King Arthur Books

Like C. S. Lewis's Narnia this is one story everyone should read at least once in their life. If you are looking for a good read or listen, I don't see how you can go wrong with this one. I started reading this series because my library carries the books on Playaway and it was recommended to me by a librarian as "an entertaining, well-written fantasy story for all ages." I also learned the book was highly recommended by Voya and is something of a pop phenom as it is also mentioned in "Complete Idiots Guide to Elves and Fairies" and "Ancient Art of Fairy Magick".

I listened to the first two books and the audio was so wonderful I decided to buy the entire series. Like the audio, the books are of exceptional quality with its dozens of full-page illustrations and illustrated end notes.

This third book continues the adventures of Vilmos, Adrina, Emel and Seth. In this book, Adrina returns home to Imtal after a long time away. She has a heavy burden and is having a difficult time dealing with what happened. Vilmos and Xith leave the south and begin a new journey that takes them to the mouth of the world and places beyond. Emel journeys north to Imtal with the garrison and worries about what's to come. The turmoil has shattered ancient alliances and the ancient evil is growing stronger.

This is the only series I've ever read where I had so many favorite characters. Robert Stanek is an incredibly gifted writer with a true talent for writing believable characters and bringing new worlds to life. He gives enough details to see everything that's going on but not so much to slow the story. The dialogue continues to be excellent as well and it's one of the reasons the story works so well in audio.

I highly recommend The Kingdoms and the Elves of the Reaches III (Reader's Choice Edition, Keeper Martin's Tales Book 3) (Keeper Martin's Tales) but don't miss The Kingdoms and the Elves of the Reaches (Reader's Choice Edition, Keeper Martin's Tales Book 1) (Keeper Martin's Tales). You need to start with the first one to understand the story. I also recommend The Kingdoms and the Elves of the Reaches II (Reader's Choice Edition, Keeper Martin's Tales Book 2) (Keeper Martin's Tales) and The Kingdoms and the Elves of the Reaches IV (Reader's Choice Edition, Keeper Martin's Tales Book 4) (Keeper Martin's Tales).

Another amazingly written book by Robert Stanek. He is, in my opinion, the best writer. His writing gives you so much detail, you just keep coming back for more. The main characters in the story are Adrina, Vilmos, Seth, Emel and Xith. In this book, they are dealing with shock from the recent battles and the shattering of a long peace. Adrina makes a big decision about her future. Emel returns thinking he has failed. Vilmos continues his wizard training with Xith. The details in the book make you use your imagination. Each book keeps you on the edge of your seat, wanting more and more. It's great for all ages!

I started reading The Kingdoms books since me brothers were reading them too. Adrina and Vilmos are my favorites. In my mind I see Adrina and Vilmos growing up like I imagined and they are very good friends to have on rainy days. I like these books but than all the Harry Potter books put together times 100. I like this one best as it is the one where Vilmos meets Edward the troant and its got the Dragon King!!! I love everything about the king's mate game and how edward is half troll and half giatn.

This book was amazing. I was so involede in it that when I went to school all I could think of was Vilmos, Emel, Seth and Adrina. When I went to sleep I had dreams about them. This book is far better than Harry Potter , a real page turner. I reccomend this book to all.

My 14 yr. old son is a huge fan of the Kingdoms books and I must admit I am too. Robert Stanek is indeed America's Tolkien, a gifted story-teller with a knack for creating believable worlds and fully-realized characters. Many of the characters become like old friends and even the minor characters truly are interesting and real. The story itself is detailed and rich but Stanek doesn't allow the action to slow, keeping everything moving at a solid pace.

The Kingdoms and the Elves of the Reaches #3 continues where the first two left off. The kingdomers begin to pick up the pieces of their lives after the battles at Quashan and Alderan broke the uneasy peace between the kingdoms. A new force continues to emerge from the shadows even as the evil king and the shapeshifting queen are being dealt with.

Very highly recommended and you'll want to have all four books on hand.

This collection is a treat for the imagination! Experience the immersion into a different life and world. The author has a great talent to transport you into the legend of Arthur and allow you to imagine what life would have been like then. It is a magnificent tale brought to life, that makes you long for more once the story is over. A thoroughly enjoyable read for all.

