Rating: Summary: Never too old or overdone? Review: Arthur returns, released from his mythical cave, with Merlin by his side, they tackle politics in New York City. The author is a liberal New Yorker, so he has given Arthur his same views on abortion, capital punishment and gun control---all of which Arthur spouts his opinion of on streetcorners and statues. Full of action and humor, a bit of romance, yucko he goes for Guinevere, why does this guy want to make the same mistake twice? But see how he moved me just there? :) This is a lot of fun; I recommend it and am looking forward to reading more by this author.
Rating: Summary: Hilarious Arthurian "Legend" Review: Arthur: trapped in a dreamless sleep for eternity. It was foretold that one day he would wake and help patch up the new yet horridly unclean world of the future. Merlin, also trapped, ages backward enough to escape the cave prison, wakes the King, and enfuriates Morgan le Fay. The only problem with this legend is that Merlin and Arthur find themselves in New York City!!!!!!!! In this hilarious novel, Arthur runs for the ruling throne of Mayor of NYC. He also (to his surprise)reunites with Guenivere, Lancelot, and Percival, and more. Of course, Morgan le Fay and her son Modred attempt to stop him (in ways unimaginable of this age: demons and spells and more). You'll get humor on every page of this novel! The entire aspect of a wise wizard trapped in a little boy's body is great and you'll love the humor from him. That's not all either. You'll laugh at his new "recruits" (previous bandits) and their ways of ensuring votes, the Lady of the Lake's (or Central Park Lake's) "graceful" poise as she returns Excalibur to Arthur, and the all around humor of this book. This is a recommended read for those who love a good laugh and more importantly, a good story line. I loved every minute of this book and didn't even come across boring parts! Wow! Happy reading!
Rating: Summary: Hilarious Arthurian "Legend" Review: Arthur: trapped in a dreamless sleep for eternity. It was foretold that one day he would wake and help patch up the new yet horridly unclean world of the future. Merlin, also trapped, ages backward enough to escape the cave prison, wakes the King, and enfuriates Morgan le Fay. The only problem with this legend is that Merlin and Arthur find themselves in New York City!!!!!!!! In this hilarious novel, Arthur runs for the ruling throne of Mayor of NYC. He also (to his surprise)reunites with Guenivere, Lancelot, and Percival, and more. Of course, Morgan le Fay and her son Modred attempt to stop him (in ways unimaginable of this age: demons and spells and more). You'll get humor on every page of this novel! The entire aspect of a wise wizard trapped in a little boy's body is great and you'll love the humor from him. That's not all either. You'll laugh at his new "recruits" (previous bandits) and their ways of ensuring votes, the Lady of the Lake's (or Central Park Lake's) "graceful" poise as she returns Excalibur to Arthur, and the all around humor of this book. This is a recommended read for those who love a good laugh and more importantly, a good story line. I loved every minute of this book and didn't even come across boring parts! Wow! Happy reading!
Rating: Summary: A Well-Told Tale Review: As usual, Peter David manages to mingle his dry wit with the fantastic to produce a very satisfying tale. Having never read the original edition of this book, published many years ago, I can't compare the two. This expanded edition (expanded by some 30,000-plus words, according to the introduction) is a lot of fun.Arthur Pendragon, King of the Britons, returns to life in the present day and runs for Mayor of New York City. With him are his perpetual advisor Merlin (whose odd habit of living his life backwards has reduced him to the form of a young boy), the immortal knight Percival (whom history neglected to mention was a Moor) and the reincarnate of his beloved Guienivere. Of course, old enemies Morgan Le Fay and Modred return to cause trouble as well. The book is a nice satire of modern life and politics as well as a fun adventure yarn. I also appreciated David dotting the landscape of his New York with characters named after his colleages in the comic book world (Louise Simonson, Jim Owsley, etc.) It's the best sort of inside joke -- the kind that those who aren't in on it will never know was a joke and that those who are in on it will smile in appreciation and keep reading. The sole misstep, I felt, came in a press conference scene where Arthur began outlining political positions which I suspect were crafted to reflect David's own. While this is certainly within his rights as an author, it seemed rather blatant and distracting to me. Other than that, a great story, and I can't wait for the sequel.
Rating: Summary: Praise for Sir David! Review: I actually found this book in a Borders on a trip to get travel guides for a friend planning a NY roadtrip. I wound up purchasing it (even though I told myself I wouldn't spend the money) and finished reading it in one evening open opening the cover when I got home. A simple but intruiging read. The story never dulls and charges forward into its finish. I highly reccomend this to any King Arthur, fantasy fans, and rennies everywhere! :)
Rating: Summary: Arthur For Mayor! Review: I adore books with Arthurian legend. Most are set back in the time when he was King. Some are set in a magical world nothing like earth. This one is set on modern day earth when Arthur and Merlin awaken. It is different. There is definate comedy in it. I recomend buying both books at once. It will keep you wanting more.
