The Forever King

I've enjoyed this book over and over. An intriguing and fascinating romp through history and fantasy. The official reviewer obviously has no imagination! Perhaps one of my most favorite books of my adulthood.

Unlike the Kirkus Review, which has obviously set its standards sky-high, I found 'The Forever King' to have a firm grasp of the Arthurian legend and an intriging reinterpretation. The characters are very real and believable, and the plot flows easily along. Saladin, the villian of this story, is cruel, but utterly realistic. One flaw the Kirkus reviewers believed they had found was the amount of coincidences that bring together the characters and help the plot move along. What they neglected to notice was the fact that they are not coincidences at all, but the work of both Taliesin and the grail itself. For instance, the reviewers thought it odd that Arthur finds the Grail in what is an apparent coincidence. We later learn, however, that Arthur is the Once and Future King and that the Grail is naturally attracted to him as he is its rightful owner. 'The Future King', and its sequel 'The Broken Sword' take the Arthurian legend and update it and its principal characters to the 20th century. The language is descriptive and lyrical, and weaves a taut story that keeps you in suspense until you finish the novel. And then, of course, you start the sequel.

This retelling of the Arthur myths succeeds on every count that a good fantasy should-- we have the wounded hero, the eternal wizard, the child of destiny, and the troubled villain. Oh yes, we also have the Holy Grail. The Forever King asks the question about what would happen if Arthur and the grail come together again, this time in 20th century America. It asks it very well.

The Forever King gave a fresh look on the story of King Arthur. It's the first book I've seen that doesn't recount the same story or tell the story from another characters view. The combo of old and new is a perfect mixture. This is a book every King Arthur lover needs to read.

This book was awesome! I bought it on a trip to Boston this past year when I was in a bookstore. I started reading it because I was bored on the flight back, Once I started the trip flew by, and when I got home I continued reading on into the night. I finished it and in the morning I went out as soon as the stores opened and bought the Broken Sword and World Without End..Both of them did not disapoint...I haven't been too big on the Aurthorian novels in the past but this book got me into them. The storyline, characters, setting, everything was great and very well done. All the stuff about Saladin was very cool, and the authors really took some time into thinking him up and developing the character...I'd have to say that the best part in the book is when all the nights of the round table showed up...Can't say more than that for fear of revealing stuff...I'd say to anyone that they should buy this book, it fresh and very original...it, the Broken Sword, and the books that will follow are definately one of a kind!