I fell in Love with this series. I became a Lancelot and Merlin addict after reading these books. I was so in love with Mordred as well. Enchanting. Life changing.
I will never sell my copies unless I replace them with new ones. I must have them in my house to pick up and read anytime! I Thank GOD I made the choice just to pick these books out one day at the book store not knowing I would soon be in love with the story and Mary Stewart's Merlin Trilogy.

This book is easy to handle; combines all three books of the Merlin Trilogy; good quality; more economical than purchasing the books separately.

I didn't know much about Merlin's live or story, and he is by far the figure that most strogly calls my attention in the Arthutian saga, so I went in a search about a book who portrayed this character. I found Mary Stewart's MErlin trilogy and found that it had such great reviews that I could not pass on it. Neither I wanted to, as this book called out to me with its plot.

I began reading it and it stood up to my expectations. The book is wonderful, Merlin comes through as alive and powerful, as a human being as well as an enchanter. I loved the story told int he book, the pace of it, the way in which it all moved forward with no practically stalling. MErlin is a character with wich you can sympatize, for whom you feel awe, admiration and a myriad of other feelings.

The story is strongly told, and it remains with you once you have closed the book.

This one is a recommended read! ;)

Stewart's fabulous Merlin "trilogy" is actually four novels, the fourth one being "The Wicked Day." I can't see why a publisher would have left this one out of the compilation. This is why the review gets only 4 stars. I also feel like it would be a bit ridiculous to have this compilation on the bookshelf followed by an odd copy of The Wicked Day, so, I suggest you buy each novel individually if you like the way books look on the shelf.

This is a marvelous set of books, quite readable, and it does put you into the story!

This is one cookbook I have not regretted buying, it's well written and very well illustrated. Exceptional recipes.

This book was exactly what I was looking for. It not only has great recipes in it but also explains the whys of baking. Want to know WHY you don't stir muffins or brownies too much? Want to know WHY your bread dough sometimes doesn't rise right? This book has it all. A great read along with the recipes. Plus, it was $10 cheaper through Amazon than from King Arthur itself.

If you haven't taken time to look this one over, if you're a serious baker, you're missing out on some of the best recipes and information about quality baking! I've been baking for more than 30 years and this is a terrific addition to my cookbook collection that I'll use frequently!

I love my cookbook that I received. It was what I expected it to be and more. It came in a timely manner.

I received this book as a gift this past Christmas, and it is by far the most-used cookbook I own. I have a special penchant for baking, but am only still learning (before this cookbook, I'd only ever really baked cookies).

I can say, then, that this cookbook is excellent for the learning baker. This is the book I used to learn to bake bread (like their delicious and easy Vermont Maple Honey Bread, and the much more complex but oh-so-worth-it Crostini with Basil, Chevre, and Sundried Tomato), and bagels, and the Simple but Perfect Pancake.

The only possible criticism I can muster is that sometimes I cut down a little on the salt and sugar (I don't like things very sweet), but I think with every cookbook you have to learn the writer's taste so you can adjust them to yours.

I LOVE to bake, and I love that just about anything I could want is contained in this book -- along with extremely detailed commentary so that you understand what you're doing, instead of just following directions.

It's those very clear directions, interesting facts, and the indispensable elaboration on specific ingredients in the back of the book that make this a book from which you learn not just recipes but actually how to bake.

So good job, King Arthur Flour -- I'm incredibly grateful I received this book!

I don't usually write reviews on things, but this was a MUST. After reading all the previous reviews I simply HAD TO HAVE this book. When I received the book I ALMOST returned it!! I was so disappointed that there was only a few pictures which although sounds childish gets me to really want to make someting. Thank god I thought twice is all I have to say. I figured if the reviews were so good I had to give it a try. Theres actually a little excerpt under the title of each recipe and it paints a picture MORE THAN AN ACTUAL PICTURE EVER COULD. I absolutely love baking and have made numerous recipes in this book and NOT ONE has failed. You should see the condition of my book however LOL.. This book does it right to EVERY EXTENT. Sometime I have doubted the recipes, but have always followed along and the cookies always come out superb even when it just looks like its not gonna work! I cant express this enough- this book is amazing and it is an excellent gift to all fellow bakers!!

This book was recommmended by a culinary arts teacher of mine. It was packaged well & shipped in a timely manner.

