Shadow of the King: Being the Third Part of a Trilogy (Pendragon's banner) [Hardcover]

Helen Hollick (Author)

Book Description

Series: Pendragon's banner | Publication Date: September 1997

The final volume in a trilogy about Arthurian England finds Arthur sailing off to distant shores to fight the threats that reside there, leaving his queen to defend the throne against ambitious schemers."

Editorial Reviews

From Booklist

In the final volume of Hollick’s Pendragon Banner trilogy, King Arthur finds himself restless in his new role as ruler of a peaceful kingdom. Missing the clash of swords and the glory of the battlefield, it doesn’t take much to lure him from his quiet life in Camelot. After Arthur departs for war-torn Gaul, his kingdom, watched over by Gwenhwyfar and the high council, stands vulnerable. When Arthur is mistakenly presumed dead and Britain’s future lies in the balance, the vultures descend, viciously vying for the throne and the power it represents. Of course, when the rumors of his demise prove false, the real complications—both personal and political—begin. Because Hollick adds her own unique twists and turns to the familiar mythology, Arthurian devotees will be eager to see how she wraps up her version of the legend. --Margaret Flanagan --This text refers to the Paperback edition.

Review

A treasure for Arthurian legend lovers... Teems with intrigues, power struggles, unshakable loyalties, unspeakable cruelties, and unwavering love. (The Long and Short of It 20100302)

Because Hollick adds her own unique twists and turns to the familiar mythology, Arthurian devotees will be eager to see how she wraps up her version of the legend. (Margaret Flanagan Booklist 20100309)

Helen Hollick's writing skill amazed me... This is historical fiction at its finest. (Sumana I Read... 20100303)

A historical masterpiece. (Sandie Booksie's Blog 20100303)

I've enjoyed all of Hollick's works so far and this conclusion to a great trilogy is no exception. (Meghan Burton Medieval Bookworm 20100308)

An excellent book... a brilliant finish for the trilogy. (Jennifer Higgins Rundpinne 20100310)

Hollick has a talent with bringing her characters to life. (Amy Bruno Passages to the Past 20100312)

One of my favorite trilogies. I felt like I was right there swinging a sword and fighting for honor. (Bridget Hopper Readaholic 20100318)

Helen Hollick really brings King Arthur's story to life and shows him with all his faults and imperfections as well as his strengths and great romances. (Kristi Herbrand Books and Needlepoint )

I am so completely and thoroughly obsessed with this author... This whole trilogy is just beautiful, amazing, wonderful, and I could go on and on. (Monica The Bibliophilic Book Blog )

Keeps you spellbound... From love and loyalty to fighting raging battles there is never a boring moment. (Darlene Smoliak Peeking Between the Pages ) --This text refers to the Paperback edition.

See all Editorial Reviews

Product Details

• Hardcover: 561 pages
• Publisher: St Martins Pr (September 1997)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0312170009
• ISBN-13: 978-0312170004
• Product Dimensions: 8.4 x 5.6 x 1.9 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1.7 pounds
• Average Customer Review: 4.5 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (18 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #1,949,108 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

More About the Author

I have always loved reading - and writing. I wrote stories as a young teenager, never believing I would one day be a published author.
I just so love bringing my imagined characters alive - to me they are very, very real - especially my pirate, Jesamiah Acorne!

'Helen Hollick has it all! She tells a great story, gets her history right and writes consistently readable books!' (Bernard Cornwell)

My Lost Kingdom Series - I AM THE CHOSEN KING (HAROLD THE KING is the UK title of the same book) and its prequel, The FOREVER QUEEN (A HOLLOW CROWNis the UK title of the same book) tells the story of the twilight years of Anglo Saxon England before the Norman Conquest.
Stripping the Norman propaganda from what we think we know of that most famous date in English history - 1066 and the Battle of Hastings, my novels portray all the honour and dignity that history remembers of its fallen heroes.

I am also co-scriptwriter for the UK movie 1066 which is in development.

To balance the serious books I have my SEA WITCH VOYAGES: pirate-based adventure fantasy. A fine blend of Sharpe, Hornblower and Indiana Jones all stowed in the one boat.
Voyage One - SEA WITCH
Voyage Two - PIRATE CODE
Voyage Three - BRING IT CLOSE

"In the sexiest pirate contest, Captain Jesamiah Acorne gives Johnny Depp's Jack Sparrow a run for his money" (Sharon Penman)

Charismatic and a charmer of a rogue, trouble follows Jesamiah Acorne like a ship's wake. His "girl" Tiola, is a white witch, one of the Wise Women of the Old Ones of Light. She is loyal and faithful to Jesamiah - but does he deserve her?

