First, I love the Arthur legend and have read a lot of books about it. Every author does a little different take on the characters and story. I can live with that although I have my favorites. This is a new one! The book starts a little slow as often happens when we begin with the childhood of the main character. But we need that background as the book develops into a "can not put it down" story. One of the most beautiful things about it is the way the author has developed the characters, particularly Arthur. She allows the reader to see into their hearts and to understand what makes them what they are - Arthur the great leader of men and a beloved king. But also Arthur at sixteen, suddenly learning of his birthright and thrust into being a leader of warriors. It illustrates the sacrifices such a leader makes in their personal lives and some of the things that keep them going. We saw the weaknesses of the man and the anguish he felt, in this story, through his love for Morgan (often called Morgana in other books). In this book, Morgan is not a witch nor is she evil. She is the childhood friend of Arthur and is his strength through times even though they can not marry. It also portrays Guenevere is a very human girl/woman with her love and respect for Arthur, her jealousy, and her turning to, in this book, Bedwyr the king's favorite. The brotherhood between Arthur and Bedwyr and between Arthur and his childhood friend, Cai are threads throughout the story.

Mordred is portrayed so differently in various books and movies, and this one is different than any other I have read. It all made sense and fit together beautifully. As I read of the Arthur legend, when it gets close to the end I know exactly where it is heading and don't want it to go there. Of course it has to end in Arthur's death. There was beauty to the way it was handled in this version, but it made me cry and I don't often cry in books. I also laid awake the other night still with it on my mind. This is a love story but also a look into the hearts and minds of patriots who give everything for others - for an ideal and a vision. It is a story that illustrates that the great people who have such a vision must have the support of a close group who share it. I will re-read this one and glad I bought the beautiful hardback version. I just put it on top of the special stack that includes The Crystal Cave, Mists of Avalon, and Queen of Camelot.