Artorius Rex

This may not be the best arthurian novel, but it does have the merit of chosing a narrator often unheard, i.e Kay (here Caius Geladius). The perspective is historical, no fantasy, wizardry or fairy here, even when Merlin joins the show. The whole novel revolves around the difficulties met by young Artorius, educated in Constantinople, to revive some level of civilisation and military skill in a Britain deserted by the Romans for almost 100 years. It includes the expected trials of uniting the Briton kings, training a cavalry, and coping with the usual love-triangle, all under attack from Saxons, but the plot and main characters are sufficiently renewed to come out as entertaining. Kay's comments are particularly moving, both cynical and fond when looking back on the days of Arthur.