Sign in with Facebook
Loading...
85th out of 96 books
—
13 voters
A Coalition of Lions (The Lion Hunters #2)
by
Elizabeth Wein (Goodreads Author)
After the death of virtually all of her family in the battle of Camlan, Goewin, Princess of Britain, daughter of the High King Artos, makes a desperate journey to African Aksum, to meet with Constantine, the British ambassador and her fiance. But Aksum is undergoing political turmoil, and Goewin's relationship with its ambassador to Britain makes her position more than pre...more
Paperback, 240 pages
Published
August 19th 2004
by Firebirds
(first published April 14th 2003)
Friend Reviews
To see what your friends thought of this book,
please sign up.
Community Reviews
(showing
1-30
of
355)
Nov 15, 2011
Kim (magicsandwiches) Lawyer
rated it
5 of 5 stars
Shelves:
must-own-to-read-over-and-over
If you haven't read Elizabeth Wein, get thee to a library or a bookstore and pick up her books! The writing is PAINFULLY good in every way. Some people complain that they are too advanced for middle school readers and they may be right, depending on the reader. These are complex and intense stories filled with carefully plotted intrigue, suspenseful action, and deeply satisfying dialogue. GAH. The dialogue alone makes these worth reading, but everything else is there too. In addition, the writin...more
This series is keeping me wanting to read more so far, but I'm exremely disappointed with the lack of romance... While this book has a bit of a love triangle going on, nothing is resolved by the end of the book and I had hoped that Constantine and Goewin might get together, despite everything, because their relationship is just so much more interesting than Priamos and Goewin's relationship... Maybe that's because Priamos and Goewin have been friends for ages from the start of the book while Con...more
The book takes place in the 6th century. It is about an alliance between Britain and present day Ethiopia. Artos, the high King of Britain is killed along with his sons. His daughter, Goewin, escapes with the Ambassador from Africa and they return to his homeland. There the British Ambassador is ruling in the place of the young African ruler. He is betrothed to Goewin. Goewin finds she has a nephew there. The young boy is the son of her brother. There is a question of who will now rule Britain....more
The quasi-historical story of the daughter of King Arthur, A Coalition of Lions sends its heroine, Goewin, to Africa and Aksum to face a perilous political situation and a hostile would-be bridegroom. My initial impression of this novel was negative for a reason that was only partly the fault of the writing: nowhere on the book does it clearly indicate that this is the second novel of a series, so when the first several pages were consumed by a rapidfire, rather dry summary of what had gone befo...more
"The Winter Prince" was one of the very first YA books that I ever read -- it can't have been too long after it was published, and Elizabeth Wein was one of the first authors I ever got in contact with. I've been deeply vested in Medraut's story for a long time, and when I finally heard that there was going to be a sequel, I was elated. Although I was thrilled to see the progression of the story, I was a little disappointed in the voice of Goewin. It's not that I don't like the way she writes, b...more
The oddest novel I ever read. A mixture of historical fiction and modern political satire, it takes you into a the royal and ancient Ethiopian kingdom of Aksum. It's a little difficult to read, but it is intelligent and compact prose. The idea for the novel came from the civil war between Eritrea and Ethiopia and the involvement with the British government. Some archaeological evidence suggests that the Celtic Brits were in Ethiopia long before colonialism. Another thing that makes this novel st...more
Despite my doubts when reading the synopsis, my determination to read everything by Elizabeth Wein ever still stands. Maybe "A Coalition of Lions" wasn't as gloriously dazzling as "The Winter Prince," but it wasn't as dark, either. Just enough hints of terrible things to keep things interesting, and I'm not one to complain about an extra dose of political tension. But the excellent psychological portraits and eloquent writing remain.
While TWP had me wondering, "What's the deal with Aksum?," ACoL...more
While TWP had me wondering, "What's the deal with Aksum?," ACoL...more
Enormously interesting, and -- sometimes, and surprisingly -- incredibly moving. This is a very beautiful, delicate study of first love, which is also filled with political intrigue, adventure, lions, secret passages, twists, adventure, comedy, tragedy....and the most amazing characters.
