Enemy of God (The Arthur Books #2)

Great book! It is written very well. Bernard cornwell is a great author. I love how the story goes in depth about the characters feelings and the expressions on their faces. The descriptions of the scenery and land are also very detailed.

In keeping with the majority of the authors work history is brought to life. The author has a flair for making history interactive and interesting with believable characters and vivid action. I will read the complete works and if we could get history books to read like this, boys would pay attention in class!

The author has a wonderful skill for involving all of your senses. Some passages will bring tears to your eyes or have you in fear for a character's safety, while others make you laugh out loud. Second book in series.

only regret is I read them on my Kindle and really need access to a map so I could follow the action where it takes place. Other than that another typical Cornwell book, great story, easy to read and accurate? not sure!

Excellent book, as Cornwells generally are. Very historically enlightening as to both the period of time and the people who lived during that period, eg, Arthur, Merlin, etc. And as always, exciting enough to make one forget that he or she is learning as they read.

Excellent read.... It really gave different view of King Arthur and the one's that surrounded him and I'm looking forward to the next book of the Warlord Chronicles,..... Bernard Cornwell is an excellent author

Cornwell weaves an interesting blend of history and legend. Lots of great descriptive action sequences, backed by court intrigue.Compares very favorably with Lord of the Rings in style and structure. Is a page turner.

This is book 2 of the Warlord Chronicles. Book 1 was slow as he set the stage for the action that occurs in book 2 and the author really delivers a lot of action in book 2. Extremely well written and hard to put down.

This is book 2 of the Warlord Chronicles. Book 1 was slow as he set the stage for the action that occurs in book 2 and the author really delivers a lot of action in book 2. Extremely well written and hard to put down.

This book was very good with all of the very well described battle scenes, but the author could have done a lot better with moving the book along.
I recommend this book for advanced and mature readers that can read quickly.

I highly recommend the King Arthur series by Bernard Cornwell. The storyline is unique compared to other Arthurian renditions, and the author has done a good deal of research to keep at least the technology and some of the culture of the time accurate.

There were enough agendas to keep you guessing who was going to help, mislead, or just betray Auther by each stake holder. Good vs Evil does not mean good always wins. But you have to keep the faith.

An enjoyable easy to read Bernard Cornwell Novel
Some very interesting characters and a great take on the King Arthur story
You really must have read book one "The Winter King" however to understand the characters

If you enjoyed "The Warrior Chronicles/Saxon Stories" you'll enjoy this book also.

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

ive never read a king arthur story quite like this. but if you where to think of what the dark ages might have been this is it. if you are looking for the traditional romantic garbage you probably won't care for it. i couldn't put it down

ive never read a king arthur story quite like this. but if you where to think of what the dark ages might have been this is it. if you are looking for the traditional romantic garbage you probably won't care for it. i couldn't put it down

I was once an ardent fan of Cornwell's historical imagination. I would just grimace at his continual jibes at the Christian faith that seemed typical of a modern skeptic. He characterizes Christian clergy as corrupt, lying, and bigoted schemers while contrasting these with an infrequent nod to the occasionally decent laity. However, Christian miracles are depicted as hoaxes and veracity of pagan magic left with an ambiguity to the reader.
Finally having read his Arthur series I am left fed up with this tendency. It stains any integrity he had as an author who sought to illustrate a believable historical fiction. He either doesn't know basic Church history or doesn't care to remain true to it. In Enemy of God, Cornwell depicts the Christians as frenzied masochistic maniacs and the sacred rites as indecent orgies of self flagellation, in addition to his usual insinuations that all Christian traditions are lies told for the benefit of the greed a corrupt clergy. Self flagellation wasn't practised until the eleventh century, and that in the West after the Schism between Orthodoxy and Latinism. I am done with his works.

This novel is the second in Bernard Cornwell's series The Warlord Chronicles. Its protagonist is still Derfel Cardan, who is now near thirty years old and one of Arthur's lords. The book begins immediately where The Winter King ended, after the battle among the British kings at Lugg Vale. Arthur is trying to keep the new peace among kings and protect the claim of a 5-year-old Mordred to the high king's throne. The conflict begins, however, when Arthur arranges to wed the princess Ceinweyn - the women Derfel secretly loves - to Derfel's enemy, Lancelot.

