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kimwritesstuff's review against another edition
adventurous
funny
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
3.5
If you've read The Magicians or are a fan of the show, you're likely familiar with Lev Grossman's name. However, this is a very different kind of book/genre. The Bright Sword is a historical fantasy encompassing Arthurian legends. If you like other Arthurian novels, you'll likely enjoy this book.
I did like this book, but I didn't love it. The story is told between the present (Collum's journey with the knights to find the Holy Lance) and the past. The past outlines the various knights that are still alive and their backstories. I really liked the backstories, but they felt awkwardly placed in the story. It's like Lev had the idea for two different books and mashed them together. A lot of the backstories don't tie in with where you are as the reader in the story. So it's jarring and could make me lose the plot. I'd have to flip back to figure out where I was in the story's timeline.
Overall, I loved the description of how magical Britain was butting up against Christianity. I thought it gave respect to the magical traditions of Britain and acknowledged the brutal past. I thought the historical aspects like Roman occupation were super interesting and entertaining to read. The characterizations of the knights that were left could have been better done; again, sometimes the backstories were so disjointed from the main plot. I also would have liked more Nimue and other female characters.
This was an interesting take on a tale as old as time, the fall of King Arthur. It could have been shorter, but it was a good read.
Thanks to NetGalley and Viking for the eARC. All opinions are my own.
I did like this book, but I didn't love it. The story is told between the present (Collum's journey with the knights to find the Holy Lance) and the past. The past outlines the various knights that are still alive and their backstories. I really liked the backstories, but they felt awkwardly placed in the story. It's like Lev had the idea for two different books and mashed them together. A lot of the backstories don't tie in with where you are as the reader in the story. So it's jarring and could make me lose the plot. I'd have to flip back to figure out where I was in the story's timeline.
Overall, I loved the description of how magical Britain was butting up against Christianity. I thought it gave respect to the magical traditions of Britain and acknowledged the brutal past. I thought the historical aspects like Roman occupation were super interesting and entertaining to read. The characterizations of the knights that were left could have been better done; again, sometimes the backstories were so disjointed from the main plot. I also would have liked more Nimue and other female characters.
This was an interesting take on a tale as old as time, the fall of King Arthur. It could have been shorter, but it was a good read.
Thanks to NetGalley and Viking for the eARC. All opinions are my own.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Blood, Violence, Homophobia, and Transphobia
Moderate: Child abuse, Sexual assault, Vomit, and Incest
ciarafor's review against another edition
adventurous
inspiring
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
5.0
scarletranger's review against another edition
My DNF has very little to do with the actual writing of the book. Grossman does a fantastic job of building characters through scenes, and he has a beautifully Arthurian writing style that adds to this epic's tone.
However, this is a very slow read. At well over 600 pages, this tome eventually became a story I slogged through. Scenes would drag on for too long, or would be included with no clear reason why. I tried to continue reading, but there were several points throughout the first 400 pages that felt like a strong ending; as the adventure continued, it felt like the story began to wander. Not to mention, with so many pages, the female characters got very little character development beyond adulteress or pretty object with power.
I do believe fans of the original Arthurian lore will enjoy this, and people who enjoy highly detailed play-by-play fight scenes. I personally just prefer a crisp story where every scene has obvious importance, whether that be for the plot or for the characters.
However, this is a very slow read. At well over 600 pages, this tome eventually became a story I slogged through. Scenes would drag on for too long, or would be included with no clear reason why. I tried to continue reading, but there were several points throughout the first 400 pages that felt like a strong ending; as the adventure continued, it felt like the story began to wander. Not to mention, with so many pages, the female characters got very little character development beyond adulteress or pretty object with power.
I do believe fans of the original Arthurian lore will enjoy this, and people who enjoy highly detailed play-by-play fight scenes. I personally just prefer a crisp story where every scene has obvious importance, whether that be for the plot or for the characters.
thatweirdbookgirlie's review
adventurous
funny
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.5
To start, this genre is not always my cup of tea. I tend to shift away from historical fiction because it tends to be boring. This was not. While I do believe it was too long (at least for my taste) it read well and had so many exciting bits. The fact that King Arthur and the story surrounding him is made up to begin with gave Grossman the opportunity to put a unique and fresh spin on the tale.
But it does drag on. I wish it was at least 100 pages less, and I feel as if that could have been done. Again, fully aware this may be a personal preference so take my review with a grain of salt.
Thanks to NetGalley and Penguin for the galley in exchange for my honest feedback.
But it does drag on. I wish it was at least 100 pages less, and I feel as if that could have been done. Again, fully aware this may be a personal preference so take my review with a grain of salt.
Thanks to NetGalley and Penguin for the galley in exchange for my honest feedback.
megbodz's review against another edition
adventurous
tense
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
erins_next_chapter's review against another edition
adventurous
funny
reflective
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.5
Great Arthurian legend. A bit slow in parts, but worth the minor occasional pause to get back into the fun bits.
meganpbell's review against another edition
adventurous
hopeful
mysterious
reflective
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.5
This epic, ambitious, yet tenderly human Arthurian retelling begins with an aspiring knight who arrives at Camelot only to find the legendary King dead, Merlin buried alive by his protégée, and a mere handful of Round Table heroes hanging on—and they need to save a Britain torn between fated past and changing future, old gods and new. I loved the rich and inclusive exploration of religion, self-acceptance, and found family across the diverse cast of characters.
Content Warnings
Moderate: Injury/Injury detail, Grief, Death, War, Violence, Abandonment, Death of parent, Ableism, Sexual assault, Religious bigotry, Blood, and Colonisation
Minor: Bullying, Racism, Infertility, Islamophobia, Infidelity, Transphobia, Homophobia, Incest, and Child abuse
libertytech's review
adventurous
funny
lighthearted
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
3.75