Rating: 
Summary: A great yarn. Well researched and believable.
Review: I also read 'Excalibur' and 'Enemy of God,' the other books in this series. Cornwell spins a good tale, and he has researched the period well enough so that his tale hangs together believably. You won't be able to put it down, if you like historical novels of pre-Arthurian and Arthurian England. I've also read Jack Whyte's Camulod series, and I greatly enjoyed both author's versions. Both obviously researched the same materials, and yet arrived at a vastly different version of the life of King Arthur and his cohort. I highly recommend these books. Joseph Pierre,
Author of THE ROAD TO DAMASCUS: Our Journey Through Eternity
Rating: 
Summary: Arthurian myths for a modern audience...
Review: The most striking thing about this novel is how it inverts the traditional Arthurian myths - making Lancelot into a scheming coward and Merlin into a dirty old man. It deals with the rise of Arthur to power in the old British kingdoms after the fall of Rome and the Saxon invasions.
The narrative is realistically done - often brutally, since this is quite a violent book in parts. That is part of the attraction. The depictions of violence and war are vivid and bloody, as to be expected from Cornwell whose writing is readable as normal. The characterisation can be a bit frustrating and repetitive but is generally good. On the whole this an interesting novel, though one might argue not on a par with the original Arthurian myths. It lacks the supernatural elements which make them so timeless.
Rating:
Summary: An excellent retelling of a tried and true tale
Review: I picked this novel up on a whim and have to say I was very, very impressed. Mr. Cornwell is an excellent storyteller who weaves a wonderful tale of the Arthurian legend in a very unconventional light. The story is narrated by one of Arthur's closest friends and best warriors, Derfel Cadarn. Derfel was a Saxon raised as a Briton and was taught the Druidic faith. The story moves along at an interesting pace, until, of course, Arthur shows and things really pick up. I do not wish to ruin it for you, but I highly recommend this book to people who enjoy a good book about a tale they think they know. ENJOY!
Rating: 
Summary: A Brilliant Trilogy
Review: It takes a lot to keep my attention. That is the reason why the novels I read tend to be less than 500 pages. For me to have read an entire trilogy says a lot for the author's storytelling ability; he never bores, or gets bogged down in the trivial. We will never know the truth behind Arthur, but I am happy to accept this version of events through its humanising of Arthur to the brilliant portrayal of Merlin. Instead of reverting to modern day conjuring, Cornwell has written Merlin as a very shrewd man that evokes magic in rather ingenious ways so as to captivate the highly superstitious and ritualistic Pagan Britons. The use of Dervel Cadarn as narrator also pulls off a coup. Giving the story of royalty from the eyes of a lowly man adds to the mystique as we do not get told absolutely everything as Dervel does not go everywhere with Arthur. My one complaint is that Excalibur ends a little too abruptly. With reference to my first comments, perhaps this abruptness has more to do with more to do with my wishing it would never end, rather than a weakness of the story. This trilogy should become a classic, only time will tell.
Rating:
Summary: Take the time and read it !
Review: The legeng of King Arthur has always been a mystifing theme, although much research has been devoted to the subject, there is very few concrete things in which historians agree. This book gives a wonderfull account of what could have been. It pictures a very vivid representation of what was Britain like after the Romans left, and the impact of the "Barbarians" invasion on Britain's early history. I have never missed a chance to read any of Bernard Cornwell books, and this was not the exception, EVERYTHING, and ANYTHING, that a reader is looking for can be found in this book. The characters are very well thought, and the action is gripping, The battle scenes sensational, and quite real, for there is always a well founded explanation for battle movements, tactics, and strategy. Cornwell can best be described as an unpredictable writer. If You have never read Bernard Cornwell before, this is the chance to do it, and this is the book to do it with.
Rating:
Summary: A Perfect 10
Review: This book is probably my favorite of all time. When I picked it up I thought 'Oh another Arthur novel'. But once i started reading the story of Derfel grabbed me and I found myself wishing that I would never have to put it down. The book made me wish that it was a million pages long. the same is true with Enemy of God and Excalibur. All three are true masterpieces
Rating:
Summary: A Brilliant Masterpiece
Review: This first installment of Bernard Cornwell's Warlord Cronicles is a gem. In it he introduces characters we have known since childhood; Arthur, Gunevere, Merlin and Mordred. Yet he renders these characters in a truely fresh and completely different light, weaving a story you'll never forget. If there is any merit to the Authorian legend, or if any way to portray the story in an accurate and entertaining manner, then Cornwell has done this brilliantly. The story gets more and more exciting with each book and you will rush out to buy the other two books in this trilogy!
Rating:
Summary: Cornwell is brilliant!
Review: The War Lord Chronicles are some of the greatest novels written. Cornwell's attention to detail brings the battle scenes to life, giving the reader a sense of awl of how epic these battles were. Cornwell gave the characters and the time these characters live in a sense of realism that I've never seen in any other Arthurian tale. He intertwines historical fact and legends together to make the story of Arthur all new again and even better than any before it.
Rating:
Summary: Cornwell's Arthur makes a gripping and realistic plot.
Review: I've read read all 3 in the Warlords Chronicles, and count them as whole as my favorite book. No small feat, considering what a Ludlum fanatic I am. This is an incredible tale of the legend of King Arthur that has all the adventure and struggle I could expect from it, but without any reliance on fantastical magic. Cornwell still relates Merlin and his mysteries, but neither relies on pagan magic nor admits any fictional truth to the spells. It made the story believable, fantastically readable, and very interesting.
Rating:
Summary: Great dark ages fun
Review: This book is a very good start. As yet I have not read the other two in series Enemy Of God and Excalibur, but the series has started well and I'm interested in seeing how the characters will develop. The action is furious and vivid, the characters are complex and inglamorous. This is hard reality and much closer to how the story of King Arthur would have happened. The research into the clash of Christian and pagan beliefs is enlightening too. I highly recommend this book to anyone interested in the dark ages, King Arthur or good historical stories.
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