Review: The Legend of the King

Title: Legend of the King Author: Gerald Morris Publisher: Houghton Mifflin Books Pages: 295 Synopsis: (from the publisher) Sir Terence has come a long way since he first left his guardian twenty years ago and joined the insolent Gawain as his squire.  Dark Forces are at work in England, and Terence and Gawain had set off once more in service of King Arthur, but this time the two friends are sent on separate missions.  At last, a true Knight of the Round Table, Terence has no time to rest on his laurels, but must continue his work to protect King Arthur and the peace that the king and his knights have created for England.  Unfortunately, the king's enemies are at work as well.  Morgause and Mordred had spies even at Camelot itself, and together mother and son attempt to divide the Fellowship of the Round Table, bring Camelot to ruin, and place Mordred on the throne. In this final installment of the Squire's Tales series, Terence and his fellow Knights of the Round Table must ready their swords, enchantments, and wit to come together in a last stand to save Camelot.  The characters Gerald Morris has brought to life throughout his series--Terence and Gawain, Lynet and Gaheris, Luneta and Rhience, Dinadan and Palomides--each have an important role to play if they are to defeat their enemies.  Only by maintaining their faith, selflessness, and honor, can Morgause and Mordred banish and defeat the dark magic from England forever.

"Is the Arthurian mythos more than Arthur’s death?  I think Gerald Morris would answer that question with a ‘yes’.  But I also don’t think he’s sure.  And I think that uncertainty has wormed its way into the subtext.  I have one more book to go and only then will I know if the Squire’s Tales will forever be defined by Arthur’s death or remembered for something more." X

(Also, this book is not, in fact, about Mordred and Morgause working together to banish the forces of evil and I am done with book blurbs forever).

Warning for Spoilers

SamoaPhoenix Guest Review/Reread: The Savage Damsel and the Dwarf

Title: The Savage Damsel and the Dwarf Author: Gerald Morris Publisher: Houghton Mifflin Company Pages: 213 Synopsis: (from the publisher) Her castle under siege by an evil knight who keeps beheading all her would-be rescuers, Lady Lynet realizes that the only way to get help is to get it herself.  So one night she slips away and strikes out for King Arthur's court, where she hopes to find a gallant knight to vanquish the Knight of the Red Lands and free her castle.  Instead, she finds an odd dwarf named Roger and a scruffy kitchen hand named Beaumains. As the three unlikely companions return to Lynet's castle, they face suprising adventures, including encounters with the uncanny Squire Terence, his master, Sir Gawain, and the majestic sorceress Morgan.  And somewhere along the way, Lynet discovers that people can be much more than they seem.  .

It should be said first off that this is one of my all-time favorite books ever. I’ve read it so much my hardcover edition is falling apart. My first wobbly try at screenplay writing was adapting this book. So you probably shouldn’t pay attention to anything I have to say about it. Just go read it for yourself. Preferably in the much better cover of the newer editions.

Spoilers, etc…

Reread: The Savage Damsel and the Dwarf

Title: The Savage Damsel and the Dwarf Author: Gerald Morris Publisher: Houghton Mifflin Company Pages: 213 Synopsis: (from the publisher) Her castle under siege by an evil knight who keeps beheading all her would-be rescuers, Lady Lynet realizes that the only way to get help is to get it herself.  So one night she slips away and strikes out for King Arthur's court, where she hopes to find a gallant knight to vanquish the Knight of the Red Lands and free her castle.  Instead, she finds an odd dwarf named Roger and a scruffy kitchen hand named Beaumains. As the three unlikely companions return to Lynet's castle, they face suprising adventures, including encounters with the uncanny Squire Terence, his master, Sir Gawain, and the majestic sorceress Morgan.  And somewhere along the way, Lynet discovers that people can be much more than they seem.

