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english_lady03's review against another edition
4.0
The Quest for Carbonek is the second in a three book series by Suzannah Rowntree. Its a retelling of the Arthurian Legends from the perspective of the King's daughter, Blanche. In the last novel, Blanche was a young woman in 19th century England, who discovered she was the daughter of the legendary monarch who was set through time and space to save her from the evil sorceress, and enemy of Camelot, Morgana la Fay.
In this second installment, Blanche has returned to the mythical ancient Britain known as Logres, to discover her place and prove herself as the true heir to the Great King. Her job is to protect the Holy Grail: yes, that is as in the famous Holy Relic from all the stories and the Arthurian Legends.
This second story is full of adventure, and basically, everything that's loved in the old stories. There's knights, sword fights, chivalry, and even a dragon slaying. And some epic quests. Basically, imagine the series Merlin without the Magic, and with all the references to Christianity kept very firmly in.
There's also spiritual allegory and quests as Blanche and the other characters must grow and develop to find their place in the world, and adjust to their new worlds. Blanche faces hardships, heartbreak and harsh testing, as well as a hint of love in her attempt to protect the Grail and prove herself in a world she was born into, but did not choose to live in.
What I live about this novel most, is that its true to the original spirit of the Arthurian Legends, which were written and composed in the firmly Christian context of Medieval Europe.
Its lyrical and poetic (each chapter begins with a short extract of a poem about Arthur or one of the associated Myths), giving the audience a taste of a bygone age in which faith was real and expressed through the Medieval belief in tangible objects such as relics and the Grail, but also through a genuine belief in grace and forgiveness. The characters fall and falter, but their intent is is to restore a corrupted world: or really, to yearn for the perfection of heaven.
In that sense, there are echoes of the Pilgrim's Progress and other spiritual classics.
So many versions of the Arthurian legends now are bland and shallow. They try to remove all references to Christianity and the mythical, or make Christians into the villains. They make warfare or romance the central focus, but in doing so create only a poor imitation of the stories: which are the basis of some of today's epic fantasy. There is a struggle between good and evil in the Quest for Carbonek: but its not some vague good and evil.
Its the genuine and diabolical greed and thirst for power of the witch Morgana, against the purity and sacrifice represented by the cup of Christ, and His followers.
My only complaint was one reference to tomatoes, which do not belong anywhere in Medieval Europe. Although since in reference was in a mythical Kingdom, which also includes dragons I think it can be overlooked.
Recommended for all lovers of Mythical Fiction, the Arthurian Legends as well as Historical Fantasy and Fiction.
I volunteered to be an Early Reader of this book, and was given ARC by the author. I was not required to write a positive review and all opinions expressed are my own.
In this second installment, Blanche has returned to the mythical ancient Britain known as Logres, to discover her place and prove herself as the true heir to the Great King. Her job is to protect the Holy Grail: yes, that is as in the famous Holy Relic from all the stories and the Arthurian Legends.
This second story is full of adventure, and basically, everything that's loved in the old stories. There's knights, sword fights, chivalry, and even a dragon slaying. And some epic quests. Basically, imagine the series Merlin without the Magic, and with all the references to Christianity kept very firmly in.
There's also spiritual allegory and quests as Blanche and the other characters must grow and develop to find their place in the world, and adjust to their new worlds. Blanche faces hardships, heartbreak and harsh testing, as well as a hint of love in her attempt to protect the Grail and prove herself in a world she was born into, but did not choose to live in.
What I live about this novel most, is that its true to the original spirit of the Arthurian Legends, which were written and composed in the firmly Christian context of Medieval Europe.
Its lyrical and poetic (each chapter begins with a short extract of a poem about Arthur or one of the associated Myths), giving the audience a taste of a bygone age in which faith was real and expressed through the Medieval belief in tangible objects such as relics and the Grail, but also through a genuine belief in grace and forgiveness. The characters fall and falter, but their intent is is to restore a corrupted world: or really, to yearn for the perfection of heaven.
In that sense, there are echoes of the Pilgrim's Progress and other spiritual classics.
So many versions of the Arthurian legends now are bland and shallow. They try to remove all references to Christianity and the mythical, or make Christians into the villains. They make warfare or romance the central focus, but in doing so create only a poor imitation of the stories: which are the basis of some of today's epic fantasy. There is a struggle between good and evil in the Quest for Carbonek: but its not some vague good and evil.
Its the genuine and diabolical greed and thirst for power of the witch Morgana, against the purity and sacrifice represented by the cup of Christ, and His followers.
My only complaint was one reference to tomatoes, which do not belong anywhere in Medieval Europe. Although since in reference was in a mythical Kingdom, which also includes dragons I think it can be overlooked.
Recommended for all lovers of Mythical Fiction, the Arthurian Legends as well as Historical Fantasy and Fiction.
I volunteered to be an Early Reader of this book, and was given ARC by the author. I was not required to write a positive review and all opinions expressed are my own.
girlonbooks's review against another edition
4.0
Honestly, how DARE!? What are you trying to do to me by ending the book like that!! Now I have up stay up all night reading the next one!
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