Enemy of sleep!
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this trilogy held my attention, this book particularly with its indepth look at battles, territory and the like. My criticism, for there is one, remains the same as my criticism of the last book and indeed the overall saga, all that spitting! Endlessly recited. He spat. OK, they did it to avert evil but one would think they spent their lives averting evil as they were spitting at every conceivable moment of their lives. It spoiled an otherwise very good series.
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2nd part of the greatest Trilogy ever written
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Continues on from The Winter King and skillfully handles many well known elements of the Arthurian legends such as Tristan, Lancelot and Guineveire's 'romance' and the Grail in a realistic well thought out way. The narrator of the story, Derfel Cadarn,friend of Arthur is on top form and brings to life a very realistic view of life in 500AD.
The use of the bitches against the war-dogs during one of the battles against the saxons was brilliant and cunning Merlin and Nimue are again on top Form here. If you can get hold of it try listening to Tim-pigott Smiths audio cassette of this trilogy, he reads it wonderfully and why its not been released on CD yet i dont understand.
Highly Recommended
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Amazing continuation of a great saga
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After the great "Winter King" here is the equally splendid second part of the trilogy. Bernard Cornwell managed to keep exactly the same very high level of storytelling and all day life and nature description. The story never gets boring and, even for people knowing the story of Saxon invasions and having some knowledge of Arthurian mythos, there are surprises in every chapter. Author's (and narrator's) dislike of Christianism is even stronger in this book that in the previous, so religious people can be somehow schocked, but still it is a great read.
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the best Arthurian / Dark Age saga so far
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This series of books is excellent. Much better than Sharpe (which I really enjoy as well).
The way fact, fiction and legend blend together is almost faultless. It feels 'real' and the research seems good.
The characters are well written, the battles brilliant. I wish I could go into details but I would only spoil the epic plot. Its gritty and heroic and sad all at the same time.
I've read and re-read all three books 3 or 4 times and enjoyed them each tme.
I'm really suprised there hasn't been an adaption for TV or even Film.
brilliant 99% of the time (i'd give it 100% if I there was a 4th book)
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Masterful
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This trilogy is brilliant. This, the second of three, is as un-put-downable as the first and a great lead into the last which you will be compelled to read!
I'd give this six stars if i could.
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