Arthur wants to strengthen his alliances among the British kings with the hope of uniting them against the invading Saxons, but Merlin has other plans. He is determined to find the lost Cauldron of Clyddno Eiddyn, one of the thirteen Treasures of Britain and a magical gift to the old Gods. Merlin fears the old gods will desert Britain and the land will be lost to Christianity; yet with the Cauldron, Merlin believes he can control the old gods and defeat the Christians. The Cauldron, however, lies in a land ruled by a ferocious Irish king, so Merlin needs warriors for his quest. To persuade Derfel and his men to join it, he gives Derfel a magic trinket with the power to prevent Ceinwyn's and Lancelot's marriage. But if Derfel uses it to win Ceinwyn's love, all of Arthur's carefully constructed alliances may collapse.

Merlin's obsession with the Cauldron, which comes to replace the story of the Holy Grail in Cornwell's retelling of the Arthurian legend, is part of a larger conflict between the old pagan (Celtic) religion and the new Christian faith spreading across Britain - a well-portrayed theme in this series. This also provides some of the more thought provoking, and even disturbing, aspects of the story. For as whimsical and likeable as Merlin's character can be, his obsession with defeating Christianity and the things he's willing to do to achieve that goal can be troubling. Yet this was clearly one of Cornwell's goals: to paint Marlin in distinct shades of gray instead of black or white.

Merlin's quest for the Cauldron is only one part of the story, however. The rest concerns the growing threat of the Saxons, Camelot and the Round Table, and the love affairs and betrayals that are a hallmark of most Arthurian tales. Cornwell, however, puts a quite a twist on the latter aspect. This is not a story about a young, naive Guinevere falling for a chivalrous Sir Lancelot. No, Cornwell's Guinevere is a fiercely strong and calculating woman, who, like Merlin, has her own plans in this novel, and the ramifications of those plans could decide the fate of Britain. This final element, in my view, makes Enemy of God as good as The Winter King, and it's one of the reasons this book has stuck with me the longest of three in Cornwell's masterful trilogy.

I debated whether to give this book 3 stars. If this wasn't modeled on the Arthurian legend, I would have rated this 4 stars. It's well-written, though occasionally tedious (for example, does Derfel have to explain the Saxon gospel ruse every time he writes in the present tense?).

My problem with this as a story of Arthur is that Arthur is pretty stupid when it comes to judging other human beings. How Arthur manages to be the only intelligent person in Dumnonia to not see Lancelot's true character defies the reader's ability to suspend belief. And how Arthur can adore Guinevere when he doesn't value her for the qualities that appear to have attracted him in the first place doesn't make sense. And it drains the tale of Arthur's essential tragedy--knowing that two people he loves are betraying him, but choosing to look the other way because he knows that condemning them will destroy both him and everything he's worked to build. The close of the novel is neither shocking nor tragic; the only question I had as the final scenes played out was, "How much evidence must be put directly in front of Arthur's face before he figures out what everyone else in a 100-mile radius already realized (except, apparently, Derfel, who works almost as hard at willful blindness as Arthur)?"

This is the second volume in Bernard Cornwell's Warlord Chronicles about Arthur and it is just as good as the first one. Although it is always preferable to read the books one after the other, this one if done in such a way that it is also self-standing. The story begins just after Arthur's victory at Lugg Vale against some of the other Briton kingdoms, a victory than ensures his supremacy. It ends with the failure of Lancelot's coup and the treason and imprisonment of Guinevere, Arthur's over-ambitious wife.

Cornwell is still at his best with the story including an original take on Arthur and his times, a hardly original topic for a book, excellent characterisation and a carefully researched Post-Roman historical context.
Rather than being made into a King, Cornwell had chosen to have Arthur as Uther's bastard son, sworn to uphold the rights of his useless and cruel half-brother Mordred, and as the paramount warlord of Britain. The personality of Arthur is a rather fascinating and complex one with an interesting mixture of pride, honour, strength and violence allied with a desire to be loved by all. At times, he feels like a "nice" person forced by duty to be hard, harsh and cruel. He is also very much of an idealist who believes that the followers of the Gods can live and coexist peacefully with the up-coming and proselytising Christians. This turns out to be one of his mistakes, partly explaining the book's title, with the other one being to trust Lancelot. Arthur's other aim is to throw back the Saxons and the Angles into the sea before they become too numerous to do so.

