968 books
—
662 voters
Goodreads helps you keep track of books you want to read.
Start by marking “Enemy of God: A Novel of Arthur” as Want to Read:
Enemy of God: A Novel of Arthur
(The Arthur Books #2)
by
The balance of King Arthur's unified kingdom is threatened by Merlin's quest for the last of Britain's 13 Treasures; by the conflict between the ancient religion and the new Christianity; and by Britain's war with the Saxons. A master storyteller continues his retelling of the Arthurian legend.
Get A Copy
Kindle Edition, 418 pages
Published
March 15th 1998
by St. Martin's Press
(first published 1996)
Friend Reviews
To see what your friends thought of this book,
please sign up.
Reader Q&A
To ask other readers questions about
Enemy of God,
please sign up.
Be the first to ask a question about Enemy of God
Community Reviews
Showing 1-30
Start your review of Enemy of God: A Novel of Arthur
Jul 10, 2017
Petrik
rated it
it was amazing
·
review of another edition
Recommends it for:
Historical fiction & Arthurian fans
Recommended to Petrik by:
John Gwynne
Shelves:
favorites,
owned-physical-books
4.5/5 Stars
Enemy of God, the second book in 'The Warlord Chronicles' trilogy by Bernard Cornwell, and the series so far, has truly been serendipity for me.
As I mentioned in my previous review, I’ve never bothered to start Cornwell’s work, it brings me joy when someone, a friend (even better again when it’s from one of your favorite authors) recommended a book/series to you and you loved it. That’s truly how I feel about the trilogy so far, Cornwell again compelled me with his original and ...more
Enemy of God, the second book in 'The Warlord Chronicles' trilogy by Bernard Cornwell, and the series so far, has truly been serendipity for me.
As I mentioned in my previous review, I’ve never bothered to start Cornwell’s work, it brings me joy when someone, a friend (even better again when it’s from one of your favorite authors) recommended a book/series to you and you loved it. That’s truly how I feel about the trilogy so far, Cornwell again compelled me with his original and ...more
Sep 08, 2019
Peter
rated it
it was amazing
·
review of another edition
Shelves:
historical-fiction,
favorites
Religion
The second book of the Warlord Chronicles, Enemy of God takes this epic Arthurian story up another notch. The political manoeuvrings, personal quests, mix of diverse personalities, and the unpredictable relationships between male and female characters, makes for captivating reading.
The compelling feature of this novel is the extent and depth of how characters are developed and how the plot is full of unique twists and surprises. Within this environment of hidden machinations and power ...more
The second book of the Warlord Chronicles, Enemy of God takes this epic Arthurian story up another notch. The political manoeuvrings, personal quests, mix of diverse personalities, and the unpredictable relationships between male and female characters, makes for captivating reading.
The compelling feature of this novel is the extent and depth of how characters are developed and how the plot is full of unique twists and surprises. Within this environment of hidden machinations and power ...more
Nov 02, 2017
Scott Hitchcock
rated it
liked it
·
review of another edition
Shelves:
historical-fiction
Book 1: 3*
Book 2: 3.5*'s
This darker and less romanticized view of Camelot picked up speed in book two. I've grown to enjoy more and more this version of the characters and especially the view of Lancelot and Guinevere who definitely don't come out smelling like roses.
The clash between the Britons and the Saxons also escalates as does the pagans vs the Christians which in some ways the story starts to form if not a prelude at least a precursor to the Saxon Stories series.
This series is being ...more
Book 2: 3.5*'s
This darker and less romanticized view of Camelot picked up speed in book two. I've grown to enjoy more and more this version of the characters and especially the view of Lancelot and Guinevere who definitely don't come out smelling like roses.
The clash between the Britons and the Saxons also escalates as does the pagans vs the Christians which in some ways the story starts to form if not a prelude at least a precursor to the Saxon Stories series.
This series is being ...more
Bernard Cornwell does not disappoint and once again I enjoyed his book immensely. The way he connects myth and fiction in this book is astonishing. I applaud his singular storytelling skills and I cannot wait for next (and unfortunately final) book in this series!
Just placed my expanded review of this wonderful nook onto BookNest.eu.
http://booknest.eu/component/k2/william/1594-enemy-of-god-the-warlord-chronicles-2-by-bernard-cornwell
“So many dead. Their footsteps will not stir a rush on the floor nor frighten the mice that live in the monastery’s thatched roof.”
