Rating: 
Summary: A really good book for fans of this genre
Review: This book is really good. It is flowing with magic and adventure. I admit it has some material suitable mainly for adults, but other than that it is a must have for any fan of this genre. I stoutly disagree with anyone who says that this book is slow or uninteresting, instead this is one of those books that despite the fact it has a slightly slower beginning than what I expected, it has no shortage of adventures. One of the things that I really liked about this book were the fact that it blended two tales successfully. Read this book, if you like medeival fantasy!
Rating: 
Summary: Hurry up and wait
Review: This book was an interesting weave of the Merlin story and the "Song of Roland." The last half of the book occurs after the "Song of Roland" and what could have happened if Roland had been a descendent of Merlin. The magical elements in this book are wonderful. Tarik is so entertaining. The author leaves some things hidden until the very end, which makes it a satisfying conclusion. However, there were parts of this book that just drug along. The romance was ok, but the whole "who is he?" "who is she?" nonsense against a larger backdrop was inconsequential. All in all, I think this is a good book that deserves a read, however, be prepared to have to dig through some not very exciting parts to get to the good stuff.
Rating:
Summary: Hurry up and wait
Review: This book was an interesting weave of the Merlin story and the "Song of Roland." The last half of the book occurs after the "Song of Roland" and what could have happened if Roland had been a descendent of Merlin. The magical elements in this book are wonderful. Tarik is so entertaining. The author leaves some things hidden until the very end, which makes it a satisfying conclusion. However, there were parts of this book that just drug along. The romance was ok, but the whole "who is he?" "who is she?" nonsense against a larger backdrop was inconsequential. All in all, I think this is a good book that deserves a read, however, be prepared to have to dig through some not very exciting parts to get to the good stuff.
Rating:
Summary: Very entertaining historical fantasy
Review: Though never counting the years, centuries have passed since his former lover trapped Merlin in a magical forest that living things including birds avoided. However, one day, a boy Roland, visits the incarcerated magician. Obviously having much magical abilities or else he could never have arrived at the forest prison, Roland vows to find the means to free Merlin. Years later, Roland is a knight loyal to King Charlemagne, but has not worked at his magic. Roland wins a contest that gives him possession of the sword Durandel, but not the trust of its former owner Lady Sarissa. Still, Roland remains faithful to his liege as they set out to fight a demon that has corrupted the monarch's son with a world at stake. However, his side needs Roland to complete his oath by freeing Merlin and gaining the support of the Grail mages to triumph over their evil enemy and his allies. Judith Tarr is known for her wonderful historical fantasy tales that blend real persona and events into a mythical story. Her latest release, KINGDOM OF THE GRAIL, combines remnants of Camelot with the Song of Roland into an exciting story. The key to the plot is Ms. Tarr's uncanny ability to make her primary and secondary players seem so real that both the fantasy elements and the historical perspective appear genuine. The novel will charm fans of the Arthurian and Roland legends and medieval epic adventures. Harriet Klausner
Rating:
Summary: Roland, the Arthurian Grail, and Merlin all together--nice
Review: What if Roland was not a Frankish savage but a Bretton, decended from Merlin himself? What if his famous battle was only the prelude to a greater war--the battle for control of the Holy Grail itself? That is the question Judith Tarr sets out to address in her fine KINGDOM OF THE GRAIL. It speaks well for her talent as an author that she succeeds. Although Tarr combines and retells portions of two of the great Epics of Medieval Europe, she does so in a strongly human vein. Roland is not the brutal figure of the Epic, but a man torn by mixed blood. The romance between Roland and Sarissa adds humanity to the tale preventing it from becoming a self-indulgent hero-bashes-great-evil story. I especially appreciated the lighter touches. Tarr uses the antics of the puca, Tarik, keep her story from becoming overly serious and caught up in its pagan mysteries. I appreciated her obvious respect for the Arthur/Merlin and Roland legends and her ability to weave these together in such an approachable way.
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