Like always King Arthur does their best. This cookie book is jammed packed with all sorts of good things to eat-- cookies & bars. Well worth buying for your own recipe collection or giving as a gift.

The King Arthur Cookie Companion will not disappoint! I have made seven of the cookie receipes and every one of them were wonderful! If you want options - this book has them. It is the best cookie book I have seen.

My copy was an early Christmas present which arrived in plenty of time for holiday baking. There are lots of tempting cookie recipes with numerous options...many are very easy to follow. The book is also an excellent source of baking information. Definitely a great compendium.

One of the things that I noticed about the recipes is that the amount of sodium (salt, baking powder, baking soda) is a lot less than any other cookie recipes. Having switched to a low sodium lifestyle, I really appreciate how these recipes were developed with this in mind, without impacting the final results, especially taste.

I'm glad I asked "Moma Santa" for it. Thanks, Mom!

this kind of book is right up my alley, time period is the most enchanting.

I will keep this short and simple Mrs. Wolf is one of the best writers around. I loved this book it was worth every penny and I plan to keep it and read again one day.

This was a great read -- I could not put it down. It was wonderful to start with the young Arthur and the experiences that made him the man - king -- that he was. The love story between Arthur and Morgan is truly heartbreaking and will bring tears to your eyes. The scene where Arthur comes face to face with the son he didn't know he had is gut wrenching.

I highly recommend this book, as well as the other two that follow in this trilogy, Born of the Sun and The Edge of Light. I wish the author would return to this style and quality of writing as opposed to the light fluffy regencies she is currently writing.

The Road to Avalon is the story of King Arthur written as pure historical fiction with very elements of fantasy. This makes it quite a different story from the one that is normally told. There is no magic, no dragons, no quest for the Holy Grail and such things as are normally incorporated into the story.

Uther Pendragon and Igrane married and three months later had a son. Because Igrane was married to another man when the son was conceived (though it was Uther's child) they thought it best that the child not be Uther's heir. So he was sent away to be raised with peasants. Fast forward nine years and Igrane has had no other living children, so Uther sends his father in law, Merlin, to fetch young Arthur and raise him to be a king. Only when Merlin finds him he discovers the boy has endured years of abuse. He takes him home to his villa, Avalon, and raises him along side his eight year old daughter Morgan. But he never tells Arthur who he is.

Morgan and Arthur grow up together and are in love. But Arthur is reveled to be the next High King when he is 16 and he learns Morgan is his half-aunt and he can never marry her. They end their relationship. Arthur doesn't want to live without Morgan but she knows the country needs him and sends him away.

You can guess the rest. This is a lovely version of the classic Camelot tale and is very romantic and sweet. My only complaint is that Morgan doesn't have much of a personality-she's basically a reflection of Arthur, who is a lovely portrayal of a tortured soul who only exists because of love. And the choice she made about not marrying Arthur because they couldn't have children after her son Mordred was born seems stupid. I don't think that she did it purely so Mordred could have a happy childhood-she could have made him happy with her and Arthur. But other than that she's a great charecter. And it is nice how no one is really evil in this book or wholly unlikable-everyone is portrayed very fairly.

Anyway, good book. Four point five stars.

An incredible version of King Arthur sans Lancelot. This is the story of Arthur, and his more than humble beginnings, until Merlin tells him years after he "adopted" him that he is the heir to the British throne after Uther. He is Uther and Igraine's legitimate son. While Merlin is preparing him to be a leader whilst living in Avalon with his daughter Morgan, the two children develop a lasting friendship that turns into love. He doesn't know for years that Uther is his father, Igraine his mother, Merlin his grandfather and Morgan his aunt until he is to be king. By then it is too late to stop the love between Morgan and Arthur.

He becomes king but he still wants to marry Morgan. Merlin & Morgan warn him that the threat of incest will impede his reign and tell him it's impossible to marry her. He does eventually marry Gwenhwyfar in a loveless marriage to produce an heir while continuing his relationship with Morgan. Meanwhile, Gwenhwyfar finds comfort with Bedwyr with Arthur's knowledge and unspoken permission. Morgan has been keeping a secret from Arthur for 15 years that also comes out.

