Enemy of God (The Arthur Books #2) Reviews

• An Excellent Journey to 5th Century Britain

  
  By A1NPNGWBVD9AK3 on 2000-09-08
  This is my first encounter with Richard Cornwell. It has definitely piqued my interest to read the other two volumes in the trilogy and to investigate other books by this author.

  If you are familiar with Grail literature and with such classics as Sir Gawain and the Green Knight, Le Morte d'Arthur, etc., you will have certain preconceptions about the major characters that are here transmorgrified by Cornwell. The chivalrous Arthur is transformed into a more human, too-trusting, well-meaning leader of a tribe. Guenivere is a scheming, conceited megalomaniac, who mellows somewhat as the story progesses. The narrator's (Derfel's) harshest judgment is reserved for Lancelot. He is definitely not the same Lancelot-du-lac that we have come to know from Mallory. He's more like the 5th century version of a matinee idol. He's all image, no substance. He's not someone to be counted on in the heat of battle. Merlin is a rascally magus whose main concern lies in stemming the tide of Cristianity that he views as an invasion of the old order. Cornwell is obviously making judgement calls here, but he's not doing it purely for the sake of novelty. This is a thoroughly-researched, as well as an eminently well-written work.

  Tolkien fans who have been turned-off by the pale imitators that have attempted to emulate the master's style will no doubt find many parallels in Cornwell. That's not to imply that Cornwell is imitative by any means. He just handles prose almost as adroitly as his predecessor. If there were a worthy Tolkien successor writing today, though in a slightly different genre, it would have to be Cornwell. Cornwell has created a truly heroic saga, and has left this reader looking forward eagerly to the other two volumes in the trilogy. Enemy of God is definitely several cuts above the mass of historical fiction being churned out today. The man can write!
  
  

• A Retelling of the Arthurian Legends to Make Merlin Smile

  
  By A2MJ3CEJK05HO8 on 2000-11-09
  This is good stuff by a skillful writer. The characters are, for the most part, well endowed with humanity, driven and undermined by credible needs and flaws. Not content merely to retell the version of the legends popularized by "Camelot", Cornwell has researched, dissected, and then wholly reconstructed the legends leavened by his own contribution of historical plausibility and "de-romanticization". What comes through is a more human-dimensioned, but nonetheless still heroic epic. My only major complaint, and the reason for withholding a fifth star, is the author's treatment of his religious themes. With the exception of Galahad, his Christians are so odious that you wonder how the religion could have possibly spread. I realize his narrator is a pagan, but Christianity, especially that from Ireland, was not accepted in Britain at the point of a sword, but rather through the lure of its ideas. The Irish missionaries were well known for humility and simplicity (which is why they eventually lost out the organized Roman version in the 6th century). Since Cornwell uses 'pagan' vs. Christian as a major axis in his plot, I feel he missed an opportunity for a more balanced portrayal of the two belief systems in conflict and this nagged at me throughout. Otherwise, Cornwell casts a rollicking and passionate spell that would make even Merlin smile.
  
  

• Outstanding and Original Retelling or the Arthurian Tales

  
  By on 1999-12-28
  Having read Caxton's Mallory's Morte d'Arthur, and a fair number of Middle English scraps of Arthurian lore, I had been looking forward to finding a good modern retelling for quite some time. Frankly, the originals are striking conceptually, but relatively unrewarding as literature -- one keeps thinking, while reading them, that they would make a good book. But it seemed to much to hope for -- too difficult a task for nearly any author to achieve an even partial success.

  Cornwell has succeeded fully.

  The characters are full and real and strikingly well conceived, even while being a fair reflection (in a broad sense) of the original texts with which I am familiar. The actions of the characters make perfect sense in context, and their actions are complex and difficult to foresee, as they should be. The story is firmly grounded in the realities 5th Century Britain, which gives it a feeling of, well, realism. The author clearly not only knows his history, but his strategy and his philosophy, yet he never comes across to the reader as overbearing or heavyhanded -- these essential items for an epic like this are kept in the background, where they should be.

  You get the idea. Cornwell has done it, and really done it right. It's a big story, and it hasn't been told very well for a long, long time -- and now Cornwell has retold it best of all.

