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Down the Long Wind #2
Kingdom of Summer
With the sword of light bestowed on him by Lugh the Lord of Light and the grey warhorse that ran like the win and never tired in battle, Gwalchmai ap Lot was the most feared and famous warrior of Arthur Pendragon's noble followers.
But Gwalchmai was haunted by the memory of Elidan ap Caw, the woman he loved and wronged. He wandered the land in search of her, to repair the misdeed.
It was briefly a time of peace and Arthur, to distract Gwalchmai from his sorrow, send him on a peace-keeping mission to he Court of Maelgwyn (sic) of Gwynedd - the kingdom of summer.
And there Gwalchmai faced the most malevolent force of evil and darkness loose in the land - that of his mother, the witch-queen Morgawse...
A powerful imagintaion...yet another gift for Arthurian buffs - THE TMES
The sequel to HAWK OF MAY.
Cover Illustration: Tim White
But Gwalchmai was haunted by the memory of Elidan ap Caw, the woman he loved and wronged. He wandered the land in search of her, to repair the misdeed.
It was briefly a time of peace and Arthur, to distract Gwalchmai from his sorrow, send him on a peace-keeping mission to he Court of Maelgwyn (sic) of Gwynedd - the kingdom of summer.
And there Gwalchmai faced the most malevolent force of evil and darkness loose in the land - that of his mother, the witch-queen Morgawse...
A powerful imagintaion...yet another gift for Arthurian buffs - THE TMES
The sequel to HAWK OF MAY.
Cover Illustration: Tim White
256 pages, Paperback
First published March 1, 1981
23 people are currently reading
725 people want to read
About the author
Gillian Bradshaw
53 books330 followersBorn in Arlington, Virgina, Gillian Bradshaw grew up in Washington, Santiago, Chile and Michigan. She is a Classics graduate from Newnham College, Cambridge, and published her first novel, Hawk of May, just before her final term. A highly acclaimed historical novelist, Gillian Bradshaw has won the Hopwood Award for Fiction, among other prizes. She lives in Cambridge with her husband and their four children.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 53 reviews
November 20, 2016
I was absolutely riveted to my seat throughout this second of the trilogy. Despite magic being in the plot, it didn't even tweak my psyche as improbable - in fact, I was quite happy to believe it completely. Yup, this old cynic! I am still bemused by seeing the series called YA.....and also by a couple of reviews that seemed to see it as Christian apologia.......
One of the best versions of the Arthurian stories I have read.
One of the best versions of the Arthurian stories I have read.
December 24, 2016
This is the second in Gillian Bradshaw's Arthurian trilogy set against a version of Dark Age Britain. In this, the focus is again on the career of Gwalchmai (Hawk of May, name taken from the Welsh version), known as Gawain in the legends, although this time from the POV of a young farmer, Rhys. Rhys is the son of Sion who helped Gwalchmai reach Arthur's camp in book 1. Nine years later, Gwalchmai is riding the countryside in winter, wounded and bedraggled, in search of Elidan a king's sister whom he wronged then realised he loved. Unfortunately, he killed her brother in battle after forgetting he had promised her he wouldn't, and she is from an unforgiving proud family. Sion and his family persuade Gwalchmai to stay with them and recover, and he eventually tells them about her. Rhys, who has always had the ambition to be a warrior, volunteers to become Gwalchmai's servant - at 21, he is far too old to train as a warrior, but as a Christian, he believes he can serve the Light in other ways. At present, an uneasy peace holds, following the defeat of the Saxons at a major battle some time before (in the gap between the two volumes), though Arthur's subject kings continue to cause problems.
The story shows how Rhys settles in at Camlann (Arthur's camp, known as Camelot in legend) and his impression of Gwalchmai's fellow warriors, some of whom, such as Gwalchmai's brother Agravain, abuse servants. Later, Arthur sends them on a mission, with another warrior called Rhuwan, to the court of a subject king whom he knows to be plotting, to find out who are his allies. To Gwalchmai's horror, his own father Lot, his mother Morgawse - the witch whose powers he escaped in book 1 - and his corrupted brother Medraut (Mordred) are present and it is obvious that mother and son are conspiring with the petty king against Arthur. Lot, on the other hand, is a shadow of the man we saw in book 1, and Gwalchmai decides that Morgawse has drained him with her evil sorcery. The situation becomes critical when Rhuwan starts falling under the spell of the smooth talking Medraut and Gwalchmai's reputation as someone who "goes mad" in battle is used against him.
This is a more successful story on the whole than book 1 as it is told through a down-to-earth farmer's viewpoint. We see Gwalchmai's unworldliness and the cynicism and bitterness which stem from his guilt and estrangement from Elidan. The company of Rhys is good for him, and the two men bond as time goes on, even when Medraut tries to prise them apart.
