Excalibur

I read all three books in this series but writing my review with the last book. Boy, what a great series, read and trip. This was a very different take for me on all of the other books I have read and movies I have seen about the Arthur legend. A lot of the main and familiar characters are there but sometimes in VERY different roles. I am not going to explain what the story is about and what happens because I do not want to spoil the read for anyone else. BUT, I put this series of books write up with some of the best books I have read like “Shogun” and “The Physician”. When I was finished with the series I was not the same person. This is an action packed story (I mean its Bernard Cornwell) but it is a haunting story as well. It is written in a way where I felt that “this could really be the true story” but then the legends take over.

If you have not read the series then read it. You will not be disappointed.

Bernard Cornwell is a masterly writer and story-teller. As soon as you start this, the third book of the Arthur trilogy, you are hooked. His descriptions of warfare are unique and compellingly detailed. His use of words are spellbindingly woven to a point of genius. He could give lessons to Shakespeare and to the best of editors. You care about the people he weaves within his books, including those that you wish the most horrid endings; and it is those that survive that you want nothing but a lifetime of pain.

This book, along with the first two volumes, are magnificent. You get caught up and carried along as you marvel how incredibly his words flow and capture you. Despite its length, I read “Excalibur” in three days. I think this third volume, though, was the best. He brings you to the end of a great saga. I didn’t want it to end, but end it must. You feel enriched as a reader and will shake your head. This book is a WOW!

I’m not great at writing reviews and seldom do so, but I had to share what a fantastic read The Warlord Chronicles has been. Bernard Cornwell’s interpretation of the Arthurian legend is perfect. Grounded historically, Cornwell’s treatment of Arthur feels real. I’m a sucker for action and battle scenes. Bernard Cornwell knows how to orchestrate these scenes extremely well. I was at the edge of my seat. I like to switch between listening and reading. The audible narration of this series is one of the best I’ve ever encountered. I highly recommend The Warlord Chronicles to avid Arthurian fans and to new comers alike.

I do love Bernard Cornwell’s historical novels. The Warlord series, starring Arthur, Guinevere, the necessary narrator–in this case Derfel–and the rest of the characters do not ensnare me in the way that the Uhtred series has done. But I enjoy reading this kind of historical fiction and prefer Cornwell, even 2nd best Cornwell, to most others in the genre.

I am really giving 3 1/2 stars, but the system does not seem to allow for that or I do not know how to add a half star, and this is closer to 4 than 3.
I gave it the extra half star because some of the plot twists are really fun, as well as character development far from the usual versions of the ARthur legend. Thank you, Bernard Cornwell!

This is a review of the trilogy as a whole, The Winter King, Enemy of God, and Excalibur (the Warlord Chronicles). I had a hard time getting into The Winter King, the first book, but the pace picked up through the Enemy of God, and by the middle of that book I was fully involved with the characters and story. I’ve ready many versions of the legend of Arthur, and this one was the most “different” and off track of the popular, romantic legends. However I saw it more as Derfel’s story than Arthur’s; you don’t get Arthur’s thoughts and mindset and feelings like you do Derfel’s. Also, I see many parallels between Derfel and Uhtred, the hero of the Saxon Tales series, although 400+ years separate the time and settings of the two series. I’m glad I stuck with the series, which I did because I knew from reading all seven of the Saxon Tales books that once you start a Bernard Cornwell novel, you can’t help but find yourself engrossed in the story without even realizing it. There comes a point that you can’t stop or turn back until the end and that is the mark of a truly great storyteller. Anyone who likes medieval historical fiction and doesn’t mind the graphic violence will enjoy this book.