Grail Prince (Paperback)

by Nancy McKenzie (Author) "Galahad woke instantly..." (more)
Key Phrases: blackthorn ring, high king, northern lords, Sir Brastias, King Arthur, Sir Galahad (more...)

Editorial Reviews

From Publishers Weekly
In this imaginative retelling of the Grail legends, with alternating timelines between a younger and older Galahad, McKenzie (Queen of Camelot) offers a psychological study of the "best knight in all the world," obsessed with honor and disdainful of women. We first meet Galahad, perforce a man at age 15, traveling through a bleak, cold North Wales landscape with his 11-year-old cousin Percival, who was sorely wounded six weeks earlier in the cataclysmic battle that ended Arthur's reign. The regent, Percival's uncle Peredur, welcomes them to Percival's home castle, but Peredur's wife, Ennyde, resents their presence. They winter in the crowded castle, where Galahad spars with Percival's twin sister, Dane, a hoyden who challenges his beliefs about women. Preferring not to go home to his estranged father, Lancelot, Galahad is eager to head out on the quest Arthur gave him, to complete the set of powerful items said to ensure the health of Britain: the Grail and the Spear, locations unknown, and the Sword that Arthur threw into a lake as he lay dying. Taking Percival along on the quest serves to remove Galahad from the dangers of growing to majority under Peredur's rule. Thus proceeds a tale of prophecy, fulfillment and maturation. Familiarity with the Arthurian legends isn't necessary to enjoy this engrossing medieval fantasy, though the genealogy tables at the end do help.
Copyright 2002 Reed Business Information, Inc.

From Library Journal
Fans of Marion Zimmer Bradley's "Mists of Avalon" series and Persia Woolley's Guinevere trilogy will be delighted with this addition to the modern interpretation of Arthurian legend. A sequel to McKenzie's Queen of Camelot, the story focuses on Sir Galahad, son of Lancelot and Guinevere's cousin, Elaine. Legend says that when the Holy Grail and the spear of King Macsen, along with the sword Excalibur, are in the hands of the king, Britain will be forever invincible. Galahad's quest to find these relics, undertaken at Arthur's command, is for him a journey into manhood as well as one of expiation. Galahad's preconceptions about Lancelot and Guinevere nearly ruin him as he is repeatedly challenged to forgive and to show mercy and love. McKenzie skillfully weaves ancient druidic spirituality and medieval Christianity with flesh-and-blood characters; the women are strong, the knights fallible, and the magic real. This tale of abiding love and enduring hope is highly recommended for most popular fiction and fantasy collections.
Jennifer Baker, Seattle P.L.
Copyright 2002 Reed Business Information, Inc.

See all Editorial Reviews

Product Details

• Paperback: 510 pages
• Publisher: Del Rey; 1 edition (January 1, 2003)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0345456483
• ISBN-13: 978-0345456489
• Product Dimensions: 8 x 6.3 x 1.1 inches
• Shipping Weight: 14.1 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.5 out of 5 stars See all reviews (8 customer reviews)
• Amazon.com Sales Rank: #464,776 in Books (See Bestsellers in Books)

  Popular in these categories: (What's this?)

  #4 in	Books > Science Fiction & Fantasy > Authors, A-Z > ( M ) > McKenzie, Nancy
  #52 in	Books > Literature & Fiction > World Literature > Mythology > Arthurian Legends
  #71 in	Books > Science Fiction & Fantasy > Fantasy > Arthurian

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

11 of 11 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars A Fascinating New Perspective on Galahad!, June 28, 2003

By	Kimberly Gelderman (Spring Lake, MI USA) - See all my reviews (REAL NAME)

This is the tale of Galahad, son of Lancelot. In the beginning, Galahad, poisoned in mind against Lancelot, learns to hate his father. His mother Elaine, with the help from a "priest" Aidan, work together successfully to turn Galahad against him. While Elaine has her own reasons, some of them her own fault, for hating Lancelot, she enlists Aidan in her plans to shame him, not knowing that he has his own reasons for revenge.

