The Hallowed Isle: The Book of the Sword and The Book of the Spear

This is a terrific and daring take on the re-telling of the Arthurian legend. It starts with Vortigern and the after-effects of the Romans leaving Britain, where a good number of families live on their Roman estates. They are trying to cope with the infighting of the clans and the invasions of the Anglo Saxons. Two Priestesses of the Isle of Women, Maderun and Argantel, occupy many of the events of the early chapters of Book 1, including the sanctifying of the sword and the alliances and warring clans.

By Merlin's birth, the POV changes and we see Vortigern's alliances to the Anglo Saxon chieftains through his eyes, with his gifts in full flower. Merlin's difference from his fellows, both physical and his Gift, are troubling to him. He show more witnesses the Night of the Long Knives and does what he can to honor the dead. Arthur is fostered, and we then move to Book 2.

Where the action is seen from the view of the Saxons: their lands are flooding, their people are leaving, greener shores are elsewhere, and yet the kinds are beholden to their land. And Book 2 does not deviate from this POV: that's what makes this set? series? so unique and deserving of 5 stars. Paxson brings in the culture of the Anglo Saxons as something other than The Enemy of the Britons.

Neither culture is fully Christianized, save for the one of Lesser Britain (per one of the young noblemen at young Arthur's court), so the shifting is well-drawn. And the dilemma of young Oesc, the Saxon noble, who is a hostage at Arthur's court and yet finds himself growing to respect this young king, is a good storyline woven into the overall tapestry. show less