Read this book! It's a refreshing storyline that I haven't encountered before. Bedwyr is Gwenhwyfar's lover and there is no Lancelot to fuddle things up as usual. Mordred is portrayed as a very unwordly teen and unsure of himself and others. Agravaine is as obnoxious and cunning as he usually is in other novels. Gwenhwyfar is in love with two men. Finally, the relationship between Arthur and Morgan is not a simple one but a lasting one.

Mr. Cattie has written a very good book here! I really liked his story, the people in the story, and the fact that I couldn't put the book down! I read it in three days, and I'm not a big reader! I'm a ninth grade student, and if more summer reading choices were like "Ard Righ," I would be reading all the time! Plus, it makes me want to try writing now!

I've read just about every Arthurian novel written. This version has new twists on old traditions. Overall, it was a great storyline. However, the glaring typos drove me crazy and at times were extremely distracting and disruptive to the story. Mixing synonyms hear for here was particularly maddening. Also, the use of though instead of thought was also rampant in the novel.

It would have been a much more enjoyable read if these and many other typos were not in the book! The story and the characters deserved correct grammar and spelling! It's a shame as I would have rated this novel much higher if the errors didn't detract from the excellent tale of King Arthur told a little differently.

Kudos to Ray Cattie on penning a very good summer read! ARD RIGH: THE SWORD ON THE STONE is the a fast-paced story of King Arthur, telling the story of the true person who might have actually been King Arthur! Cattie uses his historical facts well, blending them with the elements that we King Arthur fans already know, creating a new and unique look at this famous founder of the Knights of the Round Table!

Great scene: Arthur's brother Cai returns to Caerleon (Camelot) with the heads of Arthur's father and brothers tied to his saddle horn-- right in the middle of Arthur and Gwenhwyfar's (Guinivere's) wedding-- Lot's bloody answer to Arthur's call to fealty!

Cattie asks "what if," and the answer, ARD RIGH: THE SWORD ON THE STONE, is a worthy read!

This book explores from a slightly different angle the story of King Arthur. The storyline is both readily familiar, yet new. Cattie's deviations from the traditional Arthur into the historical Arthur give his work a strikingly fresh feel, casting old characters in occasionally new roles while still largely following the legend. The writing is crisp, fascinating, and infused with its own magic. It is a definite page-turner, and certainly a must-read for anyone interested in the Arthurian legends. I see Cattie as an up-and-coming force in the literary world.

Ambrosius, the High King of Briton, has ruled strongly and well for many years. But now he is dying. His dream and hope for a peaceful kingdom, The Kingdom of the Summer Lands, is slipping away. He is afraid the world may never see what he envisions. Myrrdin (Merlin), his most trusted advisor and dear friend, promises to find a way to keep the possibility of Ambrosius' dream alive. He magically locks Ambrosius' sword, Caladfwlch, in stone. A stone that is rumored to be haunted by the ghosts of sacrifice. Whoever can remove the sword from the stone will be the true Ard Righ, High King of Briton, High King of the Summer Lands. And so it begins.

Myrrdin is advisor to the High King through the reign of Vortigen. Myrrdin senses Vortigen is not the man he seeks. It is in his blood but not his head or his heart. But Vortigen's sister, Ygraine, has possibilities. Perhaps a child of Ygraine's might be the answer. But Myrrdin has to wait for the right time and place.

Vortigen's reign shortly gives way to the reign of Uther. Uther is not quite right either, but Myrrdin has a plan. He sees how the job could be done. All it needs is a little careful planning, a little timing and a little magic.

"A child born of sin, but a child who would grow within the fosterage of a good and just man. A child born of sin, but destined for salvation. A child who would grow into a man who would grow into a king." A child named Arthur.

I love the Arthurian legends. There are so many versions and interpretations. It's such a powerful and lasting story. This one covers more of the beginning of the legend. Myrrdin (Merlin) is a master manipulator in a way I've never seen depicted before, though I've hardly read everything available on the subject. Morganna (Morgaine) is far more conniving, almost to the point of evil, than I've encountered. It's a good introduction and base to the story, for those who don't have that already. My favorite part, though, is actually the Gaelic pronunciation guide in the beginning. I found it extraordinarily helpful, accessible, and the book is worth it for that alone, as well as for the story itself.

