Excalibur (The Warlord Chronicles)

because unfortunately the story ends here. I wish it didn't, however, it is the most rewarding series on historical fiction I have ever read. If you were smart, you bought all three so there was no wait time between them. I had to start with Winter King to see if it was good, and after the first chapter, I ordered the other two.

Cornwell is brilliant as always. Excalibur, the last book of the Arthur series, is wonderfully written, bringing the reader into the final chapters of Arthur's life. A great read, sure to keep you turning page after page.

I love to read all tales about Arthur, and this trilogy is one of the best. Characterization is fully developed. Plot exciting. Arthur, a king,but no king. And always the Once and Future King.
Highly recommended.

Bernard Cromwell obviously has a passion for history and this unique retelling of the Arthurian legend rings with authenticity and of all the versions of this great story is one that rings true ....even when you know it is not ....great imagery and storytelling

Too good for a casual read. Too intense not to obsess over. The most fascinating rendition of Arthur imaginable. I find the historical interpretation, especially concerning religion, to be entirely legitimate. Thank you Lord Cornwell.

Fascinating version of the Arthur tale set in an authentic post Roman Britain. I thoroughly enjoyed the entire trilogy. The afterwords on historical details woven into the story gave the reader even more to think about. This trilogy is my new favorite version of the Arthur legend.

Fascinating version of the Arthur tale set in an authentic post Roman Britain. I thoroughly enjoyed the entire trilogy. The afterwords on historical details woven into the story gave the reader even more to think about. This trilogy is my new favorite version of the Arthur legend.

I absolutely love the whole trilogy, I wish there was more books.
It's the first I've read from Bernard Cornwell and I will definetely read more.
A great fictional story but you also get an understanding for the way of life then.

Excalibur is a wonderful conclustion to Conrwell's Arthurian trilogy. His shield wall descriptions hit new heights. Nearly all the pieces carefully built up in the earlier books come neatly together. My only complaint is that the ending was a bit flat. A few details go unexplained and the tale just ends. A couple of pages closing some loops would have been more rewarding.

I've read several other Bernard Cornwell series after seeing them on Netflix and found them delightful. This series, however, lacks story line, plot, and action. It should not be purchased as it cannot be read and I don't believe it can be returned.

The price was excellent, but I was disappointed in the condition of the book. The pages were slightly yellowed and dusty and the book had a musty smell. The book was advertised to be in better condition than it appeared. It was perfectly readable, however.

Not up to his usual standards. Seems like one weekend he thought it was time to write a new book. Beginning was very confusing and cluttered. Order was somewhat restored by the end but too many fictional names an places

Not up to his usual standards. Seems like one weekend he thought it was time to write a new book. Beginning was very confusing and cluttered. Order was somewhat restored by the end but too many fictional names an places

Bernard Cornwell definitely got me intrigued and hooked with his series of historical fiction books. After reading the 20+ The Nathaniel Starbuck Chronicles series; then came upon the 4 book series of The Grail Quest with main character Thomas of Hookton I had to decide what should I read now from this great author. So The Warlord Chronicle was next for me with Lord Derfel the main narrative character and have to say I thoroughly enjoyed this trilogy series also. The fighting scenes in all of his books are pretty intense with how war was taking place in these periods of times.

Saying that we all know war is hell no matter what time period but this time of 500 AD was just as brutal and more. So many characters with twists and turns keeps your interest throughout this 3 book series. For beginning readers the plot line goes through all sorts of scenarios of love, friendship, power grabs with many types of personalities. It's not always war but seems to be the common denominator of all of his books. I read where Bernard Cornwell wrote that The Warlord Chronicles was his favorite of all his writings. Now just have to decide which series to read next? Possibly the Saxon Tales or maybe should read a light comedy in the interim? :-)

I have been an avid reader of Cornwell's Saxon Tales for the last decade, and while waiting for the latest entry in that series, I was hesitant to try this earlier trilogy, expecting to be disappointed simply because Uhtred's saga seemed almost impossible to top. Boy, was I wrong. By the end of The Winter King, I was craving more. At the end of Enemy of God, I applauded to an empty car. I am not an emotional person, but at the conclusion of Excalibur, I teared up. This is the greatest piece of modern fiction I have read.

I believe the best way to experience this book is through the audiobook version; Jonathan Keeble's unique narration of its dozens of characters left me in awe. I believe this is the greatest written tale of Arthur, and with Keeble reading, it is also one of the greatest artistic performances I have ever experienced. Simply amazing.

SHIELD WALL!!!

This is a review of the audiobook, narrated by Jonathan Keeble, who is a different narrator than the audiobooks of the Last Kingdom series. The narrator's older voice and the main character of Derfel in this book were dull in comparison to the character of Uhtred and all the books of the Last Kingdom series. As other reviewers mention, the Arthur story is different. I liked the plot twist on the Arthurian legend but found the superstition and pagan magic ridiculous and annoying; it was a contrast to the Last Kingdom books which are realistic, more exciting and believable. I got so tired of the book I didn't even finish the last chapter.

The author Bernard Cornwell is an excellent story teller. I thoroughly enjoyed this trilogy of Arthur from the start of the first novel through the end of the third. In this work Arthur never claims the title of King and the author gives us a character that is larger than life but also very human and flawed and made his story seem more real than other works I've read on him. Arthur, like Robin Hood was a hero to many people albeit a myth/legend and like all tales, it's in the telling that makes it entertaining and this trilogy was just that. Plenty of action, emotion, some pretty grizzly scenes but also some tender moments. A quote I have read in many of his books “Fate is inexorable” and it's just that.

Excalibur is the last of the Warlord Chronicles, Bernard Cornwell's trilogy on Arthur the warlord who, according to the author at least, was never king. This is the volume where the Saxon (and Angle) invaders get crushed at Mont Badon. Two-thirds of the book is devoted to the build-up of this climatic event. It is also the only battle that is a historic event, since it is attested by several of the written sources, starting with Gildas who makes clear that it was a great victory for the Britons. It also seems to have postponed the Anglo-Saxon drive towards the West for about a generation, although there is no secure dating for the battle itself and historians have been furiously debating this and everything else about Arthur and his times.

The qualities that were apparent in the two previous volumes are also displayed in this one. A rather original plot for a very well-known story - the medieval mythical Arthur was about as well-known as Roland and Charlemagne across Europe. The comparison that comes to mind, although it should perhaps not be pushed too far is with the Illiad for the Ancient Greeks. I already mentioned some of the main twists: Lancelot painted as a villain, Merlin as a selfish, grumpy and rather unsympathetic old man, Arthur as a very competent but reluctant and idealistic warrior, Galahad the Christian, Lancelot's half-brother but loyal to Arthur, Derfel, the narrator and one of Arthur's warlords, and who happens to be the bastard son of a King. There are many other original twists, such as that of King Mark of Cornwall and Tristan, his heir, and Iseult, his young wide who happens to be the daughter of one of the Irish piratical Kings who had settled along the Welsh coasts. This, by the way, is historically correct. Throughout the 3rd to the 5th centuries, war bands of Irish pirates attacked all along the western coast of Britain and founded several kingdoms. Those in Wales, which are mentioned in this book, were ultimately eliminated, but the Dal Riata who settled on the western part of what was to become Scotland and took over the whole country in the end.

As also already mentioned in my previous reviews, one of the greatest qualities of this book is to make the characters credible, whether the "goodies" or the "baddies". This is partly because the former are not flawless heroes whereas the latter are not dark arch-villains. It is also, and perhaps mostly, because the characters evolve over time, with some tending to move from one category to the other. Guinevere, for instance, becomes more sympathetic than in the previous volume, as opposed to Nimue who loses it completely and becomes quite atrocious. Above all, what makes this book a delight to read (and re-read) is that the characters appear to be human, with all their qualities and defects.

Finally, there is the historical context, which Cornwell has carefully researched. As the author acknowledges, no one can identify the location of Camlan, Arthur's last battle in which he was allegedly so grievously wounded. It is has been located on Salisbury Plain, in Wales, on Hadrian's Wall and in East Anglia (near Walton Castle). Cornwell has chosen another location, in South Devon, which fits better with his story but in reality we simply do not know. Another point we know little about is what gave the Britons - and Arthur in particular - a military edge over the Anglo-Saxons. We know the latter had no cavalry whereas the Britons did at least have light skirmishing cavalry equipped with javelins. We also know that among the units of the Roman Army in Britain there was at least one (and probably initially several) units of heavily armoured Sarmatian cavalry equipped with lances. So Bernard Cornwell's choice, to make Arthur's horsemen into heavy armoured cavalry of the cataphract type is both possible and plausible.

A fantastic read which would be worth seven stars (just like the two previous volumes) if this was possible.

The final book of Bernard Cornwell's Warlord Chronicles is all about confrontation and final showdowns, whether it be in battle, against matters of faith, or between the wants of certain people. Readers familiar with the Arthurian saga know of Arthur's inevitable end, but Cornwell has created and developed a number of interesting subplots and characters that the reader has been following since the beginning of the trilogy, which are all resolved.

