Historical novelist Cornwell continues his lively retelling of the Arthurian legend, begun in The Winter King (LJ 5/15/96). Having secured the throne of Dumnonia for the infant King Mordred, Arthur seeks to bring peace to the kingdom by uniting the various rival Celtic factions into the "Brotherhood of Britain." Derfel, one of Arthur's warriors and the book's narrator, sardonically notes that "the Round Table, of course, was never a proper name, but rather a nickname." But Arthur's good intentions are gradually undone: by Merlin's quest for the Thirteen Treasures of Britain; by Lancelot's and Guinevere's ambitions; by Mordred, now an unpleasant young man incapable of wise rule; and by the growing conflict between the old Druid religion and the new Christianity. To the fanatical Christians, the pagan Arthur is the Enemy of God. Despite the overabundance of confusing Celtic and Saxon names (there is a list identifying characters), this is an entertaining read, a fresh look at an old story. [Previewed in Prepub Alert, LJ 4/15/97.]‘Wilda Williams, "Library Journal" (c) Copyright 2010. Library Journals LLC, a wholly owned subsidiary of Media Source, Inc. No redistribution permitted.

Cornwell continues his imaginative retelling of the Arthurian legend in the same spellbinding fashion that characterized The Winter King [BKL Ap 15 96]. After quashing the civil wars and securing the throne for King Mordred, Arthur's dream of a unified kingdom seems poised to become a reality. Though still battling the Saxons and struggling to reconcile Christians and Druids, Arthur manages to establish the Round Table and to procure an oath of loyalty from each powerful member of the Brotherhood of Britain. When Lancelot seduces Guinevere and instigates an insidious rebellion against Arthur and Mordred, this promising era of peace and reconciliation is shattered. Betrayed by both his wife and his good friend, Arthur lashes out and visits revenge upon Lancelot and his host of misguided followers. This complex and superbly wrought narrative easily eclipses the more sanitized and tepid versions of Arthur's exploits. Readers who have eagerly anticipated the continuation of the Warlord Chronicles will not be disappointed. --Margaret Flanagan

Top-notch storyteller Cornwell continues where his acclaimed The Winter King left off, creating another compelling fictional history set in fifth-century Britain. Skillfully interweaving details from a myriad of Arthurian legends, he shows how practitioners of the old religion fought tooth and nail against the incursions of Christianity. Narrated by Arthur's friend Derfel Cadarn (a former slave raised by the wizard Merlin), this volume tells of Arthur's struggles to bind the warlords together and strengthen the throne that he holds for the beastly Mordred, Uther's legitimate heir. Beyond this immediate goal lies Arthur's mission to rid Britain of the Saxons and thus bring peace and order to the land. Meanwhile, Merlin seeks a magical cauldron, which, if used properly, will drive out Christianity but will also bring back the old gods and their chaotic ways. Caught between these two opposing forces, military and magic, Derfel is even more captivated by his love for Ceinwyn, the strong-minded princess Arthur has spurned for Guinevere. Writing with brio, Cornwell puts a fresh perspective on these oft-retold events. Realistically gory battles and doomed romantic exploits flavor the narrative, while the strong characterizations bring the men and women behind the legends to vivid life. Audio rights to Audio Renaissance. (Aug.) (c) Copyright PWxyz, LLC. All rights reserved