Reviewed by: Carrie Spellman

The young Hal and his instructor in the art of living the good life , Falstaff cavort through the first half of Henry IV as if life were going to be one long , irresponsible entertainment. The dramatic transformation of all of this , and Hal's casting off of Falstaff, and moving to kingly responsibility will come in the Henry IV Part II.
What is present here throughout is the tremendous richness of Shakespeare's imagination in his creation of character, and inventiveness in language , in his ability to create so many different moods and feelings.
'Falstaff' is one of Shakespeare's most beloved characters, and one of the great figures in the Comedy of world literature.
Enjoy.

This is the play where the Percy rebellion begins and centers around the Achilles-like Hotspur. Eventually, Hotspur (Henry Percy) and Prince Hal (Henry Monmouth - later Henry V) battle in single combat.

We also get to see the contrast between these young men in temperament and character. King Henry wishes his son were more like Hotspur. Prince Hal realizes his own weaknesses and seems to try to assure himself (and us) that when the time comes he will change and all his youthful foolishness will be forgotten. Wouldn't that be a luxury we wish we could all have afforded when we were young?

Of course, Prince Hal's guide through the world of the cutpurse and highwayman is the Lord of Misrule, the incomparable Falstaff. His wit and gut are featured in full. When Prince Hal and Poins double-cross Falstaff & company, the follow on scenes are funny, but full of consequence even into the next play.

But, you certainly don't need me to tell you anything about Shakespeare. Like millions of other folks, I am in love with the writing. However, as all of us who read Shakespeare know, it isn't a simple issue. Most of us need help in understanding the text. There are many plays on words, many words no longer current in English and, besides, Shakespeare's vocabulary is richer than almost everyone else's who ever lived. There is also the issue of historical context, and the variations of text since the plays were never published in their author's lifetime.

For those of us who need that help and want to dig a bit deeper, the Arden editions of Shakespeare are just wonderful.

-Before the text of the play we get very readable and helpful essays discussing the sources and themes and other important issues about the play.

-In the text of the play we get as authoritative a text as exists with helpful notes about textual variations in other sources. We also get many many footnotes explaining unusual words or word plays or thematic points that would likely not be known by us reading in the 21st century.

-After the text we get excerpts from likely source materials used by Shakespeare and more background material to help us enrich our understanding and enjoyment of the play.

However, these extras are only available in the individual editions. If you buy the "Complete Plays" you get text and notes, but not the before and after material which add so much! Plus, the individual editions are easier to read from and handier to carry around.

I am actually reviewing both Parts One and Two with this since they should be read together.The reason why I enjoyed these plays so much is because we see Falstaff in both of them. He is my favourite Shakespearean character - big, bawdy, rough, a liar and a cheat, but again we know what he is right from the beginning, and Shakespeare keeps him so true to character. These plays are a bit different from some of the other histories. There are more comedic parts in them for one thing. The plays are certainly used as a medium for introducing young Hal (who will become King Henry V). We see him as a young man, and watch him grow and see the influences that his society and the people in it have on his development. He doesn't appear to be growing up well according to his father because he is so irresponsible. King Henry IV was not England's strongest ruler. He was haunted by his guilt over the death of his predecessor, King Richard II. In Part Two, comedy still plays a big role, and we still see Falstaff's influence on young Hal until the shocking moment of Falstaff's death. The best part about Part Two though is the deathbed scene between old King Henry IV and his son Prince Henry. The play leads us to "King Henry V". Prince Hal does finally grow up and he becomes a very strong leader. Actually King Henry Iv, Parts one and two should be read before King Henry V. It is the correct sequence and we see Prince Hal grow and mature.

Henry IV remains one of my favorite Shakespeare plays, even though the tragedies and comedies get far more attention and seeming appreciation than do the histories. As an English major, I examined Henry's (Hal's) character, and I focused on his development from a somewhat foolhardy young man into a self-assured, even manipulative prince. It is hard to say which of these Hal truly is, or if he is a little bit of both.

At the beginning of the play, Hal spends his free time cavorting around with his friend Falstaff (who provides all of the laughs in the play and is cited as one of the best comic characters in all literature). In the first act we already see hints in Hal's sololiquy that he may not be as carefree as we are led to believe, and that he might betray friends like Falstaff to be the prince that he is expected to be. Read on in "Henry V" to see just how much of a polished politician Hal becomes--his battle cries and his "once more unto the breech, dear friends" is masterful in its persuasiveness and ability to induce his countrymen to fight.