  Please direct comment or flames to heliwotdabny@aol.com
  
  

• One of the most satisfying books I ever reas

  
  By ARH9IQEMFKR6M on 1999-12-07
  Being a long term fan of Cornwell's Richard Sharpe series didn't prepare me for how much I would enjoy the Warlord Trilogy - of which this is the second book. The main character, Derfel Cadarn, is a masterful achievement. This retelling of the 'King' Arthur story as gritty, though imagined 'history' rather than fairytale legend, creates a stunning human saga as gripping and emotionally satisfying as any piece of fiction I have ever read. Cornwell's use of language is superb and each sentence is so well crafted that I was tempted to read the book out loud. I loved the story, the characters, the sturcture of the book, the irony gained by having the book narrated by Derfel in his old age - as an unbelieving priest who is pretending to be writing a translation of the gospels while actually writing Arthur's story as an entertainment for the young queen.

  This is a fabulous book - as are the other two. Cornwell obviously just gets better and better. If you haven't read any of his many books, this is a great place to start. I highy recommend it.
  
  

• Very unconvincing

  
  By on 2003-01-30
  I am shocked at the number of people praising this book so highly. Although there are some interesting elements here going into some celtic themes, the character development was very bland. I quickly grew to dislike Derfel as he was the superhero of the story. Everyone else just paled in comparison to his perfection. He does everything right and is as humble as a preist, it was impossible for me to find any interest or care for him at all. There was never any simpathy or worry for him, he always won, and got what he wanted. He never even has a decent opponent, Lancelot is a weak coward, the druid twins are dispatched ridiculously easy. Every character that is somewhat heroic or powerful sides with Defel making things all the more easy for him. His wife is the most beautiful women there is, almost as perfect as Derfel. It goes on and on, a story that is supposedly about Arthur is really about an infallible superhero that never does anything suprising and never is in any sort of danger, I had very high hopes for this book, and outside of the character problems there is some good stuff here, but what makes me dislike the story so much is that the author is trying to un-glamorize the characters of Arthur and the like, and at the same time he ends up over glamorizing this Derfel character. And with all the glamorizing that is done to Derfel, all the other characters seem a joke, and the excitement of the story just plummets.
  
  
• Enemy of God
  By A21TSTUH1DW6CB on 2000-10-09
  Excellent continuation to "The Winter King." Cornwell has done a really good job creating the characters for this series. They, in combination with the adventure and romance, make this book thoroughly enjoyable. I am not the fastest reader in the world and work quite a number of hours per day, but I finished this book in less than a week.

  This book, as the first, is narrated by Derfel Cadarn (a forgotten personage in Arthurian legend) as a very old monk. He tells his stories of battle as one of Arthur's warlords in Arthurs quest to achieve a peaceful Britain. At the same time he tells the story of the other characters and their life goals, which aren't necessarily the same as Arthurs.

  I loved the book. The only reason I didn't give it 5 stars is because I liked the other two even better. This is the best series I have ever read. If you are reading this review means that you are interested in this subject -- so go ahead and buy this series, you'll really enjoy it, I promise.
  
  

• A good read, but a few repetative patterns
  By A31VZ3NPCQBEJF on 2000-02-09
  I've read WINTER KING, and now just finished ENEMY OF GOD. 1st, one reviewer made a comment about 'corn,' but I think by corn the author means the ground products of grain, and not necessarily maize. From all I've read about the transition between Rome -> Dark Ages, this is on target. He's kept the anachronisms pretty sparse. It's realism is impressive. One nitpick I have to made is about Sagramour, the 'Numidiam' warrior...from what I know, Numidia is basically the coast of modern Algeria...but I think from how Cornwell describes him, Sagramour sounds 'black,' so perhaps he means Nubia? Certainly, the Berbers of North Africa aren't that different from many Mediterranean peoples. The other main nitpick is that some of the characters have such strident personalities it's easy to predict their responses. Lancelot is sly, Arthur noble, Derfel well-meaning, etc. Also, though I'm no Christian, all the Christian characters aside from Galahad (and Bedwin who isn't a particulary good Christian)s eem conniving and intolerant (Sansum, Meruig, Liggesac, Morwenna, etc.)
  
  
• Great Historical Retelling Of the Arthur Legend
  By AL0JTTLM3O9H5 on 2000-07-19
  As a history student, I am always some-what careful when I read books of the "historical-fiction" sort. Needless to say, I was very impressed not only with this work, but the other two books in this series as well (The Winter King and Excalibur).

