The Eagle and the Sword [Hardcover]

A. A. Attanasio (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: June 1997

The Dragon and the Unicorn has been hailed as one of the ten best fantasy novels of 1995. Now A. A. Attanasio offers an equally stunning sequela rich, mythical epic in the tradition of Marion Zimmer Bradley's The Mists of Avalon that reaches straight into the heart of the Arthurian legend.

He is Pendragon's son, the Eagle of Thor, destined to lead the doomed Celts against the Saxon invaders. Wielding his Roman sword "Short Life," he marches into battle to claim the glory of Camelot. But the powerful wizard Merlin sees the senseless death on young Arthor's hands. Endless murder will bathe Camelot in blood, unless Arthor can recapture the majesty that is his destiny and pull the mighty Excalibur from the star-stone at Creation's radiant heart.

Editorial Reviews

Amazon.com Review

Merlinus has fostered the future king of Britain with Kyner, a Celtic chieftain, protected by obscurity from the jealous hatred of the sorceress Morgeu. As Arthor [sic] grows to manhood, though, he becomes a twisted creature, loving violence and hating himself. What kind of king will he be? A chance journey leading to woodland encounters shapes his character and settles his destiny.

Arthor's story is a single thread in a vast, complex web of gods, demons, angels, a sorceress, a unicorn, a carpenter with a wish, a dragon, Saxons, an impoverished Aquitanian lady with a secret weapon, battle-hardened Celtic chieftains and treacherous Roman nobles, knights, warring religions, and fairies. A. A. Attanasio's metaphysics, marvels, and magic will keep your interest and suspense high.

From Library Journal

Attanasio continues the epic fantasy, begun in The Dragon and the Unicorn (HarperPrism: Harper Collins, 1996), with the story of young Arthor on his journey to Camelot. When Merlin discovers that Arthor's only joy is killing, he vows to turn the youth around with a magical sword. Recommended especially for fantasy collections where The Dragon and the Unicorn was popular.
Copyright 1997 Reed Business Information, Inc.

See all Editorial Reviews

Product Details

• Hardcover: 340 pages
• Publisher: Harper Prism (June 1997)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0061092983
• ISBN-13: 978-0061092985
• Product Dimensions: 6.7 x 4.1 x 0.9 inches
• Shipping Weight: 2.4 ounces
• Average Customer Review: 3.6 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (8 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #807,640 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

More About the Author

I love fantasy fiction. I love the courage of the human spirit to invest with real emotion experiences we know are entirely imaginary. And I love all of what 'fantasy' means to poetic thinkers.

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

4 of 4 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars The demon Lailoken, July 12, 2000

By 

Mike Jaynes - See all my reviews

This review is from: The Eagle and the Sword: An Arthurian Epic (Mass Market Paperback)

The eagle and the sword proved to be a very entertaining continuation of Mr. Attanasio's very literate version of the Arthurian legend; however, I must say that it did not fully live up to it's predecessor, the dragon and the unicorn. The book has less of the beautiful mysticism and focuses more on the life of Arthur (I suppose it is Arthurian legend after all). To me, the best ingredient in this book is the character of The Demon Lailoken, aka Myrddin, aka Merlinus, aka Merlin. The characters of Arthur, Morgeu the Fey, and The Furor are well thought out and vivid, but Merlin and Prince Bright Night(a prince of the Daoine Sid) steal the show. For me, the most fabulous section of the story was when Hannes (an unlikely apprentice of Merlin) enters the shadowy twilight world of the "hollow hills" to bring back Excalibur. The preternatural, eerie scene almost wails it's otherworldly ululation right off the page. Overall, the book is a very interesting read. I reccomend it (and the series) for anyone interested in Arthurian Legend that is tired of the same old, worn out stories endlessly circulating through the halls of bookstores everywhere. This is a fresh, creative and ingenious new take on the once and future King. Finally, I must say that the archaic and oft difficult to comprehend language of The Dragon and the Unicorn is not carried over to the Eagle and the Sword. This book is a bit easier to read, but just as entertaining.

2 of 2 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars The most entertaining book I have read in a long time, May 25, 1999

By A Customer

This review is from: The Eagle and the Sword: An Arthurian Epic (Mass Market Paperback)

This book is a thousand times better than the mojority of others in the same genre. It was masterfully written, blending pure fantasy with the traditional Authorian legend. It painted vivid pictures and presented complex personalities. The most entertaining book I have read in a long time and the best Authorian based novel I've read since "The Once and Future King".

2 of 3 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars A Review of The Eagle and the Sword, March 24, 2000

By 

Tapan Sharma (Eden Prairie, MN) - See all my reviews

This review is from: The Eagle and the Sword: An Arthurian Epic (Mass Market Paperback)

Lailoken, a.k.a. Merlin, Aquila Regalis Thor, a.k.a. Arthor, and Morgue the Fey are the three main characters in the book. In this book, a demon-turn wizard in a human guise, creates the glorious kingdom of Camelot, while looking for a true king, despite complications by the powerful sorceress Morgue who seeks to avenge her father who had accidentally been killed by Merlin. However, as Arthor takes his title as king, Merlin discovers that Arthor is but a callow youth whose only joy is killing and destroying; can he be stopped? I was greatly entertained by this fantasy novel with all of its action and suspense. The way the author displayed the legendary events in Arthor's time was very detailed and vivid; it allowed the book to come to life. I could see and feel Merlin's long battles with Morgue. It felt like I had a front row seat as a spectator when Arthor pulled the sword Excaliber out from the giant stone! I also enjoyed how the author created distinct, unique, and bold personalities for each of the main characters in the story. What the characters wore was interesting because their attire had come to symbolize each of them: Merlin with his glamorous and magical robes, Arthor with his sharp and heavy suit of armor, and Morgue with her light and seemingly swift sheets, appearing and disappearing with the wind. I thought the characters were magnificently done. So, I would like to conclude my review of The Eagle and the Sword by congratulating the author, A.A. Attanasio, on doing a great job of compiling all of the widely known, as well as some not-so-well known, characters and events into one fabulous book. I highly recommened reading this book to anyone at or above the age of 12! I assure you that you will enjoy this book as much as I did!