Guenevere's infidelity with Lancelot has been revealed, though she professed it to be due to her prayers and offerings to the goddess Isis with the hopes of making Arthur king; she is now imprisoned. Lancelot has been revealed as the coward and traitor that he is and has defected to the Saxons. Meanwhile the Christians are becoming stronger and more dominating. Merlin has a plan though; to bring back the old gods and save Britain, however, it will require extreme sacrifices, which Arthur may not be willing to grant. Mordred has been overthrown for his evil ways, and is imprisoned, while Arthur rules, but the Saxons have plans to free the rightful heir and it will all come down to one last battle at Camlan.

Readers who have come this far will not be disappointed with this great finale to the trilogy, which ends not with a resolution of Derfel as a monk in his monastery, but with the last page of Arthur and his sad end, with the hope that he will one day return to Britain.

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

For more reviews and exclusive interviews, go to BookBanter: [...]

In some of Cornwell's series, he never quite ends things, leaving open the possibility of more books.

He doesn't take that route here; "Excalibur" gets to the end of the Arthurian legend, including Cornwell's version of how it really went down.

A fine book, tinged with melancholy as you know where it's headed and wonder how many of your beloved characters must die on the way.

And it's sad because most of what Arthur has fought against his whole life, remains strong. Religious divisiveness remains as Christian kings refuse to support pagan Britons in their mutual struggle against the Saxons, and as Merlin and Nimue engage on a disturbing ploy to summon back the Britons' gods, including a creepy ritual involving the Treasures of Britain Merlin has so laboriously gathered. Arthur remarries, to a greedy and shallow teenager. Mordred undergoes an unexpected change - good at first but ultimately making him a more evil enemy.

This book has some magic in it. Cornwell in the earlier books avoids it, showing Druids showing their power more in the sway they have over others, the fear they inspire, and their prophecies of the future. They are made sympathetic to us because, hey, it's always fun to have a powerful, wisecracking wizard like Merlin on the good guys' side.

Here, Cornwell lets them have some magic. It adds drama to the book's climax and burnishes the end of the Arthurian saga without turning this into some hokey fantasy novel.

There are the expected fine battle moments, notably Cornwell's reimagining of the battle of Myddyd Baddon, or Mount Badon, about which little is known historically, even its site. Cornwell puts it near present-day Bath. Here, one more time, the Britons, led by Derfel, are sure they face their doom when surrounded on a hilltop by the entire Saxon army - and where an unexpected hero arises.

Who is the son of a king - and who is the bastard son of a king - figures prominently in this book, the latter category including Arthur, Derfel and Galahad. Derfel meets his father, Aelle, the Saxon warlord Derfel and Arthur have spent their whole adult lives fighting.

What happens to Guinevere after the exposure of her infidelity with Lancelot (and others) in the second book takes a surprising turn.

And we learn more about Derfel. What happens to his family, and how he loses his hand. Cornwell sets up a nice feint on that one; it's not what you expect but equally dramatic. And how Derfel comes, in his old age, to be a monk serving the hated Sansum, but secretly, and in collusion with a young queen, writing the chronicles of Arthur, the legend he knew and loved.

Cornwell's Arthurian trilogy set around 500 AD concludes with "Excalibur." It should be noted this bears no relation to the movie "Excalibur" that relates the more traditional, Christian version of the Arthur story.

At the end of Book 2, Enemy of God, Arthur survived not only a Christian rebellion led by the cowardly Lancelot, but also betrayal by the love of his life, Guinevere. Now declaring himself the Emperor of Britain, Arthur is taking a firm control of ancient Britain with plans to unite the various kingdoms of the island to wipe out the invading Saxon horde.

Meanwhile, Merlin the Druid wizard is collecting the Thirteen Treasures of Britain--relics of magical powers--in order to stage a ritual that will bring the old Gods back to the island and wipe out not only the Saxons, but the Christians as well. In order for this to work, Merlin needs Excalibur and something much more precious that Arthur possesses. This creates a rift not only between Arthur and Merlin but our narrator Derfel and the crazed witch Nimue, who is Merlin's priestess and Derfel's former childhood friend and lover.

Not long after this ritual goes terribly wrong, Derfel is sent to rescue the imprisoned Guinevere from the invading Saxons. She, Derfel, and his band of warriors end up on an old mountain fort called Mount Baddon, from which they fight a desperate siege against the Saxons. During this we see that Guinvere still loves Arthur--and the feeling is more than mutual--and she's not such a conniving, evil [witch] after all.

But even with the defeat of the Saxons there are dark times ahead as the enemies of Arthur and Derfel continue to plot and scheme. As Merlin says, it all ends in tears, which anyone who knows anything about the Arthurian story already knows.

The conclusion of the trilogy wraps everything up nicely. The story doesn't sag as much under political intrigue as the two previous entries with the fiery ritual to lead things off, followed by the big battle at Mount Baddon, and then the smaller final battle to end the story. The real achievement is that by the end I really cared about all those who had survived since the beginning like Arthur, Derfel, Galahad, and even Guinevere, who really gets to shine in the Mount Baddon segment. At the start of the series there were so many characters, but by the time the end comes the less important ones have been winnowed out and we're left with only the important characters, whom we've either come to love or hate as the story has progressed. Because of that, when the end finally comes, it's bittersweet, which it always is at the end of a great series.

All the good things about the series from the other books are also present like the more realistic battles, the depth of the political intrigue, and the clash between religions that still resonates today. Because of all that, there's really nothing I'd speak against with this book. While the writing isn't Tolstoy, no one expects it to be and so for a rollicking historical read, I'd highly recommend this and the two that precede it.

That is all.

Just finished it Cornwell's Warlord Trilogy. I thought it was absolutely phenomenal. I have an issue with how quickly he ended it though, it seems very out of keeping. Everything else in Derfel's life is described extensively, and by having the story be from Derfel's POV and ending it with the last battle at Camlann, he leaves out so much story which could easily have fitted into an epilogue. Were I his editor I would at least have advised to spend some time on tying that up properly. Too many questions unanswered. What happens to Guinevere, Galahad, Gwydre and the others on the boat for instance? Does Derfel ever meet them again? Where does he go to live with Ceinwyn and how many more years are they given? I understand that he wants to keep Arthur's final fate unknown, even though we can deduce from his never coming back that he did die, but the final chapter just doesn't seem right in how fast Cornwell goes about tying things up. Also the Silver Mist and him never returning, while typical of the traditional Arthurian ending of Arthur going to Avalon to sleep forever, seems like a rather out of place "magical" ending to this starkly realistic series where everything has a logical explanation.

Other than that niggle about the unsatisfying ending, nothing but praise. Well almost. I thought the characterization was great, particulary for the secondary characters. He does a great job of building a big cast of characters in a way few authors can. Especially the group of Arthur's companions such as Sagramor, Culhwch, Galahad, Tristan. Derfel is the star of the show in this series rather than Arthur, whose portrayal I am ambivalent about. The same applies to Merlin, who has been portrayed better elsewhere ( Stewart). Merlin to me was too powerless as well as too vulgar. I understand he went for the Dark Merlin/Mad Merlin take but I don't think it fully worked, he is too diminished for my taste. Nimue was interesting, as was Guinevere. So many good enemies as well, Lancelot, the Saxons, Amhar and Loholt, Mordred, Nimue, the vicious twins Dinas and Lavaine that killed his daughter, so many weak men set off against strong ones, the story of Tristan and Iseult, the character of Gawain gets a completely different treatment,a great sense of melancholy for a lost reign. Wonderful how Cornwell gives us the story through the eyes of a man writing at the end of his life, excellent device. Actually a great romance between Derfel and Ceinwyn as well, touching.

His portrayal of magic in the story seems to shift at the end of the third book from how it has been portrayed up until that late point in the story however, and I found that quaint. After two and a half book of pretty much no magic and alternate explanations for everything that could be construed as magical, he does seem to want to make it plain at the end that there is some real magic being done ( Nimue's curse, the use of shadowbodies to torture Ceinwyn).

Lancelot: He's a total tool, bereft of good qualities, unlike Galahad who is his opposite and who Derfel calls his best friend.

The Saxons: not villains in the sense that they are just like the Britons, trying to gain land so continious flow of Saxons coming to the British shores can be accomodated. And enemy yes, but it depends on the POV. Nimue, the druid twins, Lancelot etc are more clearly defined as villains.

Strange how Nimue turned out. From Merlin's best friend in youth to ally in maturity to cruel enemy at the end. Mordred was a truly terrible human being, rotten even as a boy.

Merlin's portrayal leaves too much to be desired here. As does Arthur's, who is lead around the nose too much by Guinevere in the first two books, something which is corrected in book 3. He is very human, but for me just a bit much and too flawed. Some of his decisions were just poor and as Derfel said, poor for all to see but Arthur.

