13 of 15 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars
Stunningly Good, May 25, 2000
The thing about David Drake is that he absolutely refuses to be bound by sentimental genre restrictions that he hasn't agreed to.
And this is a typical, albeit early, example of him doing that. His Arthur isn't the doomed romantic of T.H. White; he's a historically believable conqueror, every bit as credible -- and unsavory -- as Genghis Khan, Attila the Hun, or Ibn Saud. Drake's protagonists, while capable of some personal nobility, aren't cookie-cutter heroes, or even the more complex (and also thoroughly enjoyable) ones from White -- they're the sorts of folks who simply don't let cutting a few throats bother them.
This is probably the most original take on the whole Arthurian thing that I've ever read, and I've read quite a few.
Help other customers find the most helpful reviews
Was this review helpful to you? Yes
No
3 of 3 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars
Still love this old favorite!, May 18, 2006
Could be called sword and sorcery, Arthurian retelling, Irish mythology.... Whatever you call it, this tale of two very different but well matched mercenaries, trying to stay alive and true to each other and what they believe (or don't believe), despite the forces of history and the machinations of warlords, magicians, witches, and mythic monsters -- it held my attention each time I picked it up. I don't have many books of this sort on my shelf, but I know I will continue to reread this one every few years as I have for over fifteen years, so I'm looking for a hardcover edition.
NOTE: Where I learned the meaning of 'I've got your back' even though it's never said. Read when you want to restore your faith in less-than-perfect but still-the-best friends.
Help other customers find the most helpful reviews
Was this review helpful to you? Yes
No
2 of 2 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars
He needs a Skull., June 13, 2010
The Dragon Lord
(1979)
The Dragon Lord
(1979)
First, I `d like to say how pleased I was to find that I could purchase a brand new copy of this from Amazon, and since I'm an Amazon Prime member I received free shipping.
An Arthurian Tale out of the Ordinary, Arthur Warlord of Britain, has forged together a Mercenary Army more savage and terrible than the Saxon barbarians who have invaded his Island. Victory isn't enough. Now Arthur wants to annihilate the Saxons by becoming the Dragon Lord.
He needs a Skull.
This is Drake's first novel. He showed promise even back then that this guy was going to be special.
Warning: There is a scene toward the end of chapter Eleven that might give sensitive juveniles nightmares. It is best to have sensitive juveniles avoid this scene, in my humble opinion, it almost gave me nightmares. What were you thinking Dave?
From the author:
Very little of what I wrote before finishing Redliners was
intended for juveniles, sensitive or otherwise.
That particular scene was stolen from a Danish historian,
Saxo Grammaticus. (Who was also the source of Hamlet, if you were wondering.)
I have no objection to the warning--which as I say could be
applied more generally.
All best,
Dave
I highly recommend this novel to fans of Arthurian Fantasy and to Drake Fans, but not for juveniles say under the age of 15 or so.
Gunner June, 2,010
Help other customers find the most helpful reviews
Was this review helpful to you? Yes
No