  This book (and series) is a fantastic and detailed historic version of the King Arthur Legend. Since I am not an expert on British history, I can't comment on the accuracy of it all, but it defintely made the time period come to life for me.

  This book is not a fantasy book. It seems that every time I read a book on Arthur it is filled with Dragons and wizards and the like. Those books have their place and can be fun to read. However, if that is what you are looking for this work may not be for you.

  Be warned that this book is not the musical "Camelot" revisited. Many of the characters and plot lines are slightly different than tradition, but I think that makes the story that much more enticing.

  A very human story with some great battle scenes, if you like the Historical Arthur give these books a shot!
  
  

• A good novel, but not of Arthur!
  By A3H5K0BNTQBUJD on 1999-03-03
  I love the Arthur theme, therefore, I read everything that is written about the Arthurian Legends. I read the Winter King and enjoyed it, and was looking forward to the sequel. They both say "A Novel of Arthur". Don't you think it should read "A Novel of Derfel" with Arthur as a secondary character? Derfel is a superman, by whose side even Arthur pales. A novel of Arthur should be about Arthur.
  
  
• By Tim Huffman, author of SLAVER'S CHALLENGE
  By A3MOFE6HJA5DCI on 2001-07-28
  This book is Cornwell at the top of his form and that should be enough for anyone to rush to buy it. Careful, intricate plotting and good characters who are so good well balanced by the bad characters who are extremely bad. This unprettified version of Arthur and "Camelot" has the ring of veracity to it that so many others have been unable to bring forth. As is his hallmark, Cornwell lays out the weft of this tapestry at the end of the work and that bit of reality is a fine mint to end this sumptuous meal. I have already ordered Warlord III hoping to see the bad guys get their final comeuppance.
  
  
• Another Enchanting Tale from Cornwall
  By A3AXN8QO3M0JTE on 2002-12-06
  Enemy of God is the second book of a trilogy from Bernard Cornwall, and follows The Winter King. The trilogy presents the entire Arthurian Legend from a unique perspective. Erasing the images of a beautiful and pure Camelot, dashing, handsome knights gallant, and even the famous "Round Table", Cornwall tells the tale based on the reality of life in Medievil times. It's a gritty but fascinating revisitation of an ancient legend.
  I expected the Enemy of God would have the classic lull that many #2s in a trilogy suffer, but was pleased to find it as gripping as the first book. In the Winter King, the tale is told by a slave[] warrior,[] lord,[] monk: Derfel, who, in his old age, is retelling the tale of old to Queen Igraine. He picks up the tale in The Enemy of God, seamlessly weaving book one into book two. Igraine, who has been steeped in the glorious Arthurian Legend, is sometimes at odds with Derfel's retelling, which gives him the opportunity to break through the embellishments of the bards over the years and tell her what really happened. This was a fantastic tale, and a wonderful read. If you enjoy Arthurian tales, this book is highly recommended.
  
  
• Get twisted farther into Arthurian....... History?
  By A339FFCC9RNYLR on 2003-04-02
  The Warlord Trillogy is by far the best Arthur novels that I have ever read. Cornwell is a perfect storyteller and historian. In this second novel of Arthur we get plunged deeper into the legend that we all know, but in a very different way. This trillogy is not about magic, dragons and romance, but we see Arthur in a REAL dark ages setting. Cornwell makes this story as if it were really recorded down in history. Merlin, is a druid, not a wizard, he has no magic, though he may think he does. Arthur is not a King, but a Warlord, with a sword that is only said to be magic, but with no proof of it.

  These changes make Arthur so much more believible. I personally, as a Medieval studies Major, believe in Arthur, but we have to understand what he was like without the stories we all grew up on. Cornwell has done just that. The most real Arthur and companions you will ever read about.

  In Enemy of God, we learn more about the middle of the legends we all know. Arthur still prepairs the throne for the to be king Mordred, while Merlin and Nimue search for the Gold Cauldren in British history. Throughout the story we find new twists to old legends in believable situations and by the end of this second book we are just waiting for the third to pick up.

  Kudos for Cornwell. This is a wonderful book. A must have for any fan of Arthur.
  