Or, In Gerald Morris' words:

"In this story a skilled knight called Beaumains conceals his real name and takes a menial job as a kitchen servant-- curious behavior that would normally call for some explanation, but Malory never explains.  Then, when Beaumains rides off on his quest, he is sometimes accompanied by an unnamed dwarf who knows his true identity, but Malory never bothers to tell who this dwarf is or how he knows Beaumains or why he cares to ride with him.  After Beaumains arrives at Lynoness's castle, a knight with no name appears from nowhere and fights Beaumains for no apparent reason.  The nameless knight is defeated, but luckily for him, Lady Lynet appears on the scene and magically cures him, although Malory had not mentioned until this moment that Lynet was an enchantress.  Indeed, the modern reader's response to Malory's tale will often be, "Huh?""

--Gerald Morris, pg 211-212 of the Savage Damsel and the Dwarf 

Warning for Spoilers

Gabbiebii Guest Review: Idylls of the Queen

Hello!  I'd like to welcome the newest member of the Guest Review Team, the fabulous Gabbiebii!  Gabbiebii answered the call I put out a few weeks ago asking for guest reviews.  She is a great lover of the Arthurian mythos and a Galahad super-fan (often finding herself disappointed with the lack of care authors give him).  We have sparred often over the deep and profound question of whether or not Lancelot adds anything of merit to the legends ( :-P), but as far as I'm concerned, she's A-Class and I love our debates.

Gabbiebii begins her time here reviewing one of my favorite retellings, Phyllis Ann Karr's The Idylls of the Queen.  Please give her a warm welcome and enjoy her review!

~Storyteller Knight

Title: The Idylls of the Queen Author: Phyllis Ann Karr Publisher: Wildside Press Pages: 341 Synopsis: (from the goodreads) The arrangements for the dinner party were overseen by Queen Guenever herself. She selected the apples with her own hands. And before the evening ended, a young knight lay dead ... and Arthur's beloved, unfaithful queen stood branded as a murderess and condemned to death! Phyllis Ann Karr has taken Celtic legendry and given it a fresh new twist in this magical murder mystery of knights and sorcery, romantic entanglements and courtly intrigues. This is a tale that explores the passions and motivations of the men and women who stride through the pages of Mallory's romance: Sir Kay, the sharp-tongued seneschal; Nimue, the elusive Lady of the Lake; Morgon le Fay, Merlin's complex nemesis; the tormented sons of Lot and Morgawse; and Mordred, Arthur's own bitter, terrified son.

I started reading this book because an internet friend suggested it to me. She said it was one of her favourite books, and one of the best Arthurian retellings so far. I was curious, so I bought it. While it has been a pretty slow read (English is not my mother-tongue and so it took twice the amount of time I’d have put in if I had read it in my mother-tongue) it has definitely been a really pleasant one. I have to agree with my internet friend, it is one of the best retellings so far. 

The cover is not so appealing, though.  It has nothing to do with the plot at all. I’ve seen that there’s a better cover, featuring the poisoned apple but…unfortunately, I got the edition with the bad cover. I’m sad for this.

No Spoilers Here.  Read without Fear.

SamoaPhoenix Guest Review: Under Camelot's Banner

Title: Under Camelot's Banner Author: Sarah Zettel Publisher: Luna Pages: 560 Synopsis: (from the publisher) When war threatens the kingdom of Camliard, sisters Lynet and Laurel find themselves in the heart of the darkening crisis, with only one way to restore peace. While her older sister remains as a hostage, Lynet must bring back the last heir of Camliard’s ancient royal house—the High Queen Guinevere. But Lynet’s quest is not so easily achieved. Once in Camelot, she must deal with the politics of court as well as country. One ally is Gareth, youngest brother of the brilliant Sir Gawain, who aches to achieve knighthood and fame by his own hand. But Gareth soon finds this quest is no game, and that Lynet is no maid to be toyed with. With the machinations of the sorceress Morgain threatening their future, only Lynet and Gareth’s strength and love together can save the queen’s hereditary kingdom from a tangled web of magic, treachery and war. And that strength is failing…

I seem to have accidentally read book three of this series before book two. Oops. It doesn’t really seem to matter except for passing references to Geraint being married. Neither Risa nor Elen are mentioned by name.

