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At the dawn of his reign, a young king confronts his destiny—and must prove his greatness . . . or lose a realmArthur is King—but treachery runs rampant throughout the beleaguered Isle of the Mighty. Darkest evil descends upon Britain's shores in many guises. Fragile alliances fray and tear, threatening all the noble liege has won with his wisdom and his blood. His most trusted counselor—the warrior, bard and kingmaker whom legend will name Merlin—is himself to be tested on a show more mystical journey back through his own extraordinary past. So in a black time of plague and pestilence, it is Arthur who must stand alone against a great and terrible adversary. For only this way can he truly win immortality—and the name to treasure above all others:
PENDRAGON
"Though Lawhead brilliantly creates an authentic and vivid Arthurian Britain, he never forsakes the sense of wonder that has graced the legend throughout the ages."—Publishers Weekly
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Lawhead has definitely breathed new life into the Arthurian legends with his Pendragon Cycle. But "Pendragon", the fourth book in the series, is perhaps the weakest link.
"Pendragon" is not a continuation of the story that was started through "Taliesin", "Merlin", and "Arthur". Rather what Lawhead does in this fourth instalment is revisit some stories about Arthur's life that either weren't in the previous books or that weren't expounded upon. This makes the beginning of the story read like left-overs that Lawhead cut from the original work. There are even times when the story is word-for-word the same as the previous novel. That being said, "Pendragon" does begin to build about halfway through the book and the story of Arthur's struggle show more to save Britain from a barbarian invasion comes to life.
While perhaps not the strongest link in the cycle, "Pendragon" is a continuation of Lawhead's magnificent rendering of Arthur's life. He has crafted Arthur as a king who is strong and intelligent, fearless and faithful, seemingly invincible but also somehow mortal (even though he is the forever king). show less
"Pendragon" is not a continuation of the story that was started through "Taliesin", "Merlin", and "Arthur". Rather what Lawhead does in this fourth instalment is revisit some stories about Arthur's life that either weren't in the previous books or that weren't expounded upon. This makes the beginning of the story read like left-overs that Lawhead cut from the original work. There are even times when the story is word-for-word the same as the previous novel. That being said, "Pendragon" does begin to build about halfway through the book and the story of Arthur's struggle show more to save Britain from a barbarian invasion comes to life.
While perhaps not the strongest link in the cycle, "Pendragon" is a continuation of Lawhead's magnificent rendering of Arthur's life. He has crafted Arthur as a king who is strong and intelligent, fearless and faithful, seemingly invincible but also somehow mortal (even though he is the forever king). show less
Book four in the series of five making up the Pendragon cycle. This was an enjoyable read that was difficult to put down. It was told from Merlin's perspective like book two in the series. It worked well as Merlin is such an interesting character. However, I am still no closer to knowing about Arthur or Gwenyfar...
Arthur is the Pendragon, yet the focus does not seem to be on him but on Merlin. Again very gory with the lengthy battles taking precedence. I did get a little weary of the battles and I would have preferred to learn more about the personal life of Arthur. I also felt this book would have been better coming before the previous one.
Arthur is the Pendragon, yet the focus does not seem to be on him but on Merlin. Again very gory with the lengthy battles taking precedence. I did get a little weary of the battles and I would have preferred to learn more about the personal life of Arthur. I also felt this book would have been better coming before the previous one.
A fun and exciting addition to the Pendragon Cycle. Lawhead's style keeps you glued to the page, and his understanding of Medieval culture and faith keeps you set in the historic place.
Ultimately, the story the book tells is a minor one, considering the first trilogy of the Cycle, but it is a welcome one, and it is wonderful to be back in Lawhead's vision for Arthur's court.
Ultimately, the story the book tells is a minor one, considering the first trilogy of the Cycle, but it is a welcome one, and it is wonderful to be back in Lawhead's vision for Arthur's court.
I am just unreasonably pleased by this series. It is delightful. And clearly a work of love by the writer.
I LOVE this series!
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Author Information
103 Works 33,770 Members
Novelist Stephen R. Lawhead was born in July 2, 1950 in Kearney, Nebraska. He graduated from Kearney State College. He wrote his first novel, In the Hall of the Dragon King (1982) to try to support his family. This launched his literary career. Many of Lawhead's works are based on Celtic history and Arthurian legend. He has also written children's show more books, adapting many of them from stories he told his children. Lawhead's various series include Bright Empires, The Pendragon Cycle, and the King Raven Trilogy. The second book in the King Raven Trilogy, Scarlet, won a Christy Award in the category of Visionary Fiction. (Bowker Author Biography) show less
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Common Knowledge
- Canonical title
- Pendragon
- Original publication date
- 1994
- People/Characters
- King Arthur; Meriddyn; Gwenhwyvar; Llenlleawg; Charis
- Dedication
- For Bruce
- First words
- What is there to say of Arthur after all these years? His birth you know, and something of his end.
- Last words
- (Click to show. Warning: May contain spoilers.)Ah, but that is another tale.
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- 1,534
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- 14,854
- Reviews
- 8
- Rating
- (3.58)
- Languages
- 6 — English, French, German, Hungarian, Portuguese, Spanish
- Media
- Paper, Audiobook, Ebook
- ISBNs
- 29
- ASINs
- 10