  

• I loved the series but...
  By A3ELLZV0HDPYHW on 1999-12-02
  Having read every book Mr Cornwell has published, I probably shouldn't dwell on a trivial issue, but it does bother me. In a number of places in the first volume there is refereces to spearmen marching through the CORN. Now I may have my history a bit confused, but I thought Corn was a north American grain that wasn't introduced to Europe until the 16th century! That coupled with the fact that Arthur is carrying a handful of cornflowers when he discovers Lance & Gwen in the temple of Isis, just bother me. There may indeed be wildflowers called Cornflowers in the British isles today, but I suspect that they were called something else in 498 AD.....
  
  
• The Saga Continues
  By A13H2JJ3GEMJN1 on 2000-09-15
  Enemy of God is the second book of three. The Winter King was the first book in the series. Everything I wrote in my review of The Winter King continues to apply here. Having brought peace to the contentious kindoms of the Britons, Arthur is now faced by hostile Saxons, as well as by factional strife among the Christian population and personal betrayal. The pagentry of mythical Camelot is not here. The reality is a squalid and brutal post-Roman Britain, sliding rapidly into the chaos of the Dark Ages. Fertile ground for an excellent tale. And Cornwell delivers. This book will hold your attention from beginning to end. Highly recommended.
  
  
• A worthy sequel to one of the best Arthurian novels.
  By A2Y0PARXMHUYWK on 2002-08-04
  At first I thought that The Warlord Chronicles, of which Enemy of God is the middle chapter, would not appeal to me as much as other Arthurian tales that had more fantasy elements in the story, I was wrong. It's true that author Bernard Cornwell is hell bent on demystifying every aspect of the arthurian legend such as Camelot (never existed), the sword in the stone (never happened), the round table (a small thing), not to mention that Arthur himself is not even a king, however it is is Cornwell's adherence to a more realistic telling of the events that separates this tale from many others. Enemy of God explores many themes but chief among them is the validity of oaths, laws and the allegiance to a king, however unworthy that king may be. Religion and its hold on people is another aspect of the story, three different beliefs are presented here, the Christian, the pagan and, oddly enough, the cult of the egyptian goddess Isis.
  There is not as much warfare as in The Winter King, but still much blood is shed as a result of betrayals and much political intrigue. Upon reading, I found myself immersed in a story that is as joyous as it is tragic, full of nobility and acts of pure evil, but most of all it is the characters of Arthur and Derfel, the story's narrator, that fascinate the most. Both men are as different as can be, yet they share a friendship and loyalty that is inspiring.
  Enemy of God is a book that is more than just the middle chapter in a trilogy, there is an evolution of the characters from the first book to this one, the story moves forward and introduces new protagonists and storylines. A deeply enthralling novel to say the very least... Onward to Excalibur!
  
  
• Someone is Stirring the Cauldron
  By APRY1W9VFEFQ6 on 2006-09-02
  Bernard Cornwell is one of that rare breed of authors who are able to write convincingly on a broad range of subjects. Present day thrillers, the Sharpe novels about riflemen in the days of the Duke of Wellington, even an ancient historical novel about Stonehenge and it doesn't come much more ancient than that. His more recent novels have been about the Saxons and very good they are too. But I think that the trilogy he has written about the Arthurian legends are certainly among the best, if not the best of his novels. Having visited the authors website he also believes they are the best books he has written.
  
  The legends of King Arthur hold a magical attraction for many people, myself included and I enjoy reading about them very much. The tales of Arthur and his knights of the round table riding about in full and shining armour are of course a total nonsense and a more or less modern day depiction of Arthur. Suits of armour were not even invented until several hundred years after Arthur's death, if indeed he existed at all. But if he did it would be more around the time in which the Winter King is set.
  
  Mr. Cornwell puts a more realistic slant on the existence of Arthur in or around the sixth century, and the author himself believes that Arthur was some sort of war chief rather than a king.
  
  This is the second book in the trilogy. At the end of the previous book (The Winter King) Arthur has fought the decisive battle that unites the warring British Kingdoms and now he sets out to face the real enemy . . . Merlin has lead a dangerous expedition into the West of the land to retrieve a cauldron, one of the treasures of Britain. Merlin believes the ancient treasures of Britain will bring the old gods onto the side of the British against the Saxons and the Christians, whom Merlin hates. However he is not the only one plotting, Arthur's wife Guinevere wants to make magic of her own . . .
  