Characterisation is one of this book's strong points, with Derfel, the narrator and one of Arthur's warlords, being very credible. A strong warrior and war leader, he has his doubts and fears and honesty: a human being with all his limits and faults and no Superman. Some of the other characters are particularly well thought through, such as the loyal Galahad or the gruff no-nonsense Culhwch or Sagramor, the warlord descendant of some Roman Moorish cavalry. Some might have disliked this trilogy because of some of its originalities with regards to two characters which, over time, have been added to the Arthurian legends. I mean Lancelot and Merlin. Rather than the very unlikely paragon of virtue that he is usually made out to be, Lancelot is cast as an arch-villain, a coward and a terribly selfish Prince. Rather than being the traditional "power behind the throne" or the formidable magician, Merlin is portrayed as the ageing, headstrong, unhelpful and mostly selfish most senior druid of the realm. This enemy of the Christians, with the help of Nimue (Viviane), is hell-bent on restoring the power of the Old Gods at whatever cost, hence his quest to find the thirteen hidden treasures of Britain, including the cauldron (which the Christians transformed into the Graal), the most precious of all.

The historical context is also well thought through, with its mixture of decaying Roman structures and invaders coming from the East - the Angles and the Saxons - and from the West - the piratical Irish tribes who really did found a couple of small kingdoms in modern Wales. Most of the characters are either historical (such as Aelle and Cerdic), or can be found in the earliest version of the legend of Arthur. The fights and battles are also great, rather thrilling and "sound and feel real", for those who (like me) go for this sort of thing. The battle against Aelle's Saxons is particularly well done. A shield-wall or any infantry formation for that matter that would be charged in the flank by heavy cavalry would break in panic, run and be slaughtered. A few dozen heavy cavalry of the type described in the book would be enough to give the Britons a significant edge against their more numerous opponents. It would also explain how the Romano-Briton kingdoms would have managed to hold out for so long against the invaders, something that no other former Roman province on the continent seems to have succeeded in doing.

A superb read worth five stars.

This book has a bit of "second-book-syndrome". Having neither the fresh scenario of a series' first book, and with major drama often held off for concluding editions, middle books can sometimes drag, tasked with advancing plotlines neither introduced nor resolved.

But Cornwell rallies from this to stage a whiz-bang ending here.

It begins where the last one leaves off. Arthur stands unchallenged as Britain's strongest leader after his dramatic victory at Lugg Vale against united British and foreign adversaries when all seemed lost.

After a victory over the Saxons secures the eastern frontier, Arthur settles down to run Dumnonia for the child Mordred. Guinevere busies herself with the mysterious cult of Isis, while Lancelot schemes his way into a local throne closer to her. Derfel settles down with the lovely Princess Ceinwyn, who will live with him but not marry, to raise a family. They are charged with raising Mordred, a bad seed no one but Arthur wants to be king.

Merlin takes Derfel on a dangerous quest to find one of the mystical treasures of the ancient Britons. Merlin and Nimue believe it will energize Druids to reverse Saxon and Christian inroads on their culture.

Tensions are driven by growing Christian fanaticism, driven in turn by millenial fever as the 500th anniversary of Christ's birth approach. The tolerant but pagan Arthur can't stand them down. The insidious Bishop Sansum marries Arthur's sister Morgan, who converts from sorcery to Christianity after losing her influence over Merlin. Merlin and Nimue, their treasures suddenly lost, sink into irrelevance, while Lancelot plots with both Saxons and Christians. When Arthur and Derfel are sent on a dubious mission to seize an aging and unimportant enemy, all hell breaks loose.

Cornwell has done a grand job creating a new reading of the Arthur legends, one true to the 5th century setting in which Arthur is often placed. In his afterword, Cornwell argues that the vilification of Arthur in early Christian saints' tales suggests Arthur may very well have been a pagan. Cornwell's Arthur, though, is devoted far more to his own personal gods - order, justice, peace, oaths and honor, the values traditionally attributed to him.

And the tragedy remains his own blindness to the flaws of mankind and particularly those he loves - the greed and ambition of Lancelot, Guinevere and Sansum, and their indifference to the greater good embodied in Arthur's Round Table. When Arthur's cold legalism allows a prince and his lover to be done to death, it drives a wedge between him and Derfel. These same scruples force Arthur him to uphold the worthless Mordred's right to the throne.

Cornwell is never better than when his heroes have their backs to the wall with all seeming lost, as it does here for Arthur and Derfel - their families besieged, with only a few dozen warriors remaining loyal. Reminding us that Arthur is not only a visionary ruler but a warlord capable of getting medieval with his enemies, Cornwell brings it to a chilling and dramatic finish.

