Rating: Summary: Clever, creative, and entertaining Review: This is one of those books I wasn't sure I'd like, but I stole it from my aunt anyway, since I found I couldn't stop reading it. It managed to weave past and present together with a little bit of immortality, reincarnation, and destiny. I've read a few tales of King Arthur, loving some and hating others, but this was unlike any I'd read before. I was afraid that it would be full of Christian propaganda and chauvanistic allusions, but instead found adventure and mystery. I thoroughly enjoyed the rampant character flaws, because perfect characters are annoying anyway and the mixture of honor and chivalry of the typical King Arthur tale and the confusion and hopelessness of modern day blended very well. My favorite character was the villain, but modern Galahad was a close second. Altogether, it was a wonderful book that I'd reccommend to fans of Arthurian lengend and of hard core action.
Rating: Summary: Charming fantasy Review: This retelling of the Arthur myths succeeds on every count that a good fantasy should-- we have the wounded hero, the eternal wizard, the child of destiny, and the troubled villain. Oh yes, we also have the Holy Grail. The Forever King asks the question about what would happen if Arthur and the grail come together again, this time in 20th century America. It asks it very well.
Rating: Summary: Amazing Review: This was an INCREADIBLE book. I've always been a fan of Arthurian Legends, and ever since reading Mists of Avalon I thought...nope, nothing else can be better. Well, nothing can compare to Mists but this book put such a refreshing, new twist on everything i fell in love with it right away. I love the variety of characters, and the little "flash backs" Saladin has that cross a milenium...poor Kana. Poor everybody who stood in his way. Hal's character was both cynical and heartbreaking, Arthur was cute but Saladin...yikes. One creepy, wacked out nightmare. Totally fresh, hip and intruiging. I can't wait to read the next two!!!
Rating: Summary: One of the best Arthurian revivals in a long time! Review: Unlike the Kirkus Review, which has obviously set its standards sky-high, I found 'The Forever King' to have a firm grasp of the Arthurian legend and an intriging reinterpretation. The characters are very real and believable, and the plot flows easily along. Saladin, the villian of this story, is cruel, but utterly realistic. One flaw the Kirkus reviewers believed they had found was the amount of coincidences that bring together the characters and help the plot move along. What they neglected to notice was the fact that they are not coincidences at all, but the work of both Taliesin and the grail itself. For instance, the reviewers thought it odd that Arthur finds the Grail in what is an apparent coincidence. We later learn, however, that Arthur is the Once and Future King and that the Grail is naturally attracted to him as he is its rightful owner. 'The Future King', and its sequel 'The Broken Sword' take the Arthurian legend and update it and its principal characters to the 20th century. The language is descriptive and lyrical, and weaves a taut story that keeps you in suspense until you finish the novel. And then, of course, you start the sequel.
Rating: Summary: Amazing! Review: Well, as I said, amazing! I didn't care much for the chapters on Saladin, but the end was so wonderfully great it made up for everything! I've only read a few endings like that, simply superb! Yes, goosebumbs and tears indeed. :)
Rating: Summary: Excellent blend of mystical, myth, legend, and history Review: While rushing through an airport, I bought this book. It was FANTASTIC! Literally, I could not put it down. I was especially fascinated by the tale of the cup and its history. Loved how it wove its way throughout history; the scoundrels and the messiah who celebrated its power. Arthur Blessing was kept in the spirit of King Arthur from the Once and Future King and other stories. I was intrigued and disgusted by Saladin; he was a superb villian. A book that shows the battle between true purity and true evil is rare. This book is a pleasure and a lesson.
Rating: Summary: I loved it! Review: With a totally different sense of a spin to the story, this book brings new light to the King Arthur story. I couldn't put it down. I like the "modern" sense to the story.
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