An Epic Journey into Arthurian Myth
592599
"The Arthurian Companion " could be described as the ultimate source of individual description of places, people and facts concerning most part of the Arthurian Cycle, or "Matter of Britain",if you prefer. There, you can definitely find almost everything about things related to those legends, with a dynamic language and comprehensive undertanding of time, people and places. Phyllis Ann Karr has proven a clever author due to the fact that she makes us each time more and more interested in that Medieval and legendary world, once we read each entry of her book, including all details available about  places, characters or facts. Of particular interest are the appendices with so much extra information that you can consider it as a "bonus book" inside the said book!
  Highly recommendable, for all those who are keen to know more about the Arthurian World, and for those who still don't know, but would be most curious about it!
2174474
The tales of King Arthur and his kingdom are a hundred fold and Marion Bradley pulls them all together into the enjoyable and fascinating work of the Mists of Avalon. The ancient and enchanted land of Avalon is falling into the mists and the resident priestesses of Avalon are determined to save it by using their special gift of Sight and casting the fates in advantage of their beautiful land. King Arthur himself is a product of their work and Morgaine of the Fairies is both a victim and a priestess herself. As the story progresses, characters of legend, like Arthur and Morgaine, are developed into personalities with fresh perspectives and views.  Those personalities draw you in, as a mere character never could. For instance, everyone knows the tragic love story of Lancelet, Arthur's best knight, and Gwenhyfar, Arthur's Queen, but its poignancy becomes all the more accentuated when their respective passions are felt by them as people that we have come to know. Now, while some are not brought to emotional brinks by the several impossible loves entwined in this story, so varied is the plot that this enthralling novel can draw in any reader, no matter their tastes. Along with the love there is action as Arthur tries to drive out the Saxons from Britain and certain characters resort to murder to get what they want. Adventure creeps in when throngs of Arthur's knights go on a holy pilgrimage. Lastly and predominantly there are the legends brought to life in their struggle to settle the fates the right way. Throughout this ever-changing plot we learn much about the similarities between then and now. Where there is religion there is conflict. Where there is love there is jealousy. Where there is trust there is betrayal.
3307798
This book is wonderful!  The authors take stories of influential women fromthe Arthurian legends and frame their tales in the context of the Goddess mythology that lies behind the legends.  They explain how each Lady  of the Lake is actually a disguised version of a Goddess archetype, thinly  veiled by later patriarchal tradition.  Wonderful for anyone who loves  mythology.  Also includes guided visualizations dealing with the women,  which explore the reader's own psyche as well as the archetypes.  I  devoured it.
4950080
This book is the very best for those interested in reading about King  Arthur.  It is filled with imagination and it creatively looks at the  famous characters and events featured in the story with a fresh and  unbiased tone.  The musical "Camelot" and the Disney film  "The Sword in the Stone" are both based off of this particular  book, and many other versions have been influenced by it.  It is a great  book for the way it looks at Arthur as a man who was genuinely good, but  also emphasizes that at the same time he was really only a normal guy with  his limitations.  One of my favorite parts is when Arthur is just a boy and  Merlyn teaches him how to look at different things in different  perspectives by turning him into animals.  The middle and end are very sad,  but the author shows her originality again by giving the very end an  uplifting message that hope will live on in the sight of despair, and that  people may be mortal, but legends live forever.
1773767
Here is Tolkien at his creative best.  He weaves strands of myth and legend into a compelling narrative that thrusts you into a mythic world ancient in years yet current in topics:  greed, pride, lust and revenge.  This is the dream haunted world of the North made flesh:  cold desolate wastes, trackless fens, wildmen of the wood and remorseless dragons.  Throughout the narrative voice is archaic---and here is the wonder of Tolkien's talent.  He is a man of the 20th century writing myth that sounds like it has come to us from pre-Christian Europe.  This is as much a mastery as the tale itself:  here Tolkien shows his true learning and understanding of language and how it can be used.  Having read Tolkien for 30 plus years, I felt, while reading this, that I had encountered a Tolkien that I had lost sight of:  a unfamilar Tolkien, a mature Tolkien, a breath taking Tolkien.  I am sure that many a graduate student will write a thesis on the role of Christopher Tolkien as editor/creator, but here let those questions rest.  Fill deep your cup and drink of this clear draught of myth.  Niggle should be very proud.
2225422
Forget the Arthurian legends you have grown up with, just take them and put them aside, along with all your clean and proper kingly court ideas, and get ready for an epic medieval battle film that will leave you breathless from its stunningly flamboyant proportions.