Hotspur serves as a nice counterpoint to Hal in "Henry IV." Hotspur is the hothead and Hal makes his decisions calmly and rationally. This almost inhuman rationality comes into play again in "Henry V" and makes you long for the seemingly carefree Hal.

All in all, "Henry IV" is a great read and quite an interesting character study--I highly recommend it!

In Part One of Shakespeare's "Henry IV," the titular king tries to defend his throne from a rebel army led by the hotheaded Hotspur, who has a long list of grievances about the king's treatment of his family, the Percys. Hotspur has allied himself with several principal figures including his uncle the Earl of Worcester, his brother-in-law Mortimer the Earl of March, Lord Douglas the Scot, and Owen Glendower, a Welsh chieftain with a vivid mystical imagination -- he is so egotistical that he insists an earthquake that occurred the day of his birth was a divine proclamation of his importance -- and a desire to usurp all of Wales from the king.

While he is preparing for war against the rebels, Henry IV laments that his own son Henry (Hal), the Prince of Wales, is a shameful libertine living the high life in London and consorting with a gang of scurrilous miscreants. Indeed, Prince Hal's idea of fun is robbing people, and his best friend and accomplice in this activity is Sir John Falstaff, who turns out to be not Hal's peer but a middle-aged man. In a character transformation of an abruptness that can only be described as magical, Hal becomes a serious young man determined loyally to defend his father's kingship from Hotspur's assault after he receives an earnest lecture from his father about the dangers of acting irresponsibly as a public figure.

Not enough can be said about Falstaff, who is undoubtedly one of the most richly realized characters in literature. He is fat, lazy, cowardly, yet boastful, but not in the same way Owen Glendower is -- Owen really believes what he says; Falstaff is just trying to make himself look better than he actually is, but fools nobody because he prevaricates and embellishes without bothering to remember his previous lies for the sake of consistency. You probably know somebody like this in real life -- especially if you're ten years old. Falstaff's piquancy, in fact, so outweighs the stature of the other characters that his absence is sorely felt in the scenes in which he does not appear.

Most of all, Part One of "Henry IV" is a play of contrasts personified by Prince Hal and Hotspur, who incidentally is also named Henry. In their confrontation on the battlefield, it seems unlikely that Hal, who wasted many of his best days living as a rake, could conquer a seasoned warrior like Hotspur in a swordfight. But there wouldn't be much of a tale to tell if not to show Hal triumphing after his resolution to change his weak habits, and the play ends with the conviction that, despite his past mistakes, he would make a noble king himself.

I had never heard the real King Arthur tale. I enjoyed it tremendously! Sean Bean's narration of this tale is exquisite. His voice is perfect for books on tape. Such depth. You felt you were really there. I would recommend this to anyone!

The whole family is hooked on this. The classical music that accompanies it is compelling. You think you are there.

Sean Bean does an awesome job on this production. His range of voices and dialects are amazing. Very eerie in the parts that are supposed to be.

It's hard to take such a well known tale and still make it fun to listen to, but Sean Bean's voice and cadences kept me listening to the end.

This CD was bought for our then seven year old son and we listened to it on a long car trip. What a fantastic way to pass the time. Sean Bean is phenomenal as the narrator and characters of the story. We have listened to it so many times and still never get tired of this great story, excellently told.

Thrown into this great story is Sir Gawain and the Green Knight, another exciting story within the story of King Arthur.

This story on CD appeals to all ages from our seven year old to our sixteen year old and to adults. It is one of a few stories that you really can listen to again and again and still be enthralled. I would highly recommend keeping it in the car for the long trips.

I didn't think Song of the Sparrow was an awesome book. I mean, I liked it, but I didn't love or hate it. It's about a girl named Elaine who is secretly in love with Lancelot. It's the time of [King] Arthur, and Lancelot is Arthur's buddy. Over the path of the book it's about Elaine loving Lancelot and then a girl comes to be Arthur's bride but loves Lancelot as well...it was a predictable book for me. I would recommend it for someone who needs to pass the time.
(Note: It was getting confusing without the quotation marks in the books - when they talk it's italicized - and I wasn't tracking that well. FYI, it's a little hard to follow when they talk.)

