It takes a remarkable writer to make an old story as fresh and compelling as the first time we heard it. With The Winter King, the first volume of his magnificent Warlord Chronicles, Bernard Cornwell finally turns to the story he was born to write: the mythic saga of King Arthur.The tale begins in Dark Age Britain, a land where Arthur has been banished and Merlin has disappeared, where a … where a child-king sits unprotected on the throne, where religion vies with magic for the souls of the people. It is to this desperate land that Arthur returns, a man at once utterly human and truly heroic: a man of honor, loyalty, and amazing valor; a man who loves Guinevere more passionately than he should; a man whose life is at once tragic and triumphant.
As Arthur fights to keep a flicker of civilization alive in a barbaric world, Bernard Cornwell makes a familiar tale into a legend all over again.
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The Winter King takes a (mostly) historical take on the King Arthur legend, interpreting him as a Dark Ages warlord that struggles to bring peace to Britain in time where invasions threaten from all sides.
This was the first Cornwell book I’ve read and I’ll definitely read more.
The prose has an almost dreamlike quality, where the narrator is …
The Winter King and the other novels in The Warlord Chronicles are a great re-imagining of Arthurian legend in the historical setting of the Dark Ages.
The Warlord Chronicles is possibly my all-time favourite trilogy. I have read this book (and the other two in the series) again and again. Derfel is the ultimate book boyfriend—endearing, courageous, and good-hearted—and I really enjoyed how different this story is from other versions of the Arthur/Merlin tale, because they are side characters. By …
This series of novels is the last word on the King Arthur myth, and also the pinnacle of Bernard Cornwall’s writing. Stepping away from his popular Sharpe series, and before exploring Uthred’s world, Cornwell wrote three books that reshape the Arthurian legends, rooting them firmly in their historical era and deconstructing the romantic myths into …
Rich characters with many layers.
A realistic take on the folklore behind the King Arthur legends.
This is the first book in what quickly became my favorite book series of all time. If you are a fan of history, action, or King Arthur, you will love this series!
By far the BEST version of Arthur I have EVER read, or will read. Handsdown fivestars
Amazing
I have read better books about King Arthur.
Betnard Cornwell’s retelling of the King Arthur story is one of the absolute best and most believable. SPOILER SPOILER. The story makes so much more sense with Lancelot as a smiling, double-talking villain.
This is one of a larger series of books that tell the story of an “English” kid who becomes a Viking, and then becomes one of the “saviors” of England as the Vikings invaded and attempted to conquer the whole island. Lots of twists, detailed descriptions of issues, politics, and the world each of the cultures lived in.
I have been a fan of Bernard Cornwell’s writing since I read my first Richard Sharpe novel. Whereas, Le Morte d’Arthur was what first got me interested Arthurian Tales.
When i discovered the Warlord Chronicles, I was very excited, as it would combine the writing of my favorite author in the setting of one of my favorite fictional …
Bernard Cornwell is one of the great historical fiction writers of all time. His series that take place in Medieval Britain are some of the best books I’ve ever read. I highly recommend The Archer’s Tale and The Saxon Tales series.
Cornwell is one of the best authors of historical fiction. This is one part of his King Arthur trilogy. He does a great job of bringing the characters to life and immersing you in their world. Full of magic, intrigue, and romance.
The Winter King is one of those books I keep going back to when I’m in the mood for a good fantasy romance with a strong female lead and great world building. C.L. Wilson has done an excellent job of weaving together two distinct worlds (Wintercraig and Summerlea) and the two main characters who are opposites in appearance, but so very well …
I love hot fantasy romance, but it’s kind of difficult to find. I’m soooo glad Twitter (hey guys!) put me on to this series because book 1, The Winter King, was just fantastic.
The world building, history, politics and mythos were fantastic, as were the imaginative details, from clothing and conveniences, to magic, to terrifying monsters. But in …
It has everything you could want from a book, suspense, intriguige, a good mix of romance and action all packed into a moderately lengthy book that doesn’t leave you feeling like it was unfinished.
Cinderella meets Game of Thrones: what’s not to like?! I devour everything by this author.
Right now all I want to read is fantasy with heavy romance elements and this book fit that to a tee. I really liked this world and the magic. And the romance was great. Wynter did get a bit too alpha grouchy for my feminist “I am woman hear me roar” liking at times but I still loved the dynamic between Kham and Wynter and honestly Kham has no …
I loved this book, I read anything she writes… I think she is awesome with the characters she comes up with. The good guys…. the bad guys…. and everything in between. I will buy everything she writes!