I grew up learning as much as I possibly could about the legend of King Arthur. This is radically different than any other Arthurian story I have encountered but I loved the first book of The Warlord Chronicles: The Winter King and as I result I had to buy Enemy of God. The story picks up right where the first novel ended seamlessly. Cornwell's style is so engaging it makes for a truly exciting read. He paints a picture for the reader to see without going off on lots of tangents. Even though Cornwell's version of the story is different, love the narrator Derfel as well as the characterization of Arthur and Merlin. The elements of history included in the story also grounds the tale with a level of reality that I really appreciate because I am a history buff. I'm really excited to see where the journey of this version of Arthur will lead me.

In Bernard Cornwell's second installment of The Warlord Chronicles, he continues where he left off in The Winter King: Arthur has defeated the armies of Powys and Siluria, while the kings, Gorfyddyd and Gundleus, are dead, and with an alliance between the Brythonic kingdoms now near at hand, he turns to confronting their common enemy, the Saxons.

Derfel continues the telling of his tale, where he is ordered to Powys to arrange a marriage between Lancelot, a man he despises, and the beautiful Ceinwyn, who he has completely fallen in love with, though he does not tell Arthur of this. The mighty warrior soon arrives in Powys with the beautiful Guenevere and his full entourage to enjoy the grand wedding and all seems to be going according to plan. Meanwhile, Merlin knows of Derfel's love and offers him an ultimatum. The magician is in search of one of the sacred thirteen treasures of the island of Britain, a powerful cauldron that supposedly has the power to bring the dead back to life. If Derfel will join him on this quest, he will make sure Ceinwyn is his. He is given an enchanted pig's bone which, if he breaks it, will release the magic, and Ceinwyn will belong to Derfel. The young man must then decide what he must do, as he weighs the decisions of Arthur, his lord, with the desires and wants of his heart.

Enemy of God takes the story of Arthur in new directions, as Cornwell skillfully blends it with some Welsh mythology to make for a captivating and adventurous tale. At the same time the Christian faith is growing in power, and Arthur must balance this fact with respect for the Druid religion, but ultimately decide what is best for Britain and its people.

Originally written on March 17, 2012 ©Alex C. Telander.

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Again, as in The Winter King, book 1 in this trilogy of Arthur, Cornwell presents part 2 of the history of Arthur from a very different point of view and with a very different spin on the tale. This is not the magical tale of a sword in a stone or of a round table and a grail quest. What this is, is a tale told by Lord Derfel Cadarn, Derfel 'the mighty'. He is, as he tells this tale, an old monk in the service of the king and queen of the Britons. But he was a warlord and lifelong friend and warrior of Arthur's. Indeed, he spent most of his life with Arthur.

The tale, despite the fact that it is a tale of Arthur, is more a tale of Derfel and his interactions, opinions and views of Arthur; not to mention a tale of all that Derfel did, his family and his life. It is a tale of broken love, war, treachery and death. It is a tale of the Britons in the 5th century. But it is more about Derfel than it is about Arthur. This does not detract from the story. This is a wonderful tale about a warlord of Briton and Derfel (pronounced 'Dervel', a Welsh name given when Derfel was an orphan raised by Merlin). We hear Arthur's tale of war and of love, of Guinevere and Lancelot, Galahad and all the other names we know from the great mythological tale of Arthur; just not in the way we all know the tale.

But this tale is of real men in a real world with real problems and little, if any, magic. The tale continues Arthur's tale of rise to rule the Britons and his quest to unite the Britons under one king and defend his country from the invading Saxons. It is a tale of broken oaths, untrustworthy alliances and selfish ambitions.

I highly recommend this book to those that seek a story of dark age England. If you seek the mythical sword in the stone type tale, you will, most likely, be disappointed by this, but you may enjoy the refreshing new spin on the tale, without the excesses of magic.

If I have one complaint about this tale, it is that the book does not contain a map, as Book 1 did. I continually had to refer back to the map in book 1 as I read this story. This does contain the very helpful list of names and places at the front of the book, as did book 1. But, a map would have been helpful as the story encompasses travels and wars throughout the British isle.

This is a wonderful tale of medieval England and should be greatly enjoyed by any lover of history or historical fiction.
Enjoy!!!

"Enemy of God" is the second book in Cornwell's "Warlord Chronicles" trilogy. While Cornwell's retelling includes many familiar names and themes, there are some interesting twists that make the story a fun read for me.

The book includes an ample dose of Paganism v. Christianity, and some graphic battle scenes, either or both might turn off some readers. I found the book to be an interesting speculation into what 5th Century Britain might have been like, especially as they drew close to 500 AD when many speculated Christ would return.

I did find parts of this tale a little slow in comparison to the first book, but it finally picks up toward the end. Thankfully, this tale didn't include any cliffhangers, but we still don't have any answers about or narrator Derfel and how he ends up an aged Christian monk missing his left hand. I find these questions compelling to continue on with the third book!