Again, the blurb above lies to you. Guinevere’s hereditary kingdom is called Cambryn in this book, not Camlaird. At least the title is appropriate to the book’s content this time.

Warning for Spoilers

SamoaPhoenix Guest Review: In Camelot's Shadow

Title: In Camelot's Shadow Author: Sarah Zettel Publisher: Luna Pages: 507 Synopsis: (from the publisher) Fleeing from the knowledge that her father had promised her to an evil sorcerer, Risa of the Morelands refused to be a sacrifice. Armed with her bow and her confidence, she swore to evade the wicked Euberacon’s claim. And when she stumbled upon Sir Gawain, returning to Camelot to warn of a plot against the kingdom, she thought she’d discovered the perfect place to hide. Surely the sorcerer Euberacon would not approach her at court? Now ensnared with court and political intrigue, Risa is out of her element. And Euberacon has forced a strong transformation spell upon her. There might be one chance left to save kingdom and soul—but it would take all the strength and power she had…

This book is the first in a series about the romances of the four Orkney brothers (Gawain, Agravain, Geraint and Gareth in this version). This book is Gawain’s, whose love life of the four is probably best known in legend. I currently own three of the four thanks to the local used book store and plan to review them all for you. If I can’t find book four (Agravain’s) then at some point I will borrow Story’s copy so as to complete the set.

Also, I do not understand the blurb above. The first paragraph is accurate enough, but there’s not a lot of “court and political intrigue”. And “save the kingdom”? That’s a side plot at best, and in the end the main series bad guy is only inconvenienced so I’m not sure either Gawain or Risa saved the kingdom. One more thing…the book is not all about Risa the way the blurb makes it sound. It is Gawain and Risa’s story and how they both overcome obstacles to come together.

Finally, um, what’s up with the title? It has nothing to do with what happens in the book other than it has the word “Camelot” in it. Odd.

Warning for Spoilers

SamoaPhoenix Guest Review: The Wicked Day

Part 2 of 3.  My review can be found here and the discussion of the book between myself and SamoaPhoenix can be found here.

~Storyteller Knight

Title: The Wicked Day Author: Mary Stewart Publisher: William Morrow and Co Pages: 447 Synopsis: (from the publisher) The Wicked Day is the gripping story of Mordred, bastard son of King Arthur by incest with his half-sister Morgause, witch-queen of Lothian and Orkney. Morgause sent the child to the Orkney islands to be reared there in secret, in the hope that one day he would become, as Merlin the Enchanter had prophecied, the doom of her hated half-brother. When Mordred is taken from his rude life as a fisherboy in the islands and suddenly thrust into the full panoply of the High King Arthur’s court, he learns of his true parentage and rises to a position of trust in his father’s kingdom. But, as the plots and counterplots of the last part of Arthur’s reign unfold, Mordred is drawn into a tangled web of tragedy that is the climactic drama of Arthurian legend. The Wicked Day breathtakingly displays Mary Stewart’s extraordinary gift for bringing the obscure past to life. Her characters are unforgettable: the young Mordred, whose close bond with his father arouses dire jealousies in the High Court at Camelot; his malevolent mother; her four unruly sons by King Lot; King Arthur himself, his Queen, Guinevere, his trusted friend Bedwyr; and the warring factions that seek to bring down the bastions of Arthur’s new confederation of Britain. As she did in her earlier Arthurian novels, Mary Stewart challenges the accepted legends in this stirring and danger-ridden tale. Was Mordred in truth a traitor—or the victim of implacable fate? Mary Stewart’s view brings tremendous emotions impact to the drama, as Merlin’s prophecy hangs broodingly over each moment and the action plays itself out inexorably to the final, wicked day…

I recently joined goodreads.com and on a whim looked up Mary Stewart's Arthurian books. The number of resoundingly positive reviews is astounding. People seem to think these books are the greatest thing since sliced bread; a lot of them called them their favorite books ever. I do not understand this attitudes. This book was the best of the four so far by far, but that doesn't make them great. They summarize far too much and the characters are barely sympathetic at best. They're certainly not very lively.  I feel sorry for anyone reading fantasy in the 70s and 80s if this was the best there was to offer.