I don't know how Elizabeth Wein can do everything she does in so few words -- and I also don't know how she can always make me cry.
I thought this was a great book -- it wouldn't be everybody's cup of tea (or cof...more
I don't know how Elizabeth Wein can do everything she does in so few words -- and I also don't know how she can always make me cry.
I thought this was a great book -- it wouldn't be everybody's cup of tea (or cof...more
Wow! What a wonderful and hopeful sequel to "The Winter Prince"! Verging on five stars for the look at 6th century Ethiopian culture, as well as the intrigue and the characters. Briefly, after losing most of her family at Camlan, princess Goewin escapes to Askum, in North Africa. There, she encounters intrigue and danger as she tries to fathom the motives of Constantine, the remaining heir to the British throne. She also meets a relative she never knew existed - Medraut's young son Telemakos. Wh...more
Jan 26, 2011
Mely
rated it
2 of 5 stars
·
review of another edition
Recommends it for:
fans of Megan Whelan Turner
Shelves:
historical-fiction,
young-adult
Reads like there's a missing first half -- the fall of Camlann, the ship voyage, the friendship between Goewin and Priamos. The most recent reread, I could finally see some of what Wein was attempting: the difficult position of a woman in a world which did not allow women to be politically powerful, where her only models were evil (Morgause), suffering (Turunesh), or half-mad (the Queen of Queens). But as much as I admire Wein's restraint and Goewin's self-control, I needed to see where Goewin's...more
Goewin is an easily likeable character and it is easy to associate with her frustrations. All the characters were well fleshed out and complicated. My one gripe was that the story line was bumpy. The beginning is too slow without enough plot development. I don't know if I would have finished it except I was on the T and got to where things finally start moving. Also, the denoument is way too long, with the climax happening a good two or three chapters before the end and a major event after. I'm...more
Jan 04, 2013
Terry (Ter05 TwiMoms/ MundieMoms)
rated it
4 of 5 stars
Recommended to Terry (Ter05 TwiMoms/ MundieMoms) by:
Chachic
I gave this book and The Winter Prince which comes before it four stars as they just were not five star reads for me - but the books together and my interest in reading the next ones are reaching toward a five star series. I can not really put my finger on just what draws me in to them as the writing is different than anything else I have read. The relationship between Medraut and his half brother Lleu is one burned into my brain and when a book does that, it's great writing. But that is the pre...more
A Coalition of Lions is quite different to The Winter Prince. The narration is straight first person, by Goewin, and it's set after the fall of Artos' kingdom. This one explores the role of women in this world better, and is quite empowering to Goewin, which was nice. The decision to include a non-canonical daughter for Arthur is quite a bold one, as is following her after her father's death, and her attempts to do her best for Britain as though she were its queen.
That, and Medraut's continued l...more
That, and Medraut's continued l...more
I think the most important thing to say about these books is that they’re not The Winter Prince. They certainly build off of that story, and I would most definitely read it first. But The Winter Prince is one of those books that I don’t think you could write a real sequel to. Nonetheles, A Coalition of Lions and The Sunbird are both fascinating and well-written. Telemakos is a wonderful character who’s reminding me more and more of Megan Whalen Turner’s Gen. I’ve got the next one ordered and I c...more
The survivors of the end of the reign of King Arthur take refuge at the court of the Ethiopian emperor (the author has been to Ethiopia and it shows); lions, clever youngsters (Telemakos reminds me of Megan Whelan Turner’s Eugenides in younger years); a long-time mute survivor of the last battle for Arthur's reign, Goewin as British ambassador trying to manoeuvre politics to do what’s best for her country; finding love in unexpected places; political sacrifices and honour upheld;
While the writing and storyline are as impeccable as ever, i dont enjoy this book as much as the winter prince. without the viewpoint of medraut, it loses the dark haunting beauty of the winter prince. and i was rather disappointed that agravain was killed, weird as it seems he was one of my favorite characters, i think i just loved the idea of a guy with long copper hair. An enjoyable read, but it doesnt stay in my mind, which is already crammed with books
Aug 04, 2008
Jess
rated it
4 of 5 stars
Recommends it for:
fans of The Winter Prince, Megan Whalen Turner
Although the setting and some characters have changed since the first in the series - The Winter Prince - the tensions of that book definitely inform this one, and I would recommend reading them in order. It could stand alone but wouldn't feel as rich. We moved from chilly Arthurian Britain to ancient Ethiopia, and the focus shifted to Arthur's daughter finding her new place in the world. Like The Winter Prince, the feel of the relationships and political scheming reminds me of Megan Whalen Turn...more
2nd book in the Winter Prince series about Arthur/Mordred et al.