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 . . .

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!

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!

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.

Cornwell's interpretation of the Arthurian mythos is compelling and superbly written. He breathes new life into the legends by presenting the well-known characters as realistic figures, neither saints nor demons. Few of his villains are without some kind of redeeming feature, and none of his heroes are without flaw. Arthur, a bastard by birth, is generous and kind but ruthless and vain; Gorfyddyd, a tyrannical ruler bent on overlordship of all Britain, is a loving and doting father and Merlin, the inveterate trickster, is never without some surprise up his sleeve but is ultimately human and filled with doubt in the gods and in himself.

Many of the integral parts of the mythos (the Grail quest, Merlin's magical prowess, the love affair between Lancelot and Guinevere) are retold in an utterly plausible manner.

Cornwell's Britain is not a utopian Camelot but a patchwork quilt of loosely affiliated kingdoms warring with one another and fighting off Saxon marauders who themselves are divided into different warlords' followings. His description of religious conflict is one of two faiths, Christianity and Celtic paganism, at times vying for supremacy, at times seeking to co-exist, and always plagued by internacine rivalries and differences of doctrine and ideology.

We view all these people and conflicts through the eyes of Derfel, a Saxon-born slave who fights his way to the top of Post-Roman British society, allowing us to see the legend from a unique and rarely-explored perspective. The result is a spellbinding journey through war and peace, faith and folly, in a three volume work that, but for its recent publication, would no doubt be regarded as a great classic of Western literature.

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.

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.

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.

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.

Bernard Cornwell's outlook on Arthur may be surprising but is actually not of his own invention. Mary Steward started depicting Arthur as a Roman-born boy, but still made him a king. Bernard Cornwell- true to history, only makes him a warlord. In this way he does take away the fairy-tale like existence of a king of Brittain, but the history lovers cannot but applaud this. B.C. is not a romantic novels writer, hence probably his success with the male readers, but can be awfully realistic within a frame of romance, which one can only admire. B.C. does not give superstition and spiritual ways a big chance in his Warlord books, (Merlin is mostly a 'quack' etc.) but then he never does. Different but admirable, truer to history than any other Merlin and Arthur book.

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.

The 6 x 9 book size is still a little big for me. The book doesn't fit real well on the shelf.

It's well written for what it is. Characters are well developed writing is consistent and the main character Derfel is extremely interesting I just don't like the story.

Arthurian legends cover a lot of territory and you can make a case for this version. You can also make a case for Arthur being Roman. This is just a little dark for me.

Bernard Cornwell continues his wonderful "Warlord Chronicles" trilogy -- Cornwell's take on King Arthur -- with the "Enemy of God." While Cornwell tells a vastly different tale than the classic Arthurian legends, his Arthur nevertheless rises to mythic heights.

At the close of "The Winter King," Arthur has established himself as the mightiest warrior in England following his shocking victory at Lugg Vale. But to the frustration of many, Arthur's main goal is to support the divine right of kings, and the High King is Mordred, a petulant, vile young man. Nobody but Arthur will support him, but since Arthur hopes against hope that Mordred will grow into his noble position, everyone reluctantly lets Mordred sit on the throne.

But even though Mordred is the High King, other kings abound. Lancelot is also a king, and Arthur also feels great pangs of guilt for failing to come to Lancelot's aid as his kingdom was sacked in "The Winter King." Blinded by his guilt to Lancelot's various faults -- including raging vanity -- Arthur continues to support Lancelot against all reason.

Of course, neither Mordred nor Lancelot are particularly grateful for Arthur's support, and Arthur will soon learn to his great horror that loyalty and self-sacrifice are not always rewarded.

This being Cornwell, these political conflicts are often resolved by spear and sword, and "Enemy of God" is replete with numerous battle scenes, and nobody writes a better battle scene than Mr. Cornwell. Fans of his other works will not be disappointed!

The title for the novel comes as a bit of a shock for those familiar with the Arthur legend. In most tales, Arthur is a Christian king, and his Knights of the Round Table are examplars of Christian might. Cornwell's Arthur, however, is a pagan . . . although his religious convictions are lukewarm at best. This Arthur puts his faith in men rather than gods (or God). Unfortunately for Arthur, the Christians of his time (we're rapidly approaching 500 A.D.) are convinced that the Rapture is on the horizon, and they must scour the land and cleanse it of all pagans -- whether through conversion or through slaughter.