Loved the companions. The bachelor Galahad, Christian knight of great prowess, coarse Culhwch, built like a bull, Derfel himsel with his marvellous life story, Sagramor the black demon. Tristan was a great character as was the brutal Lord Owain in book 1, I was sad to see him killed. Same for Aelle, Derfel's father.

In the end, a superb portrayal of Arthurian legends. The only Arthurian series that rivals it is the vastly different Merlin Trilogy by Mary Stewart. I've still yet to read Sword at Sunset though, which has no Merlin as I understand it. He puts a different hat on almost every character, and on many known events. He has great storytelling flair and displays great characterization abilities. He shows us battles, passion, romance and makes the Arthur story new to those had become tired of it.

9/10

Bernard Cornwell did not disappoint with his final entry in the Warlord Trilogy. Just like the first two, the reader is treated to prosaic language that revels in its poetic beauty, mingled with the blunt, pragmatic realism of the soldier who is narrating the story.

As the book opens, we find ourselves back in war-torn Dumnonia, which Arthur has just unified after Lancelot's rebellion. Merlin is preparing to summon the pagan gods of Britain in an endeavor that could split the country in two. And Arthur and Derfel prepare for the inevitable spring invasion of the Saxons. It is in this book that the climactic Battle of Mount Badon is brilliantly realized, the battle between the Britons and Saxons for which the real Arthur (if he ever existed) was certainly responsible for.

Those familiar with the previous two books in the series, "The Winter King" and "Enemy of God" know that Cornwell has taken a bold step with his take on the legend of King Arthur by giving the tale a new, more realistic approach. But unlike its predecessors, this book tends include real magic, whereas in the previous two novels, genuine magic was substituted for clever tricks that preyed on a superstitious people. Merlin was therefore portrayed more as a sardonic trickster than as the genuine and powerful wizard he is more commonly shown to be in other variations of the legend.

Many have complained that the book tended to confuse them due to the large amount of characters, most of whom have difficult-to-pronounce Welsh names (Culhwch, Caddwg, and Hygwydd come to mind). In Cornwell's defense, the Welsh names are very realistic and they reflect the fact that this Arthur story is set in post-Roman Britain, rather than the Anglo-Saxon England of the 11th century. And as overwhelming as the names can be at first, Cornwell excels at developing many different personalities so that before you know it, the unusual names are as familiar to you as those of old friends.

Though it is Arthur's tale, we get to know the narrator Derfel much more intimately, which is another element that I found appealing. Derfel, currently an old Christian monk writing Arthur's tale in secrecy, was once one of Arthur's greatest warriors and closest friends, and he is a man who excels at war, but to whom we grow very attached due to his humility, courage, pragmatism, and his undying love and devotion to his woman, Ceinwyn.

If this book has any failing, it would have to be Cornwell's tendency to repeat himself constantly about important events or characters. Unfortunately, we must constantly hear about the black face of Sagramor (Arthur's Numidian commander), the fact that Derfel is a Saxon who can speak both the British and Saxon tongues, and how Merlin is very powerful and virile despite his old age.

It's very difficult to end a great trilogy well, but Cornwell has definitely succeeded and brought his story of Arthur to a close.

I have to start by telling you I love Arthurian inspired novels. I've read and collected many over the years, from T.H.White's "The Once and Future King", Mary Stewart's trilogy, Stephen Lawhead's five book "Pendragon Cycle", along with books by Sharon Newman, Richard Monaco, A.A. Attanasio, Marion Zimmer Bradley, etc, etc, etc. Ever since I read the "The Sword in the Stone" in primary school, I have been spellbound by the story, and enjoy seeing each writer's perspective in their interpretation of the tale.
Bernard Cornwell's interpretation of the Arthurian legend, "The Warlord Chronicles" begun with "The Winter King" and followed by "Enemy of God" and "Excalibur" is, in my opinion, the best so far. The Chronicles take the form of a reflection written by Derfal, one of Arthur's warriors, in old age retired to a monastery. Derfal delights in working behind his abbot's back (he was an old enemy), but he has the protection of his Queen, desperate for a good story. During his time with Arthur, Derfal rose through the ranks to become a brave and loyal commander and a trusted confidant. His position allowed him unique insight into the character of Arthur and all the other figures prominent in the legend. His personal journey leads to love and eventual marriage to a high borne woman, the joy and despair of fatherhood, finding his true ancestry and conversion from paganism to the fledgling Christianity.
Most people are familiar in some way with the bones of the Arthurian legend, so I'm not going to tell you anything about the plot. Without deviating too far from the accepted story, in this retelling, Cornwell gives the legend substance. What makes it stand apart is the way he fleshes out the characters so they take on a reality other writers can only dream of (Nimue is particularly good). Cornwell's writing flows so effortlessly, and you quickly become engrossed by the people, the places and the strategy. You can smell the fires, taste the food and wine, feel the harsh winter cold, hear the terrified screams of women and children and see the battles unfold before you. I never thought I would enjoy reading battle scenes, but these (and there are many) are so well written, I didn't skip a word. The motivations of characters, explained by the often cruel and harsh lives they endured, become real. Life was just one huge struggle, no matter where and to whom you were born.
"The Warlord Chronicles", which should be read in sequence, is a must for all fans of the Arthurian legend, but anyone who enjoys a well-written story of high adventure will find much to appreciate here.

I've read a lot of Arthurian retellings and have to count Bernard Cornwell's "Warlord" trilogy as one of the absolute best. It truly has it all.
The story adheres far more to the "historical" Arthur of Gildus, Nennius, Geoffrey of Monmouth and William of Malmesbury than the "romantic" Arthur of Mallory and Chretien des Troyes. The Welsh and Irish influences are also strongly felt. In Mr. Cornwell's "historical" treatment, Arthur is not a king, but a Warlord. Uther was Arthur's father, but Arthur did not share in Uther's legacy. Merlin is a well-developed character, but is a wealthy lord and full Druid. A cauldron, another powerful Celtic symbol, replaces the Holy Grail. Finally, the sword was on the stone, not in the stone.
But, the fact that the story can be told a multitude of ways, from a multitude of viewpoints, with a cast of both new and common characters points out the strength of the Arthurian legend and the Arthurian public's hunger for more. Each retelling worth its salt (and this one is!!) provides it's own unique take on one of the best-loved legends of the English-speaking world.
Even though Mr. Cornwell paints Arthur as a strong and (mostly) virtuous character, he still has flaws. His willingness to forgive his enemies sometimes defies logic. His modestly sometimes rings hollow. But, all in all, he is the heroic figure we all have come to know and love. The same cannot be said of Mr. Cornwell's Lancelot. Suffice it to say that this is by far the least flattering portrait of the "world's greatest knight" that I have ever read. Some of the other ancillary characters get a fuller treatment here than in many other versions of the tale and with some interesting transitions. Guinivere, at least in my book, undergoes several personality transplants during the course of the trilogy, and some are for the better. Nimue/Vivien is far more developed in this series and her transition also runs the full gamut. Many of the other nobles and warriors are also well-painted characters and add a great deal to the overall enjoyment of the story.
But, the true measure of an Arthurian novel lies in the strength and credibility of the narrator. Derfel is definitely one of the strongest voices I have heard in Arthurian literature. He is now an aged monk, but in his younger years was a friend and confidant of Arthur who often fought by Arthur's side. He is a sworn enemy of Lancelot, an angle that adds many new slants to the story. But, most importantly, Derfel is telling the story in the past tense; he alludes to future events, tells us enough to let us know where it all leads, and then fills in the blanks. In some respects, Derfel fills the role of Bedivere (which is all I'll say now so as not to spoil the story for those who haven't read the books yet).
The writing is powerful, the story is spellbinding, and it achieves that delicate balance of retelling the familiar yet introducing a healthy dose of the new. You just can't ask for anything more.

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.

This last volume left me wanting more. What do you say, Mr. Cornwell? Once more unto the breach?

Excalibur is the final book of a trilogy that retells the Arthurian Legend. Following the tradition of book one, The Winter King, and book two, Enemy of God, the story teller, Derfel, picks up the tale where it left off at the end of book two. Derfel is a Saxson slave who grew up in Merlin's compound and joined Arthur's warriors as a young man, worked his way up through the ranks to become a Lord, and became Arthur's friend and trusted companion. His loyalty to Arthur stretched through his whole life, and he may be the last living person who can tell the tale the way it really happened.
Now, late in his life, Derfel is living as a monk, and retelling the tale to Queen Igraine. Unlike the songs of the bards, who have earned their livlihood by embellishing these ancient tales with glory and beauty, Derfel tells it like it happened. When all is said and done, this proves to be even more fascinating than the bards retelling. Filled with pagan magic, cunning kings, brave warriors, and strong and beautiful women, this gripping tale will keep you turning pages to the very end! If you love Arthurian legend, then I would recommend that you buy the whole trilogy today. An excellent read from beginning to end.

