Three weeks into the New Year, I’ve made good progress on the sequel to The Fae Dealings, my first story rooted in the legends of King Arthur, Merlin, and Morgana le Fae. In the process, I had the pleasure of finishing Arthur by Giles Kristian as part of my research. Suffice it to say, I loved this novel and highly recommend it to anyone wanting a new, historical take on the legend of King Arthur.
Arthur features parallel storylines, one in the past and one in the present, long after Arthur’s legendary demise. In the latter, we’re introduced to Beran, a grizzled mercenary with a mysterious past. He’s also a man with a strong conscience, so when his band of mercenaries is sent to kill the ten-year-old son of the former King Constantine, Beran takes matters into his own hands and saves the boy. The rest of Beran’s story involves getting the boy safely to Camelot. The problem is the crone-like Queen Morgana, and the invading Saxons all want the boy dead so he can never become the High King of Britain.
Intermixed with Beran’s tale is the story of Arthur, beginning when he is a boy introduced to his cruel and demanding father, Uther Pendragon. Along the way, we meet Merlin, Arthur’s sister Morgaine, and his close friend Gawain. The Arthur storyline, as he develops from boyhood to a famed warrior, provides some of the book’s best scenes, bringing the legend of Arthur to life in Dark Ages Britain.
But the heart of the story is Beran and his relationship with the boy. The two embark on a harrowing adventure that takes them to London (Caer Lunden) and through thrilling battles with the conquering Saxons and the vengeful remnants of Beran’s fellow mercenaries, who want to capture the boy and kill Beran for his betrayal. Even more, the legendary figures of Tristan and Isolde accompany Beran and the boy on their journey, and their tragic love story adds depth to the novel.
In addition to an array of action scenes that would make Bernard Cornwell and George R.R. Martin proud is the mystery surrounding Beran’s past. Before long, there are hints that Beran could be someone famous in Arthurian legend, and I enjoyed deciphering each clue as to who he really might be. The book ultimately answers that question in a glorious third act where both storylines collide in an epic battle.
As much as I adored Cornwell’s trilogy about Arthur (beginning with The Winter King), Kristian’s Arthur may be their equal. It’s also part of a trilogy of sorts with Kristian’s novels Lancelot and Camelot. Arthur was written last, but fortunately, it’s a standalone tale. I’ve already started Lancelot, and so far, it’s been fantastic!
Bill
January 25, 2025 - 5:29 pm ·I read this author’s Viking books years ago and lost track of him. I seem to remember thinking he didn’t really wrap up that storyline. I’ll certainly read this.
Author Joseph Finley
January 26, 2025 - 11:02 am ·Bill — You may want to start with “Lancelot,” which is the first of the three books. Not that these books need to be read in any particular order, but he does have a note in the back suggesting the readers start with “Lancelot” and then “Camelot” before “Arthur.”