  
• Arthur on the dark side
  By ASM84F604GN58 on 2007-01-09
  Great story, lots of research went into this book. so much attention to details that you feel as if you were reading an factional historical account.
  I highly recommend it for all Arthurian novel & history buffs
  
  
• The best novel of Arthur yet1
  By A3S9J73OJT0S4E on 1999-10-07
  I have read many Arthurian novels, But I must say that I enjoyed Bernard Cornwell's trilogy more than any other. Enemy of God kept me up all night because I couldn't put it down! The blood and gore of the war scenes was realistic while I really got a great perspective of dark-age Britain. I especially loved the way Guinevere described Arthur- 'I hate and I love, it hurts.' A truly wonderful retelling of a classic myth.
  
  
• Simply Masterful
  By A17YG60BK1FKGC on 1999-09-06
  'Enemy of God' is a thrilling read. Cornwell combines the best parts of the Arthur mythos with the realities of the 6th century (I believe) to create a believable depiction of the legendary Arthur.

  The story takes off in the final 100 pages to create the first exciting conflict of the entire series. Previously the battles had been interesting, but lacked drama. I don't often give out 5 star reviews, but this book is remarkable.
  
  

• A spearpoint for modern conciousness.
  By AOSQ5JIA2X4M on 1997-08-14
  With "Enemy of God," Cornwell continues to rouse readers with his gutsy, historically probable, and morally insightful reinvention of the King Arthur legend. Like its predecessor ("The Winter King"), this second installment of a planned trilogy conjures up the most fascinating magic of all -- the inner sanctum of the human heart. Read of bitter enemities, held in check by political necessity. Marvel at the determination of those who swear oaths, as their loyalty is put to severe tests of suffering and humilation. Feel the tension as Druid and Christian factions must come together in mutual aid for an all-out war against the menacing Saxons. All this, and descriptive details which make this ancient Britain seem like it might still exist -- right there on the other side of the front door. Derfel, the former Saxon slave and champion of Arthur, sits old and haunted by his youth. But through his secret writings, he recaptures his youthful adventures with insights into love, lust, revenge, dark fears of mortality, and the hunger for honor in a world teetering at the jagged edge of barbarism.

  Cornwell does not only tell a thrilling tale grounded in historically possible soil. He endows his characters and their world with profound observations on life, death, and spirituality. The reader is offered insights into our relationship to the dead, how religious orthodoxy precariously conceals spriritual doubts, and the need for mythology to help people face loneliness. And that's just the first three pages!

  If you like your misty legends to come forth in bold, believable characterizations, then Cornwell's Arthur books are definitely for you. Again and again, a reader will put the book down for a moment or two, and reflect, "Yes, yes -- that's the way it may well have been." Exciting indeed -- but moreso when these legendary events have something to say about where civilization is today, and what has been lost in the process.

  Bravo, Mr. Cornwall. You've given the legend of Arthur a finely honed spearpoint with which to pierce our modern, myth-stripped consciousness!
  
  

• The same Cornwell???
  By A1CD0HMQGHY1VX on 2003-05-14
  Can this be the same author who wrote the horridly disappointing "The Winter King"??? I was so incredibly unhappy with the first installment of this trilogy that I think I even had the author's name wrong in my review - it made NO impression.
  HOWEVER - I trudged forward and started Enemy of God and within the first few pages, I was amazed at the difference in Cornwell's writing. Gone were the endless attempts at flowery scenic descriptions. The book was still very visually fulfilling, but not over-done this time. Gone were the scattered introductions of unimportant characters. In their place were truly well-developed portraits of the key players in this tale. It was two different people had written these two novels.
  Only at the very end of the book - within the last 50 pages - did a small trace of the long-winded Cornwall reappear and it was relatively painless since this time as I actually CARED what happened next.

  If you are thinking of this trilogy - skip the first one. He offers enough information in the second book that you can pick up the characters without difficulty and start with an enjoyable read.
  
