Forced to watch as Arthur's knights rape and murder his beloved sister, young Raven vows never to be helpless again, and when he demands retribution for the crime, he is taken on as part of the court in a fantastical story of romance, adventure, and revenge. Reprint. K.
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Book Description
Editorial Reviews
From Publishers Weekly
Even the legendary Camelot seems dull in this lackluster first novel. Disingenuously narrated by Micah of Greenfarm, a peasant who calls himself "the Raven," the story begins with the rape and murder of Micah's sister by five of King Arthur's knights. Micah vows vengeance and, driven by spite, moves quickly through the ranks of the king's court. He distinguishes himself in battle, manages three orgasms in each of his nights abed and attains ever higher stature even as he asserts his peasant roots. After a brief time in France, Micah (now known as Michel de Verdeur) returns to England just in time to see Camelot unravel. The novel's conception of Arthur's reign is of a government rent asunder by Guinevere's infidelity with Lancelot, but this astute premise is undercut by the narrative's insistence on being politically correct: the few Jews who appear, for instance, are benevolent toward Micah and ill-treated by everyone else. With its tendentious, first-person narration, James's debut, for all its inherent drama and expertly rendered period detail, is a pale and plodding affair.
Copyright 1995 Reed Business Information, Inc. --This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.
Copyright 1995 Reed Business Information, Inc. --This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.
From Library Journal
After his sister is murdered at the hands of four drunken knights from Camelot, Micah of Greenfarm swears a vow of vengeance that leads him from peasant to knighthood's highest station. James's debut novel offers a version of the Arthurian myth in which the nobles' contempt for those of lowly birth stands in contrast to the knightly codes of chivalry and courtly love. Elegantly written with an eye for the often overlooked details of a savage age, this skillful portrait of a young man's painful collision with legend provides more than just another retelling of the Round Table's rise and fall. Most libraries should consider this revisionist view of Camelot for their fantasy collections.
Copyright 1995 Reed Business Information, Inc. --This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.
Copyright 1995 Reed Business Information, Inc. --This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.
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Most Helpful Customer Reviews
2 of 2 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars
Raven is now my favorite character in Arthurian literature.,
This review is from: King & Raven (Mass Market Paperback)
As an avid reader of all the retellings of the Arthurian legend, as well as the tracts that attempt to place it in historical perspective, I am always thrilled to find a unique version. And I have to put "King & Raven" in that category. It managed to remain "true" to the mainline version of the tale, yet the introduction of the peasant perspective gave it a realism I had not yet seen. The shabby treatment of the common people of the day was not something I had ever considered before, but I can only feel it was accurate. As a result, Raven, the accidental knight, has become the first character of the legend that I can truly say I would have wanted to be. He truly embodied the spirit of chivalry that the "true" knights could never achieve because of their petty vanities and self-indulgence. As I came to the final pages of the book, I realized I wasn't ready for it to end! In Cornish folklore, Arthur's soul went into a raven's body upon his death. I can only hope that Mr. James is planning on tying this tidbit into a sequel!
5.0 out of 5 stars
Must Read,
By
This review is from: King & Raven (Mass Market Paperback)
Reading this book makes one wish it would not end. The absolute passion that "Raven" feels after much strife, and the absolute determination he has for avenging his sisters violent death is mesmerizing. An absolute must read for those who love Aurthurian Novels.
5.0 out of 5 stars
Surprising,
By A Customer
This review is from: King & Raven (Mass Market Paperback)
Not at all what I expected. I also thought the cover looked tame enough so I went ahead and bought it. I was surprised - but not disappointed. Very well written. Although I still wonder what happened to Anduin and Sarah...
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