This is the final part of Giles Kristian's Arthurian trilogy . What an excellent story and a real improvement on the previous book, Camelot. We meet an old knight, Beran, who is a mercenary, working for the cutthroat Nabor ap Nabor, and he has been ordered to murder a boy fleeing a burning city. He is the son of King Constantine and the grandson of High King Ambrosius. What happens after that fateful meeting in the woods when his life hangs in the balance is a story full of emotion, finality, regret for the past and lost love And we see the coming of Arthur to save Britain when all hope is lost.

I was so excited for this book after reading the previous two, as Arthurian legend is my favpuritw. However, this third book is more dense than the others and I think part of the story ciuld be reduced to less pages. It is quite descriptive which might be of the liking of many people but for me. It was interesting to explore Arthur's story.

-:: ".. I'll ask you again Saracen." His lip curled. "I don't think you will want to follow where he's going."
No one spoke for a long time then. They watched the fire and listened to the wind in the trees and the scrape of iron against stone. Somewhere to the south, and owl screeched.
Beran half wished he had some strong wine to numb the many pains, some throbbing, some aching, others feeling like fire in his flesh. But it was nothing less than he deserved. He knew that. He has failed the boy. As, truth be told, he has known he would. The boy was not the first to have misplaced his hope in Beran.
But he would be the last.
"Boy," Beran said.
But the both would not look at him.
"Boy, I'm sorry. I should have been there." ::-

This story.. the Arthurian legend is timeless and although you could read a thousand different stories about the life of Arthur, Camelot and his knights of the round table, you always steal something away from each story you read. I love anything to do with Arthur and this is the first piece of fiction I have come across about his life after his disappearance at the famous battle with Mordred and I have to say.. I loved it. I read through it THREE times because I kept missing bits, due to the fact I would read to a certain point, get all excited then think about it while going on reading the next half a chapter before realising.. I was on autopilot.

So I read through it as many times as I needed too (3 😁) so I was familiar with the story. I was so glad to see that although he was obviously depicted as a hero, he was also shown to be just a man. A man who has every day struggles, anxieties, moods and almost importantly weaknesses. This made him human to me, while others portray him as ethereal.

Also to clash this world against the Saxons only shielded the image of a man fighting for his country against a common enemy. Our long ago common enemy. The supporting characters around which Arthur was floating about with bolstered his human image, my favourite being Emmeline. A newly different form for me to witness her in, short but deeply emotional!
I cried at this piece of writing!! It was by far the best Arthurian story/writing/ beautiful masterpiece, I have had the honour to read.

I have submitted this honest review, voluntarily with so much thanks to the kindness of the publishers, Netgalley and Giles Kristian.

Brilliant writing, excellent characterization, and immersive storytelling. Now, I've jumped on the book without realizing it was book three of the trilogy. I would say it does work as a standalone, but I'm pretty sure I would appreciate it even more after reading the previous two books. Nothing lost! That's what I'm going to do really soon :)

Thank you to NetGalley and Random House UK for an review copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.

'Arthur' is a dark, gritty take on Arthurian legend. It tells the story of how Beran, a mercenary, helps escort a young boy to Camelot in a "last hope" to end the Saxon tyrannical rule that has loomed over Britain.

The book is wonderfully written, with each gritty detail being explained in a way that adds value rather than shock factor. Kristian's world and building and character development is also fantastic and rarely contains a moment that feels dull.

My one criticism, which really isn't one!, was that I did not realise this book is part of a trilogy - so I feel that I missed a lot of the previous character building that happened in the previous 2 books. However I would happily go back and read those!

Once again thank you to NetGalley and Random House UK for an review copy of this text in exchange for this review!

Rating: 4/5

I've adored this trilogy. The best re-telling of Arthur's legend I've read, and I'd include Cornwell's in that. It's just so immersive. Giles brings Dark Age Britain to life in a way no one else could. He touches all your senses, from the sight of a rook in flight to the smell of Britain's rich earth. Every bird, tree, landmark or hilltop and painted in vivid colour for the reader as they travel through the Dark Isles in the midst of legends of old.

Each is different too. Lancelot is poetic, lyrical and tragic. Camelot is the hope in the darkness, long after the fire has bled to ashes. And Arthur is the dawn, one last ray of sunshine in a land blanketed in shadow.

Arthur specifically is different to the preceding books. Told in the third person, and across two different time lines, we get to see a young Arthur on the road to becoming a warlord, and an old man, Beran, with ghosts in his past and a longing to meet them. Through Arthur we see the beginnings of a legend, and through Beran we see the lost hope of a land that has nothing else to give.

