The Kingdom of Summer [Paperback]

Gillian Bradshaw (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: June 1, 1982

"[An] engaging mix of history, legend, and romance."
-Publisher's Weekly starred review

"A fast-paced Arthurian novel with broad appeal."
-Historical Novels Review

On the path toward greatness, even a hero makes mistakes.

Armed with his magical sword and otherworldly horse, Gwalchmai proves himself the most feared and faithful warrior of Arthur's noble followers. But while defending the kingdom, he commits a grave offense against the woman he loves, leading her to disappear from his life and haunt his memories.

With his trusted servant, Rhys, a commonsense peasant, Gwalchmai tries to find her in the Kingdom of Summer, where Arthur has sent him. But an unexpected and most malevolent force of evil and darkness is loose-that of his mother, the witch-queen Morgawse-and Gwalchmai finds that the secrets of his past may deny him peace...

In the second book of Gillian Bradshaw's critically acclaimed trilogy, Sir Gawain comes to life as Gwalchmai, startlingly human yet fantastically heroic.

PRAISE FOR
Gillian Bradshaw

"Compelling...splendid...vibrant...exhilirating, a novel seduces us into accepting sorcery and sanctity in King Arthur's England."
-New York Times Book Review

"Courage, darkness, magic, cruelty and kindness, justice and liberation...all the things that you have come to relish in the tales of King Arthur and his brave knights."
-Yankee Romance Reviewers

"This engaging and enchanting retelling of the Arthur legend will appeal to adults and younger readers alike."
-Publishers Weekly

--This text refers to the Kindle Edition edition.

Editorial Reviews

Review

The combination of action, adventure, romance, and history make Kingdom of Summer an enjoyable, balanced, fast-paced Arthurian novel with broad appeal. (Historical Novels Review 20110918)

This sequel to Hawk of May, like its predecessor, returns to publication after 30 years to attract a new audience to the Arthurian cycle through the life of one of Camelot's most memorable knights. (Library Journal 20110815)

Adults and young readers alike will be delighted by Bradshaw's engaging mix of history, legend, and romance. (Publishers Weekly 20110831)

Kingdom of Summer was filled with adventure, magic and a bit of romance (The Calico Critic 20110912)

Second in an engaging fantasy trilogy retelling the story of Gwalchmai (later Sir Gawain) of Arthurian legend (Cara Nayland Historical Fiction )

I enjoyed this book immensely and would recommend it to anyone that likes medieval stories and the fantasy genre. It is well written and is a refreshingly new and different take on the legends of old. (RomFan Reviews )

I recommend this one to fans of the Arthurian legends and those who want to learn more about Gwain. This series is a wonderful re-telling that goes in a new and original direction. (Deb's Book Bag )

Full of action, adventure, a bit of humor and romance "Kingdom of Summer" is a great historical fantasy read (Loving Heart Mommy ) --This text refers to an alternate Paperback edition.

About the Author

Gillian Bradshaw was born in Falls Church, Virginia, and graduated from the University of Michigan, where she won the Hopwood Award for Hawk of May. She is the author of 25 other novels.

(20110613) --This text refers to an alternate Paperback edition.

See all Editorial Reviews

Product Details

• Paperback: 245 pages
• Publisher: Roc; 1st edition (June 1, 1982)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0451135539
• ISBN-13: 978-0451135537
• Product Dimensions: 7 x 5 x 1 inches
• Shipping Weight: 8 ounces
• Average Customer Review: 4.8 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (9 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #6,101,726 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

More About the Author

Born 1956 in Arlington, Virginia (i.e., Washington DC); grew up there, in Santiago, Chile, and in East Lansing and Mount Pleasant Michigan; educated University of Michigan (Classics and English) and Newnham College, Cambridge (Classics). I published my first novel while I was supposed to be revising for my final exams; the exams suffered, but I still managed a 2.1. I decided to take another year in Cambridge to work on the next novel, and Met a Man, like many a woman before and since. We got married in Paris, where he had a post-doc position and I had discovered an urgent need to learn French. He continued research and teaching, first in Santa Barbara, then back in Cambridge, and finally at the University of Warwick; I continued writing. A lot of my work has used my background in classical Greek and Latin, but I've occasionally branched out into the high middle ages, contemporary, and sci-fi. We have four kids, now grown up, and so far one grandchild.

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

12 of 12 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Unique twist on an old story..., November 16, 2001

By A Customer

This review is from: The Kingdom of Summer (Paperback)

If you're looking for yet another re-telling of La Morte d'Arthur, look somewhere else. If you love Arthurian legend, but are interested in reading something a little different, Gillian Bradshaw's trilogy is fascinating, enjoyable, heart-breaking and impossible to put down.

Even though sorcery and the Otherworld are prominent features in the books, the characters are realistic -- people that are easy to relate to. These books bring Arthur's Britain to life from a more historical (as opposed to legendary) perspective.

The trilogy consists of "Hawk of May", "Kingdom of Summer" and "In Winter's Shadow". The first begins with Gwalchmai's (Gawaine's) childhood and ends with his acceptance into Arthur's Family. The second continues Gwalchmai's tale, but is told from the perspective of his servant. The third book is narrated by Gwynhwyfar (Guinevere).

"Kingdom of Summer" is about Gwalchmai's search for the lady he loves, Elidan, and his eventual confrontation with his mother, Morgause, the evil sorceress. Other great characters, (along with Arthur & Gwynhwyfar) make appearances: Medraut (Mordred), Bedwyr (Bedivere), Gwalchaved (Galahad), Lot of Orcade, Agravain, Cei (Kay), Urien of Rheged, Maelgwn of Gwynedd, etc, etc. Don't look for Chretien de Troye's literary creation, Lancelot -- these books do very well without him.

All three books are equally well written -- I can't recommend one more than another. There are more reviews written on the first book. Personally, this trilogy is my favorite Arthurian tale to date.

4 of 4 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars A Continuation but a change also..., November 18, 2003

By 

S. E. Kennedy "ocinnedeagh" (Minnesota, United States) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Kingdom of Summer (Hardcover)

Gillian Bradshaw continues in Kingdom of Summer where she left off in Hawk of May with one major change...she changes the point of view from Gwalchmai to Rhys, his servant. I like the observations Rhys makes of Gwalchmai and I think the switch in perspective adds much to a character I thought I had come to understand in the earlier book. There is a bit more sorcery involved in this book but I love that it is down played for the most part. I also love that there is no sign of Merlin or Lancelot; and Guinevere remains a barely mentioned figure in the background. After reading nearly every Arthurian legend I can lay my hands on, I am excited to find this author's perspective to be truly different from the norm. Bradshaw's characters have interest in their own right-- without the crystal balls and shape changing and time travel that so many authors depend upon for a cheap attempt to add a thrill to the story of Arthur. And really, I guess this story is very little about Arthur - it's about Gwalchmai and it is GREAT!

4 of 4 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Very nice fantasy book - 2nd in trilogy..., July 25, 1997

By A Customer

This review is from: Kingdom of Summer (Hardcover)

The "Kingdom of Summer" is the 2nd book in GillianBradshaw's Arthurian trilogy. Its story line continues where the"Hawk of May" left off and ends before "In Winter's Shadow"

The story follows Gawain and his servant Rhys as they move through dark age Britain to fight for the light. Anybody with a liking for Arthurian romances will like this book.