  

• Informative and entertaining
  By AF5E5CHE2A7VX on 2003-05-21
  Like much of Bernard Cornwell's work, Enemy of God combines solid historical research and thought with some decent character development and an exciting political and military story. It's very interesting to learn about the state of Britain in the early post-Roman period: the various kingdoms and their relations; the encroachment of the Saxons; the rise of Christianity and the eclipsing of druidism. The characters are generally believable and well developed, and so is the presentation of their culture and way of life among the remnants of the Roman occupation. The political intrigue is also absorbing, and clearly exposed. And as always with Cornwell, the military aspect is gripping and clear. The idea of taking all the Arthurian characters and making them into realistic actors in a credible story of political, personal, and military intrigue is an excellent one, and is well executed. The book ends up creating a very convincing and believable imagining of late-fifth-century Britain that is both informative and entertaining.

  If my enthusiasm for this novel sounds just a tad restrained, it's because the book suffers from that small nagging flaw that seems to plague so much of Cornwell's work. For all its care and realism, the different aspects of the story - the characters, the history, the intrigue, the battles - never quite gel into a single seamless whole; it has just a very slight feeling of having been put together very carefully according to a plan, and it ends up being something more than your average paperback thriller, but less than a fine historical novel. It's neither fish nor fowl, too good to be mere airport pulp, but not quite "literary" either. It's irredeemably middlebrow.

  I don't mean to overstate the problem here; it's still a very worthwhile book, and I will certainly be reading the third volume in the trilogy. But while I keep reading Cornwell, I always come away both feeling satisfied and wishing the book were just a little bit better.
  
  

• A "timely" book
  By A2ON63MUE6YO0W on 2004-01-06
  Given recent world-wide events, this is a fascinating book. It works well on several levels... a well-paced page-turner... a look at the corrupting force of power... a literary work of historical fiction. But what is perhaps most interesting is Cornwell's depiction of religious fanaticism. The historical time depicted in "Enemy of God" is that transition between the polytheist world of paganism and the monotheist world of Christianity. Traditions which, at this point, are second nature to Christians were quite new in AD 400 - 500. Also, as Cornwell points out, Christianity was oftentimes embraced by those who had little to lose in their life. Therefore, their desperation made them willing to sacrifice their lives for the promise of better things in the afterlife. This mindset -- as it does today among religious fanatics of whatever ilk -- led to unnecessarily desperate acts during times of war. After all, what did they have to lose? Cornwell blends all of these facts together with a wonderful story. He diverges from the more traditional Arthur/Lancelot relationship known through the current renditions of Camelot. I look forward to the third -- and concluding -- volume of this trilogy.
  
  
• brilliant
  By A3EEPKRE5RCWRL on 2004-10-11
  Admittedly i know next to nothing of the arthurian legends, or the facts or lack thereof behind them. I bought this and the first book in the series after a recommendation from a forum, and the series has me absolutely spellbound. Cornwell completely blows away any conceptions one might have previously held of the popualr characters from the legends. His character development is excellent, as Lancelot plays an excellent cowardly villain (i was so pleased to see derfel get ceinwyn instead of him) and arthur is shown in altogether more human form than what little i had previously known of him. It is interesting that it is not a first person tale from the point of arthur, nor an omnipresent view, but a first person tale from the viewpoint of one of arthur's captains, the lovable saxon Derfel. The magic of merlin and nimue often provides comic relief, and at least it is interesting to note the differences between cornwell's interpretations of merlin's 'magic' and the overblown myths. A brilliant book, though it shouldnt be taken as historical fact, merely an excellent interpretation. I have yet to read the last in the series, but i look forward to it greatly. Buy these books today, you will not regret it.
  
  
• Don't stop
  By A260U3KT12BCTP on 2004-11-23
  OK, not as exciting as Winter King, perhaps because I was so thrilled with it. This book is necessary to really feel what the characters are feeling, and that is what this second book in the series brings. I still could not put it down, but the excitement was slightly less that Winter King, like the middle child, but I was rewarded for my time with Excalibur. You cannot miss this step in the story, and still by far this is the best historical fiction series I have ever read.
  
  
• Superb follow-up to "The Winter King"
  By A3BSRR9AAPRDQX on 2005-06-07
  First I'll just say that from about 50 pages into "The Winter King" I knew I'd be hooked on this series. At that point I even began searching for hardback copies of all 3 books and now own them. Today, I have just completed "Enemy of God", the second book in Cornwell's Warlord Chronicles.
  