Rating: Summary: Witty, Punning Parody Review: I very much enjoyed this book. To be fair, I've long believed that Peter David and I have practically identical senses of humor, so my enjoyment might not be totally shared by others. That being said, I suspect most people with at least a passing knowledge of the Arthurian legends would enjoy this book. There are some quite funny scenes in the book. But don't just read it for the humor; there's also quite an interesting story to be told.
Rating: Summary: Well worth your time Review: It takes a fresh take on Arthur to grab my interest (Jack Whyte's series is hard to beat), but having enjoyed Stephen Lawhead's "Avalon" which is remarkably similar in plot structure and even events (written well after this book's original appearance,with a reincarnated Arthur and long-waiting Merlin staking a lineal claim to the English throne these days) and another author's "Arthur, King" placing a returned Arthur helping turn the tide of the WWII Battle of Britain against Mordred-assisted Luftwaffers (certainly a great need for Arthur then), I picked up this first taste of Peter David's take. David disparages his own research but has done a credible job with it (his Arthur's a little recent as a 10-11th century ruler when scholars guess more 4th-6th century)but the story, characters, and especially the dialogue and scenes make this both quite fun and still thought-provoking. His Arthur is both a born leader but a real human with foibles, weaknesses, and fears as is his inspired Gwen deVere, Moe Dreskin, Percival, etc. with fresh and brilliant takes on the characters that ring true and modern instead of everyone still having Old English sensibilities. The action's lively and quite unpredictable, the plotting makes sense, the scenes are quite visual and memorable (something David comments he's focused on in the rewrite), and the dialogue's outstanding in both naturalism and wit-it's far too good for most film screenplays.) This is a book you'll recommend to any friend who enjoys a lively read and anyone who enjoys Arthurian tales will want to own it.
Rating: Summary: King Arthur Meets the Big Apple, Original Version Review: Knight Life is another of Peter David's almost unclassifiable works. It is a small scale epic drama, with comedic overtones, of King Arthur running for mayor of New York while opposed by Morgan Le Fay. Morgan is a couch potato watching sitcoms while consuming large quantities of beer. She is contemplating suicide but first she tunes in to her favorite channel: a view of Merlin's resting place. But, wait, the stone has been moved. Thus begins the show. Arthur Pendragon is back! Of course, his first stop is Arthur's Court, a men's clothier, to exchange his armor for something a little more comfortable, like a three-piece suit, bought with an American Express card, don't leave Camelot without one. After a local cop suggests a political career, Arthur retrieves Excalibur from Central Park lake and allows Chico and Groucho, two spaced out muggers, to swear undying allegiance to the man with the Day-Glo sword. He finds Merlin and gathers a campaign staff, including Gwen DeVere as his secretary, Gladys, a basilisk -- just kidding -- as receptionist, and Percy, an old drunk with a CPA -- no kidding -- as treasurer. The Big Apple meets King Arthur and New York loves him, especially when he saves two children from the fire caused by the fire elemental. This original version has some rough spots, but is still very funny. Recommended for fans of Peter David and anyone else foolish enough to subject themselves to such zany humor. You have been warned; if you bust a gut, its your fault.
Rating: Summary: Camelot 2002: A Satiric Fantasy Review: Peter David has re-worked and re-issued his first novel Knight Life. In this updating of the Arthurian legend Arthur Penn (real last name Pendragon, get it?) returns to New York City to run for mayor as an independent. His Republican opponent is a gritty, profane prosecutor (hmmm....). The Democrat is a handsome actor who has played a big city mayor in a tv series. Too funny... Much of the rest of the legendary cast joins Arthur. Merlin looks like an eleven year old (remember, he lives and ages backwards) who dresses as a prep schooler. Morgan is here: dark, evil and sexy as ever. Mordred is a p.r. agent (ha!). Lancelot is a failed writer into s. and m. while Guinivere is initially an abused woman who grows mightily as the book progresses. Galahad is passingly refered to (he doesn't make the modern cut) as the whiny virgin. The book is laugh-out-loud hilarious. Luckily Arthur is outfitted with plastic credit when he arrives in NYC so he is able to trade his armor in for Brooks Brother-like duds. His first speech on a street corner is clever. His dismay during a televised three-way debate when his opponents evade all the questions using them as set pieces for a pre-written riff is painfully funny. This is a funny, satiric and, oddly, profound book. The melding of Arthurian honor and modern poitical opportunism is unsettling and yet by the end hopeful. Read this book for a fun time and a strangely compelling affirmation of man's basic goodness.
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