We meet further characters from Arthurian legend, Tristan and Isolde stick out for me, their tragic love story playing out as Britain dies around them. Other characters from the first two books come back to us, most notable being Gawain and Palamedes for me. Merlin too, the old Druid clinging to life, one last desperate purpose driving him on.

The ending is bloody and glorious, and very well done. One last thunder of hooves, one last trill of the trumpets. I'm just gutted it's over, I could have read on and on.

I really enjoyed the book's setting and the time period as well as the characters, some of who were familiar to me !

This is a very serious take on the arthurian myth, and sadly one that left me cold. It is very competently written, but did not really open up this world to me. At least in part this is due to it being the third book of a trilogy. I missed a sort of humanity with the characters, even though they were very well constructed. Just not my cup of tea, I am afraid.

A thrilling and fantastic finale to GKs Arthurian legacy 👌

As always, GK writes with beauty. His prose always lands perfectly with me. I love the beauty that he creates with his words and the way he can always transport me to any world he writes.

This story is no different. A duel narrative, pulling together perfectly and oozing with imagination and wonder.

The ending was spot on. It finished and completed, the trilogy exquisitely

Now to wait and see what GK does next

I am a big fan of this author’s previous ‘Arthurian’ titles, ‘Lancelot’ and ‘Camelot’ and this is a very worthy conclusion to the trilogy. This is a must for fans of Bernard Cornwell: ‘history’ that feels completely authentic whilst totally engaging. This area of mythology has now been reworked many times, but Kristin brings enough originality and sheer writing talent to make it a literary must.

Arthur by Giles Kristian is the third and final book in his retelling of the Arthurian Legend, in sub=Roman, or Post-Roman, Britain. I've read all three books, although they have been spread over several years. I adored Lancelot and enjoyed Camelot, which takes us to Arthur.

Arthur has left me somewhat perplexed. I've not jumped right on here to write a review. I needed time to think about it. I'm unsure if this is because of the book or because of my mind putting some pieces together about the entire legend and asking even more questions about the legend rather than the book. However, there are a few authors whose work I really enjoy, but I seem to take away something different from others (Mark Lawrence being one of those authors), and this is one of those books.

The world-building is both vast and intimate. The characters we meet, a young Arthur, Beran and Constantine's grandson, are intriguing choices. True to the legend as we know it, Arthur falls prey to some ill-advised antics and seeks to distance himself from them and his father, although that's never going to work. Beran is an old, tired man, aching and bedevilled by his past and the main driving force of the narrative. Constantine's grandson embodies a young boy, entirely out of his element, believing his position is all he needs to ensure his survival in a world turned upside down. The twin storylines very much run independently of one another. Arthur, as a young man, never quite feels fully formed - the story depends very much on readers knowing the legends of Arthur. Beran feels more fully formed, and his decisions perhaps make more sense to a modern audience. The juxtaposition between Beran and Constantine's grandson gains poignancy as the tale progresses.

Yet, as beautiful as some of the phrases are, some of them are not. The world-building is both well done and also somewhat laboured and repetitive. Huge elements of the storyline are only explained much later in the book, and for much of it, I was unsure why I persisted in reading. The title is particularly vexing. I fear readers will not persevere to understand its relevance. I'm glad that I did.

The poignancy of a world lost is perfectly evoked. The men and women living in it are almost 'out of time,' with events taking place around them. The book is tinged with sorrow.

I think that if I had read all three books together, the trilogy would work very well. Returning to the trilogy after so many years means I've lost the threads from Lancelot and Camelot, which both feature Arthur.

This is a bold end to a trilogy that has tried to be very different. I believe readers will love it or hate it. I can certainly appreciate the crafting of the story, even if I'm left perplexed by it. It is an absorbing tale, sucking me in and not letting me go. I read it in a few days. Perhaps, after all, it is as ephemeral as the legends themselves, and that is a testament to the author evoking such a response in me.

My thanks to Netgalley and the publisher for my review copy.

(I will review it on my blog closer to release day).

At first I struggled a bit with this as it swished between time periods but became more absorbed as I read a few chapters.
A gang of armed thieves try to waylay a group of travelers with instructions to kill them all.
One has change of conscience not wanting to be a killer of women and children. He runs with a boy who could be important to Britain but is now hunted by the killers and Saxons alike, in a land torn by the strong trying to take advantage of the weak.
Who is the rescuer and can he get the boy to safety to take his place as the future ruler of Dumonia.
If you like Bernard Cornwall, Simon Scarrow or Mathew Haffy, you will enjoys this as the old man tries to keep the boy safe across war torn Britain whilst examining his past.

5 ⭐️

My thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for an ARC in exchange for an honest review.

This trilogy is perfect. For me, it is the best modern retelling of this legend.