Enemy of God is the second book of The Warlord Chronicles by Bernard Cornwell. It continues the unique historical perspective about the origins of Arthur and his band of loyal warriors.
“For ...more
http://booknest.eu/component/k2/william/1594-enemy-of-god-the-warlord-chronicles-2-by-bernard-cornwell
“So many dead. Their footsteps will not stir a rush on the floor nor frighten the mice that live in the monastery’s thatched roof.”
Enemy of God is the second book of The Warlord Chronicles by Bernard Cornwell. It continues the unique historical perspective about the origins of Arthur and his band of loyal warriors.
“For ...more
Back-2-back with a series which Ive not done in eons!
We pick up directly from the end of the prior book, the aftermath of the battle of Lugg Vale. Derfel is again front & centre retelling his story as an old monk. Merlin is at the centre of the politics, others think they control the kingdom but in reality it is the druid & his accolade Nimue that pull the strings in the background & it’s a grand characterisation of the mystical pair.
We start with an adventure, as is oft the way ...more
We pick up directly from the end of the prior book, the aftermath of the battle of Lugg Vale. Derfel is again front & centre retelling his story as an old monk. Merlin is at the centre of the politics, others think they control the kingdom but in reality it is the druid & his accolade Nimue that pull the strings in the background & it’s a grand characterisation of the mystical pair.
We start with an adventure, as is oft the way ...more
May 26, 2015
Richard
rated it
really liked it
·
review of another edition
Shelves:
historical-fiction
8/10
A slight improvement on the previous novel but definitely a feel of a second book in a trilogy. I enjoyed the first book but it took some time to get into and there were a hell of a lot of names to take on board (only for the majority of them to die or no longer be involved after 50 pages). This one was a little slow at the start and it took me a while to get back into the flow of the style and era but when things got going then the pages flew by.
Derfel and Arthur are two very well rounded ...more
A slight improvement on the previous novel but definitely a feel of a second book in a trilogy. I enjoyed the first book but it took some time to get into and there were a hell of a lot of names to take on board (only for the majority of them to die or no longer be involved after 50 pages). This one was a little slow at the start and it took me a while to get back into the flow of the style and era but when things got going then the pages flew by.
Derfel and Arthur are two very well rounded ...more
Number two in the Warlord series.
This is the warts and all story of Arthur, Guinevere, Sir Lancelot and the rest of the round table knights.
There is nothing cosy and romantic about this tale. Lancelot is a narcissistic pig. Guinevere has delusions of grandeur and Arthur wants nothing more than to be a farmer.
The usual suspects, greed, power, sex, revenge and religion, keep getting in the way of Arthur's aspirations of becoming a farmer.
The game's afoot so unleash the dogs of war. And nobody does ...more
This is the warts and all story of Arthur, Guinevere, Sir Lancelot and the rest of the round table knights.
There is nothing cosy and romantic about this tale. Lancelot is a narcissistic pig. Guinevere has delusions of grandeur and Arthur wants nothing more than to be a farmer.
The usual suspects, greed, power, sex, revenge and religion, keep getting in the way of Arthur's aspirations of becoming a farmer.
The game's afoot so unleash the dogs of war. And nobody does ...more
So,an escape from more formal literary pursuits.Cornwell is a consummate storyteller.He distills history,religion,myth,legend,magic and fable.This predates Game of Thrones but is a marvellous re imagining of the Arthurian legends.This is a story of Britain with religious persecution and invasion and immigration and clashes of Kings and clans.A version of the Arthurian saga was filmed in Ireland in or about 1980 by John Boorman.Two of my classmates had small parts so from then the legends always
...more
Enemy of God 
is a solid 4 stars, maybe even 5 stars. I took a little away because I wanted Arthur to be a little more cunning and realistic. He comes across too naïve in areas where he should not be. The portrayal of Christianity and how it spreads conflict is a major theme and isn’t pretty. But it is probably realistic. While this Arthurian tale is not like any others, if you are looking for a “Grail” quest, you will find it here…kind of. This part of the tale is told in the warm summertime,
...more
is a solid 4 stars, maybe even 5 stars. I took a little away because I wanted Arthur to be a little more cunning and realistic. He comes across too naïve in areas where he should not be. The portrayal of Christianity and how it spreads conflict is a major theme and isn’t pretty. But it is probably realistic. While this Arthurian tale is not like any others, if you are looking for a “Grail” quest, you will find it here…kind of. This part of the tale is told in the warm summertime,
...more
Cornwell's splendid trilogy of King Arthur continues in the second novel, "Enemy of God" - and it's altogether a darker, dirtier, more brutal world than the Arthur myths most of us remember growing up, with new twists to many familiar characters. Lancelot in this setting is a preening poser, Merlin is a teasing prankster as well as a powerful wizard, and the seasoned Derfel is Arthur's greatest warrior. Arthur now rules as regent for the child king Mordred, his enemies subdued - but chaos is
...more
This review has been hidden because it contains spoilers. To view it,
click here.