Bernard Cornwell's "Excalibur," the third and final novel in his "Warlord Chronicles" trilogy, brings an excellent series to a tremendously satisfying close.

Fans of Cornwell's fiction will have all the usual buttons pushed -- unsurpassed battle scenes, fierce melancholy as good friends are lost, savage joy as evil foes are vanquished, vivid depictions of hardscrabble daily life in the Dark Ages, astounding scenes of magic and wizardry, and above all, the unbreakable bonds of true friends and true loves. For Cornwell, there's even quite a bit of humor -- Merlin is a wonderfully cynical old coot, and Cornwell depicts the trammels of seasickness as well as anyone.

Still narrated by Derfel, in the present-day a one-handed old man reluctantly wearing the chains of Christianity, "Excalibur" remains first and last the tale of Arthur. In Cornwell's telling, Arthur was never actually anointed "King of the Britons," but he was their king in all but title. A savage warrior who dreamed of peace, a mighty swordsman who wanted nothing more than a simple home and hall, Cornwell's Arthur is a man worthy of his legends.

He is also a man with a lot on his plate. Merlin seeks to bring the Gods back to Britain and to drive the Christian God away -- possibly even willing to throw Arthur's son away as a sacrifice. (You will never read tales of Sir Gawain the same way again, by the way.) Nimue, Derfel's former love, is impatient with Merlin's efforts and is eager to topple Merlin from his post as the mightiest Druid in Britain . . . by any means necessary. Lancelot remains a traitorous foe. Mordred rules, but hates Arthur -- as do Arthur's twin sons. Guinevere is back in all her seductive glory. And the Saxons are marching.

"Excalibur" is also Derfel's tale, and through Derfel's eyes we see the joy and sorrow that comes from being Arthur's right arm. We finally learn the reason why Derfel has lost his hand, and we see in Derfel the exemplar of a true family man. Derfel may not be in the Arthurian legends, but he should have been!

The key to any tale of King Arthur is to tell of his mysterious departure to Avalon, perhaps to return one day. Cornwell's version is spell-binding, filling the reader with a wracking hope that, some day, England's mightiest hero will return to us and bring us back, if not Camelot, the epitome of nobility and grace. Wow! A must for the library!

This book completes the three book series, the Warlord Chronicles, by Bernard Cornwell. The stories are narrated by Derfel, a Christian monk, recalling the Arthurian legend, in which he was a participant.

If this is your introduction to this series, you would be well advised to begin with 'The Winter King.'

Among other things, this is a story of the conflict between a fledgling Christianity in Britain, and the old religion, whose priests were the Druids. It is also the author's version of the legend of King Arthur.

Bernard Cornwell has studied his subject, like Jack White, Mary Stewart and John Steinbeck. It amazes me how these people's fertile imaginations have ended with such different stories, given the same basic, if sparse, research facts.

It was a real pleasure to read Cornwell's novels in this series, and I'm sorry to see the end. Of course, he's written a couple of dozen other books, including the entire series of Sharpe's adventures, so all is not lost.

Joseph Pierre,
Author of THE ROAD TO DAMASCUS: Our Journey Through Eternity

The finale of Cornwell's excellent historical fiction (as opposed to fantasy) Arthurian series.
Cornwell did some of his best writing, and especially some of his best characterization, in these books. Derfel is a romantic, an affectionate and idealistic man, who's also perfectly capable of hacking enemies into small pieces. Female characters, not always a Cornwell strength, are excellent here, especially Guinevere and Nimue.
The framing device here works especially well as things actually happen in the "present" timeline--careless readers may even miss the impending attack.
The "past" timeline has quite a bit of exciting action, though it does drag at times, probably inevitably for a narrative that covers many years. As in previous volumes, battles are an obvious strength, and the portrayal of Dark Ages Britain is fresh and interesting. As a former student of the period, I found little that struck me as incorrect here, though obviously much of the material on religious belief and mentalities is pure speculation. The only disappointment was an anticlimax regarding the loss of Derfel's hand--not how he loses it, but the description is lacking.
Thematically, Cornwell is saying something here about magic and religion; something especially appropriate to the too-often-ethereal Arthurian genre. I highly recommend these books.

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.

This was a very good trilogy, but the finale, this book, was by far the best. The Winter King, book 1, and Enemy of God, book 2, were both well written, entertaining and interesting (I gave both 4 stars as they were good but not great), but this book finishes off the trilogy with war, carnage, destruction and misery; it had its good things too, but we are talking about dark ages England and what else would you expect of Arthur. This was definitely a 5 star read.
Again, as with the first 2 books, this is a different tale of Arthur. There is no sword in a stone, no grail quest, and little magic; other than superstition and luck, there is a reference to a curse that, in the book, seems real enough. But, for the most part, this is real world soldiers and warlords facing enemeies, deception, battle and chaos as the world is perched on the verge of Armageddon; at least that is how the book tells it.
Our storyteller is again Lord Derfel Cadarn, Derfel "the Mighty". Son of a Saxon (and that Saxon, you will find, adds an interesting twist to the story), but raised by Merlin (a druid with what is described as much power, but which even Merlin admits is mostly smoke and mirrors) Derfel (a Welsh name pronounced "Dervel") is one of the mighty men of Arthur's fighting force. One of Arthur's round table; well, sort of, the oath sworn men are called the men of the round table oath though no round table existed. There is no Camelot, though that title is also addressed.
What you have here, just as was in the first 2 novels, is a tale of the Britons fighting to save themsleves from fanatical religions, attacking Saxons and backstabbing traitors. The tale finishes well, cleaning up all loose ends nicely. I read in one review that the book was a let down becuase it "fizzled" at the end. I would disagree. The book does end quite abruptly; I was reading and realized I had only a handful of pages left and wondered how it was going to end so quickly, but it does end without leaving the reader hanging. I believe the ending was perfect; a necessary abrupt cliff where everything just falls, but you will know all you need to know by the time you reach the back cover.
I have read many of Cornwell's books and would call myself a huge fan of Cornwell's work. I prefer and recommend highly his current and continuing work, collectively known as the Saxon Chronicles (The Last Kingdom,The Pale Horseman,Lords of the North, and Sword Song), but this trilogy was very good and Cornwell provides his ubiquitous details of battle, strategy and tactics, and weaponry of the times in his usual highly accurate and descriptive manner. Don't take that as a dig on this trilogy. This was a wonderful trilogy, I just enjoy the other a little more but that may simply be because I am a student of the Northmen who populate the Saxon tales.
Back to this story; why does this book rate 5 over the 4 I gave to the first 2 books? Well, for starters, the entire tale comes to a head here and suspense and mystery is all laid out, a prize for having completing the trilogy. Also, the characters become more real in this tale as they have aged and lived full lives. They become more honest with themselves and their comrades, lovers, spouses and enemies. Finally, the tale brings to an end, without destroying myths, the tale of the Arthur that we all know without destroying the possibilities of the myths.
You really should read books 1 and 2 before coming to this novel and I highly recommend you enjoy each; but I encourage you that you will come to an excellent end with this final installment.
Arthur lives in glory in these tales as does Derfel and it is Derfel that we truly get to know in these books and through him we learn Arthur's tale. Derfel is a wonderful character and I am sad to now leave him behind. This trilogy was very enjoyable and stands up to Cornwell's high standard of writing and historical knowledge.
Enjoy!!!

For more dark age England, other than the Saxon Chronicles mentioned above, I also recommend Cornwell's Grail Quest Trilogy which takes place during the 100 years war (those books are, The Archer's Tale,Vagabond, and Heretic).

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 this part of the trilogy Arthur's plans to unite Britain begin to unravel. Merlin is betrayed and former allies of Arthur turn on him or won't assist him as Mordred gathers power.

Follows the Arthurian legend in some places but in others it is very different. For instance, Galahad and Lancelot are half-brothers; Galahad is brave but Lancelot is a coward who had good PR people, to speak, who made him into a hero. Arthur has children from a previous marriage. Mordred is club-footed. Merlin doesn't get trapped in a tree. I could go on but don't want to give out real spoilers.

Appreciators of an author who can blend History with legends will greatly appreciate this trilogy.

Enjoy!

Sadly, this third volume of The Warlord Chronicles marks the end of the saga of Derfel, Arthur, Merlin, Nimue et al, just as it marks the end of magic. In the previous volumes, magic was portrayed with a light hand--a mist that appears when needed or a line of heads on lances that keeps enemies at bay--that could be due as much to luck or human psychology as to magical abilities. In this third volume, however, the gloves are off, and Nimue and Merlin are revealed in fuller power.

The theme of the disappearance of magic coincident with the ascendency of Christianity is not new. It has been explored in other books and movies (see Dragonslayer, 1981, with Patrick MacNicol, Caitlin Clarke, and Ralph Richardson; set in the same era as this book). However, Cornwell does his usual masterful job in juggling this theme along with the Arthurian legend, character interactions, and brilliant combat depictions. This is a great end to the series, and well worth the read.