Following a myth of different origins, this tale of King Arthur tells of a Briton who serves the Roman Empire's army for 15 years, something that they were required to do while under Roman control for God and Country.  Arthur, or Artorius Castus, (played expertly by Clive Owen) and his six Knights have carved a name for themselves in the Roman armies, a legend of being an unbeaten force.

At the end of their 15 years of service, they are summoned by Bishop Germanius (played by talented Ivano Marescotti) to receive their freedom from service.  But the Bishop tells them they are not to be freed until performing one last task for Rome, freeing a loyal Roman family from invasion by the Saxon's to the north, in particular, the son of the family, Alecto.

Arthur and his six Knights, Gawain, Lancelot, Tristin, Galahad, Bors, and Dagonet set off for the north, grumbling at Rome's betrayal.  They must travel through the lands that the Woads occupy, strange barbaric foes led by a wise man named Merlin.  Once past the Woads, Arthur finds the Roman family taking the power of their God and Country and using it to create serfs and slaves, torturing those who they deem heretics.  One of the heretics Arthur frees from the prisons is Guinevere, a Woad.

With the Roman family unwilling to go submissively with them, and Saxon drums beating on their heels, the seven Knights flee into the mountains in a desperate attempt to fulfill their last obligation to the empire and gain their freedom.

Does this movie follow any Arthurian legend?  Not remotely.  Does this movie have any historical value?  None whatsoever.  Is this a good movie?  Yes, indeed!  Put down those history books and King Arthur fantasies and get ready for a stunningly filmed epic, a medieval battle movie far superior to any of the bad "Arthur" movies (except Excalibur).  This is a medieval fantasy, and a very grand one at that.  The photography is spectacular, the acting is superior to many of the "bigger names".  The dialogue is interesting, funny, and intriguing, capturing a closer bond to the feelings of the Knights of their time with the humped up society of today.

These are not the shiny Knights of Boorman's `Excalibur', but a rough and dirty bunch, still keeping nobility about them and Honor above all else.  Special mention goes to Ray Winstone, who plays Bors, Joel Edgerton who plays Gawain, Ioan Gruffuddand who plays Lancelot, and Keira Knightly who plays Guinevere, along with Clive Owen, who I can see as the next Mel Gibson.  Owen fits the part to a Tee, and Knightly plays Guinevere the way she should have been played, both soft and tough.  Knightly was good in Pirates Of The Caribbean, but she is great as Guinevere.

Still, the real attraction to this movie is the striking photography of the battles.  Take particular notice of the fight on the ice, the way the arrows fly through the air, and tip your hat to the costume designer for some spectacular outfits and gear that truly bring this epic to life.  This movie is pure eye candy for those who love a good medieval fight, tossed with realistic characters and a touch of romance.

My only negative thought would be that it needed a little more blood, but since King Arthur was headed towards the PG-13 crowd like LOTR, some decapitation scenes didn't occur that I thought may have enhanced the battles.  All in all, a very lovely piece of tasty filmmaking that should not be ignored simply because it didn't follow someone else's rules.  Enjoy!!
3728764
All bias aside, this is an excellent collection of stories that re-imagine King Arthur through various time periods and acting in various situations. Some of the tales take on a traditional feel, while others are extremely innovative in their approach. Arthur and Merlin are the constants in every tale, although not always with those exact names, and many other gems of Arthurian legend are scattered throughout the thirteen stories in this anthology. It was almost as much fun picking out those references as it was reading the stories themselves, but that is my own love of Arthurian legend talking.

