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The King's Arrow
When eighteen-year-old Simon, the half-English, half-Norman son of a noble family living in Norman-occupied England in 1100, is offered the chance to accompany the king’s friend Walter Tirel on a royal hunt, he is flattered by the honor. He hopes his association with Tirel will help him advance in a country where being English means being subject to the whims of the Norman upper class. But when the king is killed by Tirel’s arrow during the course of the hunt, Simon must join Tirel in fleeing for their lives. Accident or murder? Based on real events, this heart-pounding tale from acclaimed author Michael Cadnum reconstructs one of the most fascinating mysteries of English history.
224 pages, Hardcover
First published February 14, 2008
5 people are currently reading
101 people want to read
About the author
Michael Cadnum
79 books19 followersMichael Cadnum has had a number of jobs over the course of his life, including pick-and-shoveler for the York Archaeological Trust, in York, England, and substitute teacher in Oakland, California, but his true calling is writing. He is the author of thirty-five books, including the National Book Award finalist The Book of the Lion. His Calling Home and Breaking the Fall were both nominated for the Mystery Writers of America Edgar Allan Poe Award. He is a former Creative Writing Fellow of the National Endowment for the Arts. Also a poet, he has received several awards, including Poetry Northwest's Helen Bullis Prize and the Owl Creek Book Award. Michael lives in Albany, California, with his wife Sherina.
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Displaying 1 - 22 of 22 reviews
February 29, 2012
The King's Arrow is based on a real-life mystery involving King William II's death during the early twelfth century. The story is told from two perspectives, eighteen-year old Simon's and the king's marshal, Roland's.
The book isn't bad, it's just written in much detail rather than dialogue, so we don't really get to know the characters well. The characters, to me, seemed to be there and not there at the same time. Simon, for example, is an enigmatic figure, who I really don't care about knowing more about. He is basically void of emotion since the death of William kept him from expressing anything. Anyway, after brief analysis of his character, and what I could deduce from the information the author has put, Simon is chivalrous, but at the same time vain, like really vain. He's a minor lord who's seeking to play a bigger role in the kingdom.
Roland, the king's marshal, is an aggressive, stupid and temperamental player, but at the same time is loyal to the king. Too loyal. From what I understood from one incident mentioned, he's all-too-willing to pay to get laid. And the girls are all-too-willing to oblige.
Hmm...makes one think that he's ugly, but then the author describes him as "handsome".
O-kay...
The author's writing style is beautiful...and confusing. So confusing, actually, that I would read pages without comprehending the events unfolding in the book. But then I'd read on a little and it is explained. Even the characters were abundant with not much known about them, except quick little snippets of their dispositions.
The plot, too, was interesting. I love historical fiction. What makes the story greater is the author's theory on what happened that exciting day in New Forest, England. It was, though, a bit fast--not the pacing, but the events. It was like, one moment they were all hunting a stag, and the next, Simon was all googly eyes for Walter's sissy.
The story would most likely bore most of you. So unless you're really intrigued and can handle confusion and details, read it.
The book isn't bad, it's just written in much detail rather than dialogue, so we don't really get to know the characters well. The characters, to me, seemed to be there and not there at the same time. Simon, for example, is an enigmatic figure, who I really don't care about knowing more about. He is basically void of emotion since the death of William kept him from expressing anything. Anyway, after brief analysis of his character, and what I could deduce from the information the author has put, Simon is chivalrous, but at the same time vain, like really vain. He's a minor lord who's seeking to play a bigger role in the kingdom.
Roland, the king's marshal, is an aggressive, stupid and temperamental player, but at the same time is loyal to the king. Too loyal. From what I understood from one incident mentioned, he's all-too-willing to pay to get laid. And the girls are all-too-willing to oblige.
Hmm...makes one think that he's ugly, but then the author describes him as "handsome".
O-kay...
The author's writing style is beautiful...and confusing. So confusing, actually, that I would read pages without comprehending the events unfolding in the book. But then I'd read on a little and it is explained. Even the characters were abundant with not much known about them, except quick little snippets of their dispositions.
The plot, too, was interesting. I love historical fiction. What makes the story greater is the author's theory on what happened that exciting day in New Forest, England. It was, though, a bit fast--not the pacing, but the events. It was like, one moment they were all hunting a stag, and the next, Simon was all googly eyes for Walter's sissy.
The story would most likely bore most of you. So unless you're really intrigued and can handle confusion and details, read it.
March 4, 2017
Full of well-written atmosphere, short on plot. Most of the action takes place over the course of about two days and our main viewpoint character, Simon, has no clue what's going on most of the time. I enjoyed the book but I also knew the outline of what was going on historically, and I suspect if I hadn't known what was coming I would have been confused and mildly annoyed by all the cloak-and-dagger routines (literally!). As it was I really appreciated the vague aura of menace and impending doom that permeated the whole book.