Arthurian tales are forever telling us they offer a fresh approach. However, they all essentially retell the 12th century romances with some slight twist.

Cornwell, who is the master of medieval British fiction, really mixes it up. Instead of the golden king of the English, we get the warlord of the Britons. Oh, sure, the good stuff is all still there- but there are no miraculously apparated stone castles or 13 th century anachronisms other than the names (Lancelot is not who you might think he should be, though!)

Worth reading just to remind yourself how much of the Arthurian legend was out of sync with his supposed time period. The gread story and amazing characters are just frosting on the cake!

Cornwell at his finest is pretty darned fine!

Bernard Cornwell books on Arthur was realistically depicted! I could actually believe there was a person either king or ruler, by the name of Arthur living in the early middle ages. Mr. Cornwell must have done a tremendous research to get the settings, landscrape and history correct! On the first instance I read the paperback edition of the Winter King, I knew it was a gem!! I myself believe Arthur was a man of invisible virtues, who believe all the good in man and stride for the ideal principles. Read Rudyard Kipling's IF poem! Mr. Cornwell acheived this in depicting such an Arthur!!! Excellent work! I must say that I disagree with the other's comments on Excalibur. I think the concluding part was a fitting ending to the story and not at all "rush". Arthur whereabout was left a mystery as such it shoud be!~~~ However, I still like to know what happen to Derfel. Did he perish or die of old age?...
Will be eagerly awaiting for your next Saxon books!!!

In the grand conclusion to The Warlord Chronicles, Cornwell puts the reader smack in the middle of the shield wall. His magnificent take on one of the world greatest legends makes one's heart soar.
As in the first two books, the aging Derfel, Arthur's most loyal soldier, tells of the final days of Arthur's epic struggle to keep the Saxon hordes at bay, his reluctant cause to keep an evil king from taking the throne, and his attempt to bring justice to all of Britain.
Since Derfel was there, only he tells it as it really happened even as the legend is fast becoming myth in his own lifetime.
This isn't just a simple tale of good versus evil. It's a battle between the old gods and the new.
In its own way, Cornwell's version pays homage to the brave unknown warriors who fought and died in long ago forgotten battles against the darkness.

This is my review for all 3 of the series.
1. The Winter King
2. Enemy of God
3. Excalibur

I have loved the Arthurian legend since I was a child. Starting with wrongly costumed anachronistic and terrible Hollywood spectacles when I knew no better to better productions and literature. I had not read any Bernard Cornwell until this series appeared, so this series was not what I had expected or was looking for. This was not legend. This was not mythical. This was not magical. This was cold hard reality in the 5th century.

If you don't know as I didn't at the time, Bernard Cornwell writes military historical fiction. He does this primarily by making the main character a grunt on the battlefield. This initially turned me off as was making the main character nobody from the legend and spending a good deal of the first book focusing on his growing up almost totally out of sight of any characters you were hoping to read about.

Bear with it. The reward is worth it. The attention to fact and detail serves to put you in the middle of the Arthurian legend and watch it unfold all around you as it might have been if it were real. No magic. No sword in a stone. No grail. But those things aren't totally missing. Merlin is feared as a powerful druid and wizard and should be. While magic may not be real, there have always been feared wizards/viziers/magicians throughout history. Watching this Merlin pull it off is amazing. The other frightening thing about this Merlin is that he is a true believer. No sword in a stone. However, there was another historical practice involving sword and stone. No grail but there were other vessels believed to hold power.

What is also wonderful about this telling is that you can picture how this story could have been turned by bards into the fanciful and magical version of the story we know. The principals are here, Arthur, Merlin, Guinevere, Lancelot, Morgan and Nimue. Finally, Nimue as a major character.

Don't let the military history thing put you off. It's good to get something believable in that area when there are a few battles to get through and having them without nonsense heroics and yet not tedious is welcome. But this story is a story first and it is character and story driven not only by ambition but love and tragedy and it is gripping. There is a point in the second book where one of the side stories reaches it's culmination and you are getting the re-telling of Tristan and Isolde. At it's conclusion I flung the book across the room and it was nearly a week before I could pick it up again. Rarely, has an author been able to create such emotion. The closest thing I can compare it to that others might know would be a scene towards the end of the HBO series, Game of Thrones.

One other important thing about the author. He is well aware of the unacceptable customs, practices and attitudes of the time periods he writes. Rather than sugar coat them or turn a blind eye, he tends to give the main character experiences that cause them to turn away from such things naturally.

I was prompted to write this review after watching and reviewing the disappointing Starz series Camelot which simply did it nearly all wrong. If you're in the mood for an Arthur story, forget that one and read this one.

I learned one valuable thing. Arthur was a Briton and what that means is that the Arthurian legend survived solely because it was a legend told by his Saxon enemies who were the ultimate victors.

Here is the end of King Arthur. If you haven't read either of the first two books The Winter King and Enemy of God then you should do so before reading this one. The trilogy works well as separate books but you should read them in order if you want to understand what is happening. This book is a rather depressing one. The high point arrives in the middle with the Battle of Badon Hill and the rest of the book is the fall from that state of grace. Derfel must watch as everything that they achieve slowly decays and collapses without the guiding hand of Arthur around. The ending seems somewhat sudden, which is how Cornwell likes to end his books but this time you really want to see what happens afterwards.

I'm happy to join the armies of those who have discovered Cornwell'sArthurian reconstructions and love them! Great read! great storyteller! Given the fact that authentic Arthurian sources are very scarce, his imaginative reconstruction of the events of this breaking point in British and Western history rings very true. The clash between the old Britons and the invading Saxons, the collision between pagan Druidism and rising Chrstianity is authentic. After contemorary Bosnia, Rwanda etc, those floods of refugees fleeing war and its ravages are chillingly real. As a Bible student,I better understand how the Hittites, Hivites, Canaanaites, the worshippers of Baal(Bel?) must have responded when Joshua's Israelites arrived in Palestine. Cornwell has given us a fascinating view of the minds of those destined to lose their land to the new invaders. The human drama through which he reimagines history is also dramatically right.Cornwell is a major writer.See pg 160 of Excalibur for a Shakespearean type formulation of good writing-to satisfy both balcony and pit.His success-genuine and authentic-proves he has found the secret of good writing that will last. I now add this trilogy to the few clasics I want to keep and reread and think about. thank you, Bernard Cornwell. I must try your other books now.

I read all three books of the Warlord Series in the space of about 3 weeks. This book, and the others, are some the finest examples of historical fiction I have read. Keep in mind that I find most fiction dull due to poor writers and bland characterizations. Too often an author is lazy, just giving the characters odd names to differentiate them. Not so here. Moreover, I disliked the Arthurian legends because I knew that bards in the age of chivalry added so much nonhistorical aspects to the legend as to make them unreadable. Here, Cornwell sets the Arthurian legends in the proper historical time frame, with the appropriate weaponry and style. He makes the novels a conflict between Christianity and the older religions, with heavy references to how much they lost with the decline of Rome. I highly recommend this and the other books of this series.

King Arthur stories always start well, and end badly. This final volume of Cornwell's magnificent Arthur series ends the tale as well as it can be, with a battle solidly based in the real world, with stakes as high as the stars. But before the end, there is the final battle with the Saxons, the amazing Battle of Mount Badon, the thing Arthur was most famous for before the French poets got ahold of him. The very best piece of this novel is the redemption of his great love, and the brief period of peace they get to enjoy before the darkness of Mordred falls upon them. The final tale of Nimue, of Derfel and Ceinwyn, the truly deserved fate of Lancelot, all of it rings wonderfully true. Read this, soak in it, enjoy it before it's gone. Because it is the Arthur we've all wanted. The Arthur that makes sense. The Arthur we deserve.

It's a tricky thing to end a series. To give a story a definitive finale that fulfills the expectations of the reader that have been built up since the first line of the first book. Questions have to be answered and satisfaction has to be meted out or the whole of the series can crumble under the weight of its own ending. With Bernard Cornwell's Excalibur, we come to the end of Arthur's tale and while it is a well written book and just as good as the first two installments, there are many questions left unanswered in the end and that choice might upset some readers. I actually found the way the book ended to be perfectly in line with the tone that's been developed from the first book onward and while there are some things I had hoped to see happen and some closure for certain characters gained, the story beats and the execution are top notch and as such I can view the series as a whole as a success and count it among one of the better written sagas I've ever finished.

