book data
1,023 ratings,
4.26
average rating, 60 reviews
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published
July 3rd 1997
by Penguin Books Ltd
(first published 1996)
details
Paperback, 496 pages
isbn
0140232478
(isbn13: 9780140232479)
description
The second book in a trilogy telling the story of Arthur. After one last battle, Arthur will rule a peaceful land. But, unlike Merlin, Arthur has forg…more
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avg 4.26
editions: all | this edition
editions: all | this edition
Read in February, 2010
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Read in August, 2009
The 2nd in the Arthurian legend.
Taking up from the end of The Winter King, after Arthur’s astonishing victory at Lugg Vale, Enemy of God continues with Cornwell’s highly imaginative reconstruction of the Arthurian legend. Mallory’s Le Morte d’Arthur was romantically based more on his interpretation of the legends, setting them more in the 11th and 12th century. and giving them a “modern” (15th century) interpretation with chivalry, Knights of the Round Table, and all the...more
Taking up from the end of The Winter King, after Arthur’s astonishing victory at Lugg Vale, Enemy of God continues with Cornwell’s highly imaginative reconstruction of the Arthurian legend. Mallory’s Le Morte d’Arthur was romantically based more on his interpretation of the legends, setting them more in the 11th and 12th century. and giving them a “modern” (15th century) interpretation with chivalry, Knights of the Round Table, and all the...more
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Read in March, 2005
This is the journey of a young man called Derfel becoming a warrior lord around the Arthurian Legends - the story is Inventive and wonderfully descriptive, which brings all the characters to life. The story has an earthy realism feel to it and keeps you wanting the main character Derfel to be safe throughout all the battles and challenges he comes up against. This is my all time favourite trilogy, its great escapism and wonderfully written. Bernard Cornwell in an interview said this was his best...more
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Read in August, 2003
Eine wahrhaft wunderbare Trilogie
Ehe Bernard Cornwell diese Trilogie verfasste machte er sich einen Namen als BBC-Reporter. Die Notwendigkeit der sehr genauen Recherche hat er in dieser Trilogie mitgenommen. Wenn auch historisch belegbare Aufzeichnungen über Arthur selbst fehlen, so gibt es doch eine Menge geschichtliches Wissen das Cornwell wunderbar in dieses Werk einbaut.
Diese Trilogie erzählt die Geschichte Arthurs ganz anders als wir es aus der Legende kennen. Art...more
Ehe Bernard Cornwell diese Trilogie verfasste machte er sich einen Namen als BBC-Reporter. Die Notwendigkeit der sehr genauen Recherche hat er in dieser Trilogie mitgenommen. Wenn auch historisch belegbare Aufzeichnungen über Arthur selbst fehlen, so gibt es doch eine Menge geschichtliches Wissen das Cornwell wunderbar in dieses Werk einbaut.
Diese Trilogie erzählt die Geschichte Arthurs ganz anders als wir es aus der Legende kennen. Art...more
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Read in August, 2008
Bernard Cornwell's Enemy of God is the second book of The Warlord Chronicles, about the infamous legend of Arthur. Of all his many books and series, Bernard Cornwell confesses The Warlord Chronicles as his favourites ^^]
"Once upon a time, in a land that was called Britain, these things happened . . . . well, maybe. The Warlord Trilogy is my attempt to tell the story of Arthur, 'Rex Quondam Rexque Futurus', the Once and Future King, although I doubt he ever was a king. I suspect ...more
"Once upon a time, in a land that was called Britain, these things happened . . . . well, maybe. The Warlord Trilogy is my attempt to tell the story of Arthur, 'Rex Quondam Rexque Futurus', the Once and Future King, although I doubt he ever was a king. I suspect ...more
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Read in April, 2008
recommends it for:
Adults with an interest in the legend of Arthur, or historical fiction of fifth century England.
The Warlord Chronicles series is Arthur as you have never seen him before. No shining knights in plate armor, no ‘round table’, no magical sword or quest for the mystical Holy Grail. Many of the names you know are here but these are not the tired characters you have seen again and again in other media. This is probably the most historically accurate representation of the mythical fifth century British warlord, Arthur, you have ever heard. This is also the least ‘historical’ of Cornwe...more
Read in December, 2009
I wasn't quite as fascinated by this book as I was with The Winter King, the first book of the trilogy. Cornwell of course continues to excel at research and three-dimensional story-telling, especially when it comes to his characters. I love his take on Arthurian legend, where the Grail Quest becomes a quest for the pagan Treasures of Britain, especially the Cauldron.