  If you enjoyed "The Winter King", then you'll probably enjoy this one even more. If you've not yet read "The Winter King", I recommend starting there as it is the first book in this trilogy.
  
  This book picks up shortly after the end of the previous book. Mordred is acclaimed as king about halfway into the book, and about 3/4 to 7/8 o the way in, the plot really throws you for a loop. It's all done so masterfully. The characters flesh out even more. The plot thickens and twists without being too confusing. All I can say is, thank goodness for the maps.
  
  All I'll say is, if you've read the first book and enjoyed, go find this book now--anyway you can. It had moments that had me choked up, in awe, and nearly wanting to cheer.
  
  
• history and entertainment meet
  By A23H8X2HPTKQZ on 2005-08-25
  again, derfel weaves us a tale where we see loyalties divided, hope dashes, bloody battles fought, and friendships ended. the battle between pagans and christians fuels the battle between the saxons and british. words cannot express the fluid motion in which cornwell delivers this story. you are with these characters through their most heart wrenching agonies and highest joyful points.
  
  
• A great follow-up
  By A1CPXDDAK7OK57 on 2005-09-25
  Fans of "The Winter King", the first entry in Bernard Cornwell's take on the Arthurian legend, will not be disappointed by the second of the Warlord Chronicles.
  
  Cornwell's writing style is, for lack of a better word, superb. He mixes beautiful, poetic descriptions with cold, blunt realism, so what you're reading is less of a story and more of a window into events that might well have happened. Be warned: as in the case of "The Winter King", people who are expecting another tale of romance, chivilary, and magic will be disappointed, because Cornwell's story is very realistic and therefore much darker than the legends you may be used to.
  
  The only reason this novel lost a star is because the plot is occaisionally spoiled. The premise of the book is that this story is being written by Derfel, one of Arthur's warriors who is now a monk trying to tell the true story of Arthur at the behest of Queen Igraine. Because Derfel is the storyteller, at times he will ruin climactic battles by saying, "We won the battle," and then going on to describe *how* they won it. I'd rather read and find out on my own whether or not they won the battle.
  
  Other than that minor detail, the book is great and leaves you hungering for more of the adventures of Arthur, Derfel, and all the other characters, some familiar and some new, to occupy this fresh installment in the Arthur legend.
  
  
• A DIFFERENT TAKE ON THE ARTHURIAN LEGEND
  By A1AFXJ8U72MD6L on 2005-11-28
  Per my review of WINTER KING, this is a different take on Arthur, focusing on the legend and the times. And those times were when Briton was desperately fighting itself and trying to hold back the Saxon invasions. The ruins of Roman occupation still remain.
  
  In the second novel there is a great deal of more focus in how the Saxon problem will be solved. Lancelot shows his true colors to other people. Guinievere betrays Arthur. Merlin is questing for relics that will bring the Old Gods to Britain, push out the Christian God and help Britain against the many invaders. The main character, Derfel, achieves more status, fights in more battles, discovers his father is a Saxon leader and creates a rift with his childhood female friend, Merlin's apprentice.
  
  Evocative, bittersweet and even thought provoking.
  
  Enjoy!
  
  
• Derfel finds love, Arthur finds pain
  By A2HWUC980HM1NP on 2007-04-05
  After a hard fought victory at Lugg Vale, Arthur and Derfel hope for peace but alas it is not to be. In this second book in Cornwell's Warlord series the Arthurian legend continues. Derfel finds the love of his life and becomes a "Lord of War" while Arthur suffers his worst betrayal, and of course there is plenty of fighting. "Enemy of God" is a completely new chapter in the Arthurian legend in which Cornwell transforms Merlin into a real and loveable character and introduces the reader to much of the magic and mystery of the Druid. The story takes the reader into the reign of King Mordred and the dark times that follow. In this installment Derfel is at his happiest while Arthur is brought to the depths of despair. This is my favorite of the three books because the story brings out such deep emotions and leaves such a lasting impression.
  
  

• Excalibur (The Arthur Books #3)
• The Winter King (The Arthur Books #1)
• Sword Song: The Battle for London
• Lords of the North: A Novel (Saxon Chronicles #3)
• The Pale Horseman (The Saxon Chronicles Series #2)