A solid finale to the Warlords trilogy. I appreciated Cornwell's series for the simple fact that he avoids mysticism and fantasy. Instead, Cornwell looks at the King Arthur legend more from an historical standpoint than a mystical one. He takes the premise that Arthur very well could have been a real person, one who was trying to unite the Britons against the invading Saxons within a very realistic 6th century setting. Of equal interest, especially in these days of the Bush administration, is the clash between the overbearing Christians and the diminishing pagans and Druids. Of particular focus within this volume is the "final" battle between Arthur's army and the combined Saxon forces of Aelle's and Cerdic's armies. As always, Cornwell puts the reader right in the middle of the action, so that we hear, see, and smell the battle going on around us. This is a book to be enjoyed for both its historical and plotline aspects.

I began this trilogy HATING book number one. Book two changed my opinion and drew me into book three. With this last installment, Cornwell has completely redeemed himself in my eyes. Characters I had found dull and poorly developed in book one are now characters I miss since I've finished the series.
While I still found occassional glimpses of Cornwall's overly- flowery scenic descriptions and while the stroke by stroke battle descriptions were still quite long - I stayed enthralled. This book is by FAR not the traditional story of Arthur - the characters are there along with new ones, but the tale of Lancelot really threw me for a loop. I liked the twist! I also liked the inclusion of Arthur's children - nice to know that the family line was not as doomed as in other renditions. It is also a tale that is VERY military based. The descriptions of the battles are detailed, detailed, detailed. A student of military strategy would find particular interest in this book over any of the other Arthurian tales I've read. Looking for romance - there is a bit- but not the love triangles and romantic liasons that so many authors dwell upon when writing about Arthur. Come to think of it, I don't recall ever seeing the word Camelot in these books. I would encourage Cornwell to continue the saga - what was Derfel's life like at the monestary, what happened to Arthur's son, what did Nemue do next? There are still so many unanswered questions!
Overall - a fast read, interesting story line, enough twists to be very fascinating despite what you think you know about the Arthurian legend.

This was a magnificent conclusion to what is easily the best telling of the Arthurian legend that I have come across. Cornwell's portrayal of Ancient Britain is as compelling as it is realistic, and his characters are superbly developed, as we have come to expect from this wonderful author.
While the tale is one of the more realistic versions available, it doesn't sacrifice a single shred of romanticism. It is a wonderful novel, filled to bursting with gripping political and religious intrigue as well as the battle scenes, which are some of Cornwell's best. Nor does the ending disappoint. It is wonderfully sad and poignant. You really do have to read this book.

I have read every Bernard Cornwell book and for me this is the greatest. It captures every element of the Arthurian Legends and relates them in a brilliant fashion. I have read the Warlord Chronicles over and over again. They were brilliant to begin with and became outstanding. This is one of the best books I have ever read, the last chapter being one of the finest ever written. Both Sharpe and the Starbuck Chronicles were brilliant, but this is even better, Cornwell's ability to capture the readers imagination is outstanding and he manages to even convey Lancelot in a poor light.

Let me start by saying that I read the entire Trilogy and that a 3-star rating in my mind is "average" not "bad".

While I really enjoyed Cornwell's version of the Arthur Legend and think he is an excellent historical fiction author, this book dragged for me. It was the repetitiveness of the battles and dialogue that kept this from getting a higher rating. Every shield wall was the same, same description, same qualities of the men in the wall. It felt almost copy and pasted at times. And the constant reminder that "fate is inexorable", which is somewhat redundant anyway as "fate" implies inexorability, was quite tedious. It is also mentioned all throughout the Saxon book series

I didn't mind the violence, I thought that it was probably pretty accurate to the time period, no reason to sugar coat things.

In the first 2 in the series I read the hardback which had a map printed in the front and back covers, I found those very helpful for keeping track of the action. I read the paperback of the this book which didn't have the map.

This is another in Cornwell's series of well-written political thrillers set in fourth-century Britain; it is not the Arthurian legend that everyone's familiar with. As such, it's a fitting finale to "The Warlord Chronicles" trilogy. As in the previous books, 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. The best of the series, this is 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.

In this the last book of the Warlord serise Camelots power is wanning. Merlin calls a big "summit" to discuss this any maybe bring out the power of the old gods.
In a serise of events that will make you both laugh and cry Camelot falls. The tide is held back for a time by Derfal, the son of an Angle lord and one of the kings knights. All around this is a god set of book and I recommend it to anyone who finds themself even midely attracted to the legands of Arthur.

Cornwell has done something no one else has ever tried to do: make the Arthurian legend into something real. There is nothing fanciful or fairey-tale about this version of King Arthur, but that's all to the good. The way Cornwell writes it, you'd swear by the time you're done reading that this must have happened. The characters are so well-drawn and plausible, the plots and motivation are so true to life and the way real human beings behaved in the fifth century that I would rate this version of Arthur well above anything Tennyson or the other famous bards have ever done.
This Arthur succeeds as historical fiction, heroic tragedy, action suspense thriller, character study, and morality play. It's in the same league as "Watership Down" and "All the King's Men" as an epic tale and a historical novel. The inclusion of religion into the series is done as well as Adams did it in "Watership" and the vivid characterizations and beauty of the prose are equal to what Penn Warren did in "Kings".
Don't buy this book as a paperback. You'll just end up buying the hardcover as well so you can read it over and over and put it on the mantle along with your other favorites as well as the other two books in the series, "The Winter King" and "Enemy of God".

The Warlord Chronicles are, simply, three of the best books I have ever read, of any genre. In my experience, the vast majority of series show a marked decrease in quality from the first book to the last (and until Sharpe's Trafalgar, the Sharpe series seemed to be following the same lamentable pattern). The Warlord Chronicles, however, crackle with tension, excitement, and an appropriate sprinkling of humor and romance from beginning to end. The battle scenes are, of course, fantastic (this is Cornwell, after all, and one could hardly expect less). What really makes this series stand out, however, are the incredibly vivid characters Cornwell develops. Both heroes and villains are portrayed in exceptional detail; each one is an original individual, and this is no mean feat given the sheer number of retellings the Arthurian saga has undergone. Cornwell has deliberately gone back to the earliest historical records, and his tale includes many fascinating characters who were axed from later, romanticised versions. Also, there are enough surprise twists and turns that the reader is kept on his toes and never quite allowed to get comfortable and complacent. Turn your back for a moment, and a central character may have been killed off while you were napping. Cornwell has also outdone himself in providing the appropriate historical context, so as to give the reader the sense that he himself is living in Dark Ages Britain. From the details of weaponry and battle tactics to social customs, and above all the dramatic clash between the traditional Druidic religion and the rapidly expanding Christian faith, Cornwall convincingly recreates an entire society. This outstanding series is a major contribution to modern story-telling.

The book Excalibur by Bernard Cornwell is an amazing story. Excalibur is a book that describes the epic that is the war of a noble kingdom. Unlike most of the other books that talk about Excalibur and the adventures of King Arthur this book revolves around one of Arthur's Knights of the Round Table, Derfel. Derfel was a lord of war and law. He controlled one of the armies that were under the rule of Arthur. The setting of this story is in the island of Great Briton. King Arthur and his allies control of half of the island. The other half of the island is controlled by the barbaric Saxons that invaded over 100 years ago. I wouldn't recommend this book to people that don't like war and gore. Though to every one else I strongly recommend this book. This book talks about gods and war. The war is described in amazingly thrilling detail that will absolutely exhilarate your very senses. I would give this book a rating of 110 out of 100.

The last book of the Warlord-series was just as outstanding of the two first. This is the best version of the Arthurian saga that I have read. The only sad thing is that now it is over, and there are to be no more books in this series about Derfel, Arthur and all the other characters I have gotten to know so well.
Well done, Bernard!! I will be starting the Sharpe series soon, and I hope there is some of the same magic in your writing in this series, too.

Excalibur Griffin July 1999
Pp.436 ...
Bernard Cornwell ISBN:0312206488
Have you ever wanted to experience war and how it was fought hundreds of years ago? Not with guns and bombs, but with swords and shields. Bernard Cornwell takes to back to the medieval times when kings ruled the lands and alliances are formed and broken. In this book, the story of the legendary Arthur is brought back to life. Once you get started reading this book it is almost impossible to put it down.
The book is told from one of Arthur's warlords Defrel. Who is now an old monk rewriting of his days when he battled in war and was among one of Arthur's greatest warriors. But now he is just waiting to be taken to the otherwold. Defrel who was once a Saxon boy was brought up and raised by Merlin, and learned the ways of Britain and its cultures. The Saxons are at war with all of Britain fighting for their land. The Saxons have been waiting for over five years to advance on Britain and now after five long years they attack. Though it seems they are outnumbered and do not have enough spearmen to hold up, they come together and fight the battle of a lifetime.
If you are interested in a novel that keeps you at the edge of your seat and always keeps you wondering, then the book Excalibur is right for you.
-Kevin Sossaman

I must admit, the only reason I did not give the two previous books in this trilogy five stars is because the final book in the series was SO good I had to reserve it the best rating possible. It is very rare that I feel strong emotion when reading a book, or for me to become emotionally attached to the characters, but in this case, both occurred. Excalibur builds upon the solid foundations of the last two books, developing characters and plot to even further. The author still manages to surprise you, even if you know your Arthurian trivia. Most importantly, the conclusion was spectacular. Some might find it frustrating, but now I couldn't imagine it ending any other way. I won't give any more away.... Mr. Cornwell, if you are reading this, I beleive this could be a very successful film/series of films. The old Excalibur set the mould for the Arthur of the Romances, but this takes "The King" in entirely an new direction. This could become (unfortunately with much simplification) the definitive Dark-Age Arthur film. Anyway read the first two novels, then read this one... I practically didn't sleep until I finished it. Wonderful... I HIGHLY RECCOMEND!

