I want to thank Netgalley and the author for gifting me the ebook. A interesting novel. Historical fiction/sci-fi. Good weekend read

As a fan of Arthurian retellings, I was excited to read this book! The story started out strong, but started to go downhill. The story moved at a slow pace, the characters were hard to like, and the chapters were disjointed. Still, I would recommend this fans of Arthurian legends!

the writing in this book was very very good i just don’t think that the plot was for me i got quite bored at some points sadly

I have received this ARC from NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.

Stealing the Holy Grail was definitely a short and quick book to devour. I don't think I've read much, or even watched anything, that involved the holy grail. Well, I know that there's a movie but that's about it.

So, in other words, I was actually pretty excited to dive into this one. Since I know absolutely nothing about it. In this, you will meet a bunch of characters - like Princess Cerise. She wants to share the holy grail with her people. Yet, that's easier said than done. Mostly because Merlin wants the grail as well and Roan wants to destroy it.

So the race to get the grail begins!

Now this isn't my first Kind Arthur retelling so I really liked seeing all the known characters acting a bit differently than what we grew up with. Especially when we see some new people enter into the mix. I just kind of wish things didn't start off slowly for me but I am glad with how everything went down.

In the end, definitely happy that I got the chance to dive into this little adventure. I can't wait for my next King Arthur retelling!

I would first like to thank NetGalley and the publishers for letting me getting an E-ARC of this book in exchange for an honest review.

First, I would like to say that an Arthurian retelling had my full interest. As well, the religious aspect actually intrigued me, for I am not a very religious individual.

I did feel like the characters especially Perceval needed a little more development but I did like the characters.

I have to say that Perceval is my favorite character. He was kind even before he was denied the Grail the first time. Plus, taking THREE YEARS to redefine himself and God's message. I really loved him even more when he gave everything up to save the town and it's people.

Cera is a great dynamic from Perceval. Strong, determined and fierce with a sense of grace. I can say she's not my favorite but I can totally see her ideas. I can agreed with ideas on helping everyone not just knights or a select few. She is thinking of everyone from child to elder.

With Roan, he was a middle love-hate for me. He still has my sympathy for his torture of losing both wives and his son, but he's still messed up. Especially messing around with Noble wives and ruining their marriages between their husbands.

It was an interesting aspect having a chapter where Roan was being tortured. Of course, I thought that was the last I would see of Roan. I was wrong.

I had to stop reading after Perceval had died, not only because of the shock, but I had a schedule to keep. The chapter kept me awake at night, making me want more. I relented and decided to finished the entire second half on the book in one sitting. I loved it.

Granted, when Roan kept dying and coming back it was like a repeat cycle that got tiring after the second time. I will give the author credit on stopping before doing another revival cycle because it would have made the book a bit redundant.

For my last critique on the book, there were whole paragraphs on the same she-blocked-then-they-slashed going on. It needs a bit more of variety when it comes to the battle scenes so it doesn't bore the reader out.

Lastly, I'm sad this is the first book and I have to wait for the next book becuase I want to read more!!!!

Interesting plot and good idea. Unfortunately the world building is lacking and it reminded me of a country village in Midwest more than Dark Age Britain.
Some more research and attention to detail would help.
Not my cup of tea
Many thanks to the publisher and Netgalley for this ARC, all opinions are mine

I was given a free copy of Stealing the Holy Grail by S.M. Perlow (author), Bealion Publishing (publisher) and Net Galley in exchange for an honest review. It appears this story is a first in a series.

This review will not contain any spoilers.

I would characterize Stealing the Holy Grail as historical fantasy.

The setting of this story takes place in Europe in the 520s after the death of King Arthur. Prior to reading this story, I was not overly familiar with King Arthur and the Holy Grail. Mr. Perlow does a commendable job in depicting what life could have been back then sprinkled with a bit of magic.

Stealing the Holy Grail has two main characters: a princess who is part of an entourage that protects the Holy Grail and some other biblical magic items and former knight of King Arthur’s Round Table who wants to become one of the knights who protects the biblical magic items. The main characters are fleshed out, developed, and interesting. When I was reading about them, I was engaged and wanted to know what happens next for each of them.

As engaging as I found the main characters, I thought the minor characters to be flat and not as well-developed. I would have liked to learn more about some of the other characters in the entourage and the knights protecting the Holy Grail and other items. I think there are two primary antagonists. I thought one of them had promise at start of his character arc but appeared to have 180-degree shift near the end of the story that I did not find believable. The second antagonist appears to be the big bad of the series and I thought was one-dimensional in this story. Maybe he will be more developed and fleshed out in the next novel in the series.
The flow of the story bogged down in the middle of the story when it takes a swerve into romance which felt a bit contrived, and this took me out of the story. I reconnected after a sudden plot twist near two-thirds or three quarters of the way through the story.

