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Murdoch's Tale
In the time of Richard Lionheart, during the bloody Border Wars between England and Scotland, Tovan, a faer (or “faery,” as we quetan call them) rescues the child Corwin from the massacre of his village.
Tormented by recurring nightmares of that day, Corwin struggles to answer Tovan's question: “Why do you quetan do this?” His quest is perhaps a hopeless one: to end war, so that no child will ever again have to endure such trauma.
Studying with Philippe, a troubadour, he learns that stories can change the world. He begins to create his own tale, that of Murdoch, orphaned by war like himself, but a heroic figure, not the dreamer in a family of blacksmiths. This happy, creative time is not to last. Tragedy hurls him from the world of the quetan into the realm of the faer.
Drawing upon Celtic myth and anthropology, Corwin's Chronicle tells the tale of a boy rescued from the slaughter and cruelty of medieval England by a member of the faer, his tantalizing glimpse into their peaceful realm, and his efforts to endow the human world with a new wisdom.
Tormented by recurring nightmares of that day, Corwin struggles to answer Tovan's question: “Why do you quetan do this?” His quest is perhaps a hopeless one: to end war, so that no child will ever again have to endure such trauma.
Studying with Philippe, a troubadour, he learns that stories can change the world. He begins to create his own tale, that of Murdoch, orphaned by war like himself, but a heroic figure, not the dreamer in a family of blacksmiths. This happy, creative time is not to last. Tragedy hurls him from the world of the quetan into the realm of the faer.
Drawing upon Celtic myth and anthropology, Corwin's Chronicle tells the tale of a boy rescued from the slaughter and cruelty of medieval England by a member of the faer, his tantalizing glimpse into their peaceful realm, and his efforts to endow the human world with a new wisdom.
247 pages, Kindle Edition
Published May 5, 2018
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Displaying 1 - 6 of 6 reviews
September 22, 2020
Set in England during the middle ages, author TF Gray begins Murdoch’s Tale: Book 1 of Corwin’s Chronicle. The novel introduces Corwin, a young child torn away from his family and home by war. Rescued by Tovan of the faer and dropped off to a human family for adoption, Corwin goes through life with the dream of thanking his rescuer.
When old enough to explore the world on his own, Corwin decides to learn the craft of a troubadour, a teller of tales, who roams the countryside performing stories for food, a night’s lodging, and or coins. Phillipe, a famous French bard agrees to permit Corwin to be his apprentice.
During their travels, Phillipe teaches Corwin the ropes as his assistant is instructed to formulate his own tale to tell audiences. As the duo move from hamlet to small town, Corwin creates a tale about a blacksmith named Murdoch who takes the oath to never take up arms against another human being. During the middle ages, this is truly a difficult pledge to keep.
Besides creating a blockbuster story, Corwin feels a need to contact Tovan to repay his debt. However, finding a fairy is a difficult task, but not so much if they contact you.
Murdoch’s Tale is a 247-page novel showing the tragedy and futility of war as it tells a story within a story. As Corwin and Phillipe travel throughout medieval England we meet a host of characters that at times becomes overwhelming. And as the two protagonists travel the English countryside, I would have liked to have seen more of the setting, which was a bit sketchy. However, the plot is strong enough to motivate readers to reach the book’s exciting climax; with the promise of book 2, Ilona’s Tale.
When old enough to explore the world on his own, Corwin decides to learn the craft of a troubadour, a teller of tales, who roams the countryside performing stories for food, a night’s lodging, and or coins. Phillipe, a famous French bard agrees to permit Corwin to be his apprentice.
During their travels, Phillipe teaches Corwin the ropes as his assistant is instructed to formulate his own tale to tell audiences. As the duo move from hamlet to small town, Corwin creates a tale about a blacksmith named Murdoch who takes the oath to never take up arms against another human being. During the middle ages, this is truly a difficult pledge to keep.
Besides creating a blockbuster story, Corwin feels a need to contact Tovan to repay his debt. However, finding a fairy is a difficult task, but not so much if they contact you.
Murdoch’s Tale is a 247-page novel showing the tragedy and futility of war as it tells a story within a story. As Corwin and Phillipe travel throughout medieval England we meet a host of characters that at times becomes overwhelming. And as the two protagonists travel the English countryside, I would have liked to have seen more of the setting, which was a bit sketchy. However, the plot is strong enough to motivate readers to reach the book’s exciting climax; with the promise of book 2, Ilona’s Tale.
