Customer Reviews

Sword of the Rightful King: A Novel of King Arthur

5 star:		(11)
4 star:		(14)
3 star:		(3)
2 star:		(3)
1 star:		(3)

 

 

Jane Yolen is one of those authors who can effortlessly give a new spin to an old story. Here she makes a rather worn area of fantasy seem new, in "Sword of the Rightful King." There's magic, treachery, a bit of romance and plenty of suspense and humor.

Arthur has been king of all Britain for four years now, but not everyone is willing to accept him as their king. The most dangerous among these is the North Witch, Arthur's half-sister Morgause, whose four elder sons are heading to Arthur's court -- and there is an assassin among them. (Gawain seems very loyal but might be bewitched by his mother; his brother Agravaine is almost insanely aggressive, and the twins are ditzy). What's more, the old mage Merlinnus encounters a young boy in the forest who has a mysterious past and a grudge against Gawain.

So Merlin concocts a means of solidifying Arthur's kingship -- a sword embedded in a stone, that can only be pulled by the true king. Arthur pulls it from the stone, and everyone accepts him as king. Simple, right? Except that the North Witch is still spinning her spells, and she plans to get her hands on the sword first -- no matter what.

Though there's no real connection between the two books, I felt like I was reading a sequel to Yolen's previous novel "Dragon's Boy." Perhaps it was the portrayal of Merlin and Arthur -- they have a sort of father-son bond, and even though Arthur often doesn't listen to Merlin they obviously care about each other. And Merlin, although a bit decayed physically, is still the sharpest knife in the drawer. Though this book has magic (including a homicidal dagger) and the other didn't, it felt very much like a follow-up.

Yolen's writing is quick and fast-moving, with excellent dialogue and some very good descriptions of things like the eerie May Queens. She carefully presents what was very touchy at the time, such as the unacknowledged rivalry of old religions like Mithras-worship and the newer Christianity. And she mixes in the more medieval stuff with historical details, such as the Picts.

Arthur is a likable guy here -- not perfect, but nice and friendly and honest. Gawain is similar in personality; Gawen is never less than endearing, and his secrets turn out to be... well, a lot different than anyone would suspect, especially when you consider who gets married at the end. Agrivaine seemed a little too nuts at times, but he was supposed to be that way. Merlinnus is the lovable old mage who knows how the world works; Morgause is nasty and cold-hearted, and Yolen isn't afraid to show her at work.

For an old tale told a bit differently, "Sword of the Rightful King" doesn't even falter. Expect to be surprised by quite a few aspects of this story, and to enjoy the humor and poignancy. Thoroughly enjoyable.

This is the story of a newly crowned Arthur. As usual, too many are unsure of him and others desire the crown for themselves. Merlinnus plays a major role in plotting Arthur's success with the "sword in the stone." However, there are a few twists along the way. Did someone else pull the sword out of the stone before Arthur? Has the sword been enscorelled by Morgause? Who is the newcomer to Arthur's kingdom? Is he really what he seems? These questions and more are entertainingly answered with many surprises.

I bought this book knowing it was for young adults, which I definitely am not, hoping for an alternative and entertaining story that was fresh. I didn't think it could be done (I've read hundreds of Arthurian Literature books) and certainly didn't expect the surprise this book turned out to be! Additionally, I believe some of the words in this novel would be difficult for many adults, let alone young adults to understand, so keep that dictionary handy as you are reading. Buy this book and read it! It is extraordinary!

Most people seem to have some familiarity with the legend of King Arthur but it won't help them with this completely fresh version of the story.

Arthur is the High King of all Britain but there are some lords who do not recognize him as such. Among these is Pendragon's widow Morgause. She wants one of her boys to be on the throne, possibly her eldest Gawaine. Although Arthur is a fair and just king it will take more to win over some. Merlinnus (Merlin) comes up with an idea to cement Arthur in his position. An idea involving a stone and a sword.

In Cadbury (Camelot) much is going on. Gawain and his brothers are arriving, Gawen has arrived and become Merlinnus's helper, word has it that Morgause is sending an assassin, and a shepherd finds a mysterious stone with a sword sticking out of it.

You may have thought you knew the story but this version is fresh and full of surprises. A wonderful fantasy full of magic and intrigue.

Midnight by the bell. The churchyard was deserted in darkness. By the front door, which was but a black rectangle in a blacker mass, a large square was marked off on the ground. In the square's center stood an enormous stone, which- if the moon had been shining-would have reminded any onlooker of a sleeping bear. A dead bear obviously. For in the bear's back was thrust a great sword, its haft pointing slantwise toward the night sky. That is how the book Sword of the Rightful King pulls you in, bringing you laughter, surprise, and question as to what will happen next.