I just finished the last book in Bernard Cornwell's Warlord trilogy and was very impressed with his unique perspective on the Arthurian legend. While most books in this genre follow the traditional "Round Table" formula, Bernard Cornwell has blazed a new path and even pokes fun at the standard retelling by emphasizing that history was "written" by people who could afford to pay bards to compose it.
The narrator of this book, like its prequels, is Derfel Cadarn, a warrior in Arthur's service, who is oath-sworn to uphold Mordred's throne, but who finds that his duties often conflict with his sense of right and justice. Cornwell's novel eschews romantic notions of the Dark Ages and instead gives details about daily life that are far from pleasant, e.g., the constant "de-lousing" process. However, far from being a Tolstoy-esque recanting of minute details, this novel outpaces its predecessors with a whirlwind of battle scenes and a breathtaking account of shifting loyalties, ruthless leaders and timeless passions.
To anyone serious about the Arthurian legend, this is a must-read!

I came to the store prepared to write a glowing review, deeming this book as perhaps the best book I've ever read. Imagine my surprise when I saw the previous two posts had the exact same words in them!
Cornwell is a phenomenal writer. He takes the Arthurian legend in fantastic different ways. His depiction of the brutal warfare was breathtaking. I couldn't put this book down. A+ I hope we delves into this era of history again.

i cried when this novel ended, for the characters had been with me for three weeks. i read the trilogy straight through and the ending of the tale was like the ending of a friendship. derfel steals the show, his ever trustworthy nature, always making the right decision, and his ability to love above all else makes the characters drawn to him. druids, christians, battles, promises kept, promises broken, and peace in small measures. the women are the solice and problems both large and small.

I kept imagining that I was not reading on my midwestern couch by electric light. I was sitting in a castle keep and a bard was telling us of Arthur by the smoky fire.

This is undoubtedly the best Arthur story. In it there are obstacles to overcome, enemies to slay, doomed hopes and the power of love to overcome all. It is a story of human endurance.

It also gives a unique and telling picture of the Britain losing it's Celtic and Roman identity. A new age is being born as the old one dies.

I was recently asked why the Arthur stories are important. Back in those keeps and today, those stories set a standard for behavior and an inspiration for better things during the thousand year darkness of the Middle Ages. Who know how those stories made people aspire to something better?

As far as I'm concerned - they still do that. Human nature isn't any different now. We can still learn from these stories - and if not , they are at least rip-roaring entertainment.

It was the best book I have ever read, except (of course!)the previous two (The Winter King and Enemy of God). The book capture my all attention and imagination! Once I started, it was very difficult to stop and put it down. That's a trilogy about old Great Britain history, but most important about friendship and human relationships. Derfel is the most loving character and his loyalty to Arthur is amazing.

Tim Pigott-Smith does a wonderful job with the audiobook version of The Warlord Chronicles. The combination of an excellent story with Pigott-Smith's delivery is awesome. It reminded me of a time in elementary school when the library had a professional storyteller come and tell us old Native American stories.
Even if you don't normally get audiobooks, I think the Warlord Chronciles definitely deserve to be heard.

He wrapped up the storyline week but I was hoping for a bit more after the original ending. Maybe a flash forward to where the protagonist closes the story with the results of his predicament. In the end though it was a good series ending to this fresh look at the Arthurian tale.

I read the whole Warlord Chronicles while I was visiting Cornwall, UK on a medical elective. This is the region where the story takes place, but it's called Kernow in the book. However, many places here still use the names that are mentioned in the book. It was truly satisfying to have read something in a novel, and then visit a town that was mentioned in the books and go, 'Hey whadya know! That really did happen'. You could see that Bernard Cornwell really did put much effort into researching his books, although it has to be said that a lot of Arthurian folklore is just that, folklore. There are lots of things that we can't be sure about, and this is where the author has done a fine job weaving myth and fact together. 'Excalibur' proved to be a worthy and sensible end to the trilogy. The Warlord Chronicles on the whole was a darn good read and definately recommended.

This is the second series from Mr Cornwell that I have read, and once again I didn't want to put it down once I started, even kept my Kindle at work so i could sneak in sometime. The author has taken what was always told to us in school as a very honorable tail, and removed the prettiness of the story. This story unfolded much the way the Saxon Tales did and gave us glimpses into these lost worlds. I think both of these series would make great movies

I enjoyed the books, even though they were pretty dark, but I had a problem with the female characters. They were all repulsive, disloyal, sly, conniving, or stupid. All except for Ceinwyn, Derfel's woman. I think Cornwell is a little hard on the women in his series. Definitely more into battle scenes than love scenes, too. And I'm not saying read Mary Stewart. I think Jack Whyte got the mix about right with his Camulod Chronicles.

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.

Cornwell's account of Arthur in this three book series is a breath of fresh air. I've read all the classics (Once and Future King, Le Morte D'arthur, Idylls of the King), and quite a few other Arthurian books as well. I like that Cornwell doesn't take these others, add a few differing details, and give them a new title. Cornwell gives a very personal and human perspective on Arthur and the events and people that shaped his life. I also love the way he completely changes the stories surrounding the main characters(Guinevere, Lancelot, Merlin). I highly recommend this book, as well as the other two in the series(Winter King, Enemy of God).

I've read the entire series, and have enjoyed all three books. You will enjoy the books either as a trilogy or stand alone. Full of great characters given real depth by Mr. Cornwell. This is a truly unique and highly entertaining take on the life and times of Arthur.

Warlord Chronicles, a tale of Arthur
1. The Winter King (***)
2. Enemy of God (***)
3. Excalibur (**)

"Arthur was probably no king, he may not have lived at all, but despite all the efforts of historians to deny his every existence, he is still, to millions of folk about the world, what a copyist called him in the fourteenth century, Arturus Rex Quondam, Rexque Futurus: Arthur, our Once and Future King." --Bernard Cornwell, Historical Note in EXCALIBUR

Cornwell's EXCALIBUR marks the crowning jewel of a fulsomely callous portrayal of women in 5th-century Britain, at least any woman of note (with the lone exception of Ceinwyn). Maybe it's unfair and provincial of me to view ruthlessness and calculated ambition potentially admirable in men but singularly unbecoming in women. Regardless, Guinevere's promiscuous ambition for power, glory and fame while Nimue's cold, religious fanaticism to sacrifice women and children for her pagan religion both distinguished Cornwell's final Arthurian installment EXCALIBUR. Although some may see EXCALIBUR as Guinevere's road to redemption, I can't say I really saw it that way. Admittedly, EXCALIBUR belongs to Guinevere, but I couldn't get over Guinevere betraying Arthur with Lancelot and then ready to betray him again with the druid twins back in ENEMY OF GOD, and all for power and glory. The humble first-person narration in a flashback makes for an inviting reading experience though the portentously gloomy tones tends to drown some of the enthusiasm. Cornwell's settings, historical backdrop and prose are all solid.

EXCALIBUR highlights the monumental battle in Arthur's lifetime which repels the Saxon conquest of Britain for an entire generation: the battle at Mynydd Baddon, or simply, Mount Badon. Of the three books in this Arthurian rendition, magic plays the biggest role here, and I can't say it was for the better. In the first part, The Fires of Mai Dun, Merlin and Nimue attempt to bring the old gods back. I found myself most engaged in the second part Mynydd Baddon in which we're treated to the warlord in Arthur at his best: battling against insurmountable odds. The final two parts, Nimue's Curse and The Last Enchantment concludes with Nimue's pagan fanaticism.

As opposed to the madness of Christianity in ENEMY OF GOD, EXCALIBUR now turns its attentions to painting the pagan religion of 5th-century Britain in a very gruesome light via Nimue's fanatically insane group of followers. Again, you have to admire Cornwell's decided aversion to black-and-white storytelling. Where ENEMY OF GOD describes a mad and violent Christian movement, EXCALIBUR now concludes with a fanatically cruel pagan depiction with child sacrifices. Past friends and lovers now become cruel enemies (Nimue), allies plot and scheme (King of Gwent Meurig, Mordred), traitors repent and expiate (Guinevere), while apparent enemies exhibit valor and heart (Derfel's Saxon father, King Aelle). Readers will find merit in evil and cruelty in apparent good. All of it adds to Cornwell's well-researched and captivating tale of Arthur.