The biggest issue I have with this story is the ending. I found it not to be satisfying and it made this novel feel as it was really the set-up for the next novel in the series.

I would recommend this novel to readers interested in stories about the Holy Grail, knights, King Arthur, and historical fiction.

I rate Stealing the Holy Grail 3 stars.

I would like to thank S.M. Perlow, Bealion Publishing, and Netgalley for the free ARC.

What if one of Kind Arthur's knights conspired with a Grail maiden to steal the Holy Grail? That's an interesting idea and this book is full of them. However it suffers from the Americanisms throughout it (medieval peasants did not say 'okay' for example) and a looseness of narrative - you don't feel invested in the characters as much as you should be .They lack an emotional maturity which makes the story less compelling.. It's a fun twist on the Arthurian tale however.

Stealing the Holy Grail by S. M. Perlow, a book I requested from Netgalley, was a heart-pounding gallop through another rendition of the King Arthur stories. I am a sucker for a great Camelot story, and this one did not disappoint.
This one takes on the story of Perceval and his quest for the Grail, as he tries to prove worthy not only to become a knight of the Grail but to achieve the love of the Grail Princess, Cera. When, at last, his quest is complete and her love is won, both entertain thoughts of the Grail’s true purpose in the world. Cera and Perceval, knowing and understanding the Grail’s meaning, that of life itself, swear to bring this gift to the world instead of hiding it away in a box meant only for worthy knights on a grail quest. But as in all the Camelot stories, danger lurks and evil fights against the good. This time, in the personage of Merlin and a hell-raising fighter named Roan, both of whom lend their souls to the Devil’s bidding.
I loved the accents of historical fiction woven into the storyline, as well as the fantastical and lyrical threads of the myths. Nimue, as the Lady of the Lake, and Cera, as the ultimate protector of the Grail, portray incredibly strong women with a will of their own and minds fixed on their purpose.
This is a book I won’t forget for a long time. The writing was flawless, beautiful, raw, heart-wrenching, viseral, and inspiring. I was so thankful to see on the last page instead of reading “The End”, finding the words “Book One”; which means I will anxiously await the next in the series. These books will go on my shelf, right next to my copy of “The Mists of Avalon.” Bravo, S. M. Perlow, bravo!!!

Thank you to SM Perlow, Bealion Publishing and NetGalley for the ARC of Stealing The Holy Grail in exchange for an honest review.

3.5 stars

This is not a story that followed the original Arthurian tale and it happened after the death of King Arthur. It has got to do with Holy Grail Quest from Arthurian tale but with some new touch to it. Princess Cera has decided to stole Holy Grail in order to save King Arthur's son, Arden for the sake of Camelot's future. In here we had 2 Arthur's Knight which were Sir Perceval & Galahad. However, Merlin was destinied to be the antagonist in this story. Author also included Nimue, Lady of the Lake in this story by helping Cera's quest.

Things that I favour was Cera !!! Cera was so badass princess. At the first time she was introduced, I thought she was similar to Lady Galadriel from LOTR but she's different. She was so skillful in fighting by using daggers. A lot of Cera's fighting scenes were displayed. I love every of them and she made all the knights looked like losers.

Moving to things that I less favour, at first the story was moving in a slow pace. We were dragged with love story in between of Cera and Sir Perceval which it's quite awkward for me. Like their romance wasn't really get my attention. Then, I noticed that in the last part of fighting, I felt like the dialogue started to lose its Arthurian era touch. It sounds modernize for eg "teenage Britain royalty" like it has the rush feelings to end the story. Another one would be, why all the characters brawling as if they were sounded immatured? Maybe when the Past touch lose, it started to prevail the weaknesses.

In the end, it's Cera's fighting scene who carried the whole story. It was a plot-wise story but none for character's growth. There was some point I thought Cera was the antagonist since Roan's discussion got me believed so.

***Reviewing in Goodreads separately due to technical errors***

*I received this book (via eArc from NetGalley) for free from the publisher (Bealion Publishing) in exchange for an honest review* This was by far a very interesting story and it takes the whole Arthurian Holy Grail story to a whole different level. We got the Princess, the knight, and the Saxon warrior either trying to protect, steal, or destroy the grail. I think it was interesting that is is after the death of Arthur and that this story, Merlin is actually evil. This is the first time that I actually saw Merlin in the evil perspective. As I am actually learning British literature and am in depth learning about the Anglo-Saxons and arthurian legends, I do clearly see the use of Pagan and Christian elements and the accurate depiction of a Saxon warrior. The plot was kinda everywhere but to be honest I was quite enjoying myself as I read it pretty quickly. It does look like this is a first in a series. There is no proof indicating it online but I am very hopeful it is because the ending was open enough to slide in a sequel that is for sure. I highly enjoyed it and if you are a Merlin fan, don't hesitate to pick this unique Arthurian retelling up.
*Thanks again to the publisher and NetGalley for the E-Arc*

The Holy Grail and the Spear of Destiny for four hundred and fifty years protected from the threats and thieves, by the greatest knights in Europe, they have kept them safe and secret.
Princess Cerise (Cera) wants to share the Holy Grail for helping people.
Sir Perceval from a knight of King Arthur around the table, become part of the protection order to keep the Holy Grail safe.
The wizard Merlin wants to take the Holy Grail, Roan the Relentless wants to destroy it.
Cera and Perceval with the help lady of the lake, want to steal the Holy Grail to save King Arthur’s son.