The only part of the story that drags is when they are first at the petty king's court and the situation stagnates for quite a while until Morgawse and Medraut show their hand. After that, it becomes fast paced with quite a lot of action. There is also another love story, apart from Gwalchmai's, wound through the later part of the narrative, when Rhys starts to fall for a young servant girl of Morgawse's And, by the end of the novel, the story of Elidan comes to a conclusion . More ominously, things begin to shape up for the traditional ending of the Arthurian story.
The story shows how Rhys settles in at Camlann (Arthur's camp, known as Camelot in legend) and his impression of Gwalchmai's fellow warriors, some of whom, such as Gwalchmai's brother Agravain, abuse servants. Later, Arthur sends them on a mission, with another warrior called Rhuwan, to the court of a subject king whom he knows to be plotting, to find out who are his allies. To Gwalchmai's horror, his own father Lot, his mother Morgawse - the witch whose powers he escaped in book 1 - and his corrupted brother Medraut (Mordred) are present and it is obvious that mother and son are conspiring with the petty king against Arthur. Lot, on the other hand, is a shadow of the man we saw in book 1, and Gwalchmai decides that Morgawse has drained him with her evil sorcery. The situation becomes critical when Rhuwan starts falling under the spell of the smooth talking Medraut and Gwalchmai's reputation as someone who "goes mad" in battle is used against him.
This is a more successful story on the whole than book 1 as it is told through a down-to-earth farmer's viewpoint. We see Gwalchmai's unworldliness and the cynicism and bitterness which stem from his guilt and estrangement from Elidan. The company of Rhys is good for him, and the two men bond as time goes on, even when Medraut tries to prise them apart.
The only part of the story that drags is when they are first at the petty king's court and the situation stagnates for quite a while until Morgawse and Medraut show their hand. After that, it becomes fast paced with quite a lot of action. There is also another love story, apart from Gwalchmai's, wound through the later part of the narrative, when Rhys starts to fall for a young servant girl of Morgawse's And, by the end of the novel, the story of Elidan comes to a conclusion . More ominously, things begin to shape up for the traditional ending of the Arthurian story.
May 19, 2025
Solide Geschichte, es wird auch realistisch gefroren, aber mir war es zu viel DER KAMPF DES LICHTS GEGEN DIE DUNKELHEIT und NUR DAS CHRISTENTUM KANN DIESES LAND WIEDER GROSS MACHEN (in dem Fall einige britische Gegenden nach dem Ende der Römerzeit).
December 7, 2011
It's been a long time since I read the first book, Hawk of May, but I don't think I suffered too much for that in reading this. I think I found this rather more compelling than the first book, and it helped me get back into it that the narrator was also an outsider to Gwalchmai's life. Again, I did read it in hopes of finding a sympathetic Guinevere to work on in my essay -- but then, I have been told that the last book of the trilogy has more of Guinevere in it, so I won't give up hope yet.
Bradshaw's writing is very fine: I got absorbed in it, didn't want to put the book down, despite having a terrible attention span of late. Gwalchmai is grown up in this book, and quite some time has passed since we saw him: he's still weighed down by darkness, and carrying guilt that I didn't think he deserved, but I loved him for it. He is... rather perfect, I suppose: he can do very little wrong. But I like that sympathetic view of Gawain.
The way traditional elements of the story came about interested me. Poor Medraut. I still managed to have sympathy with most of the characters here, which was quite a feat. I'm looking forward to reading the third book.
Bradshaw's writing is very fine: I got absorbed in it, didn't want to put the book down, despite having a terrible attention span of late. Gwalchmai is grown up in this book, and quite some time has passed since we saw him: he's still weighed down by darkness, and carrying guilt that I didn't think he deserved, but I loved him for it. He is... rather perfect, I suppose: he can do very little wrong. But I like that sympathetic view of Gawain.
The way traditional elements of the story came about interested me. Poor Medraut. I still managed to have sympathy with most of the characters here, which was quite a feat. I'm looking forward to reading the third book.
November 12, 2017
Now this book was not what I had expected! Having read the first book, which was told exclusively from Gwalchmai’s point of view, I expected more of the same here. I’m pleased to say I did not find it. Gwalchmai’s still at the heart of the book, but the POV character is now a young farmer called Rhys, who decides to follow Gwalchmai as his servant. And it’s amazing how many problems this solves. Instead of a typical hero’s quest we’re given an outsider’s view in and we get to see how the people of the land regard Arthur and his band of warriors. Rhys is interesting precisely because he’s not one of the gang. He can’t really fight and has to find a way to prove himself despite this. His nature means that he can never be the fierce warrior lead who defeats his enemies in fights, and finding a way to make Rhys essential and relevant despite this failing is a challenge that Bradshaw is easily up to.