By the end of ENEMY OF GOD, I thought Guinevere's betrayal would teach Arthur something of ruthlessness and cold retribution. Unfortunately, Arthur's downfall rested on his most noble quality: his persistence to forgive and believe in the goodness of people and the sanctity of oaths. In the end, he wanted gratitude, but both the Christians and the pagans hate him by EXCALIBUR and he finally relinquishes his power in EXCALIBUR.

I actually liked all three books, but the first-person, melancholy tones in the flashback absorbed some of my enjoyment. I thought EXCALIBUR was the weakest out of three actually.

Cornwell's account of Arthur in this three book series is a breath of fresh air. I've read all the classics (Once and Future King, Le Morte D'arthur, Idylls of the King), and quite a few other Arthurian books as well. I like that Cornwell doesn't take these others, add a few differing details, and give them a new title. Cornwell gives a very personal and human perspective on Arthur and the events and people that shaped his life. I also love the way he completely changes the stories surrounding the main characters(Guinevere, Lancelot, Merlin). I highly recommend this book, as well as the other two in the series(Winter King, Enemy of God).

I've read the entire series, and have enjoyed all three books. You will enjoy the books either as a trilogy or stand alone. Full of great characters given real depth by Mr. Cornwell. This is a truly unique and highly entertaining take on the life and times of Arthur.

The best illusions are the ones we mistake for being true. Excalibar allowed me to suspend my disbelief and imagine I was seeing history from the perspective of a true believer in magic. Absolutely amazing series. Thank you Bernard.

Warlord Chronicles, a tale of Arthur
1. The Winter King (***)
2. Enemy of God (***)
3. Excalibur (**)

"Arthur was probably no king, he may not have lived at all, but despite all the efforts of historians to deny his every existence, he is still, to millions of folk about the world, what a copyist called him in the fourteenth century, Arturus Rex Quondam, Rexque Futurus: Arthur, our Once and Future King." --Bernard Cornwell, Historical Note in EXCALIBUR

Cornwell's EXCALIBUR marks the crowning jewel of a fulsomely callous portrayal of women in 5th-century Britain, at least any woman of note (with the lone exception of Ceinwyn). Maybe it's unfair and provincial of me to view ruthlessness and calculated ambition potentially admirable in men but singularly unbecoming in women. Regardless, Guinevere's promiscuous ambition for power, glory and fame while Nimue's cold, religious fanaticism to sacrifice women and children for her pagan religion both distinguished Cornwell's final Arthurian installment EXCALIBUR. Although some may see EXCALIBUR as Guinevere's road to redemption, I can't say I really saw it that way. Admittedly, EXCALIBUR belongs to Guinevere, but I couldn't get over Guinevere betraying Arthur with Lancelot and then ready to betray him again with the druid twins back in ENEMY OF GOD, and all for power and glory. The humble first-person narration in a flashback makes for an inviting reading experience though the portentously gloomy tones tends to drown some of the enthusiasm. Cornwell's settings, historical backdrop and prose are all solid.

EXCALIBUR highlights the monumental battle in Arthur's lifetime which repels the Saxon conquest of Britain for an entire generation: the battle at Mynydd Baddon, or simply, Mount Badon. Of the three books in this Arthurian rendition, magic plays the biggest role here, and I can't say it was for the better. In the first part, The Fires of Mai Dun, Merlin and Nimue attempt to bring the old gods back. I found myself most engaged in the second part Mynydd Baddon in which we're treated to the warlord in Arthur at his best: battling against insurmountable odds. The final two parts, Nimue's Curse and The Last Enchantment concludes with Nimue's pagan fanaticism.

As opposed to the madness of Christianity in ENEMY OF GOD, EXCALIBUR now turns its attentions to painting the pagan religion of 5th-century Britain in a very gruesome light via Nimue's fanatically insane group of followers. Again, you have to admire Cornwell's decided aversion to black-and-white storytelling. Where ENEMY OF GOD describes a mad and violent Christian movement, EXCALIBUR now concludes with a fanatically cruel pagan depiction with child sacrifices. Past friends and lovers now become cruel enemies (Nimue), allies plot and scheme (King of Gwent Meurig, Mordred), traitors repent and expiate (Guinevere), while apparent enemies exhibit valor and heart (Derfel's Saxon father, King Aelle). Readers will find merit in evil and cruelty in apparent good. All of it adds to Cornwell's well-researched and captivating tale of Arthur.

By the end of ENEMY OF GOD, I thought Guinevere's betrayal would teach Arthur something of ruthlessness and cold retribution. Unfortunately, Arthur's downfall rested on his most noble quality: his persistence to forgive and believe in the goodness of people and the sanctity of oaths. In the end, he wanted gratitude, but both the Christians and the pagans hate him by EXCALIBUR and he finally relinquishes his power in EXCALIBUR.

I actually liked all three books, but the first-person, melancholy tones in the flashback absorbed some of my enjoyment. I thought EXCALIBUR was the weakest out of three actually.

My husband and I have decidedly different tastes in books. He reads history and historical fiction. I read mostly fantasy and am an Arthur legend freak. He had read virtually all of Bernard Cornwell's Sharpes books and quite a lot of Cornwell's other historical fiction when he picked up my copies of The Arthur Books and proceeded to read all three.
I loved the Arthur trilogy and have read a lot of the Shapes books. Cornwell's books are good reads. Period.

ok so dont shoot me down in flames for that comment and there were certainly parts of the book that were so much better than other parts. im not saying i didnt love it, its just that i thought maybe cornwell was getting bored with it all. however points to watch out for if you are reading it;
1. the ending-fantastic;
2. the part with merlin and morgan set in what one can only imagine to be highland scotland (or the like);
3. finally the wonderfully powerful description of merlins final journey;
i still loved this book, but i just felt that it was all too much for cornwell and that the time had come for the warlord chronicles to end.

If you've never really known the story(ies) of Arthur, this beautifully written trulogy will open up both a new world of adventures and classic stories and a fascinating view of early Britain and its mythology. I read the second volume first, but didn't fully appreciate it until I'd read "The Winter King". This is one of the best series of historical stories ever -- romance, war, politics, religion, history and mysticism -- they're all here and will stay in your memories for a very long time. Treat yourself to these books - you won't regret it!

Cornwell is, by far, is the best story teller. Excalibur is a wonderful ending to an epic that gives readers the chance to experience a believable tale of war, politics, romance, and tragedy. Cornwell's writing is challenging and intelligent, while his command of the English language is used subtly to paint a strong image of the aesthetic and personal personal descriptions of characters and scenes.
This is a wonderful book and I would recommend reading the trilogy over and over.

After reading the first two books of the series and being blown away by their rare historical accuracy compared to other Aurthurian tales, I was a little disappointed by the way Excalibur seemed to lose the momentum of it predecessors. It almost seems as if Cornwell was rushed to publish it. Still, it was a great read that I enjoyed and didn't want to put down until I was done. It's a must if you've read The Winter King and Enemy of God.

If you are new to Arthurian then I Strongly recommend these books. They are all written very well and are all quick reads, that are sure to keep the reader involved and interested from the 1st page. I rate books by how late I stay up at night. And all three books in the series kept me up into the wee hours. So if you need you're sleep, then maybe "The Horse Whisperer" is more you're speed! Enjoy.

I have read 2 other Cornwell series and enjoyed them immensely. I found this work poorly constructed compared to the other two series. The story was very disjointed and lacked cohesion. I won't bother with the rest of the series.

Excalibur was a great ending to a fantastic series. I thouroughly enjoyed all three books in The Warlord Chronicles, and I would recommend Excalibur to anyone who enjoyed Winter King and Enemy of God.

If you've never really known the story(ies) of Arthur, this beautifully written trulogy will open up both a new world of adventures and classic stories and a fascinating view of early Britain and its mythology. I read the second volume first, but didn't fully appreciate it until I'd read "The Winter King". This is one of the best series of historical stories ever -- romance, war, politics, religion, history and mysticism -- they're all here and will stay in your memories for a very long time. Treat yourself to these books - you won't regret it!

Personally, i really disliked this book. I thought it was confusing (characters and places) and unclear about plot. It was also too wordy and drawn out (400+ pages). It didnt really catch my attention. After all, I had to read this book for a book report so that might have something to do with it. This would have been a mediocre book if you were into all that medival arthur stuff, which i really am not. So I wouldnt reccomend this to someone who likes a quick and easy read. Also it had a bit too much gore for my taste, so dont read it if you dont like bloody, graphic battle scenes.

This is the last book in the King Arther trilogy by Bernard Cornwell and is excellent. The whole trilogy is absolutely wonderful. Book received in great shape and timing as well. I highly recommend this trilogy.

That 6 x 9 book size is just a little too large book does not fit 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.

The best illusions are the ones we mistake for being true. Excalibar allowed me to suspend my disbelief and imagine I was seeing history from the perspective of a true believer in magic. Absolutely amazing series. Thank you Bernard.