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5 ⭐️

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

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

Plot

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

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

Characters

Beran/Arthur

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

Erbin

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

Tristan and Isolde

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

Palamedes and Guivret

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

Writing

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

World-Building

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

Romance

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

Final Thoughts

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

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