This new POV also helps mitigate the cheesiness found in the high fantasy elements. For Rhys, the supernatural is very simple: there is no god but God and all wizardry is the work of liars and cannot stand up to the light of Christ. By subsuming the dualist Light/Dark into the more traditional Arthurian Christianity/demonic divide, the novel avoids most of the issues of ill-defined identities and corny epic fantasy that hounded the last book. Rhys is, of course, ultimately as powerless against magic as he is against physical threats. Again, Bradshaw is very creative about keeping him useful to the plot.
The focus of the book is rather different than one might expect after Hawk of May. The central element here is even more high fantastical than the previous book. The Saxon menace (the main threat in most “historical” accounts of Arthur) is resolved before the book even begins. Now we’re in the Pax Arthuriana of the Romances, where warriors can be sent on various quests and the goal is good kingship during a British golden age. The core of the novel is Gwalchmai’s visit to King Maelgwyn in Gwynedd and his confrontation with his mother. It’s not enormous in scope, but its new scale fits well with the more intimate story that Rhys brings.
This resolution of Badon Hill and the Saxon wars, which was such a major component of the previous novel and of the historical Arthur, in between books is a major nuisance to me. It’s not the only element that gets glossed over like a footnote. Arthur’s marriage to Guinevere also happens entirely off camera, meaning that we’re never really certain how much of what we think we know from our background knowledge is real and how much is supposition. At least we’re not given the enormous plot dump like we had in the first book, where heavy exposition was narrated from a distance like a sportscaster narrating a football match, but I don’t understand this reluctance to show us the key events in the story of Arthur. Isn’t that the point of such a novel?
Speaking of Arthur, I had expectations that, after he spent much of the last book mistrusting Gwalchmai, we’d finally get to see what sort of man he was here. And we do get to see more of him, but he remains a cipher whose greatness is oft talked about but rarely demonstrated (except in battle). I don’t think this is intentional. Arthur’s supposed to represent (more or less) pure good. That is basically his personality. He’s a demigod. And just as she struggled with giving a clear identity to the Light in the last book, Bradshaw’s not very good at giving us the soul of an ideal king here. Arthur is a black hole of characterlessness, and the book significantly improves once Gwalchmai and Rhys leave the court at Camlann. I have some hope that the next book will resolve some of the problems here as the focus is switched to Guinevere, who should be in a better position to know Arthur intimately, but Arthur as presented is so far a vague avatar for goodness and nothing more.
Those issues aside, this was really the first book in this series that I truly enjoyed. I really liked the new choice of lead character and it gave a much needed different swing to the novel. Bradshaw has always been at her best when she’s dealing with outsiders, or people who feel like outsiders. Her best novels are ones that feature lead characters who are either attempting to acquire a new identity (The Beacon at Alexandria, The Bearkeeper's Daughter, Cleopatra's Heir, The Sand-Reckoner) or are adapting to a completely foreign world (Island of Ghosts, Render Unto Caesar, Horses of Heaven, Beyond the North Wind). Gwalchmai’s struggles with his own identity in the first book were an attempt to grasp this sort of outsider motif, but once he arrives in Arthur’s court he just fits in too well. He’s a noble prince, just one of the gang, and the differences that separate him from the rest are either superficial or supernatural. Either way, they’re not enough. Rhys though, doesn’t belong in Arthur’s court. He doesn’t fit in with the warriors. Yet he has to make a place for himself anyway. It’s compelling stuff, and makes him a good choice for a protagonist. The fact that he’s basically given a sidekick’s role doesn’t detract from him at all, and it gives us a different look at Gwalchmai. I really enjoyed this book and look forward to the inevitable gloomy conclusion in In Winter's Shadow.
This new POV also helps mitigate the cheesiness found in the high fantasy elements. For Rhys, the supernatural is very simple: there is no god but God and all wizardry is the work of liars and cannot stand up to the light of Christ. By subsuming the dualist Light/Dark into the more traditional Arthurian Christianity/demonic divide, the novel avoids most of the issues of ill-defined identities and corny epic fantasy that hounded the last book. Rhys is, of course, ultimately as powerless against magic as he is against physical threats. Again, Bradshaw is very creative about keeping him useful to the plot.
The focus of the book is rather different than one might expect after Hawk of May. The central element here is even more high fantastical than the previous book. The Saxon menace (the main threat in most “historical” accounts of Arthur) is resolved before the book even begins. Now we’re in the Pax Arthuriana of the Romances, where warriors can be sent on various quests and the goal is good kingship during a British golden age. The core of the novel is Gwalchmai’s visit to King Maelgwyn in Gwynedd and his confrontation with his mother. It’s not enormous in scope, but its new scale fits well with the more intimate story that Rhys brings.
This resolution of Badon Hill and the Saxon wars, which was such a major component of the previous novel and of the historical Arthur, in between books is a major nuisance to me. It’s not the only element that gets glossed over like a footnote. Arthur’s marriage to Guinevere also happens entirely off camera, meaning that we’re never really certain how much of what we think we know from our background knowledge is real and how much is supposition. At least we’re not given the enormous plot dump like we had in the first book, where heavy exposition was narrated from a distance like a sportscaster narrating a football match, but I don’t understand this reluctance to show us the key events in the story of Arthur. Isn’t that the point of such a novel?