May 21, 2014
The book The King’s Arrow by Michael Cadnum was hard for me to read because it jumped to different scenes and it was hard for me to follow.
Eighteen year old Simon is half English and half Norman and is the son in a noble family. The story takes place in the year of 1100. One day, Simon was chosen to go hunting in the abandoned forest with the king’s friend Walter Tirel. He hoped his association with Tirel would help him advance in a country where being English means being subject to the whims of the Norman upper class. But when the king is killed with Tirel’s arrow during the course of their hunt. Simon must join Tirel in fleeing for their lives.
The main question of the book was did the kings die by accident or was it on purpose. They never told me or even gave a hint but that was the point.
Accident or murder? Based on real events, this heart-pounding tale from acclaimed author Michael Cadnum reconstructs one of the most fascinating mysteries of English history.Simon must join Tirel in fleeing for their lives.
The King's Arrow is based on a real-life mystery involving King William II's death during the early twelfth century. The story is told from two perspectives, eighteen-year old Simon's and the King Marshal Rolands.
The book isn't bad, it's just written in too much detail rather than dialogue. I didn't really get to know the characters well. The characters, to me, seemed to be there and not there at the same time.
If you are interested in a historical fiction fast paced book The Kings Arrow is the book for you, I hope you enjoy it.
thank you
Eighteen year old Simon is half English and half Norman and is the son in a noble family. The story takes place in the year of 1100. One day, Simon was chosen to go hunting in the abandoned forest with the king’s friend Walter Tirel. He hoped his association with Tirel would help him advance in a country where being English means being subject to the whims of the Norman upper class. But when the king is killed with Tirel’s arrow during the course of their hunt. Simon must join Tirel in fleeing for their lives.
The main question of the book was did the kings die by accident or was it on purpose. They never told me or even gave a hint but that was the point.
Accident or murder? Based on real events, this heart-pounding tale from acclaimed author Michael Cadnum reconstructs one of the most fascinating mysteries of English history.Simon must join Tirel in fleeing for their lives.
The King's Arrow is based on a real-life mystery involving King William II's death during the early twelfth century. The story is told from two perspectives, eighteen-year old Simon's and the King Marshal Rolands.
The book isn't bad, it's just written in too much detail rather than dialogue. I didn't really get to know the characters well. The characters, to me, seemed to be there and not there at the same time.
If you are interested in a historical fiction fast paced book The Kings Arrow is the book for you, I hope you enjoy it.
thank you
March 28, 2009
In the year 1100, King William II of England was shot with an arrow and killed during a hunting trip in New Forest. Historians still disagree about whether his death was a simple hunting accident or a part of a plot to take the throne. This is a novel about that tumultuous event. Simon Foldre is a young half-Norman, half-English nobleman who is invited along on the hunt to assist the powerful nobleman Walter Tirel. Simon gladly accepts in hopes that this will be an entry into high society and a prosperous future. However, the events of the hunt soon find Simon on accompanying Tirel on a run for their lives.
Although I saw references in previous reviews to action, romance, and mystery, I thought the plot of this novel lacked all of those elements. The characters were also underdeveloped and did nothing to move the story along. I felt this read more like a fictionalized history written more to teach about customs and important events than to entertain. I had no investment in the story or characters and it never managed to capture my interest. I only continued to read because it was short and I always hoped that something exciting was bound to happen around the next page. Cadnum is a good writer, but I will have trouble recommending this title to anyone who isn’t looking for extra reading on this particular subject.
Although I saw references in previous reviews to action, romance, and mystery, I thought the plot of this novel lacked all of those elements. The characters were also underdeveloped and did nothing to move the story along. I felt this read more like a fictionalized history written more to teach about customs and important events than to entertain. I had no investment in the story or characters and it never managed to capture my interest. I only continued to read because it was short and I always hoped that something exciting was bound to happen around the next page. Cadnum is a good writer, but I will have trouble recommending this title to anyone who isn’t looking for extra reading on this particular subject.
August 25, 2014
Simon Foldre is a young nobleman living in Norman-occupied England in the year 1100. As the man of the house, he tries very hard to bring honor to his family name and make his mother proud. His chance appears to come when he is offered a once-in-a-lifetime chance to attend a royal hunt as the squire of the king’s friend Walter Tirel.
