Rating: 
Summary: The Analysis Substantiated Judgement
Review: "Kingdom Of The Grail" written by Judith Tarr has its main setting actually based in `the Holy Grail's kingdom' of Montsalvat, where it is protected from the forces of evil. The theme of "Kingdom Of The Grail" is the general conflict between good and evil. On many levels the forces of dark are pitched against the forces of good. The main conflict that takes place happens between darkness and light, representing good and evil. Roland is main character, fighting for the forces of good, and he has also sworn to kill his enemy Ganelon who leads the forces of evil. All of the characters named in this book have or do take part in a fight or a war between two large forces; good and evil or Franks and Spaniards. Therefore, instead of a slowly-developing plot, many of the 66 chapters of this book have lots of action that involves killing or romance scenes. Other reviews from Amazon.com state that this book is similar to "The Song of Roland" (by Turoldus). "Kingdom Of The Grail" fits into the genre of historical fantasy, the reason being that historical fantasies are the author's preferred genre. In writing high fantasy novels Judith Tarr relates: "The need for scrupulous historical research is less, but in its place comes the task of creating lands, people, languages, histories, cultures, and all the manifold aspects of a living world. Not only must I create them, I must create them as a whole, connected logically and plausibly, with characters drawn to the best of my ability. It is not easy."
The historical genre aspect comes from well researched characters from Camelot and also plotlines involving medieval religion, and Frankish and Spaniard culture. This book takes the stock characters of Camelot and puts them into its plot. Despite one of the main characters being Merlin, "Kingdom Of The Grail" has little to do with other popular books based on a Camelot setting because the time period takes place generations after King Arthur's life. Roland is actually a character found from "The Song of Roland", which is why these literary compositions are quite similar. Judith Tarr tries to increase her theme's realism through research into the cultures in the book's time period. This increases suspension of disbelief by making cultural structures very realistic. The cultures of Franks and Spaniards are implemented into this book, as well as their opposing religious beliefs. The fantasy genre aspect comes from the type of characters and action in this book; involving magic, enchanters, swordfighting, immortals and mythical creatures such as dragons. Many of the events taking place have actions and plot additions that make "Kingdom Of The Grail" similar to the many other novels that use fantasy-themes. There are also displays of romance in this book mainly between the main characters Roland and his lover Sarissa. Romance plays a large role in developing the personalities of this book's main characters. This has a negative impact on the book's overall impression because Roland and Sarissa's relationship are used to delay the book's timeline, adding in several minor personal conflicts before the climax can take place, and hindering the development of the plot
The main character is Roland, who is used for most of the plot development. There is a great deal of foreshadowing as Roland strives to find his fate, from other characters and from dreams. The explicit hints at Roland's destiny help to build his character along the plot, and are a large element in the minor plot between Roland and Sarissa as she keeps the full truth about his fate veiled. One of the strong messages given in "Kingdom Of The Grail" has communicated the negative effects of power addictions. The antagonist of this book Ganelon is evil and hates the majority of the world. His main fault is a striving for power, which has clearly become his top priority, "No healing. Power. Only power. If I cannot have that, I will have nothing." (page 458). Since we do not want to be like the villain of this book, we can avoid having his many bad characteristics of hate and power-lust, because it has clouded his perspective and made him evil. Another character Pepin is held captive under the lure mastering dark magic. He is a secondary antagonist to Roland, and throughout the plot his intentions darken to evil. Hints about Roland's destiny and suffering throughout the book help to build his character, but Ganelon and Pepin's characters devolve throughout the book as they are proved to be Roland's sinister enemies and full of evil villainous hatred. This difference in opposing personalities increase reader enjoyment from unravelling the plot of "Kingdom Of The Grail"
Although many people enjoyed this book and like reading Judith Tarr's novels, there are many other books of this genre that are better written and with more engaging plots. This book has a low overall effectiveness for many readers, four reviews at Amazon.com finding "Kingdom Of The Grail" to be an unsatisfactory novel. Although this book is based on historical facts and figures, there was little suspension of disbelief because the historical aspect of this novel conflicts with and lessens the mysticality of its fantasy aspects! Fantasy is like make-believe while history is mainly facts; this book does not achieve a smooth transition between the two realms of believability. The book would be appropriate to readers versed in historical fantasies and romance, yet "Kingdom Of The Grail" did not seem to fit under the satisfactory category. Compared to another book in the teens' age group, "The Chrysalids" (by John Wyndham) did not have conflicting genres, added more elements of suspense, and included much more explicit and implicit messaging. On the other hand, "Kingdom Of The Grail" included excellent foreshadowing techniques, was of longer length, and exceeded "The Chrysalids" romance appeal.
Another element in the book's low overall effectiveness is a bias against romance novels. This book has excessive romance throughout to keep Judith Tarr's fans entertained. The content is deemed inappropriate because of excessive lovemaking. The values in the text contradict with the values of younger age groups, but many people's values are changing in favour of sex and romance. Therefore this book would be most suitable for an older age group of adult readers. "Kingdom Of The Grail" is a mix between fantasy, romance and history; so if any of these genres are not liked by a reader, then he or she would be discouraged from reading the novel.
Rating:
Summary: Roland is soooooo dreamy!
Review: All that's keeping this book separate from other romance novels is the fact that the cover is missing a bare-chested, flowing-haired he-man. This book might have appeal for those easy-to-please persons who devour every fantasy and romance novel on the shelves, but my advice to the discriminating reader is to pass this one by. The Roland character is ridiculous. He's the mightiest warrior but more importantly he is also gorgeous, sweet and gentle, and deferential to the ladies, and he's a good listener and will sing to the ladies all day and all night if they need comforting, and he wants love, not just sex. Oh be still my heart. The tension in the novel is hopelessly contrived: Roland makes one earth-shaking oath to Merlin, and a second incompatible but equally earth-shattering oath to his Love whom he has known for a couple weeks. And this dope is supposed to be the heir of Merlin and the king's wily advisor? Sure. This book is as slow as molasses in winter and has found its best use as nesting materials for my blue-ribbon hens.
