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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
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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.
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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.
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