Friday 25 December 2009

HISTORICAL FICTION REVIEW: King Arthur: Warrior of the West - MK Hume

BOOK BLURB:

The second book in an exciting, brand-new Arthurian trilogy

Twelve long, blood-soaked years, have passed since Artor fulfilled his destiny and was crowned the High King of the Britons. Against all odds, Artor has united Celtic Britain and with a last great campaign, has banished the Saxon scourge. The legend of Camlann has begun. But even as Artor’s kingdom is at its zenith, even as he has succeeded in conquering all external threats to his rule, his kingdom is being undermined from within.

For Artor has chosen Wenhaver (Guenevere) as a second wife. Queen of the Britons, Wenhaver will always love what she cannot have and have what she cannot love, and her bitterness threatens to bring down all those around her. Not only is Artor betrayed by the one person he should be able to trust, he has also learned of appalling perversion at the heart of his kingdom. He must make a terrible choice. Does he commit a deed that leaves him open to comparison with the despotic Uther Pendragon, or does he let evil go unchecked? The burden of leadership, of power, now rests solely – and heavily – on Artor’s shoulders for Myrddion Merlinus, master tactician, guiding light for so many years, has left Artor to his fate. Could all that Artor has fought for, the destiny of Britain, be lost?Will Britain be torn apart?


REVIEW:

Having been gripped by the original offering my MK, the second really was a novel that I wanted to read especially after exploring the land of mist in the 5th Century (a time period commonly known amongst Historians as the Arthurian Period.) After the events in the first novel, Artor is now king and having fought off the Saxon threat to the Celtic lands of Britain is about to enter a time of peace only to face a greater threat from within. What MK does well with her writing is her characterisation. Its not only gripping but you find that you gain a bond with each character and understand their motives regardless of whether you like them or not. Its gripping and with a story arc that you can’t help but be dragged along with, it’s a series that I’ve really fallen for. A great addition to any Christmas stocking and if you’re a tad stuck for that special couple of books for that hard to buy for historical fiction reader in your life, these two Arthurian’s are a real gem.

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