At times like this, Arthur's policy of benign tolerance is completely out of step, and it leads Arthur into several errors of judgment that have catastrophic consequences.

Most of the major elements of the classic Arthur tales are present. Tristan and Isolde's famous tragic tale of lost love occupies several pages. Fans of Merlin will see their favorite Druid swing from triumph to despair and back again. And Queen Guinevere's betrayal of Arthur with Lancelot may be different than one expects, but it is no less shocking or heartbreaking.

All in all, "Enemy of God" is a thought-provoking, historically informed take on the Arthur legend, and is a worthy read for fans of historical fiction or the Arthur legends. Check it out, but only after reading "The Winter King" first so you can have Cornwell's backstory for all the characters, rather than working from your presuppositions taken from other works.

This is the third book by Bernard Cornwell that I have read in a row. He is a brutally addictive author who entraps weak-willed bibliophiles like me, and entices them to read nothing else. Beware, or you could suffer the same fate.

While not quite as good as the first book in this series, it is still miles ahead of most of the genre. The tale begins with the pursuit of the Cauldron of Clyddno Eiddyn (pronounced kluthno aithun, I think), one of the thirteen "Treasures of Britain." Merlin, Nimue, Derfel et al fight despair, the elements, and Diwrnach's minions to bring it back to Dumnonia. (As an aside, "Hamlet's Mill" by Santillana and Von Dechend offers some interesting insights into the relation of cauldron myths to primitive astronomy.)

The mid-portion of the book is the weakest part, and seems to meander meaninglessly. In fact, I seriously considered abandoning Cornwell for a time. Then comes the end which is the strongest part of the story by far. Don't make the mistake I did and start reading the last 150 pages at 11:30 PM before an important meeting the next day. It will take a strong person to put the book down once this section is begun.

Second in the Warlord Chronicles, his Arthurian trilogy, told from the viewpoint of Derfel Cadarn, a Saxon slave boy who has now become one of Arthur's greatest warriors. A heady blend of historical fiction and fantasy with the retelling of the Arthurian legend in a very plausible way, without a whole lot of romantic nonsense--there are love stories within the story, but it's primarily a tale of war, greed, and hunger for power, which makes it (in my opinion) a much more likely scenario than the fairy tale type Arthur stories.

I particularly enjoyed Cornwell's treatment of Arthur's "Round Table." LOL It's impossible to begin to talk about this book very much without giving away too much. I can only advise anyone who enjoys Arthurian legends to check this series out--it truly is excellent and has a place firmly on my Keeper shelf.

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!

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.

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.

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.

Yet again Bernard Cornwell demonstrates his mastery of story-telling with the second volume on the Arthurian legends. Cromwell's craft is evident at each page with his intricate weave of character and plot, and just enough of the familiar to create touchstones for the American reader. He is without equal in the battle sequences, and while the court intrigue occasionally drags on, it is never without a point and always embellishes the story. In the narrator, Derfel, he has created perhaps his most vulnerable and therefore accessible hero, much more so than Sharpe (even after he married), and I was saddended to leave him, old and alone and still in ear shot of his nemesis, Bishop Sansum. I expect that all will find fitting ends in the last of the series.

As far as the middle parts of trilogies go, "Enemy of God" is more "Attack of the Clones" than "The Empire Strikes Back." By that I mean it helps move the story from the beginning (Part 1) to the end (Part 3) but by itself isn't as interesting as either of those. The action in this second installment of Cornwell's tale of a 5th Century AD Arthur is largely political, with only one major battle--and a short one at that--punctuated by a few smaller skirmishes. Instead, "Enemy of God" sets the stage for the climactic battles that await in the final part of the trilogy.

What's important to note here at the start is the difference in Cornwell's Arthur from what people traditionally think of. The traditional Arthur created in the Middle Ages was a Christian hero, as evidenced by the quest for the Holy Grail. Cornwell's Arthur though is an agnostic pagan, who makes an enemy of the early Christian church in Britain by insisting the church pay taxes to help him fund expensive wars to keep Saxon invaders from taking over the land. For that matter the church in those days was far different than most churches today, with far less organization and rituals akin to those of revivals.

In this 5th Century world after the Romans have gone but before the Saxons, William the Conqueror, the Tudors, and so forth, paganism defined by the Druids is fading while the newer religion of Christianity is rising. This creates bitter rivalries and conflicts within Britain even as Arthur struggles to bring peace to the land.