Speaking of Arthur, I had expectations that, after he spent much of the last book mistrusting Gwalchmai, we’d finally get to see what sort of man he was here. And we do get to see more of him, but he remains a cipher whose greatness is oft talked about but rarely demonstrated (except in battle). I don’t think this is intentional. Arthur’s supposed to represent (more or less) pure good. That is basically his personality. He’s a demigod. And just as she struggled with giving a clear identity to the Light in the last book, Bradshaw’s not very good at giving us the soul of an ideal king here. Arthur is a black hole of characterlessness, and the book significantly improves once Gwalchmai and Rhys leave the court at Camlann. I have some hope that the next book will resolve some of the problems here as the focus is switched to Guinevere, who should be in a better position to know Arthur intimately, but Arthur as presented is so far a vague avatar for goodness and nothing more.
Those issues aside, this was really the first book in this series that I truly enjoyed. I really liked the new choice of lead character and it gave a much needed different swing to the novel. Bradshaw has always been at her best when she’s dealing with outsiders, or people who feel like outsiders. Her best novels are ones that feature lead characters who are either attempting to acquire a new identity (The Beacon at Alexandria, The Bearkeeper's Daughter, Cleopatra's Heir, The Sand-Reckoner) or are adapting to a completely foreign world (Island of Ghosts, Render Unto Caesar, Horses of Heaven, Beyond the North Wind). Gwalchmai’s struggles with his own identity in the first book were an attempt to grasp this sort of outsider motif, but once he arrives in Arthur’s court he just fits in too well. He’s a noble prince, just one of the gang, and the differences that separate him from the rest are either superficial or supernatural. Either way, they’re not enough. Rhys though, doesn’t belong in Arthur’s court. He doesn’t fit in with the warriors. Yet he has to make a place for himself anyway. It’s compelling stuff, and makes him a good choice for a protagonist. The fact that he’s basically given a sidekick’s role doesn’t detract from him at all, and it gives us a different look at Gwalchmai. I really enjoyed this book and look forward to the inevitable gloomy conclusion in In Winter's Shadow.
June 26, 2020
For me, a real drop off from the first one. Rhys the farmer is no hawk of may, and he's not really even a Watson. The pov change is a little baffling to me. Worse the jeebus elements are stronger and more overt. I'm fine with Light vs Darkness but jeebus vs heathens is a different matter
August 6, 2023
Love the first book and this one was even better. Better writing this time around. Great character development and great multiple story lines. Also loved the change on point of view.
July 8, 2011
KINGDOM OF SUMMER by Gillian Bradshaw is an interesting historical fiction/fantasy set in England during Arthurian era.It is the second in the trilogy.It has cruelty,kindness,justice,darkness,witchcraft,sorcery,King Arthur's followers,magic,courage,witches,knights and heros. This the story of Sir Gwalchmai,aka Sir Gawain. Who armed only with his magic sword and his otherworldly horse,he will prove to be a faithful warrior of King Arthur.Sir Gawain and his faithful servant Rhys while trying to find the woman Sir Gawain loved but committed a grave offense to will encounter an evil force,his mother,the witch-queen Morgawse.Sir Gawain will learn secrets from his past that may deny him his peace. This is a new tale to an old story of King Arthur and his noble knights. A wonderful retelling of the King Arthur legend that will appear to a wide variety of readers.This book was received for the purpose of review from the publisher.Details can be found at Sourcebooks,Landmark, a division of Sourcebooks,Inc.and My Book Addiction Reviews.
April 6, 2020
This was fantastic - An old book I think I picked up in Hay-on-Wye in 1991. I didn't realise is was the second book until someone said it was and that there is a third. Which are both proving difficult to physically get hold of - I may have to resort to Kindle! A good angle at Arthurian legend. I loved the main characters in the novel and how they came to life. One of those books you're desperate to read but then sad you've finished it. If you like knights, and castles etc a great book!
September 4, 2009
I love that these are still in print!!!!!!!!! Beautiful Arthurian legend retelling.
October 12, 2011
My favorite of the Arthurun legends. Just plain well written, and a hard book to move on from.
January 26, 2018
This is the second volume in Bradshaw's trilogy, continuing the story of Gwalchmai (Gawain) and Bradshaw’s delivers a riveting story, which is enhanced by a nuanced and heartfelt reading by Nicole Quinn, who imbues the tale with an Irish tone that adds to the pleasure of this story (if you decide to also pursue the audio version). Bradshaw does not repeat her formula of telling the story from Gwalchmai’s point of view, but rather spins the narrative angle to his aspiring servant, an endearing farmer’s son called Rhys, who comes across as a bit of Sancho Panza. Although there are description of battles and magic, Bradshaw wisely keeps these to a minimum and the novel hovers close to the classic status of a Mary Stewart retelling.