I absolutely love the concept behind this anthology, as it poses the idea of Merlin travelling backwards through time, with the first story coming at the end of the universe and working its way back to ancient times. There are a solid set of futuristic tales to begin the anthology and, honestly, I wished there had been more historical fiction tales in this anthology. I loved the pirate tale and, of course, my own, but the possibility of Ancient Rome, late-Renaissance or even Victorian-era tales are a glaring omission. Of course the publisher can only accept the stories that get pitched so that is no fault toward this anthology. It just would have been nice to see more tales taking place more than a century removed from our own.

As with any set of tales, there are ones I enjoyed more than others. There are some absolutely fantastic stories on display here, and I will state that even the stories that didn't really appeal to my tastes at least had excellent writing. The collection of authors who are pooled together in this book are truly amazing and talented and I am honored to have my own story stand alongside theirs.

If you love Sci-Fi, if you love Fantasy, or if you love all things King Arthur than do yourself a favor and get a copy of this book. By the end you will agree that it was well worth the time invested to explore this interesting and fresh approach on the Arthurian legend.
225825
Galwyn Varianus's life has never been easy. When his father died he was apprenticed to his cruel uncle on a trading vessel, though all he wanted to do was stay shore-bound and work with horses. But when Lord Artos calls upon Galwyn to help him bargain for horses for his Companions, Galwyn's life changes completely.

Once Lord Artos - the man who will become the legendary King Arthur - sees Galwyn's calming way with horses, Galwyn is invited to join the Companions in their quest for great warrior steeds. On this quest, Galwyn faces a perilous journey over land and sea to find and transport the horses, not to mention treachery from inside the ranks of the Companions -but the danger isn't over even when they reach their destination: Camelot.

BLACK HORSES FOR THE KING is not your traditional rendition of the King Arthur legend. Many familiar characters, including Guinevere, Merlin, and Lancelot, do not appear in this book, and others, including Arthur himself, take a keen eye to recognize. Rather than being a version of the story of King Arthur, it is a deftly crafted tale that might have been true, a story that might have given rise to the traditional legend.

The book appeals to both well-read readers of Arthurian tales and readers of historical fiction, as Arthurian elements are present if one keeps a sharp eye out, and it remains an engaging work of historical fiction even without its connection to legend.

Reviewed by:  Rebecca Wells
327122
You don't have to be a fan of the mythic fantasy genre to enjoy Merlin's Charge. Peter Joseph Swanson has visited the Arthurian legends and used his skill of creating a story driven by the dialogue and thoughts and conflicts of the characters. I feel like an eavesdropper reading his books.

Reflecting the modern upheaval in politics and culture we see today, Merlin's Charge is set in an era of change. The old ways of Merlin steeped in a close relationship with the Earth versus the new-fangled ways of the Romans' version of Christianity focusing on atonement with an unseen spiritual presence and the words of men.

Merlin is challenged with bringing up adolescent Arthur and teaching him to think for himself so he can be a fair and wise ruler with a foot in the past and a foot in the future. The country is in desperate times due to drought and in-fighting, so they set upon a mission to try to bring relief to a desperate, starving town that lost its communal cauldron and its ability to provide for the people. His duty is complicated by the company of Parisfal, a young proud man who is trying to define himself. Nimm and Mother Hubbard join in to complicate Merlin's love life and to lend their witchcraft skills in the quest. Abbott Babble Blaise is a constant reminder that the church is on the rise, inflicting guilt where none before existed, and gaining influence

Arthur has so many things to consider as he prepares himself to be king of a troubled land. How to unite the feuding knights and landowners? How to bring together people on both sides of the religious fronts? How to end the suffering? How to resolve the conflicts in his own mind over the absence of a proper father?