Plot

The Saxons governed Britain for many years, yet the bards continue to sing of Arthur. A kid, the grandson of High King Ambrosius and son of King Constantine, is to be killed by mercenary Beran; if he survives, he may be Britain's best chance. Beran betrays his friends by pledging to bring the youngster to Camelot, where they will see Tristan and Isolde, ask Guivret for assistance, and deal with the Saxons, Nabor ap Nabor, and Queen Morgana. For Britain to have any chance of success, Beran will need to face his history and bring the boy to Camelot.

This book focuses on Beran trying to take Prince Erbin to Camelot as he is Britain's last hope and the best chance they have in trying to stop the Saxons. However, this story is also about Beran coming to terms with his past. Some moments are really emotional for the reader. The ending was perfect and left the reader feeling a sense of hope for the future.

Characters

Beran/Arthur

Giles Kristian's Arthur will remain my favorite portrayal of him. In most modern retellings, Arthur is just the perfect king and man, which makes him dull in most retellings. But, this Arthur is a man with his own flaws and weaknesses, a broken man who needs to come to terms with his past. The reader can also see his past, which made me feel sorry for him. He didn't have an easy past, but seeing him come to terms with it was emotional for me.

Erbin

Erbin is the son of Constantine and the boy Arthur needs to take to Camelot. He is so sweet but can also be stubborn. However, he is a child scared for most of the novel, but he knows he can count on Arthur to help him. The friendship and the bond Erbin found with Arthur were so beautifully done.

Tristan and Isolde

Tristan and Isolde are two characters that Beran and Erbin encounter on their journey. People who know these characters know they also have a tragic love story, and it is impossible not to feel sadness. They are so young and naive, and for a moment, I thought they would have their happy ending.

Palamedes and Guivret

Guivret, I cannot forgive his character for what he did, but Palamedes was so good. I was thrilled to see him. He is loyal, and he still has hope of a united Britain.

Writing

Giles' writing is beautiful. The way he writes made me feel everything the characters were feeling. He made me feel like I was inside the book with them. I cried with them, felt for them, and I could feel when they were sad, angry, and hopeless. While not as lyrical as Lancelot or Camelot, it is still a beautiful prose that connects the reader with the characters and the story.

World-Building

I love how Giles portrays Britain in the Dark Ages. I could feel how brutal those times were. Some descriptions made me feel sick, but unfortunately, those times were cruel, and the author did a fantastic job of showing that.

Romance

In this book we have the love triangle between Tristan-Isolde-King Mark. Beran and Erbin met the lovers while they were running away. This tragic story is a way for Arthur to reflect his relationship with Guinevere and Lancelot. Through Tristan and Isolde, Arthur came to accept what happened and forgave Lancelot. That moment and that realization was such a poignant moment in the book.

Final Thoughts

Arthur is the hundredth book that I have read about this legend. I have read both the modern retellings and the medieval sources, and I noticed that, for the most part, I either love or hate the modern retellings. Giles said in his author notes that this book is different from the traditional myths, and in some ways, he is right. There's no knight in shining armor, quest, round table, or Holy Grail.

However, at least for me, this legend is about love, loss, greed, betrayal, friendship, and hope. It shows that we are humans; as humans, we fail and make mistakes. In the legend, Arthur dreams of a more equal society with justice. In this trilogy, Arthur is the person who can expel the Saxons from their lands. He was the warlord who could unite Britain against the enemy. But that dream failed because these characters are human. We are not black and white. We all have our weaknesses and strengths, and this novel portrays that very touchingly. That's why Arthur, as well as Lancelot and Camelot, is the best retelling of the legend, and that's actually this part that is lacking in most retellings.

A brilliant end to an outstanding trilogy. The trilogy is obviously Arthurian but mostly about other characters, Lancelot and Galahad and mainly set in the aftermath of Arthur’s time when Britain was losing its identity to the invading Saxons.
So, the final book. It is a story set over two periods, that of a young Arthur growing into the man and leader he would become and many years after Arthur’s final battle where it looks like the Saxons are here to stay and the Britains are desperately looking for a leader to inspire them.
All three books capture a time in history, many years after the departure of the Romans and a post Arthur Britain being unable to hold off the Saxons. A space for Giles Kristian to place characters of legend and make you feel that not only were they real, but to tie you emotionally to them.
You need to read the trilogy in order, you should already have read the first two and this ties it off in just the satisfying and emotional way you would hope for. This is proper storytelling that does not let down those characters of legend.

I love this author! This was so engrossing like the other two books in the series. The character work was excellent as always and the story, pace and plot kept me turning pages

Thanks to NetGalley for the arc

I really liked Giles Kristian's writing. He's very talented and I loved this book. The journey we go on is so good.