Grail (The Pendragon Cycle, Book 5) (Pendragon Cycle, 5)

Picking up exactly where "Pendragon" left off, "Grail" puts a new and interesting spin on the legend of the holy grail. Lawhead has done a masterful job in recreating the Arthurian legends, infusing them with his poetic writing and creating legends that are uniquely his own, while holding firm to the ones that have come before. Many readers might argue at the 'changes' Lawhead has made to the legends, but a legend by literary definition is a tale that is interpreted just a little differently by the teller each time it is passed along. Stephen Lawhead's version of events is just as sincere and justified as any of his worthy predecessors. At the conclusion of "Pendragon", King Arthur was gravely wounded at the end of his (book-long) battle with the Vandali warhost. He is taken to the Ynys Avallach where he is mysteriously healed by the grail. Meanwhile, his warhost are awaiting word of Arthur's death, travelling a land blighted by plague and drought, to deliver grim news to the kinsmen of those who betrayed Arthur. When Arthur returns, miraculously healed, he is adamant that the grail will inaugurate his 'kingdom of summer' and restore Britain to health. Stubborn to the core, and deaf to his advisors, Arthur has a shrine built to house the grail that others may bask in its glory and be healed. But evil lurks within the land, as the dreaded Morgian has nurtured her power and schemes to defeat Arthur once and for all. Told by Gwalchavad (Galahad), "Grail" is an epic novel, and a respite from the battle-drenched "Pendragon". While battles between good and evil persist, the narration is given over to the deception and treachery that tricks Llenlleawg (Lancelot) and makes him a pawn of Morgian, an interesting twist on the Lancelot-Guinivere-Arthur triangle. Lawhead's Arthurian tales are grounded in Celtic lore and centered around a spreading Christianity in the early birth of Britain. The Pendragon Cycle is a fresh spin on an oft-repeated legend that will stand its place in the world of Arthurian lore.

Lawhead's Done It Again!It is truly the mark of a good author when a relatively long book series retains all of it's brilliance and originality to the very end. Lawhead has accomplished this and more with his wondrous Pendragon Cycle.Grail is the 5th and final installment in the series (unless you include Avalon in the list). While I think that this is the weakest book of the series, it is still superb and certainly worth the read. The atmosphere of the book is very unique. Unlike the previous books in the series, the enemy is largely supernatural - a much more frightening enemy than the Picti, Angli, or Vandali. Morgian is definetely at her worst - and she even gets a few opportunities to narrate the story (a very peculiar twist.)!Really my only complaint about the book regards Lawhead's choice of characters. It seems that many of the major characters that were seen in Arthur and Pendragon have faded to the backdrop - replaced by relatively new characters. These characters are fine, but I would have rather seen more of characters like Bedwyr, Cai and Arthur.

This is one of my favorite Pendragon books, perhaps because it was so different. First of all, it was all in the viewpoint of Gwalchavad, with little inserts from Morgian in between, believe it or not. I loved that. Lawhead did pure, humble Gwalchavad wonderfully; immediately the reader likes him. Hearing from Morgian was very revealing, both to her character and to her plot. It enabled some of her schemes to be discovered by the reader, but never by the Cymbrogi. I actually began to understand her and her motives. (The statement about Avallach's favoritism had me almost sympathetic. Quite moving.)Also, the atmosphere was very dreamlike to the point of being surreal. When the whole episode is finished, reality and sunshine break through once more. Morgian's vail of fear is tangible. Thirdly, the adventure is impeccable. It is suspenseful, scary, and satisfying. Llenlleawg's betrayal added a whole new aspect to the fear of Morgian. Nothing is safe from her. He was one of my favorites in past books, which made it worse. The power of evil is revealed through him. Fourthly, Merlin is back to his old self. He was beginning to get rather prudish in former books. I love the part where he slams his stick on the ground and yells at Arthur.One more thing I liked, and this might be just me. Arthur had his troops go to confession and Mass beforehand. That reminded me of Joan of Arc. Spiritual health added credibility to their almost miraculous escape.I suppose I can see why some readers would not like this book as much, but it has definate unique appeal. A nice change!

the entire pendragon cycle is amazing!!!!! i have never read anything like this series!!! i am a huge reader, i read like 3 500 page books a week and i love arthurian legends so you can imagine i have read a lot of them! but i have never in my life read anything as purely wonderful as stephen r. lawhead's pendragon cycle. these 5 books are definately the best 5 books in the world! they are almost completely different from any other arthurian legends ever written, and, although i will never grow tired of those versions, these books a refreshing and new way of telling the tales, instead of just the old guenevere and lancelot love and betrayal stories. i absolutely hate writing, but love reading of course, so i can especially appreciate all the work that must have gone into these books to make them so long (something like 449 pages each) and so completely enthralling. never have i read anything like these and i'm sure i never will again because these are so completely unique to any other versions i have heard. words cannot describe these 5 books so i will stop writing this review. but please, if you like arthurian legends, or just a good couple of books, try these: Taliesin, arthur, merlin, pendragon, and grail. they are magnificent!!!!!!!!!

This book takes you through the infamous search for the Holy Grail. Its vivid imagery and wonderful storytelling takes you back to the time of Authur and the Round Table.