Bradshaw is at her best when she tells a love story and here we have two woven together, each with their own outcomes. The backdrop of a tragic romance between Gwalchmai and Elidan serves as a remarkable contrast against the simpler warmth of Rhys and Eivlin. At the heart of this novel, in the truest Arthurian fashion, is a quest. Gwalchmai’s grail is a lost love whom he has wronged and for which he hopes to regain. There is something nobly solitary and even distant in the depiction of Gwalchmai seeking our Elidan. Bradshaw’s depiction of Elidan as someone who is not necessarily beautiful in the physical sense will remind lovers of Arthurian lore a nod to Ragnelle from the story of Gawain’s marriage. “She it was that made herself beautiful, not the beauty given by nature.” By the end of the novel, I found myself in love with this character. Gwalchmai will also have elements of Malory’s violent Gawain, but Bradshaw maintains the heroic aspect of the earlier legends. This is still the echo of a hero who is the Gawain of Sir Gawain and the Green Knight.
While, along with other readers, I liked this novel better than the first one, I was still left a bit wanting as the novel is a shorter one with the promise of much more story to tell. I will eagerly read the last novel of this trilogy, but am a bit apprehensive as the narrator changes once more and I really want to know more about how Gwalchmai’s story unfolds, but after having read the first two, I feel the contemporary Arthurian canon is the richer for having Bradshaw’s novels in it.
Bradshaw is at her best when she tells a love story and here we have two woven together, each with their own outcomes. The backdrop of a tragic romance between Gwalchmai and Elidan serves as a remarkable contrast against the simpler warmth of Rhys and Eivlin. At the heart of this novel, in the truest Arthurian fashion, is a quest. Gwalchmai’s grail is a lost love whom he has wronged and for which he hopes to regain. There is something nobly solitary and even distant in the depiction of Gwalchmai seeking our Elidan. Bradshaw’s depiction of Elidan as someone who is not necessarily beautiful in the physical sense will remind lovers of Arthurian lore a nod to Ragnelle from the story of Gawain’s marriage. “She it was that made herself beautiful, not the beauty given by nature.” By the end of the novel, I found myself in love with this character. Gwalchmai will also have elements of Malory’s violent Gawain, but Bradshaw maintains the heroic aspect of the earlier legends. This is still the echo of a hero who is the Gawain of Sir Gawain and the Green Knight.
While, along with other readers, I liked this novel better than the first one, I was still left a bit wanting as the novel is a shorter one with the promise of much more story to tell. I will eagerly read the last novel of this trilogy, but am a bit apprehensive as the narrator changes once more and I really want to know more about how Gwalchmai’s story unfolds, but after having read the first two, I feel the contemporary Arthurian canon is the richer for having Bradshaw’s novels in it.
December 16, 2025
Molto più prosaico del suo predecessore, anche grazie al cambio di POV, ma altrettanto valido. In questo caso, la storia è meno incentrata sulla lotta tra il bene e il male e sui conflitti interiori (anche se questi aspetti non mancano); si ha invece una vicenda di intrighi politici e amorosi, di lealtà tradite e di oscuri complotti. Questi aspetti sono esposti con maestria, in una trama molto più serrata rispetto a quella di Hawk of May e altrettanto intrigante. Il protagonista, Rhys, è un personaggio completamente originale, un bel contrasto con Gwalchmai nella sua pragmaticità, ma altrettanto interessante nel modo in cui cerca di comprendere il mondo intorno a sé e districarsi tra forze troppo grandi per l'essere umano. I villain sono uno più affascinante e pericoloso dell'altro, mantenendo sempre alta la tensione, e difatti ho divorato le ultime sessanta pagine praticamente tutte d'un fiato. E di nuovo, anche se il POV diverso richiede uno stile meno poetico rispetto al primo libro, questo non toglie alla prosa una grande dose di eleganza e potenza che rende facile l'immersione. Per certi punti (la trama) più forte del primo libro, per altri più debole (per esempio Hawk of May si concentrava maggiormente sui personaggi), ma comunque un degno successore.
November 17, 2016
Kingdom of Summer is set nine years after the conclusion of Hawk of May. Gwalchmai is now a full accomplished warrior and the best rider on Arthur's warband. In his quest to amend the woman that he wronged, he will meet Rhys, a young farmer who will be his companion and friend. As they will journey into Gwynedd, an old enemy will reappear and sow the seeds for the upcoming tragedy.