May 11, 2014
Sean Barrs the Bookdragon
rated it
really liked it
·
review of another edition
Shelves:
historical,
4-star-reads
After reading this, I have decided I don’t want to read the third book in the series because if I do, it will end. But no seriously, I will read it but I won’t be happy to finish it; it’s just one of those epic series’ that you come across every so often that is that good you don’t want to read it because when you have you can never read it again for a first time.
This novel is fantastic, the character development strong and the plot action packed. It’s just great! For fans of Arthur and his ...more
This novel is fantastic, the character development strong and the plot action packed. It’s just great! For fans of Arthur and his ...more
This was a reread for me after having read it first over a decade ago. Wow time flies.
I couldn't really remember the book and as I read it, it didn't look familiar. only had the occasional de ja vu. I am wondering if that is because it can be a little boring at times and therefore it never stuck in my head all those years ago.
A 4 star rating for it. I dropped a star because while at times it was a 5 star read, there were other times when Bernard Cornwell needed to stop over writing and get on ...more
I couldn't really remember the book and as I read it, it didn't look familiar. only had the occasional de ja vu. I am wondering if that is because it can be a little boring at times and therefore it never stuck in my head all those years ago.
A 4 star rating for it. I dropped a star because while at times it was a 5 star read, there were other times when Bernard Cornwell needed to stop over writing and get on ...more
Want an Arthurian legend with grit? With raw human emotion? With unexpected betrayals and intrigue? Here you go.
This is the second in the Arthur/Warlord trilogy and keeps the same momentum started in The Winter King.
It could almost have ended here. You could stop after this and have a satisfying saga.
But who would want to? There's still one book to go.
This is the second in the Arthur/Warlord trilogy and keeps the same momentum started in The Winter King.
It could almost have ended here. You could stop after this and have a satisfying saga.
But who would want to? There's still one book to go.
I liked this volume a bit more than the last one, although Cornwell continues to make questionable changes to the Arthur story that have me scratching my head. I understand that this is a "what if" story, but changing things to make them less dramatic seems like an odd choice for a writer. I also wish that Arthur was the main character rather than this series basically being Derfel's story with all of the more interesting characters playing second fiddle.
I really did enjoy his take on Tristan ...more
I really did enjoy his take on Tristan ...more
Allow me to open this review by apologizing to my friends on Goodreads for spamming so many reviews of Cornwell stuff lately, I don't know what my problem is. I hate to be that guy but the man's stuff is entertaining. Anyways...this book was a very pleasant departure for Cornwell. It's less about stuff like gathering levies, shield walls, and efficient military maneuvering and more about the struggle between paganism and Christianity, the relationships of the characters in the book and how they
...more
I'm fluctuating between a solid 4 and a 4.5 stars with this one. It was better than The Winter King for the simple fact that you didn't have to force yourself through 100 pages of dense world-building at the beginning. But at the same time, it was just that tiny bit shy of a 5 star read. (I'm hoping that Excalibur is going to be worthy of a 5 star rating, though. *crosses fingers*)
Cornwell picks right up where he left off previously in The Winter King - perhaps a day or so after the battle of ...more
Cornwell picks right up where he left off previously in The Winter King - perhaps a day or so after the battle of ...more
Arguably the worst Cornwell book I have read to date. Characters became boring and really lacked the edge they had in the first book in the series. I still go think Nimue is excellent and I do like this interpretation of Guinevere who is arguably the most dangerous character in the series.