A different version story of the Holy Grail and Merlin legends with unexpected characters. A little slow narrative but, I liked the end. Also, I liked the actions and the adventure story. I think it was new and worth reading a historical fantasy adventure story.

Thanks to Author, Bealion Publishing, and NetGalley for giving me the chance to read Stealing the Holy Grail by S.M. Perlow in exchange for an honest review.

I really liked how this combined the Holy Grail legends associated with King Arthur and his knights and expanded it. Merlin's character was unexpected, and yet made complete sense within the story and Cera was a wonderful, kind-hearted and spirited character.

It felt a little slow and disjointed in places but it all came together brilliantly.

I liked the expansion on what happens to the Knights of the Round Table once they've been accepted by the order of the grail and I really hope there's another book!

My thanks to NetGalley for providing an advanced reader copy.

Stealing the Holy Grail is centred around the Knights of Nolvan's journey to keep the secret of the the Holy Grail and its life changing miracles, set in the time of King Arthur. The  knights fear whose hands the Grail may fall into and the fighting that may follow.  The Grail is always on the move and only worthy knights are able to see the Grail.  Cera, a Grail princess, is saddened by the suffering she sees as she travels with the Grail. She is  concerned that the grails potential is being wasted and longs to use the Grail to help the suffering masses. Cera feels she has found her ally in Sir Percival, a knight vying to be worthy of the Grail.

The new take on the Grail works well and the interwoven stories of the characters help cement the fun adventure. A slow starter of a book that takes its time to develop characters backgrounds and takes the reader for a fun adventure packed ride. The character development takes time but it seems to lack maturity. The plot moves at a good pace but can jump around with some parts not developed to their full potential.  The book at times seems to try to cover too wide a range of topics which can seem to be jarring and interrupt the flow of a very interesting story.

The story is intreging and pleasant to read but lacks the finesse needed to make it a page turner however it is an interesting read as well as enjoyable.

As long as it is secret, it is safe. That is what the Order of Nolvan has thought for centuries as it protected The Holy Grail. Fearing the lengths powerful men would go to possess the holy relic that can heal all ailments and grant eternal life, the knightly order keeps it locked away and always on the move. Only those who are part of the order, those who protect the order, and knights worthy of joining the order are allowed to set eyes on the grail and partake of its life-giving drink. Saddened by the suffering she sees as they move from place to place, Princess Cerise longs to share The Holy Grail’s gift rather than keep it hidden away. But in order to share it, Cera first has to steal it. Hearing about the deeds of Sir Perceval of Wales, Cera thinks she might have found an ally and opportunity to realize her dream at last. Meanwhile, the wizard Merlin and a Saxon warrior named Roan the Relentless make their own plans for the grail and will stop at nothing to get it.
This novel is a fun, action-packed read that really captures the time period. Fans of historical fiction, particularly stories set in medieval Europe and/or dealing with medieval lore, will really appreciate this book. I enjoyed reading a story in which The Holy Grail plays a central role rather than being the end goal of a quest. The question of what to do with such power once you are responsible for it is compelling and it was interesting to see both new and familiar characters grapple with it. Despite being slow at times, I found the journey exciting and intriguing.
Though I liked this novel as a whole, I also think that there was a lot of missed potential. The characters are conceptually sound and I liked many of them, but there is a lack of finesse in their development. For me, this resulted in the characters feeling both immature and stagnant. Each character acts, thinks, and speaks in direct accordance with their assigned personality type. Where this is ok for some of the younger characters, it felt unnatural for the older characters that should have greater nuance to their motives and thinking due to their level of experience. Despite all that happens in the story and the deep moral questions that are posed, none of the characters grow or change in meaningful ways either. There are moments where we get to see the characters’ internal conflicts and discussions meant to shift their thinking, but these are repetitive and don’t really evolve. The few times we do get to witness a character change their mind, it is about their direct course of action rather than something that changes them at a more fundamental level. Once that ‘scene’ is complete, the character seems to revert back to their old way of thinking.
Ultimately, I felt the story was supposed to resonate with me on a deeper level but did not quite succeed. Since I was not able to connect with the characters, it was hard for me to connect with the ideas and lessons they were meant to convey as well. Nonetheless, I enjoyed the adventure and think this book is well worth the read.