*****Commentary may contain spoilers*****
As the follow-up of Hawk of May this book is less engaging and interesting. Still, it is a good book and it is fun to read. The story is told by Rhys, a farmer who will become Gwalchmai's servant. As Narrator, Rhys is pragmatic but is less approachable than Gwalchmai. Also, as this book has a lot of feelings revolving Gwalchmai, I found that Rhys is not the best option to narrate the story. There were some parts that were well handled as the rescue, or some of the revealing conversations between the leading pair but as for the rest of the book was insufficient. Rhys only has a limited knowledge of Gwalchmai's background and motivations and I felt that his role was like a puppet on the beginning. Later on, it was different and improved because Rhys felt in last chapters more as a lead than a companion.
The plot is a mixture of three main lines: Rhys becoming servant of Gwalchmai, the mission on Gwynedd and Gwalchmai's efforts to find Elidan. Just for how I see the main plot on the series', Arthur's reign and Gwalchmai's fight against darkness, I found the search of Elidan just as a sidequest in the story (I also felt that he didn't achieve anything by finding Elidan. The exception is Gwyn).
Despite these two main problems the book is fun and delivers, but I was expecting a bit more. From Rhys kidnapping the plot gets better.
Bottom line, it is good book but it is not a the same level as the first.
*****Commentary may contain spoilers*****
As the follow-up of Hawk of May this book is less engaging and interesting. Still, it is a good book and it is fun to read. The story is told by Rhys, a farmer who will become Gwalchmai's servant. As Narrator, Rhys is pragmatic but is less approachable than Gwalchmai. Also, as this book has a lot of feelings revolving Gwalchmai, I found that Rhys is not the best option to narrate the story. There were some parts that were well handled as the rescue, or some of the revealing conversations between the leading pair but as for the rest of the book was insufficient. Rhys only has a limited knowledge of Gwalchmai's background and motivations and I felt that his role was like a puppet on the beginning. Later on, it was different and improved because Rhys felt in last chapters more as a lead than a companion.
The plot is a mixture of three main lines: Rhys becoming servant of Gwalchmai, the mission on Gwynedd and Gwalchmai's efforts to find Elidan. Just for how I see the main plot on the series', Arthur's reign and Gwalchmai's fight against darkness, I found the search of Elidan just as a sidequest in the story (I also felt that he didn't achieve anything by finding Elidan. The exception is Gwyn).
Despite these two main problems the book is fun and delivers, but I was expecting a bit more. From Rhys kidnapping the plot gets better.
Bottom line, it is good book but it is not a the same level as the first.
October 24, 2021
I remembered when I read this trilogy in college that the first book was my favorite of the series. But rereading this one now, I think I actually enjoyed it more than the first one. The narrator changed from Gwalchmai to a young farmer (and son of one of the characters from the first book) named Rhys. And the narrator change was frustrating to me when I first started reading. But I grew to love Rhys' voice and relationship with Gwalchmai. The story, again, puts the Arthur legends in the 5th century with characters with personalities much like what they look like in other telling of the Arthurian story. The fight between light and darkness continues with a few surprise twists along the way and this book, though quite complete in and of itself, does seem to set the stage for the third book which looks to see Arthur's Kingdom fall quite mightily. This is a great series at showing us a 5th century Britain and it relies heavily on some of the early celtic legends of Arthur. I highly recommend.
January 16, 2022
The Kingdom of Summer is the second installment in the Down the Long Wind trilogy, an Arthurian tale told by three different protagonists in each book. We followed Gwalchmai’s coming-of-age journey in the first book and in this second one, we followed Rhys’ journey as Gwalchmai’s servant. Rhys ap Sion is the son of a farmer who liked to out-bargain every townsman and in due course, his presence became very important in Gwalchmai’s life as he was not just a helpful servant but a true friend.
This book is very easy to read and enjoyable enough to some degree but I don’t find Rhys’ journey that interesting or exciting. I’m more curious about Gwalchmai’s fight with Medraut and Morgawse and how Gwalchmai felt about it. Perhaps because I still find the first book was better written than this one. However, this second book mentioned the beginning of Arthur’s demise which was when Medraut decided to join Arthur at Camlann.
Overall, this book is okay-ish but not exciting enough for me to read it again.
This book is very easy to read and enjoyable enough to some degree but I don’t find Rhys’ journey that interesting or exciting. I’m more curious about Gwalchmai’s fight with Medraut and Morgawse and how Gwalchmai felt about it. Perhaps because I still find the first book was better written than this one. However, this second book mentioned the beginning of Arthur’s demise which was when Medraut decided to join Arthur at Camlann.
Overall, this book is okay-ish but not exciting enough for me to read it again.
September 17, 2025
Gillian Bradshaw is one of my favorite authors and I treasure her retelling of the King Arthur myth.
"Kingdom of Summer" is the second novel in Bradshaw's Arthur trilogy.
Our PoV character is Rhys, the son of a wealthy peasant who choses to become the servant of Gwalchmai (= PoV character of "Hawk of May", the first novel within the trilogy).