From all of this, Galahd has learned to despise his father and desires to avenge himself on Lancelot for the perceived cruelness imposed on his mother over the years. He finally breaks free to go to Camelot to serve Arthur, the High King, but peace eludes him there also. Eventually, he learns that all he was taught by his mother and Aidan was false and he then turns his mind against women, judging them all to be liars and the weaker of the sexes. He also continues to hate his father but after awhile of gradual maturing he comes to understand Lancelot but finds it difficult to forgive him until he himself commits the same mistakes as his father did.

He goes on a quest for Arthur to find the treasures that will heal Britain and once again make her invincible to invaders. For awhile, he travels with his cousin Percival who worships him as a hero figure. Galahad's pompous, aloof behavior changes when he meets Dane, the twin sister of Percival.

Things then begin to change his preconceived ideas and he learns to eventually love and to quest for something more tangible and earthly to bring him peace of mind. The novel switches back and forth between Galahad's past and his present life and shows how he matures in mind and body over the years.

This is a real page turning yarn that will delight and enthrall any follower of Arthurian Literature. I thought this would be a boring saga of the saintly character Galahad, but was pleasantly surprised to find it anything but. Galahad is portrayed as a man struggling with what he has always been taught to believe is right and what the true reality really is. A totally believable human being is showcased here with faults of his own that he must learn to conquer in order to find true happiness. Read it, you will not be disappointed!

7 of 7 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars will enchant the Camelot crowd, January 17, 2003

By	Harriet Klausner - See all my reviews (#1 REVIEWER)    (REAL NAME)

Galahad, the oldest son of Lancelot knows his father loves King Arthur's spouse Queen Guenivevre. Galahad also realizes that his weak mother despises her husband, but does nothing except rant to her children. Still he loathes his sire for giving his heart to the wrong person. He concludes that women are feeble and deceitful and vows to avoid all females, preferring abstinence to a woman's wiles.

When Arthur nears death following the battle of Canlann against his own son, he asks Galahad to fulfill a quest. He wants Galahad to unite Excalibur with the Grail and the Spear so that his beloved Britain will never be invaded. Galahad travels forever seeking the answers to what Arthur laid on him. If he learns how to love, he would find the treasures are near, but the truth is even the woman who apparently is his destiny cannot seem to reach his heart.

Mostly through Galahad's eyes, this fantasy is a strong look at Camelot after King Arthur's death. The story line is action-packed, but is more of a character study than the usual genre novel. Readers see inside into the soul of Lancelot paying the piper for his heroism and sacrifice. However, this is Galahad's tale as he struggles to overcome the lessons of his childhood that focused on his mother's hatred of his father for his unrequited love and subsequent family neglect. Arthur is more of a father to the troubled lad. The GRAIL PRINCE will enchant the Camelot crowd who will demand that this Yankee author provide more tales in King Arthur's Court.

Harriet Klausner

4 of 4 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Passionate and insightful writing, February 16, 2003

By	Wes Williamson "wesbw" (College Station, TX United States) - See all my reviews (REAL NAME)

GRAIL PRINCE is undoubtedly one of the best Arthurian novels I have ever read. What sets McKenzie's writing apart is her sincere appreciation for the human struggle for goodness and meaning. While many books in the Arthurian genre concentrate too much on battle descriptions or cartoon-like magical elements, McKenzie spends her time plumbing the depths of the human heart. She escorts us into the souls of Galahad, Lancelot, Arthur, and Guinevere, and we sense that their passions and struggles are our own. We learn through them what it truly means to be good and holy. There were quite a few moments in the last few chapters that brought me to tears, so be sure to have some tissues handy. Anyone looking for great Arthurian literature that deeply touches that heart and mind as well as entertains, should look no further than Nancy McKenzie.