Rating:
Summary: Roland is soooooo dreamy!
Review: All that's keeping this book separate from other romance novels is the fact that the cover is missing a bare-chested, flowing-haired he-man. This book might have appeal for those easy-to-please persons who devour every fantasy and romance novel on the shelves, but my advice to the discriminating reader is to pass this one by. The Roland character is ridiculous. He's the mightiest warrior but more importantly he is also gorgeous, sweet and gentle, and deferential to the ladies, and he's a good listener and will sing to the ladies all day and all night if they need comforting, and he wants love, not just sex. Oh be still my heart. The tension in the novel is hopelessly contrived: Roland makes one earth-shaking oath to Merlin, and a second incompatible but equally earth-shattering oath to his Love whom he has known for a couple weeks. And this dope is supposed to be the heir of Merlin and the king's wily advisor? Sure. This book is as slow as molasses in winter and has found its best use as nesting materials for my blue-ribbon hens.
Rating: 
Summary: Beautiful blend of two legends
Review: Being a rabid King Arthur fan of many years, I was a little nervous upon seeing this book that blended my beloved story with another, although I knew and enjoyed the Song of Roland as well. But twenty pages into it I couldn't put it down, and put aside everything else until this was complete. This is a wonderful read, a must-have to any lover of history, fantasy and/or Arthurian legend. I am new to Judith Tarr but I can't wait to get a hold of her other works; this is an amazing writer with a true gift for words.
Rating: 
Summary: Not nearly as good as _The Hound and the Falcon_
Review: I really wanted to love this book. The negative reviews here seemed to focus on the romance plot, which on itself is not a problem, on the contrary, Alamut is a favorite of mine. I am very glad that Ms. Tarr is writing again fantasy novels set in the same universe as the Hound&Falcon trilogy and Alamut and _the Dagger&the Cross_, but a few centuries before. _Hounds of God:_ the last novel of _the Hound and Falcon_ closed that universe to all new novels are set earlier, which certainly offers potential. But on this novel the mix and match of several myths just does not work. I wishI understood why the Kingdom of the Grail has the feel that it cames out the Pan-Celtic tour to fantasyland, while it is somehow related to the Pyrinees, and the basques. Enough celts, please, there are so very many other interesting European societies! And the plot and characterization is a mess, "she distrusts him, now she trusts him, now there is a big misunderstanding, now he distrusts her...", oh, dear.... It was a chore to plog along until the end of the book. Not recomended, but Ms Tarr's earlier novels, The Hound and the Falcon, and the Avaryan series certainly are recomended, read them instead if you haven't yet. If you are already a fan of those novels, don't expect too much of this one, and you might end up enjoying it, but in my opinion this is far from being their equal.
Rating: 
Summary: Will the real Roland please stand up?
Review: Judith Tarr mixes Merlin, the *Song of Roland* and the myth of the madman of the forest together in a romance that is more romantic than historical. This gives her the chance to create several Rolands: warrior, lover, shapechanger, Carolingian loyalist, madman of the woods, and reluctant champion-king. Character motivation is weak, especially for the distrust of Sarissa (who would not be allowed the freedom she exhibits in a real Carolingian setting). Nor would a woman of her time necessarily sleep with someone she does not trust completely. A slow read, it picks up in spots, and she has a gift for description, but I had to push myself to finish. Why is Tarr considered a queen of historical fiction? I don't see it. She offers a mish-mash of ill-defined magic, over-romanticized characters, and idealized history with a New Age bent.
Rating:
Summary: Will the real Roland please stand up?
Review: Judith Tarr mixes Merlin, the *Song of Roland* and the myth of the madman of the forest together in a romance that is more romantic than historical. This gives her the chance to create several Rolands: warrior, lover, shapechanger, Carolingian loyalist, madman of the woods, and reluctant champion-king. Character motivation is weak, especially for the distrust of Sarissa (who would not be allowed the freedom she exhibits in a real Carolingian setting). Nor would a woman of her time necessarily sleep with someone she does not trust completely. A slow read, it picks up in spots, and she has a gift for description, but I had to push myself to finish. Why is Tarr considered a queen of historical fiction? I don't see it. She offers a mish-mash of ill-defined magic, over-romanticized characters, and idealized history with a New Age bent.
Rating:
Summary: Not nearly as good as _The Hound and the Falcon_
Review: Ms. Tarr returns to her most magical writing style, which I have not seen done quite this well since the Hound and the Falcon trilogy. I savored every word of this story. It is exquisitely crafted, slowly unfolding and building to a wondrous crescendo. Masterfully done!
Rating:
Summary: FANTASTIC!!!!
Review: Ms. Tarr returns to her most magical writing style, which I have not seen done quite this well since the Hound and the Falcon trilogy. I savored every word of this story. It is exquisitely crafted, slowly unfolding and building to a wondrous crescendo. Masterfully done!
Rating: 
Summary: Another Historical Romance
Review: Tarr has built a career on placing romance novel characters in well-researched historical settings. THE KINGDOM OF THE GRAIL is no different. As always, the medieval setting is well-evoked, the characters are all pretty much the same, reminders of Mary Renault's and Dorothy Dunnett's heroes. The prose is clean, except for the usual purple patches in the emotional onslaughts.
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