Goewin travels to Aksum in Africa after the death of practically her entire family. She goes there primarily to meet her fiance, Constantine, but is surprised to meet her nephew Telemakos as well.
Lots of political drama.
Goewin travels to Aksum in Africa after the death of practically her entire family. She goes there primarily to meet her fiance, Constantine, but is surprised to meet her nephew Telemakos as well.
Lots of political drama.
This story continues with the tale of small Telemakos, though it's from the point of view of Goewin, whose father (the king of Britain) has died, and she is sent off to be married. The book is so strong when she and Telemakos meet.
This was a well written sequel to "The winter Prince". The winter prince I wouldn't want my kids to read, but this book was clean and not warped like the first book. It can be easily read without reading the other book first.
Arthurian sequel set in Ethiopia. Beautifully written with some interesting characters. The story felt a bit too big for the length constraints of YA so I'd like to read more of this author's work in a longer format.
I had heard great things about this book, but I really struggled to get into it. I made it as far as about the 3rd chapter and had to call it quits. It just didn't do much for me so it's now sitting in my swap pile.
Imagine: a 6th grader who serendipitously finds THE WINTER PRINCE by Elizabeth Wein in her school library, reads it, then doesn't let anyone else take it out again until eighth grade graduation when she forcibly has to give the book back. Now imagine a 25 year old who discovers four companion books to the novel. Commence freak-out.
Wein brings her twist on the King Arthur story out of Arthurian Legend and into a history many YA novels don't broach - what we now call Ethiopia, and her imagined all...more
Wein brings her twist on the King Arthur story out of Arthurian Legend and into a history many YA novels don't broach - what we now call Ethiopia, and her imagined all...more
It’s well-written and sets the stage for the rest of the books, but is a bit emotionally distant (until the end) and I found the politics hard to follow.
A surprise read. I almost didn't get it, but I'm very glad I did. Very Innocent fun little series.
Intruiging but I felt as if it were a little scattered.
Found it at an airport, read on the plane. okay story
The sequel to The Winter Prince lacks the focus of its predecessor and tense push-pull of Medraut and Lleu's interactions. This is Goewin's story; though I especially liked her in the earlier book, her journey here isn't quite as compelling as what's come before. Still, there are some lovely moments. To mention one that comes early and is thus not much of a spoiler, I enjoyed Telemakos quoting his namesake. Am reading on in the series. Up next: The Sunbird.
Excellent; very engaging, sometimes heartbreaking, sometimes uplifting read. I am really enjoying this series.
I would suggest the reader read "The Winter Prince" (book 1) before reading "Coalition of Lions" (book 2). I'm off to get book 3 ("The Sunbird").
I would suggest the reader read "The Winter Prince" (book 1) before reading "Coalition of Lions" (book 2). I'm off to get book 3 ("The Sunbird").
Book two of Lion Hunters (and 2 of 6 if you count the series that continues in the Mark of Solomon books, The Lion Hunter, Empty Kingdom and one other book). I am enjoying this series. The beginning of this book was a little slow -- they were establishing who a bunch of people were -- but the second half of the book was hard to put down. Now I need to locate a library with the third book, Sunbird! Ahh! :)
There are no discussion topics on this book yet.
Be the first to start one »
Jun 29, 2012 07:35am