Å·±¦ÓéÀÖ

Full video review:
Before we begin the review, please note that although ‘Aurelia� is technically listed as a Prequel to The Pendragon Cycle, it is absolutely not required reading. This book can be read on its own. However, you SHOULD read the Pendragon Cycle too! It’s excellent.

Aurelia serves as a semi-prequel to the larger Pendragon Cycle by Stephen R. Lawhead. Lawhead began this Arthurian retelling in the 80s and hasn’t written another book in the series since the late 90s.

The book is set in between books two and three of the main story and tells of Aurelia, her life and misadventures that eventually lead to her being the grandmother of King Arthur. We follow her as a very young girl all the way up to her as a woman and mother. It is set during the time in Englands history when Rome is leaving the island, and many smaller factions, rulers and warlords must fend for themselves and decide what Britain is to be in this new era.

In the same way, this novel is about Aurelia growing up and deciding who she will be during a time of great turmoil and upheaval. We follow her as she loses all that she has known, must fend for herself, escape from enemy Saxons, and even from fellow Britain’s who would take advantage of her or do her harm. Ultimately she must become a woman of strength, honor and virtue to raise the boys, Uther and Aurelias, who will become very important in Britains history going forward.

It is fascinating to see Lawhead, in the late stages of his career, revisit a series that was near the beginning of his writing. It’s fascinating to see which of his ideas, tropes and styles have changed and which have endured. One concept that Lawhead has always emphasized, even when it was against the trends of the 80’s is the role and impact of women on the Arthur story. He does not merely focus on kings and warlords and leaders, but also the mothers, wives and daughters who deeply influenced the story in their own way. Aurelia is very much in that tradition as well.

Ultimately one of the main themes of this story is the importance of personal righteous living over broad political change. We see by the end of the book that all the petty squabbles and arguments between these small lords or generals mean very little in the grand scheme of things. However, Aurelia living with virtue, kindness, self sacrifice and honor has laid the foundation for the King who can unite Britain. Her life lived well had a much greater impact on the world for good than whatever the latest dispute or conflict was. Obviously that’s a very timeless message that certainly applies to us today.

I will say this book is not a thriller. It doesn’t have a tightly woven plot. It’s told as a firsthand account, which is how it reads too. This may turn some readers off, but it’s a unique style that’s executed well.

Overall I loved this book and I hope it’s an introduction for many new people into the Pendragon books.