I enjoyed Merlin's Charge with its squabbling characters and moral conflicts and found more than a few similarities between the then and the now. How difficult it must be to be a new leader!
3196521
The Bulls of War by E. M. Thomas is an epic fantasy saga of war, friendship, vengeance, love, and perceived betrayal, set in a fictional world where the Rokhs and the Valogarians exist in a very uneasy truce after killing each other for a long, long time. That truce, however, crumbles and results in a whole new round of bloodshed. The story follows long-time friends Kyrus and Tyghus, two renowned warriors who find themselves increasingly drawn into positions of leadership neither of them really wanted. And they each respond in vastly different ways to the responsibilities thrust upon them. This is an incredible undertaking by Thomas, which he handles very well. He has created an entire world on the scale of George R. R. Martins Game of Thrones. Although this first book lacks some of the more mythical beasts and magical elements of fantasy, it is a gripping tale that increases in pace all the way through to its cliff-hanger ending, leaving this reader anxious to see what happens in the next installment. I am particularly impressed with how he handles the behind-the-scenes political intrigue that shapes this world and drives its ages-old conflicts.
2773588
These stories are at the roots of the Arthurian mythology. Some people will be put off by the formatting on Kindle, so I deducted a star for that. It helps to have a scholarly interest in the foundations of chivalry..
3277132
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! :)
2141399
A Quest in Arthurian style,covering legends of Magic,immortality, werewolf ,mermaids,time travel and seers! Something for everyone,ending on a isle of glass! Anyone who's read "The Mist's of Avalon" is going to love this trilogy!
2657647
Many have probably read different translations of the Arthurian romances attributed to Chretien de Troyes.  Mr. Knight has several unique qualifications that make him more than qualified to speak to this subject. He has many years experience with the intellectual study of the Arthurian legend; he has ability to translate directly from medieval French; and he has several years experience with the inner side of the Arthurian Romances.  These qualifications can only lead to an outstanding book.  One which every serious student of Arthurian mythopoeic work should read and re-read.
Erudition and experience perfectly blended with a soupcon of "could it be..."
1979353
Another fantastic work by the author of the Unknown Arthur! Very highly reccomended for Arthurian story fans. Not mainly intended for children, these stories unearth gleaming gems in the Arthurian tradition known mostly  to scholars, and otherwise languishing in obscure manuscripts.  Thoughtfull commentary preceeds each story, which is retold/arranged to be  clear and readable, but retain the authentic components of the story and  the original flavor.  Nothing bad to say about it, except that there  aren't more in this series!
2798683
I happen to adore strong women warrior tales and this book is one that truly satisfies with Sulien ap Gwien as a tough as nails, trustworthy as sunlight and unquestioningly loyal soldier in the king's army. The story reflects a P.O.V. that has been lost in other testosterone laden yarns of Arthurian mythology where women are polarized into dimwitted servants or charwomen, fragile little darlings, perfumed ladies of the night, tavern girls as rape bait or as witches. Sulien is none of the above. I don't agree with the negative reviews that this tale is unoriginal and boring.  It is neither. It is, in fact, quite empowering to women and, refreshingly, not a rerun of the psuedomythology of Arthurian Britian that permeates too many other books that claim "scholarly credentials".  Does anyone truly "know" whether Arthur really lived, that Merlin, Camelot, etc. were in fact a reality rather than a compilation of many kings, many wars or merely a figment of the overheated mind of a bard whose livelihood depended upon such masterful tales?  Gossip always improves especially when fuled by copious amounts of mead and ale.
The story matters and Jo Walton does an excellent job creating a believable reality with all the rawness of those allegedly barbaric times.  We don't really know, we weren't there, so why not relax, be entertained with a well written novel. Who cares if it is "historically accurate" or not. The characters remain in the memory, the vicarious thrills for women readers is quite a lot of fun to relive "as if" in one's imagination and, in the end,isn't that all that counts in engaging fiction?  I liked the book a lot and look forward to the sequel.
2511338
Spectacular!! I have also read The Oaken Door and Of Men and Dragons, and am currently reading A Long Cloud, also by Sarah Woodbury. Each book continues the story of King Arthur and the lives of Myrddin, Nell, Huw, Cedric, Lord of Brecon, and some of the characters in the original story of King Arthur. There's Modred (Arthur's nephew), Sir Gawain, Sir Gareth, Bedwyr, and Cai, Arthur's brother. The plot of so full of deceit and betrayal that it's hard to tell who is best at betraying the king. It's also got great courage, loyalty, love and commitment. This is not the usual King Arthur fairy tales; this story tells what is closest to the true story of Arthur vs. the Saxons. Tremendous read!