If you liked the Pirates of the Caribbean movies and enjoy a good sailor's yarn, then in the words of author Elizabeth Chadwick "You'll love this to pieces of eight".

Browse my books and 'Lege Feliciter' (read happily)
Helen
p.s. Why not take a look at the book trailer videos opposite?

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

4 of 4 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Final entry in The Pendragon Trilogy, December 12, 2008

By 

Misfit (Seattle, WA USA) - See all my reviews
(VINE VOICE)    (TOP 500 REVIEWER)   

This review is from: Shadow of The King (Pendragon's Banner Trilogy) (Paperback)

***This review may contain spoilers for those not familiar with the legends***

Shadow of the King takes up where Pendragon's Banner left off, as Britain is at peace and Arthur and Gwenhyfar live at Caer Cadon with their young daughter Archfedd. Arthur is convinced by the Roman Emperor to sail for Gaul and defend it against the barbarians who wish to destroy it, along with Arthur's lands in lesser Britain. Once there, the campaign becomes mired in politics, backbiting, intrigues and treachery and Arthur is there much longer than originally intended. Once the battle is engaged, it does not go well and Arthur is presumed dead and left to Morgaine's care to see to his burial.

Arthur's uncle, Ambrosius, now governs Britain with his council, but they are not strong enough to fight off the Saxon threat, including Arthur's wicked ex-wife Winifred and her son Cerdic. Gwenhyfar grieves for Arthur's loss, but she must marry and have a husband to look after her interests. Not happy with Ambrosius' choice she looks to Arthur's younger cousin Bedwyr who has been in love with her since he was a young boy. They become lovers but something always holds Gwenhyfar back from the marriage ceremony, until one day when rumors come from The Place of the Lady that sends Gwen in search of.......

Well I won't tell since I am not into spoilers, although those familiar with the legends know how the story goes. The rest of the story details how Hollick envisions the politics and history of the time, the growing threat of the Saxons as the Britains battle to keep them at bay and the struggles for power between Arthur's sons Cerdic, Medraud (Mordred) and Cynric (or is he Cerdic's son?), until the final fateful battle that threatens to end Camelot once and for all.

As much as I did enjoy this book, I also found it to be very slow paced at times and definitely the weakest in the trilogy. Also, the author's prose was very reminiscent of Penman's early works but by the third book those short sentences and oddly placed commas were getting a bit tiresome. If you're looking for another glorified, romantic version of Arthur with honorable knights, magic and ladies in constant peril waiting for her knight to rescue her then this series is not for you. However, if you're looking for something more down to earth and realistic you might want to give this a whirl. A generous 4/5 stars.

The series in order,
The Kingmaking
Pendragon's Banner
Shadow of the King

2 of 2 people found the following review helpful:

3.0 out of 5 stars Where's the Editor?, June 2, 2011

By 

Hamlet - See all my reviews

Amazon Verified Purchase

This review is from: Shadow of the King: Book Three of the Pendragon's Banner Trilogy (Kindle Edition)

Although an interresting twist on Arthurian legend, the Kindle edition contains many typographical errors and very frequent insertion of the author's name and book title in the oddest places. It also has many needlessly hyphonated words. A good read if one can get past these distractions.

2 of 2 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars An excellent ending to a superb trilogy, March 26, 2010

By 

M. Jacobsen "I am not young enough to know ev... (Through the Looking Glass) - See all my reviews
(VINE VOICE)    (REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Shadow of the King: Book Three of the Pendragon's Banner Trilogy (Paperback)

Shadow of the King is the third - and final - novel in Helen Hollick's superb trilogy about King Arthur. Unlike traditional Arthurian literature, Hollick treats this as straight-up historical fiction, creating familiar characters without all the magic.

She's imagined Arthur to be a King of Britain during the Dark Ages, a man who is desperately fighting to unite the various tribes under his own banner.

Throughout all the series, Hollick succeeded in balancing action-packed battles with Arthur's personal life --- his wives, his children, his own personal tragedies. All in all, it's a riveting story and well worth the time and effort to read all three books.

I gave it four stars as a general rating for the entire series here. Five stars is very rare...if I could award a half-star this one would be 4.5. :)

Happy reading!