel, and then visit a town that was mentioned in the books and go, 'Hey whadya know! That really did happen'. You could see that Bernard Cornwell really did put much effort into researching his books, although it has to be said that a lot of Arthurian folklore is just that, folklore. There are lots of things that we can't be sure about, and this is where the author has done a fine job weaving myth and fact together. 'Excalibur' proved to be a worthy and sensible end to the trilogy. The Warlord Chronicles on the whole was a darn good read and definately recommended.
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Summary: Live the legend in Derfel's eyes. A Great Book!
Review: A wonderful book! If you're looking for the story of King Arthur, this is it! Let Derfel, the narrator, bring you back in time visiting not only King Arthur, but the legend of Excalibur.
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Summary: Wonderful Trilogy
Review: It was the best book I have ever read, except (of course!)the previous two (The Winter King and Enemy of God). The book capture my all attention and imagination! Once I started, it was very difficult to stop and put it down. That's a trilogy about old Great Britain history, but most important about friendship and human relationships. Derfel is the most loving character and his loyalty to Arthur is amazing.
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