After the bloody battle of Lugg Vale that ended Part 1 of the trilogy, the warlord Arthur sets about the business of uniting Britain (what we'd think of as England and Wales) to fight the invading Saxon horde. This he does with political alliances and a Round Table oath, but the war against the Saxons goes terribly wrong thanks to a betrayal by the cowardly, vainglorious Lancelot.

However, a peace is established, during which time the conflicts turn from military to religious. As the year 500 approaches the Christians believe Christ is set to return and thus all unbelievers must be converted or otherwise eliminated. Meanwhile the Druid Merlin sets out to find the 13 "Treasures of Britain", including a daring raid into a wild Irish kingdom to find a magic cauldron. (The cauldron story is like the equivalent of the search for the Holy Grail.) And while Arthur has peace, chaos threatens thanks to a betrayal by the one he loves most. (Anyone who knows anything about the Arthurian saga knows to whom this refers.)

As I said at the beginning, most of the action in this book is of the dramatic kind as the Christians and pagans clash and various people scheme for control of Britain. Our narrator, the brave warrior Derfel, is caught up in the middle of everything, including the quest for the cauldron--how convenient! The middle of the story then tends to sag, something Cornwell tries to remedy by weaving the tragic tale of Tristan and Iseult (or Tristan and Isolde as it was in the recent movie) into his Arthurian tale. As interesting as much of this is, it's hard not to get anxious for the climactic finish you know is coming.

Still, it's a necessary piece of the puzzle and an interesting study of life in the Dark Ages. Christians might find it especially interesting and should certainly find some parallels between these ancestors and current society. Certainly the idea of religions battling each other is something we all know something about these days. Maybe if we all had a little more of Arthur's pragmatism about the subject we'd have more of a Camelot.

That is all.

This is my favorite King Arthur novel, bar none. The Winter King (The Arthur Books #1) is a great lead-in, and Excalibur, A Novel of Arthur (The Arthur Books #3) a great finish, but this is the heart and soul of the series, and of Arthur. Again Cornwell plants the story firmly in the time-period, exploring the Welsh myths through the character of Derfel Cadarn. We often forget that Arthur was first known as the warrior who held back the Saxons, and that he was also reputed to be an "enemy of God," at least according to early Christians - there are many saints who gained their sainthood by opposing Arthur. Cornwell explores all this, as well as the Round Table legend and the story of Tristan and Isolde. But best of all is the finish, with the story of Arthur's great love and betrayal. Read this series. There is nothing better.

With "The Winter King" Cornwell introduced us to his vision of the Arthurian legend. In this followup we get an expansion that gives us a look at the traditional quest narrative, a staple of the Arthurian tradition, as well as his take on Lancelot and Arthur's division over Guinevere. All of this is layered over a thematic examination of the importance of religion in the scheme of politics. Cornwell takes a firm stand and makes some interesting points that are quite relevant in the current political climate. Admittedly the book seems to start off a bit slowly but the narrative picks up speed effectively and reaches an unbelievably satisfying climax. I tore through the final 100 or so pages in a final sitting because I was so hooked.

To make a long story short, this is one of the best sequels I have ever read.

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.

This series is magical, touching the right chords in an Arthurian heart. This second volume is peopled by characters which seem real, not supernatural, and Derfel the narrator is one of the most accessible and human voices from that time. It is hard to put this book down, and the sense of regret and outrage which accompanies Derfel's situation as the book ends can only be assuaged by the hope that the third in the trilogy will make all things right. I love T.H. White's, Jack Whyte's, and most other treatments of the legend. Cornwell's probes new ground, and can take its place at the head of them all, with White's of course.

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.

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.

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!

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.

This was the second book in this series. A little slower than the first or third, but to build the story background it was needed. The only thing I did not care for was the extraneous sideline activities that did not contribute to the story. But over all I am well pleased by the series. Cornwell has become one of my favorite authors.

This is the second in Bernard Cornwell's Warlord trilogy about King Arthur. If you haven't read The Winter King then read that first. In this one Arthur has to face continued opposition in his war against the Saxons. Lancelot is being treacherous, and the various British kingdoms still can't agree on anything. Merlin wants to go on a quest to seek the Holy Grai-Cauldron. And we get more battles with the Saxons. A worthy second part.

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.

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!

'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.

This book is an excellent read and follow-up to the first one. A lot happens within these two covers and by the time you turn that last page you'll wish you had already purchased the third book to the series. Cornwell delivers excellent reading with great historical accuracies in terms of people and places, horrific battle scenes drawn out with extraordinary detail. If you like Cornwell, this will make you love him.

