Excalibur

Excellent historic fiction. Cornwall is a master of medieval war and it’s never ending battles. I highly recommend the Warlord Chronicles as an excellent read.

I am reviewing the entire Warlords Chronicles because I believe they should stand together. After reading the first book, I couldn’t wait to read the second, and the same for the third. This wasn’t the Arthur I knew from childhood tales or “Camelot,” but even a more heroic figure. This was Arthur the warrior.Cornwell draws his characters so well, sets the scene well, makes you care for each character as if they were sitting across from you at a fire ring at a campsite. I cried when Arthur went down and was carried off to the ship for his final voyage. The battle scenes were so real you could almost smell the salt from the sea, feel the sand under your felt and see the blood spurting from bodies.I hate that there’s not another book in the chronicles. Now I have to leave the world of Dumnonia and delve into another world. Bravo, Bernard Cornwell!

Seamless transition from previous books.I highly recommend the whole series of three books.The historical context is informative as well

Note: This is pretty much identical to my review of the first 2 books, since this is more about the trilogy as a whole than the individual book. SPOILER FREE*****I was originally given the first book (The Winter King) as a gift when I was about 13 years old (about 9 years ago). I read it and loved it, but I had no idea it was part of a trilogy until I was in college. I was totally thrilled because not only did it mean I would get to start the first book over again, but that there were THREE books to carry this awesome Arthurian imagining by Mr. Cornwell.That said, I thoroughly enjoyed this book, and the trilogy as a whole. Derfel Cadarn is one of the best characters in recent memory. I get a little tired of your all-too-common Mary Sues in fiction. Derfel is certainly nothing like this- while he truly grows and becomes a formidable warrior who remains honest and loyal, he never seems perfect and is always a humble knight and a delight to "listen" to. I can't begin to give justice to the characters that Mr. Cornwell has created in Arthur, Guinevere, Lancelot, Nimue, Merlin, and many more. Totally unique, but also completely justified in their own way that is still true to the legend and the possible history.But enough about the characters.... I initially got into this series because of the action and creativity, and there was PLENTY. I love the detailed battles, the gripping plot changes,etc. To put it simply: I love the action in this series, and there is never a dull moment. If you can forgive yourself for making up the name pronunciations for, I dunno, MOST of the places and people, then that is the only hurdle my friend, and a minuscule and historically accurate one at that.Please, do yourself a favor, and immerse your mind in the memorable world that Mr. Cornwell has masterfully built.

The Warlord Chronicles is Bernard Cornwell's interpretation of the story of King Arthur. The trilogy is comprised of The Winter King, Enemy of God, and Excalibur and is told from the perspective of Derfel Cardan, a man that Britain's greatest druid Merlin plucked as a child from a death pit to become Arthur's most trusted warrior.Cornwell's is not the romanticized version of Malory's Le Morte D'Arthur or T.H. White's The Once and Future King. The historical Arthur is thought to have lived around the year 500, just after the Romans had abandoned Britain and the beginning of the Dark Ages. Cornwell stays true to that time. There are no knights in shining armour, but warlords in old Roman armour. There is no magic, only superstition and coincidence. There are no stone castles, but forts made of wood and earth. Decay is in the air. The Roman cities crumble, and knowledge of their construction and repair fades.The story begins with Uther Pendragon, King of Dumnonia and the High King of Britain, nearing death. His grandson, Mordred, is his heir; however, Mordred is only a baby. Arthur, a bastard of Uther, takes an oath of loyalty to Mordred and is chosen as Mordred's guardian. Until Mordred is old enough to rule Dumnonia himself, Arthur is effectively the king.Arthur dreams to unite the various kingdoms of Britain and push out the invading land-hungry Saxons. This is the story of Arthur. Over and over again, just when you think that Arthur's dream is to become a reality, the dream is shattered due to his own weaknesses, his sense of justice, the machinations of kings and those closest to him, the conflict between Christians and pagans, or most often his oath of loyalty to Mordred. Certainly, for a moment there is Camelot, but even then dark clouds are on the horizon.I highly recommend these books. As usual, Cornwell excels at describing the battles and the single combats. His take on characters is refreshing. For example, Lancelot is considered the greatest warrior in the land, not because of any actual accomplishments, but because of his ability to control his image, manipulate others, and pay the bards to sing his high praises; in truth, he is a coward. I've read many versions of the Arthur story. While it is difficult to rate one version against another as they are often so different, this is one of the best.

This story was filled with magic, trickery, bravery, sacrifice, and loss. I enjoyed it immensely. The descriptions of the battles were amazing! To say I was caught up in them as if I were there, is saying the very least. Such excellent story telling. Highly recommend

Le gustó mucho a mi hija

The final book in the Warlord Chronicles trilogy, loved most of it, but I feel as though I enjoyed the first two a bit more. Was not a big fan of certain resolutions, and at times it almost felt like we needed a fourth book.This is still a highly positive review, and I can’t imagine fans of the first two books necessarily being disappointed with this one. Perhaps there were one or two epic moments I was expecting throughout the series, that eventually never materialised. Loved the characters throughout, and the redemption arc of one in particular was extremely well executed. The only reason it might sound like I’m complaining is because the first two books were close to perfection, and there were parts in this one which maybe didn’t quite go the way I would have wanted. Which doesn’t necessarily mean others won’t enjoy it more.One thing I can guarantee, this is one of the most quotable series ever. I’m not someone who ever highlights passages and quotes on my Kindle, this series practically forced me to. Looking back, I feel like there’s still so much more I could have, and should have highlighted, so that I could go back and relive those moments when I first read those words.Battle scenes are usually what make or break a fantasy series that involves war. We fantasy readers have been fortunate enough to have been acquainted to some in recent times who are absolute masters of depicting battle – John Gwynne, Joe Abercrombie, to name just two. It is hard to imagine anyone writing modern fantasy who has not been influenced by Bernard Cornwell.Lord of the Rings had its Helm’s Deep, Wheel of Time had Dumai Wells, Malazan Book of the Fallen had its Chain of Dogs. Every fantasy series worth its salt has absolute epic moments that stick with the reader even years after you’re done with the series. With the Warlord Chronicles, that battle for me would be Mynnyd Baddon.Overall, a masterful retelling of the Arthurian legend, and a must read, highest possible recommendation.Did King Arthur and Camelot truly exist? For the two weeks it took me to read this series, they truly did. And when you read this tale, you will hope they existed, and wish they didn’t.

Epic book! I really liked it!

I really loved reading these books!! Such a realistic and emotional telling of the all-known Arthur tale, it gave me many new perspectives regarding people, circumstances, religion and so on. Thank you very much Mr. Cornwell!!

A brilliant novel, beautifully written, and an fascinatingly different look at the Arthurian legend. While this is a novel (not a history book), Cornwell is able to make Arthur's era live so that you are right there with the characters and their experiences, feeling their feelings, smelling the smells, and seeing Britain as it might well have been during this tumultuous period when Christians and pagans fought for land, power and the future of their country.Excalibur is part three of Cornwell's Arthurian trilogy. I loved these novels.