I deeply love the main characters in this novel:
- Rhys who is both down-to-earth practical and idealistic, who's smart and brave and honest.
- Gwalchmai who is honorable and lonely and haunted by his past and by his family
- Eivlin who's also amazingly resourceful and brave
All the relationships are written really well.
As for the antagonists, I find them very engaging.
Bradshaw's language also doesn't fail to move me. I love the way she paints a scene; her descriptions are concise and hauntingly vivid.
This book is a regular reread as is the first book in the series.
I shy back from the final book, "In Winter's Shadow", however. Not because it's bad, but because it's heartachingly sad...
"Kingdom of Summer" is the second novel in Bradshaw's Arthur trilogy.
Our PoV character is Rhys, the son of a wealthy peasant who choses to become the servant of Gwalchmai (= PoV character of "Hawk of May", the first novel within the trilogy).
I deeply love the main characters in this novel:
- Rhys who is both down-to-earth practical and idealistic, who's smart and brave and honest.
- Gwalchmai who is honorable and lonely and haunted by his past and by his family
- Eivlin who's also amazingly resourceful and brave
All the relationships are written really well.
As for the antagonists, I find them very engaging.
Bradshaw's language also doesn't fail to move me. I love the way she paints a scene; her descriptions are concise and hauntingly vivid.
This book is a regular reread as is the first book in the series.
I shy back from the final book, "In Winter's Shadow", however. Not because it's bad, but because it's heartachingly sad...
December 31, 2024
In this second novel in Bradshaw's Arthurian trilogy, we meet a new protagonist - Rhys, a young man who volunteers as Gwalchmai's servant, thanks to catching his and Arthur's vision for "the Light". They shortly have to face Gwalchmai's unbending high standards for himself, and Morgause's sorcery and its interpersonal devastation.
Again, this's a good story, with twists and tension maintained throughout.
I love the new perspective, giving an outsider's view of what Arthur (and Gwalchmai) is doing - both what he's trying to do, and how he as a human is falling short of it, and how he's recognizing that and trying to amend his failings. And then, young Rhys himself gathers his courage and sense together for the same cause. His plot arc with Morgause's servant, especially, is beautiful.
Again, this's a good story, with twists and tension maintained throughout.
I love the new perspective, giving an outsider's view of what Arthur (and Gwalchmai) is doing - both what he's trying to do, and how he as a human is falling short of it, and how he's recognizing that and trying to amend his failings. And then, young Rhys himself gathers his courage and sense together for the same cause. His plot arc with Morgause's servant, especially, is beautiful.
May 17, 2025
This book picks up nearly a decade after the first book. Gwalchmai has grown up, experienced more of the world, and is on a quest to atone for his previous sins. The prose flowed well and really drew you into the story and the characters, especially with the change in POV to Rhys ap Sion, Gwalchmai's eventual manservant and friend. By the end of the book, you understand where the main characters (including the antagonists) are coming from. Given the traditional ending of the Arthur story, this book contains several remarkably happy notes (I did enjoy seeing how Rhys grew throughout the story) even with the courtly tragedy that is Elidan and Gwalchmai.
June 19, 2021
The last half of this book really redeemed a slow first half. I generally like slow books, but the first half felt a bit bland and dull. However, the final half was exactly what I loved about Bradshaw’s writing, gripping, magical, believable, thematic with characters that come to life. I would recommend this second installation of the series and just encourage others to push through, it’s worth it.
August 8, 2024
3.5 Stars but rounding down
I read and loved the first book in high school and it took until my 30s to read the next book in the series. I've studied Le Morte D'Arthur so I know where the series is going and I have Anxiety. This second book has a different POV and I miss being in Gwalchmai's head but I got used to Rhys after a while. Hopefully it doesn't take another 20 years to read the 3rd book.
I read and loved the first book in high school and it took until my 30s to read the next book in the series. I've studied Le Morte D'Arthur so I know where the series is going and I have Anxiety. This second book has a different POV and I miss being in Gwalchmai's head but I got used to Rhys after a while. Hopefully it doesn't take another 20 years to read the 3rd book.
March 9, 2020
It's always a pain when you start a book and find it's the middle book of a trilogy. However, that said, "Kingdom of Summer" works well as a stand alone novel. There is enough back story to let you know what is going on, without becoming annoying.
The story follows the adventures Gwalamachi (aka Gawain).
Well written, well researched, and a damn good read.
The story follows the adventures Gwalamachi (aka Gawain).
Well written, well researched, and a damn good read.
December 20, 2023
I enjoyed the second book a little more than Hawk of May; there's still a lot of Light vs Dark mumbo-jumbo, but it was interesting to get Rhys's outsider view of events.
March 12, 2023
As with the first of the trilogy, Morgawse is the most interesting character (along with some other villains) and she figures in an exciting semi-magical showdown. Introducing a new narrator also helps focus things, but there's still way too much retelling of offscreen events.