However the main character I find gets more dumb as the book goes on and Arthur seems to become more pathetic each time he appears.
I am a fan of Cornwell but found this one to be boring with a lacklustre ...more
However the main character I find gets more dumb as the book goes on and Arthur seems to become more pathetic each time he appears.
I am a fan of Cornwell but found this one to be boring with a lacklustre ...more
A quick review, as I'm crazy busy
This second book in Cornwell's version of the Arthur story is again fantastic! There were some pretty emotional moments and it was another gripping read
I really like this series as always Cornwell puts in an epic amount of research and gives this series a realistic feel, I daresay, even though this is fiction it is as likely to the real Arthur story as we are likely to get
Look forward to the final installment
This second book in Cornwell's version of the Arthur story is again fantastic! There were some pretty emotional moments and it was another gripping read
I really like this series as always Cornwell puts in an epic amount of research and gives this series a realistic feel, I daresay, even though this is fiction it is as likely to the real Arthur story as we are likely to get
Look forward to the final installment
I have yet to read a really good book by Bernard Cornwell; but he's never failed to entertain me, either.
Every book of his that I've read could fit into this one generic Cornwell review:
Characters: good, but curiously blind in the places where the plot calls for them to miss something.
Historical Detail: excellent, immersive, impressive.
Plot: frustratingly obvious.
Pacing: excellent, if predictable.
Style: solid, literate, unchallenging.
I guess it's the way it's going to be, if you write as many ...more
Every book of his that I've read could fit into this one generic Cornwell review:
Characters: good, but curiously blind in the places where the plot calls for them to miss something.
Historical Detail: excellent, immersive, impressive.
Plot: frustratingly obvious.
Pacing: excellent, if predictable.
Style: solid, literate, unchallenging.
I guess it's the way it's going to be, if you write as many ...more
Everything I said in my much longer review of The Winter King (http://www.goodreads.com/review/show/...) applies to Enemy of God, as well, except ramped up to 11.
The story was tighter, Christianity and Druidism both came across as more sinister and yet somehow more pitiable, and the characters plunged into that old truth of how everything goes wrong in Act II, when things are darkest before the dawn.
My only criticism (of a book as close to flawless as humanly possible) is that towards the end, ...more
The story was tighter, Christianity and Druidism both came across as more sinister and yet somehow more pitiable, and the characters plunged into that old truth of how everything goes wrong in Act II, when things are darkest before the dawn.
My only criticism (of a book as close to flawless as humanly possible) is that towards the end, ...more
Feb 05, 2012
Ensiform
rated it
really liked it
·
review of another edition
Shelves:
fiction,
historical
The second book in the Arthur series, this book tells of how Arthur’s fragile peace was broken by Lancelot’s deal with Cerdic, the Saxon raider, and how Arthur discovered Lancelot’s treachery with Guinevere. The narrator Derfel’s story is also fraught with drama; Cornwell knows how to make the reader hate villains (treachery is the trick, it seems, judging from this and the Sharpe series) and yearn for their comeuppance.
Again, this is a very expertly realized historical guess at “Camelot” (a ...more
Again, this is a very expertly realized historical guess at “Camelot” (a ...more
Apr 21, 2015
Mayank Agarwal
rated it
really liked it
·
review of another edition
Shelves:
historical-fiction
Much better than the first book in the trilogy, this has more exciting plots and made me want to know what happens next. The beginning was fun, the middle bore and the ending page turner, with Cornwell’s writing style already established in the previous book i knew not to expect fantasy and magic. The portrayal of religion and the importance and implication during the dark ages seem real and the way Cornwell uses it in the book is brilliant.
The book is solidly written and well-paced although ...more
The book is solidly written and well-paced although ...more
The story of Arthur, the king that never was and the enemy of God, continues in the great sequel.
It finally seems like Arthur has his order. Mordred’s throne is safe and after a final battle with the Saxon’s there will be a time of peace.
But Arthur forgot that the Gods thrive on chaos and so his peace will never last.
This is the last day of the old year. The bracken on the hill has turned brown, the elms at the valley’s end have lost their leaves and the winter slaughter of our cattle has ...more
It finally seems like Arthur has his order. Mordred’s throne is safe and after a final battle with the Saxon’s there will be a time of peace.
