Customer Reviews

Kingdom of Summer

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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.

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!

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.

Told from the point of view of Gwalchmai's servant Rhys, this novel picks up where "Hawk of May" left off. Sorcery, action, intrigue and Bradshaw's exquisite touch for historical detail make this a worthy second offing in this excellent fantasy series.

This is a GREAT take on the Arthurian legends, centering on the knight I believe normally called 'Sir Gawain' but in this series is known by the old Celtic name of "Gwalchmai" (Hawk of May). This is the second book of the series. Be sure to read the first book- 'Hawk of May' before reading this and then check out the final book of the series "In Winter's Shadow"

I really enjoyed the tone and compelling story.

This story is told by Rhys, a young farmer in the lands south west of Camlann - known to most of us as Camelot. On a cold winter day a weary and injured stranger arrives with a beautiful warhorse and shining sword. Rhys soon learns this is Gwalchmai, a famous warrior in King Arthur's "family." As Gwalchmai takes a few days to heal he enchants the family with a tale of sorrow and mistake from his youth. Gwalchmai is traveling the countryside, even in winter, seeking a young noblewoman so that he might ask her forgiveness for the wrongs he committed against her.

Rhys is drawn to what he sees as the nobility and perhaps glamor of serving the great King. He offers to go with Gwalchmai as his servant. Traveling with the determined warrior is hard going even though Gwalchmai is kind and undemanding. In fact Rhys begins to bargain for their lodgings and supplies when he realizes that Gwalchmai is too distracted by his ponderings to take a care for basics.

After a month or so at Camlann, Arthur sends Gwalchmai north as an emissary to an enemy King. Rhys and another warrior, Rhuawn, travel with him. They pass through the beautiful lands of the Kingdom of Summer, the otherworldly place where Gwalchmai got his magical and deadly sword.

When they arrive at the enemy fortress Gwalchmai is startled to discover that his father, a weakened leader, his sorceress mother, Morgawse, and his half brother, Medraut, are visiting. Apparently Queen Morgawse is plotting with the enemy, King Maelgwn. Gwalchmai is civil but it is clear that the relationship with his mother and brother is strained.

Medraut uses charm and subtle lies to confuse Rhuawn into thinking Gwalchmai is mad. Rhys' fierce loyalty to Gwalchmai keeps him from falling to Medraut's deception. Rhys is captured and tortured by the sorceress but escapes with the help of a serving maid he had befriended. He is re-captured and returned to the evil Queen where he witnesses a mystical battle between the Light of Gwalchmai and the Darkness of Morgawse.

There is a distinctly "otherworldly" tone to the writing and story. I felt sorrow for Gwalchmai's tortured character and I liked how Rhys displayed his own nobility and honor through his unshakable loyalty. The story was slightly slow at the beginning but the desire to know what happened compelled me to keep reading. I was sorry when it ended and I hope the third book tells more about these characters. This was fine as a stand alone as I had not read the first book in the trilogy.

A favorite quote - Rhys contemplating the state of the world beyond his home:
"A complicated world, where to act might be to act wrongly, and not to act even worse."

On the path toward greatness, even a hero makes mistakes.
I requested to review this book as I was curious to read about the Arthurian legend. Prior to reading KINGDOM OF SUMMER, my knowledge of King Arthur was limited vague memories of a Disney movie "The Sword in the Stone".

As I dove into the pages of KINGDOM OF SUMMER, I found myself under a spell - I could not put the book down for the first 100 pages. The story is told by Rhys, the son of a respectable farmer in the relatively peaceful land which pays tribute to King Arthur. Rhys encounters an unusual sight in the snowy forest - a lone warrior. The lone warrior requests to lodge with Rhys' family for the night. Once Rhys, his guest, and his family are settled before the fire, they learn the warrior is Gwachmai (Sir Gawain) on temporary leave from King Arthur. Gwachmai shares the tale of how he came to meet and betray the woman named Elidan. He is seeking her to make amends. I emphasize that this is all told from Rhys' perspective. This is no challenge for Bradshaw as she a natural storyteller. I felt as though I was sitting alongside the family, warmed by the fire, as Gwachmai shared his grief.

After taking a break at page 100, I was curious about the author. KINGDOM OF SUMMER is the second book of a trilogy that American born Bradshaw wrote 30+ years ago. She wrote the first book, HAWK OF MAY, while preparing for her entrance exams to the University of Cambridge. HAWK OF MAY is told from Gwachmai's perspective and delves into the foundation of Arthurian legend. Bradshaw followed with KINGDOM OF SUMMER and IN WINTER'S SHADOW, told from Gwynhwyfar's perspective.

Amazed that I was reading the middle book of a trilogy published over 30 years ago, I dove back into KINGDOM OF SUMMER. Gwachmai returns to King Arthur with Rhys as his temporary servant. Rhys is inspired by King Arthur's quest to bring "light" to the land so he volunteers to first serve Gwachmai and then find employment with another knight. Once they return to King Arthur, we meet the other players in the Arthurian legend, including the King Arthur himself.

KINGDOM OF SUMMER caught my attention and never let go. The Welsh names and large cast could have been stumbling blocks in any other book, but Bradshaw used both elements to her advantage to create an epic tale of history, fantasy, and chivalry. This book would interest any reader - young or old - although I would recommend starting with HAWK OF MAY.

I received an ARC from Sourcebooks for this review.

Bradshaw has written many best-sellers. "Kingdom of Summer", the 2nd book in Gillian Bradshaw's Arthurian trilogy is certainly one of the best. Continuing in the model of a Tolkien epic, the reader will find action, magic, and romance; characters that are well-defined and easy to relate to; and a story-line that is mystical. It was a joy to read. Thank you to SourceBooks Landmark for my review copy.

Gillian Bradshaw is a wonderful author with the gift to hold you captive in her descriptive style of writing.