July 4, 2018
An interesting tale set in the backdrop of medieval Europe, the story tells us about boy Corwin's journey and the quest for making a peaceful world. He had experienced massacre of his village in the childhood and lost his parents. Though he was rescued, but he could not forget that trauma. The story has ignited a long-standing debate in human history. All kinds of war should stop at any cost, even if our foes provoke. "An admirable goal, Andrew's, the ending of all war"- hope the entire world will take that vow.
The protagonist had challenged societal rule by taking the name Murdoch (Old God of war) instead of taking any Christian name. He is no superhero, but his quest makes him great.
The story is full of historical descriptions, which may enrich the readers and the characters are relatable, dialogues etc were written carefully.
I liked the book cover, the graphics designer has done a great job. Hope to read more books by the author. It is a wonderful read, no doubt.
The protagonist had challenged societal rule by taking the name Murdoch (Old God of war) instead of taking any Christian name. He is no superhero, but his quest makes him great.
The story is full of historical descriptions, which may enrich the readers and the characters are relatable, dialogues etc were written carefully.
I liked the book cover, the graphics designer has done a great job. Hope to read more books by the author. It is a wonderful read, no doubt.
May 30, 2018
This is a fantastic Medieval tale featuring all the classic aspects you’d expect from a historical fiction: Horses, swords, kingdoms and adventure. It centers around a young hero named Corwin who seeks to end the tragedy of war that has engulfed the kingdom, and his character is very relatable and fascinating to read. The adventure he goes on kept me captivated throughout. I appreciated how much historical detail and research the author must’ve done to write such a compelling story, though it did have moments where I felt it dragged a bit. Overall, it’s a good read and I’d recommend it to my friends.
August 18, 2018
Good Read
Book was recommended to me. Writing is very good—above the usual first novel. Descriptions of medieval times seem on point. This is a tale within a tale. The plot was done well. I look forward to the next book
Book was recommended to me. Writing is very good—above the usual first novel. Descriptions of medieval times seem on point. This is a tale within a tale. The plot was done well. I look forward to the next book
July 4, 2018
An interesting tale set in the backdrop of medieval Europe, the story tells us about boy Corwin's journey and the quest for making a peaceful world. He had experienced massacre of his village in the childhood and lost his parents. Though he was rescued, but he could not forget that trauma. The story has ignited a long-standing debate in human history. All kinds of war should stop at any cost, even if our foes provoke. "An admirable goal, Andrew's, the ending of all war"- hope the entire world will take that vow.
The protagonist had challenged societal rule by taking the name Murdoch (Old God of war) instead of taking any Christian name. He is no superhero, but his quest makes him great.
The story is full of historical descriptions, which may enrich the readers and the characters are relatable, dialogues etc were written carefully.
I liked the book cover, the graphics designer has done a great job. Hope to read more books by the author. It is a wonderful read, no doubt.
The protagonist had challenged societal rule by taking the name Murdoch (Old God of war) instead of taking any Christian name. He is no superhero, but his quest makes him great.
The story is full of historical descriptions, which may enrich the readers and the characters are relatable, dialogues etc were written carefully.
I liked the book cover, the graphics designer has done a great job. Hope to read more books by the author. It is a wonderful read, no doubt.
July 18, 2018
This book has a lot going on!
Murdoch's Tale is a story that molds so many different stories together it's impressive. Being set in a true historical period, which carries it's own share of stories and tales, this book follows the days of Corwin. He's saved from a massacre of a battle by Tovin, a faer. This incident is that which starts Corwin's journey and the books basis. There is just so much going on in this book at any one time I don't want to give the stories away. At times it can get just a little bit busy feeling but it's still a tale within a tale within a tale that I feel would be most interesting to those who are into historically set fiction with a touch of fairy (faer) and a cast of characters drawn from history, myth and legend, and the creative mind of the author herself.
I was lucky enough to receive this book in exchange for an honest review.
Murdoch's Tale is a story that molds so many different stories together it's impressive. Being set in a true historical period, which carries it's own share of stories and tales, this book follows the days of Corwin. He's saved from a massacre of a battle by Tovin, a faer. This incident is that which starts Corwin's journey and the books basis. There is just so much going on in this book at any one time I don't want to give the stories away. At times it can get just a little bit busy feeling but it's still a tale within a tale within a tale that I feel would be most interesting to those who are into historically set fiction with a touch of fairy (faer) and a cast of characters drawn from history, myth and legend, and the creative mind of the author herself.
I was lucky enough to receive this book in exchange for an honest review.
Displaying 1 - 6 of 6 reviews