The part that threw me were the few instances of repetition of tedious small facts. I notice these things, and I don't...more
The part that threw me were the few instances of repetition of tedious small facts. I notice these things, and I don't...more
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I loved all 3 of these books. For some reason, I liked 'Enemy of God' the best because it had the most drama and adventure. Other than just plotting strategies to crush the opposing armies, this book had a strong plot, from the relationships building between the characters, to the sudden deaths of others. I found that I finished this book the fastest because I couldn't seem to put it down. The 1st and 3rd were great as well, but I enjoyed this one more thoroughly.
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Cornwall is an awesome author of great skill who is at his best when it comes to writing about people. He develops his characters fully. This is my favorite Arthurian Series of all time. It reinvents the Arthurian tales and yet still manages to stay with the legendary framework. The only other book about Arthur that even comes close is by Rosemary Sutcliff, Sword at Sunset.
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Read in August, 2008
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Read in July, 2009
Book 2 of the War Lord Chronicles trilogy about Arthur
For males who like well written historical novels with warriors, battles, etc.
The history here is a little sketchy since very little is known, Cornwell gives you a realistic feeling of anchient Brittain.
For males who like well written historical novels with warriors, battles, etc.
The history here is a little sketchy since very little is known, Cornwell gives you a realistic feeling of anchient Brittain.
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Read in May, 2008
recommended to Rachel by:
Jamesrecommends it for: people who like Arthurian retellings, long books, and a hint of fantasy
This was my favorite of the three books in Cornwell's Warlord Chronicles. I found that Derfel matured a lot as a narrator in this book, and that the plot seemed like more than just a random string of events. This book is full of difficult and even shocking moments that you see coming but can do nothing to stop, notably Tristan and Isolde and then the big dramatic shocker at the end of the book, which I will not spoil here, but which I found an interesting, if perhaps unnecessarily tabloid-ish ta...more
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Second part of the trilogy.
Some of the big bits of the Arthurian myth are touched on and again we know that the tale will be rewoven under Igaine's influence to form the basis of the later medieval stories. A grail quest (of sorts); Gwen and Lance; the round table; Tris and Izy...oh, that ends badly.
Also loads of betrayal and some much needed revenge.
But now all the seeds are planted for the last part. I hope it is as well done as the 1st two bits of the trilogy. What cornersto...more
Some of the big bits of the Arthurian myth are touched on and again we know that the tale will be rewoven under Igaine's influence to form the basis of the later medieval stories. A grail quest (of sorts); Gwen and Lance; the round table; Tris and Izy...oh, that ends badly.
Also loads of betrayal and some much needed revenge.
But now all the seeds are planted for the last part. I hope it is as well done as the 1st two bits of the trilogy. What cornersto...more
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Read in April, 2009
recommends it for:
arthur fans
I couldn't really get into this book. I enjoyed it, but it just didn't suck me in. Cornwell's writing is such that I want to read the story, but I can put the book down and not pick it up aagain for several days. His take on the Arthur stories has a strong historical base and are intersting from that standpoint, but they could be a lot more entertaining than he made them. So these are great to read if you're really into the real arthur, but don't expect to get swept away.
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Read in March, 2007
recommends it for:
History/Fiction
This book is the second in a 3 part series about King Arthur. Unlike most King Arthur books this one is factually based in feudal Britain. This isn't a "Fantasy book", the magic is handled more as an unproven cult and in no way dominates the storyline. This is a truly unique tale and one that tops any other Arthur tale I've ever read or seen.
Although there seems to be some crappy love story weaved into this, the book is a great continuation of the Authur tale. Just like th...more
Although there seems to be some crappy love story weaved into this, the book is a great continuation of the Authur tale. Just like th...more
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Read in February, 2009
Masterful stroy telling again. superb use of climax - all the same strengths... and all the same weakness. Crass, cynical, and ungracious at times. Bitter attitude toward the storyteller, which of course twists back on Mr. Cornwell as well. He is his own judge, but not the bards.
Wonderful dialogue between Derfel and Arthur on oaths and the king.
Wonderful dialogue between Derfel and Arthur on oaths and the king.
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Read in March, 2009
recommends it for:
Christy, Jessie,Leigh
Book 2 of this Arthurian saga was filled with tender moments, betrayal, and intrigue. I am really enjoying the way this author is telling the story and I love Derfel.
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4 comments
A good mixture of action and politics. The plot thickens in this second book, and like the first volume of this trilogy, it was hard to put this book down.
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H:\bookies\not essential\Bernard Cornwell - Warlord 01 - The Winter King\Bernard Cornwell - Warlord 02 - Enemy of God
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Read in September, 2009
The second book in a triology. It was the type of book that once I started reading I hated putting it down. The continuation of a really interesting story. But like the first book the war scenes are so descriptive and violent. The Druids are disgusting and filthy characters. There is a lot of filth in the book. It's a book I shouldn't have liked, but did.
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historical-fiction (on 61 people's shelves)
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arthurian (on 21 people's shelves)
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currently-reading (on 8 people's shelves)
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