- Pocket Book
- Publisher: Penguin; 1st mmpb edition (2004)
- ISBN-10: 0045146004
- ISBN-13: 978-0045146000
- Average Customer Review: 3.8 out of 5 stars See all reviews (10 customer reviews)
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Most helpful customer reviews
3.0 out of 5 stars
Hurry up and wait,
By
This review is from: Kingdom Of The Grail (Paperback)
This book was an interesting weave of the Merlin story and the "Song of Roland." The last half of the book occurs after the "Song of Roland" and what could have happened if Roland had been a descendent of Merlin. The magical elements in this book are wonderful. Tarik is so entertaining. The author leaves some things hidden until the very end, which makes it a satisfying conclusion. However, there were parts of this book that just drug along. The romance was ok, but the whole "who is he?" "who is she?" nonsense against a larger backdrop was inconsequential. All in all, I think this is a good book that deserves a read, however, be prepared to have to dig through some not very exciting parts to get to the good stuff.
3.0 out of 5 stars
Will the real Roland please stand up?,
By
This review is from: Kingdom Of The Grail (Paperback)
Judith Tarr mixes Merlin, the *Song of Roland* and the myth of the madman of the forest together in a romance that is more romantic than historical. This gives her the chance to create several Rolands: warrior, lover, shapechanger, Carolingian loyalist, madman of the woods, and reluctant champion-king. Character motivation is weak, especially for the distrust of Sarissa (who would not be allowed the freedom she exhibits in a real Carolingian setting). Nor would a woman of her time necessarily sleep with someone she does not trust completely. A slow read, it picks up in spots, and she has a gift for description, but I had to push myself to finish. Why is Tarr considered a queen of historical fiction? I don't see it. She offers a mish-mash of ill-defined magic, over-romanticized characters, and idealized history with a New Age bent.
2.0 out of 5 stars
Not nearly as good as _The Hound and the Falcon_,
By A Customer
This review is from: Kingdom Of The Grail (Paperback)
I really wanted to love this book. The negative reviews here seemed to focus on the romance plot, which on itself is not a problem, on the contrary, Alamut is a favorite of mine. I am very glad that Ms. Tarr is writing again fantasy novels set in the same universe as the Hound&Falcon trilogy and Alamut and _the Dagger&the Cross_, but a few centuries before. _Hounds of God:_ the last novel of _the Hound and Falcon_ closed that universe to all new novels are set earlier, which certainly offers potential.But on this novel the mix and match of several myths just does not work. I wishI understood why the Kingdom of the Grail has the feel that it cames out the Pan-Celtic tour to fantasyland, while it is somehow related to the Pyrinees, and the basques. Enough celts, please, there are so very many other interesting European societies! And the plot and characterization is a mess, "she distrusts him, now she trusts him, now there is a big misunderstanding, now he distrusts her...", oh, dear.... It was a chore to plog along until the end of the book. Not recomended, but Ms Tarr's earlier novels, The Hound and the Falcon, and the Avaryan series certainly are recomended, read them instead if you haven't yet. If you are already a fan of those novels, don't expect too much of this one, and you might end up enjoying it, but in my opinion this is far from being their equal.
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