The opportunity to spend an afternoon amongst King William the Conqueror and his court is a great honor for a young man of his station, and Simon leaps at the chance. What begins as an innocent deer hunt quickly turns ugly when King William turns up dead in the forest, Walter Tirel’s arrow lodged in his chest. Simon’s dreams of status and power quickly fall away as he is forced to flee for his life. Hot on his trail is the late king’s murderous royal marshal and his pack of soliders.
Will Simon and Walter be able to escape the country with their lives? Was the king’s untimely death an accident or a premeditated act of murder? Based on a real-life mystery, Cadnum mixes action, history, and intrigue to offer up this fictional look at what might have happened on the royal hunt that day.
Personally, I didn't love it, but I think readers who are into that time period will enjoy.
This review originally appeared on A Book and a Hug.
The opportunity to spend an afternoon amongst King William the Conqueror and his court is a great honor for a young man of his station, and Simon leaps at the chance. What begins as an innocent deer hunt quickly turns ugly when King William turns up dead in the forest, Walter Tirel’s arrow lodged in his chest. Simon’s dreams of status and power quickly fall away as he is forced to flee for his life. Hot on his trail is the late king’s murderous royal marshal and his pack of soliders.
Will Simon and Walter be able to escape the country with their lives? Was the king’s untimely death an accident or a premeditated act of murder? Based on a real-life mystery, Cadnum mixes action, history, and intrigue to offer up this fictional look at what might have happened on the royal hunt that day.
Personally, I didn't love it, but I think readers who are into that time period will enjoy.
This review originally appeared on A Book and a Hug.
June 1, 2008
I came upon this book at the library and liked the sound of it. I had never read this author before though he has written a number of books. It tells the story of the death of King William in 1100. I like this time and all the tales. The author is known for his historical tales and the research he does for them (according to the book jacket). I just think the book lacked as a whole. His setting and all is fine. It's just that the story lacked. You can put it down and go days without picking it up again. I will try another of his books though.
July 2, 2008
I wanted to like this more - the most interesting parts of the book had to do with the intricate and sometimes dangerous customs people followed during conversations depending on one's social status, English, or Norman heritage. It's amazing to learn about how seemingly innocuous statements can get one's throat slit. The story itself was good, but I was waiting for something..well...more (I don't know what that "more" could be, as this is a tale based on historical details). Maybe this medieval cold case wasn't the best subject to write about, as Michael Cadnum is quite a good author!
October 27, 2010
When King William II of England is shot and killed during a hunting trip, everything changes for young Simon Foldre. He's the half-Norman, half-English son a noble family who has been invited to be an assistant to Walter Tirel, the king's friend, during the hunt. Was the tragedy that took the king's life an accident or an assassination plot? It is a question that remains unanswered by historians. In quiet but compelling prose, Cadnum writes an engaging historical fiction for teens that brings to life the royal world of Norman-occupied England in 1100 C. E.
November 8, 2013
The book sounded good from reading the front cover, but it turned out to be one of those books that feels like a dream. I never really got a clear sense of where the character was, what he was feeling, or what exactly was happening. It was a very flat book. The action was written in a way that didn't make you feel a part of it, and you never got to know the characters. The idea was interesting, but nothing about the story stuck out in my mind.
August 1, 2008
The plot was a bit thin, and the characters a bit underdeveloped but it made for an interesting read. About a young man named Simon who is both Norman and English living in England and his want to serve an English lord during a royal hunt. Other situations occur and lead him to flee the county with his new friend.
November 20, 2008
I like Cadnum’s attention to historical detail. In this one it’s some 50 years after the Norman conquest of England and Simon, son of a Norman and and Englishwoman is trying to find his place on the shifting grounds of politics. During a hunt he witnesses the possible murder of the king of England.
September 18, 2008
Historical fiction based on an unsolved mystery: was the arrow truly intended to kill King William, or was it an accident? Well done and believable.
January 7, 2009
A historical fiction that commits the cardinal sin of being boring.
September 3, 2010
Interesting conjecture around what might be the explanation for the history this is based on.
August 20, 2012
Only read about 4 chapters. Could not waste any more time. Not worth the effort.
September 26, 2012
The King's Arrow has a very interesting plot. The book explains the life of a man who is have Norman and half English. It is during the time when Normandy was in control of England.
April 18, 2015
Well-written, and very medieval.
Content: Violence, mention of fornication (not graphic), and someone swears by Jesus.
Content: Violence, mention of fornication (not graphic), and someone swears by Jesus.
October 12, 2015
Not the est book but an okay book
August 1, 2016
a great tale, simply told... I enjoyed learning of this event in English history
October 4, 2016
This was an okay book. it was kind of confusing at times because of jump scenes and new characters being introduced randomly but still good if you can figure out whats going on.
October 1, 2008
It's not as great as i thought it would be...
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Displaying 1 - 22 of 22 reviews