September 17, 2020
From the perspective of a farm boy, the world of sorcery and court intrigue seems too much and quite dangerous. I enjoyed the first book more.
August 27, 2021
readable like the first volume, but far too heavy handed in it presentation of good and evil, plus some mystical elements it could very well do without
September 19, 2021
Good retelling
A very good retelling of the Merlin/Arthur legend from a different point of view. A very good sense of place and history.
A very good retelling of the Merlin/Arthur legend from a different point of view. A very good sense of place and history.
June 14, 2025
So good. I wasn't sure about the narrator change at first but Rhys won me over. Very slow start, more than made up by the end.
June 10, 2018
A fantasy novel about Sir Gawain, part of trilogy
July 20, 2014
AudioBook Review:
Stars Overall: 4 Narration: 4 Story: 5
Everyone is somewhat familiar with the Arthurian legends and the story of the King and the Knights of the Round Table. Far from a very familiar feel, although presenting many of the characters in a new and different way, Gillian Bradshaw has retold the familiar story with several new twists, all unique and refreshing, that make for a wonderful story.
In the start of this story we are told of Gwalchmai’s (Sir Gawain) is starting a quest to find a long lost love that he wronged, Elidan. Used to set up the story Gwalchmai’s distraction and rather dry retelling of the history leave us with only his perspective, and while his regret is evident I most certainly would have appreciated seeing the events in real time, rather than in this retelling.
Gwalchmai’s travels bring him to stay with Rhys’ family, where dazzled with the knight and the possibility of more, he asks to sign on as his servant. From here, the story starts to gain traction with Rhys gaining in confidence and knowledge as the story unfolds. Particularly apt is Rhys’ ability in narrating the story, presenting information with his own observations, often spot on.
Unlike any other Arthurian Tale that I have read, this story manages to present a twist to the story that makes it feel very plausible and real. The world of Arthurian Britain is described with great detail and beautiful prose – sure to please history fans. There are two love stories here, that conceivably be stretched to three if the early infatuation and fascination that Rhys had with Arthur’s warband could be counted. A brief love soon cleared of its shine as Rhys is quickly learning the consequences of all actions.
Narration is provided by Nicole Quinn who aptly manages the often twisted pronunciation of names and places, many carrying the feel of the often-unpronounceable Welsh. Her own accent, and lack of great pretention in presenting the various characters, her smooth transitions and seamless transition from prose to poetic are easy to listen to and present the story with flair.
Layered with description, imagined history, danger, sorcery and the classic good versus evil conflict that fuels the story of Arthur, this is a wonderful twist on the familiar story. Best read after Hawk of May to have the full understanding, I thoroughly enjoyed this tale.
I received an AudioBook copy of the title via AudioBook Jukebox for purpose of honest review. I was not compensated for this review: all conclusions are my own responsibility.
Stars Overall: 4 Narration: 4 Story: 5
Everyone is somewhat familiar with the Arthurian legends and the story of the King and the Knights of the Round Table. Far from a very familiar feel, although presenting many of the characters in a new and different way, Gillian Bradshaw has retold the familiar story with several new twists, all unique and refreshing, that make for a wonderful story.
In the start of this story we are told of Gwalchmai’s (Sir Gawain) is starting a quest to find a long lost love that he wronged, Elidan. Used to set up the story Gwalchmai’s distraction and rather dry retelling of the history leave us with only his perspective, and while his regret is evident I most certainly would have appreciated seeing the events in real time, rather than in this retelling.
Gwalchmai’s travels bring him to stay with Rhys’ family, where dazzled with the knight and the possibility of more, he asks to sign on as his servant. From here, the story starts to gain traction with Rhys gaining in confidence and knowledge as the story unfolds. Particularly apt is Rhys’ ability in narrating the story, presenting information with his own observations, often spot on.
Unlike any other Arthurian Tale that I have read, this story manages to present a twist to the story that makes it feel very plausible and real. The world of Arthurian Britain is described with great detail and beautiful prose – sure to please history fans. There are two love stories here, that conceivably be stretched to three if the early infatuation and fascination that Rhys had with Arthur’s warband could be counted. A brief love soon cleared of its shine as Rhys is quickly learning the consequences of all actions.
Narration is provided by Nicole Quinn who aptly manages the often twisted pronunciation of names and places, many carrying the feel of the often-unpronounceable Welsh. Her own accent, and lack of great pretention in presenting the various characters, her smooth transitions and seamless transition from prose to poetic are easy to listen to and present the story with flair.
Layered with description, imagined history, danger, sorcery and the classic good versus evil conflict that fuels the story of Arthur, this is a wonderful twist on the familiar story. Best read after Hawk of May to have the full understanding, I thoroughly enjoyed this tale.
I received an AudioBook copy of the title via AudioBook Jukebox for purpose of honest review. I was not compensated for this review: all conclusions are my own responsibility.
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