This is a well-written political thriller set in fourth-century Britain, not the Arthurian legend that everyone's familiar with. As such, it's a fitting sequel to "The Winter King". As in that book, Cornwell takes some Arthurian legends from different eras and mixes them together, adding his own touch of historical realism. The portrayal of Saxon-Celtic conflict as well as Christian-Pagan conflict is very well done. An excellent book, though one that will disappoint some by painting a vision of Arthur that clashes with their own. As always, Cornwell's storytelling is top-notch.

The second book in the Warlord chronicles and certainly the best one so far. The series in itself is great because it gets past the over glorified story of Arthur (ie. the movie "Excalibur") and really shows how life was back then and gives a someone realistic view of how the stories may have been generated... I haven't heard very much about the 3rd book... Anyone know what the title is and when it should be released?

I was not happy with the condition of the book. It was suppose to be new but I dont think so. The cover was dog eared and so were some of the pages. The book was not in very good shape for a NEW BOOK. I purchased two other books at the same time and they were perfect.

After reading the winter king I thought that it could not be passed, I was wrong. It is a book that inchanted me from the first page to the last and every page in between. athe book kept me one my toes and I did not know what would happen or what to expect. A worthy sequel The Winter King. Bravo Mr Cornwell, finally a series worth reading.

Absolutely brilliant and gripping. It had me on the edge of my seat the whole time. The characters felt so real - you care deeply what happens to them. Mr. Cornwell is simply put a creative and amazing storyteller.

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.

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.

I love this triogy it is much more beilvable than any arthur movie that I have seen. I dont know about other books this is the only arthur book that ive read but I cant see how any other book can get any better than The Warlord Chronicles. the only down side of these books is each chapter was at least 40pages long a little to long for my taste but still great.

The first one, the Winter King, I did like more, but it was OK. There was only one matter, that did disturb me: the way Derfel and the others treated Mordred. How should a child, which has no parents, gets no love but is hit all the time become not a very very bad grown-up? I do not know if Cornwell has children, but I do hope not. Apart from this, it was a good book. A very interesting way to tell this story.

Very refreshing, believable story with many unique twists. I particulary enjoyed the author's portrayal of the strong women in Arthur's and Derfel's life. Guinevere was so real, and not at all unworthy in the end, and Derfel's lifetime princess lover so beautiful and brave! I was also quite enthralled by the plot's raising of Christianity in a Pagan world and the country peoples resistance to the change in their gods. I liked this series far, far better than the Mary Stewart series, and I really liked Ms. Stewart's! Vol #1 is very good, but Vol's #2 & #3 are the best!!

Not really up to what I've come to expect from Cornwall. A retelling of the Arthurian legend, but not one that I find riveting. Most of the characters are a little TOO flawed for my taste. I'm just not buying Guinevere as a worshipper of Isis. I do like Nimue, though. Singularly unattractive, but believable.

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.....

I was intrigued about this alternate version of the Tales of Arthur. This well-crafted book (the third of 3 books in this series) fleshes out many of the legendary characters in very believable ways. I liked the book.

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.

Cornwell isn't a very good writer, his take on things is more or less "life's a bitch and then you die" and none of it is really worth it except for teenage love, sex and violence. Most of the characters who believe in anything of value - God, Order, good government, peace, cultural refinement - are portrayed us being a bit stupid. The heroes are mostly a-holes, the clergy are perverts and hypocrites, the soldiers thugs. "Life was nasty, brutish and short" becomes "life IS nasty, brutish and short" b/c the main character has such a strong post-modern viewpoint that he doesn't even really seem like he's from that era. In short, it's just Cornwell's voice, and it's remarkably consistent in every book.

The skills that Cornwell brings are mostly powerful forward momentum of the story, clever twists on traditional stories [clever, but not deep or meaningful], and some decent research and guesses on modern archaeology re: the dark ages. But it doesn't age or last well. To me, he's sort of the guys version of the summer-reading-romance-novel, it tastes like candy but in the heat over a long day at the beach it makes you feel a bit nauseated.

For better writing, more creative interpretation, and a more mature and broader view of life than cynical youth, I'd check out Mary Stewart's arthurian series, it's superior in every way.

Perhaps not as good as Winter King, Enemy of God does a great job of connecting the first and third tomes of the triology. About halfway it can get a little slow but if one manages to soldier on it is a rewarding book. Very eventful and manages to deliver what you'd expect from the triology and from Bernard Cornwell.

Enemy of God, #2 in The Arthur Books, was my favorite of the three. Reading these books was a great experience because knowing that I had the opportunity to continue the story and it not ending was so much fun...until I finished #3.