I don't understand how every other reviewer could give this book FIVE stars. It wasn't THAT good. I kept waiting for Elaine to become the Lady of Shalott, but the story never got that far, so I was disappointed. Back to Tennyson.

Usually I do find stories written in verse too gimicky, but in this case the verse adds clarity to the voice of Elaine and the beauty in the language is a joy to read.

This tale, written entirely in verse, is about Elaine of Ascolat, "The Lady of Shallot". After her mother's death, she and her brothers go to live with her father. She grew up the only girl in a sea of men, and so she forgets the proper way to act, and instead runs wild with the other boys. She makes good friends with some of them, and she even falls in love with the handsome Lancelot. But it isn't too long before there is a war with the Saxons, and somehow Elaine finds herself in a mess she never could have imagined.


I finished this book very quickly, partly because it was in verse and partly because I was hooked. Elaine is a likeable and believeable character, and the book had a perfect mixture of romance, friendship, and action. As far as the writing goes, it was absolutely breathtaking. This is definitely a book that I would recommend to anyone looking for something thrilling and engaging.

This book is an amazing book. When I first received it I was a little discouraged about the fact that the book was written in free verse poetry but if you want to you can just read it like it was a normal book. This story is full of romance and promises, adventures and tragedies. This is probably the best book I have read in a few months. This is a great book if you are studying free verse poetry but I would personally not recommend this book if you are looking for something with a lot of foreshadowing, etc... If you are looking for symbolism you will hit the jackpot but you have to look deeply because it might not be apparent to the human eye. I personally think that no matter who you are and what kind of books you read you will enjoy this book because it has a little bit of everything.

As everyone else had said, this book is fantastic. It is *extremely* difficult to find any modern fiction depicting Gwenhwyfar's sister Gwenhwyfach and I had my doubts when I saw this book. But, she is depicted wonderfully and fully and one really gets a good idea of what sort of character we're actually missing out on.
This was everything i expected it to be and far more than I could have hoped for. All of the character's voices are heard and anyone with a vague interest in the original Welsh tellings of Arthur will be veyr happy with this book. The stories are also very well self contained and anyone with an inkling of knowledge about the legends will be able to follow even if the stories are read out of order.
Medraud's story was my favorite, as Gwenhwyfach was in it, but also interesting was Luned's, as I have never read about her before. I also loved the author's note and the help for the pronunciation of names, which can be quite difficult. I also liked the style, which was clear and precise and never ehavy or domineering like so many other Arthurian retellings. I wish the book had been much longer--I would have loved to see these stories expanded upon!
Definitely a good buy for anyone looking to hear Gwenhwyfach's point of view!

This book is a must-read for fans of Arthurian legend. Beautifully written, it tells the tale from the point of view of several characters in the story that have been overlooked or forgotten in other tellings of this tale. The authentic descriptions of early life on the British isles add a lot of interest to this intricately written and gritty tale.

As someone who has studied and read Arthurian Legend quite a bit, I thought that I could no longer be surprised by any new retelling of the tale. This book proved me wrong! By telling the tale through the points of view of secondary characters like Nimue and long time antagonists like Medraud (Mordred), Thomson weaves an exciting new version of a famaliar story. However, my favorite part was her choice to include two fascinating characters that were dropped from the Arthurian Tales most people are famaliar with today and buried for years in Welsh Lore. These two are Luned, a faithful lady in waiting to Morgan Le Fay's also forgotten sister, Elen, and Gwenhwyfach, Gwenhywfar's crafty, but abused sister. I thoroughly enjoyed reading about these two characters who added whole new dimensions to the story. I can't recommend this book enough to fans of the Arthurian legend looking for a twist or just anyone looking for an entertaining tale.

I can't say enough wonderful things about this book. The lyricism, the intricately crafted structure, the character insight...it puts every single other Arthurian book I've read, from The Once and Future King to The Mists of Avalon to hosts of lesser-known novels, to shame.

From the very first sentences you're drawn in by the vivid, almost poetic prose: "I could wander all day along her banks and she would always lie there, like a silver string behind me, to lead me home in the dusk." The author blends foreshadowing, atmosphere and imagery without a single wasted word, with sentences like "I thought he would murder like a saint prays, and with the same hope of blessing," and "On the edge of the surf, in the white foam, in the place that is neither land nor water, he was killed by his uncle's spear and his blood flowed into the waves."