Warning for Spoilers

Guinevere, The Legend in Autumn Review

Title: Guinevere: The Legend in Autumn Author: Persia Woolley Publisher: Pocket Books Pages: 423 Synopsis: (from the publisher) Surrounded by traitors, trapped by destiny, Britain's spirited Queen Guinevere recounts the last, dramatic years of Camelot.  At King Arthur's side, she reigned over the fabled heroes of the Round Table while the restless and impassioned knights undertook the Quest for the Holy Grail.  Even as her favored men set off on their perilous journey.  Guinevere's heartbreaking honesty, courage and integrity were challenged by those she loved most.  Mordred, the stepson she raised, waged a primal battle against Arthur-- and brought the kingdom to a shattering end.  Torn between duty and desire as he rescued his Queen, condemned to the stake for treason, Lancelot swept her into a forbidden idyll at Joyous Gard.  And with Morgan le Fay, the evil beauty she feared most in all of Britain, Guinevere bartered her soul to save Arthur and Camelot from the furies of fate.

Variant Covers:

I love the new cover of this book.  I may buy it just to have it, because that is gorgeous.  Unfortunately, I currently own the cover that I was embarrassed to be seen out in public with.

Warning for Spoilers.  Also, longest review yet.

Queen of the Summer Stars Review

Title: Queen of the Summer Stars  Author: Persia Woolley  Publisher: Poseidon Press Pages: 415 Synopsis: (From Sourcebooks) In a country still reeling from the collapse of the Roman Empire, the young King Arthur and his wife Guinevere struggle to keep the barbarians at bay even as they establish the Fellowship of the Round Table. The spirited and outspoken Guinevere skillfully combats an accusation of planning to poison Arthur in a country simmering with unrest and scandal. But Guinevere’s greatest battles are dangers Arthur cannot see—ones she’ll have to fight on her own. And all the while, she must reconcile her thirst for freedom with her duties as queen, and her growing love for Lancelot with her loyalty to her husband. Vibrantly human and touchingly real, Guinevere reigns as a woman poised to discover the true peril and promise of the human heart.

So what I'm doing, when I post a review, is post the book using the cover that I own.  Of course, several Arthurian retellings have gone through multiple prints.  The Guinevere Triology has three different cover sets as of right now. 

Here are the covers for Child of the Northern Spring:

And the two remaining covers for Queen of the Summer Stars:

See what I meant in the Child of the Northern Spring review about the romance and fantasy covers?  I hope this latest set is more to Woolley's liking.

Warning for Spoilers

In Which Story Contemplates the Possibility of King Arthur Star Wars Style

So, I'm reading Maurice Broaddus' King Maker, which is a modern day, reincarnation retelling.  And there is this fantastic line that I cannot stop thinking about (pg 39).

Merle waved his fingers in front of him as if with a sudden display of jazz hands.  "These are not the droids you are looking for."

Warning for small spoilers and Story's insanity under the cut

Lionors: King Arthur's Uncrowned Queen Review

Title: Lionors: King Arthur's Uncrowned Queen Author: Barbara Ferry Johnson Publisher: Avon Pages: 291 Synopsis: (from the publisher) When she was thirteen, Lionors first saw Arthur.  Little did she know the consequences of that meeting.  The handsome young knight would be declared King of Britain, marry the beautiful Guinevere, and fall to the treachery of his court while Lionors, secretly married to him, would bear his child and wait for him to leave his palace to be at her side in fulfillment of the old prophecy: "You will be a queen, but you will die uncrowned and unknown."

I was super psyched when I recently found this book.  As I have stated before, I love books about side characters.  And unlike Viviane or Galahad, who usually appear in retellings but only in small roles, Lisanor is pretty much all but forgotten.  And here’s this book all about her!  I couldn’t wait to finish Merlin’s Harp so I could start reading this book. 

My feelings for Lionors went thus: In the beginning I was happy, in the middle I was bored and at the end I was really angry.

Warning for Spoilers and another 2000 word review