But Arthur forgot that the Gods thrive on chaos and so his peace will never last.
This is the last day of the old year. The bracken on the hill has turned brown, the elms at the valley’s end have lost their leaves and the winter slaughter of our cattle has ...more
May 30, 2012
Magdalena
rated it
it was amazing
·
review of another edition
Shelves:
favorites,
myths-legends
Fantastic book. I liked it slightly less than its prequel The Winter King, but still deserves a 5 star rating and its place on my Favorites shelf.
The story continues as Merlin is still looking to complete the Thirteen Treasures of Britain, Derfel Cadarn is hopelessly in love with princess Ceinwyn, Lancelot's ambition wants to devour all, Cerdic and Aelle continue to make war upon the british kingdoms, Christianity is as violent as ever against paganism, and Mordred grows to become an unfit king ...more
The story continues as Merlin is still looking to complete the Thirteen Treasures of Britain, Derfel Cadarn is hopelessly in love with princess Ceinwyn, Lancelot's ambition wants to devour all, Cerdic and Aelle continue to make war upon the british kingdoms, Christianity is as violent as ever against paganism, and Mordred grows to become an unfit king ...more
Again! Amazing is all I can say to describe it!!!
In the first book, Merkin was shown to be a kind of mischievous, cruel (positively) and selfish old man. But, here.. Here you see the true Merlin.
Arthur, a great man. And truly good man. Though, without any reason these Christians call him Enemy of God.
This shows how, even now, Religion creates much bigger problem. Though. Arthur did not expect things to happen.
Now after reading the whole book, I am unable to comment on the begining parts of book ...more
In the first book, Merkin was shown to be a kind of mischievous, cruel (positively) and selfish old man. But, here.. Here you see the true Merlin.
Arthur, a great man. And truly good man. Though, without any reason these Christians call him Enemy of God.
This shows how, even now, Religion creates much bigger problem. Though. Arthur did not expect things to happen.
Now after reading the whole book, I am unable to comment on the begining parts of book ...more
The Enemy of God was a much better sequel than what I was expecting, I was finally familiar enough with the characters and the format to be able to fully immerse myself in it. I also like that we have fewer moments of Derfel in future time than we did in the first novel, and that's a huge plus, even if now I really like Derfel as a character and narrator. It's still a bit shocking to me to see so many famous beloved names being portraited a flawed or even as truly despicable people, but the more
...more
I loved this second installment of the series, and was wishing I had dedicated more consistent time to reading it. Action packed throughout, this one might even be better than the Winter King. Loved the different take on these classic tales - not exactly what you would expect from your typical Arthur tales.
I don't understand my ratings anymore. Maybe the Uhtred books should have been 5 stars, 3 doesn't seem enough for this one. I enjoyed it, took me a while to get back into the story though. Definitely appreciated the story more after having read the Uhtred booos and the first book. So maybe 3.5 stars. Ah hell just give it 4.
There are no discussion topics on this book yet.
Be the first to start one »
Readers also enjoyed
Cornwell was born in London in 1944. His father was a Canadian airman, and his mother, who was English, a member of the Women's Auxiliary Air Force. He was adopted and brought up in Essex by the Wiggins family, who were members of the Peculiar People, a strict Protestant sect who banned frivolity of all kinds and even medicine. After he left them, he changed his name to his birth mother's maiden
...more
Other books in the series
The Arthur Books
(3 books)
3 trivia questions
More quizzes & trivia...
“But when you have order, you don't need Gods. When everything is well ordered and disciplined then nothing is unexpected. If you understand everything,' I said carefully, 'then there's no room left for magic. It's only when you're lost and frightened and in the dark that you call on the Gods, and they like us to call on them. It makes them feel powerful, and that's why they like us to live in chaos.”
—
39 likes
“To hear the tales told at night-time hearths you would think we had made a whole new country in Britain, named it Camelot and peopled it with shining heroes, but the truth is that we simply ruled Dumnonia as best we could, we ruled it justly and we never called it Camelot. Camelot exists only in the poets' dreams, while in our Dumnonia, even in those good years, the harvests still failed, the plagues still ravaged us and wars were still fought.”
—
11 likes
More quotes…