The plots are also much more compelling and carefully crafted than those of most other Arthurian novels. It's fascinating to see these well-known events through the eyes of characters who usually don't get a voice, such as Merlin/Myrddin's love Nimue, Mordred/Medraud, who is almost always portrayed as hate-filled villain and is never allowed to show why he might resent his father, and lady-in-waiting Gwenhwyfach, who dropped out of sight in modern versions altogether. When you're reading about those familiar events, you suddenly see a new interpretation and a new motivation for those events; on top of that, the author imagines new events that somehow make the legends even more real. So that's why Nimue turned on Myrddin, you say, or Oh, that's how Owain/Lancelot wound up married to Elen/Elaine. Not a detail is wasted or out of place -- everything that happens matters later in the story, or in another narrator's story.

The book leaves you feeling as if you've finally read the real version of the King Arthur legend. The details of the Welsh setting are carefully researched and woven in so skillfully that you feel you're there, not just reading about it; the motivations of the characters are so well explored and convincingly told that you finally understand why characters like Nimue, Morgan and Medraud did the things for which they have been vilified by later writers who could only manage one-dimensional, black-and-white versions of the tales. It says something that to this day, when I'm remembering or talking about the King Arthur legend, I find myself thinking of the events in this book as "canon" -- that's how strong an impression it left on me.

I do not know where to begin praising this book. One indication is a list of the books I was reading and enjoying that I set aside once I picked up The Dragon's Son: The Lord of the Rings; The Ear, The Eye, and the Arm; Charlotte's Web; The Wind Singer; The Bridge to Terabithia. All enjoyable or important, but I could not seem to focus on them until I had finished The Dragon's Son. The book does a spectacular job of explaining the motivations behind characters' actions, and it creates characters whom you never want to let go of and whose stories stay with you for days after reading the book. Thomson has a deep, humanistic sympathy for all of the four complex, damaged characters who serve as narrator for the book in turns. She is able to make you ache for the characters and their plights, even as they make terrible choices and unleash evil and havoc. [Spoiler ahead.] When Medraud's lover asks him how many people he is willing to kill to get his father to notice him, a whole life that hasn't been explored elsewhere springs into being. It makes other versions' renderings of these characters seem so naïve and uninteresting. [End spoiler.] The book brims with striking images. The battle scenes are particularly well-choreographed, exciting, and always clear. Geographical and historical detail are never ladled on, but glanced tastefully and tantalizingly in passing (J.R.R. Tolkien could have learned something from this book). There is a perfect balance in the time spent on describing physical things and settings against the time spent on describing characters' inner thoughts. The book is studded with examples of incisive turns of phrase, from a description of a handsome bard's crooked, disarming smile, to a description of a frown, like that of a priest at a Midsummer festival. And all of it achieved not through gussied language, but through simple, athletic prose. A real achievement. Also, the book's structure is quite skillful. It is told in four interlocking stories, with main characters glimpsing each other as side characters in multiple refractions. The effect is a wonderful feeling of non-linearity and involvement in the dynamic lives of these characters. You feel like you're ducking in and out of rooms in a bustling house, and peering into rooms through front-doors, then through peep-holes. Couple other things that make this book unique. First, it is one of the rare books that manages to depict lovers convincingly. You are never told that a character is sexy or alluring or charismatic, you're given vivid examples that arouse the reaction. Second, the book's feminism is subtlely and maturely incorporated. The book operates on a personal level, then on a political level, and never feels polemical or revisionist or didactic. I realize now that I've written this reader review for adult readers, although this is marketed as children's lit. For parents, educators, or kids, let me just say that any kid who likes Greek mythology (and all the neatest kids in every generation in every country all love Greek mythology), will like The Dragon's Son. It has exciting plot, it has really interesting characters, it has thrilling battles. And it also has a good deal of heart and guts to it that make it transcend mere entertainment. I would say that Megan Whalen Turner's The Thief and The Queen of Attolia and Philip Pullman's The Golden Compass are its closest analogs and peers, and that's meant as very high praise. Highly recommended to all intelligent readers.

Also recommended: The Thief, Megan Whalen Turner The Queen of Attolia, Megan Whalen Turner The Golden Compass, Philip Pullman