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stephilica's review against another edition
4.0
The strength in this narrative lies in Arthur's strong (and sometimes poetic) voice, and the details built into the setting. I also love the subtle characterization, such as how Guinevere's insistence on knighting a youth who later gets grievously wounded is setup for her reaction to Lancelot's declaration that he'd rather die with honor than live meaninglessly. This is a strongly atmospheric work, and it's easy to get engrossed within it.
However, the plot is more meandering than the previous; in the last book, Arthur's goal was to become a squire, but now that he is, his focus is split between a murder, finding the identity of his mother, and overall listlessness and impatience as his manor prepares for the Crusades. This meandering from plot point to plot point fits his feelings of aimlessness throughout the book, but it also makes the story less linear and the pacing less upbeat. Other plot points in the dual timeline of Camelot are also glossed over; there's little buildup of Nimue, and Morgan le Fay's scenes--while subtly poignant--never address her motives; by the time she appears as a character, she's already hell-bent on assassination.
Even so, this is a solid piece of writing that (mostly) deepens characters and themes. Christianity provides the lens for the musing portions of the text, and it's refreshing to see an Arthurian retelling that examines the philosophical and symbolic implications of the lore.
However, the plot is more meandering than the previous; in the last book, Arthur's goal was to become a squire, but now that he is, his focus is split between a murder, finding the identity of his mother, and overall listlessness and impatience as his manor prepares for the Crusades. This meandering from plot point to plot point fits his feelings of aimlessness throughout the book, but it also makes the story less linear and the pacing less upbeat. Other plot points in the dual timeline of Camelot are also glossed over; there's little buildup of Nimue, and Morgan le Fay's scenes--while subtly poignant--never address her motives; by the time she appears as a character, she's already hell-bent on assassination.
Even so, this is a solid piece of writing that (mostly) deepens characters and themes. Christianity provides the lens for the musing portions of the text, and it's refreshing to see an Arthurian retelling that examines the philosophical and symbolic implications of the lore.
theresebo's review against another edition
3.0
The Arthur-in-the-stone story got much more interesting in this book! I'm exited for the next (re-read) book! :)
stephaniaesoterica's review against another edition
adventurous
emotional
hopeful
inspiring
reflective
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.0
carrie_grace_doss's review against another edition
adventurous
emotional
funny
hopeful
informative
inspiring
lighthearted
mysterious
reflective
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
alloveragain's review against another edition
3.0
6/10
I remember it being a bit confusing for my 10 year old self, but I really enjoyed the story.
It’s been a dozen years now since I read it and I’m thinking of rereading the trilogy.
I remember it being a bit confusing for my 10 year old self, but I really enjoyed the story.
It’s been a dozen years now since I read it and I’m thinking of rereading the trilogy.
phaneem's review against another edition
I remember loving this series when I was younger!
corireed's review against another edition
3.0
Once again, a fun read.
If I didn't enjoy Arthurian legend, this probably would be rated lower, but Kevin Crossley-Holland has managed to make it very accessible, which is something I can appreciate.
This was the second book in a trilogy, and I imagine I will read the third at some point. I already own the companion novel, which revolves around a village girl central to the story.
If I didn't enjoy Arthurian legend, this probably would be rated lower, but Kevin Crossley-Holland has managed to make it very accessible, which is something I can appreciate.
This was the second book in a trilogy, and I imagine I will read the third at some point. I already own the companion novel, which revolves around a village girl central to the story.
linyarai's review against another edition
3.0
I read this for the "A Book With A Green Spine" part of my 2018 reading challenge. I feel it was more of a 2.5 than a 3, it was ok but I wasn't in love with it. I ended up with way more questions than answers. Maybe if I read more of the series I would like it more, but it didn't make me desperate to pick them up.
jgretton's review against another edition
adventurous
slow-paced
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.0
justabridge's review against another edition
4.0
I didn’t feel like the two halves of this book married as well as they did in the first instalment of this trilogy, The Seeing Stone, but I still really enjoyed this. The narrative flips between Arthur, a medieval squire getting ready to go on crusade, and Arthurian legend viewed through his seeing stone.
In the first book the two narratives work really well together as both Arthurs discover hidden pasts and go through their own ‘becomings’, but I didn’t feel that same thread here. It made it feel like I was reading two stories almost, and I was more attached to medieval Arthur so the flip-flopping between the two wasn’t so seamless or enjoyable, and made the reading experience drag a little for me.
Saying that though, I still really love these books. I love the vivid picture of medieval life the author creates, how much bigger the world must have felt, but also how much smaller when your experience narrowed down to so few people who you lived side by side with your whole life. Medieval Arthur is such a sweetheart, and I love the huge philosophical and ethical questions the author is not afraid to tackle, but still does them from the level of Arthur’s understanding. Corrupt priests, deadly racism towards Jews, the religious intolerance of the Crusades...Crossley-Holland doesn’t shy away from the big things, and it makes for such multi-layered reading. I think I last read these books through when I was about 11, and I’m so glad they’ve stood the test of time! I can’t wait to finally re-read the last book in this trilogy and also get to my personal favourite from this setting, the companion novel Gatty’s Tale.
In the first book the two narratives work really well together as both Arthurs discover hidden pasts and go through their own ‘becomings’, but I didn’t feel that same thread here. It made it feel like I was reading two stories almost, and I was more attached to medieval Arthur so the flip-flopping between the two wasn’t so seamless or enjoyable, and made the reading experience drag a little for me.
Saying that though, I still really love these books. I love the vivid picture of medieval life the author creates, how much bigger the world must have felt, but also how much smaller when your experience narrowed down to so few people who you lived side by side with your whole life. Medieval Arthur is such a sweetheart, and I love the huge philosophical and ethical questions the author is not afraid to tackle, but still does them from the level of Arthur’s understanding. Corrupt priests, deadly racism towards Jews, the religious intolerance of the Crusades...Crossley-Holland doesn’t shy away from the big things, and it makes for such multi-layered reading. I think I last read these books through when I was about 11, and I’m so glad they’ve stood the test of time! I can’t wait to finally re-read the last book in this trilogy and also get to my personal favourite from this setting, the companion novel Gatty’s Tale.
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