Jane Yolen did a wonderful job of creating a different story of the Sword in the Stone. In this story, Arthur is a kind smart young night who looks to his mage Merlinnus, with things he can't understand. Like how some people in Britain don't believe he should be king. Some people like his half sister Morgause, queen of the Orkneys. The four older of her five sons were sent by their mother to go to King Arthur's castle. Among them she sent a spy, so she could have one of her sons as King. Merlinnus made a sword in a stone saying who ever pulled the sword from the sword would be king. Morgause wanted to be sure that one of her sons pulled the sword, but would he spells be able to outmatch Merlinnus'? The big day came when Arthur was to pull the sword from the stone, but someone already had.

I liked this book because of the surprises in every chapter and the detail making it seem as if you were there. It was a little slow moving, and complicated, like how the names were alike, but everything unfolded in the end. I didn't like how she made it seem like the whole book would be about Gawaine the eldest son in the beginning, but ended up being more about Arthur and those around him. Some people might not like it because the answers aren't right in front of you, and she jumps around to places sometimes, but I think she did that at the right time. At first I didn't really want to read this book, but then it turned out I didn't want to put it down.

Young Arthur, High King of Britain, is a good king, but not everyone thinks so. Merlinnus (more commonly known as Merlin), the castle mage, knows this is dangerous, so he secretly makes a sword in a stone. He lets everyone in the kingdom know that whoever pulls the sword out of the stone will be king. With a little magic he thinks he will help Arthur pull it out. But when the time comes, it doesn't work it out the way Arthur and Merlinnus expect.

Not only was this book well-written, but it also had an awesome plot! I liked how Arthur and Merlinnus always had to be on the lookout, because anyone could be a spy, or worse, an assassin. I also liked the ending because there were lots of surprises. The one thing I didn't like was that one of the big "mysteries" was solved too quickly.

I would recommend this book for both boys and girls ages 10-14. If you like this book, Jane Yolen has also written more than 200 books for kids.

This book was very entertaining, and surprising. I love books about King Arthur, I mean the legend is just so cool! Or is it history? HA-HA! Jane Yolen's book had a different twist to the King Arthur story. She had all the main parts of the legend--the sword in the stone, Merlin, Arthur as the Bear, the Round Table--but she had little details that made her story...more original in a way. There wasn't a whole lot of action, but it was still an interesting story. Gawen travels to King Arthur's court at the time Merlin is devising a plan to get Arthur's popluarity up and going. So us readers are kind of in the backstage of "Escalibur".

I loved it. How entertaining. I read this in two days. A lot of the book was on king arthur and it was awesome. Read this book.

The Sword of the Rightful King, a tale of King Arthur by Jane Yolen is a well written book. If the reader likes a more action-packed storyline, you may find this book a little boring at times, but Yolen manages to come through with some amazing plot twists.

Jane Yolen tells the tale of King Arthur in a different way than most other writers. She has managed to spice up an old legend with some very surprising twists.

Sword of the Rightful King by Jane Yolen is a book that is hard to put down. Legends are generally not a genre I enjoy reading, but this book was excellent. The story has a lot of mysteries that aren't revealed until the end. This keeps you turning pages until the end of the book. The book isn't your typical King Arthur story which makes it more exciting because you don't know what will happen next. I gave it four stars instead of five because I thought that some of the characters could have been used a little more. It was also hard to picture where the different places were in relation to others. A map would have been really helpful.
King Arthur has just been crowned as king of all Britain, but the people are unsure of him and reluctant to follow him. To solve this problem Merlinnus, Arthur's mage, magically places a sword in a stone. He hides it and waits for a shepherd to discover it. Carved on the stone is a message that says whoever pulls the sword from the stone will be king of all Britain. Merlinnus' plan is simple; he will magically make it so no one can pull the sword from the stone, except Arthur. Men from all over Britain will attempt to pull the sword, but no one except Arthur will be able to remove it from the stone. When Arthur pulls it everyone will believe him to be king. To add to the excitement there supposedly is an assassin sent by the evil North Witch to kill Arthur.
Exactly who is the assassin trying to kill Arthur? Does Merlinnus' plan work or does it go awry. To find out, read this book.

What if someone had pulled the stone before Arthur?
Thats the base this novel is built on, along with some cleverly written perspectives on Arthur's exciting road to Kingship.

Arthur is a noble and kind man and perhaps someday will be a great king. But he is still barely of age, twenty-two years old, and the disgruntled poplace of England wonders at his ability to be High King. Arthur himself, though proud, doubts his own claim to throne and is always reminded that he is king because Merlinnus wanted him to be not for his bloodright.

Merlinnus. The great wizard famed for his incredible powers. As an assasin creeps into the midst of Cadbury (Yolen's Camelot), Merlinnus is forced to consider the enemy that he himself helped create, and find a way to stengthen people's hearts toward Arthur.

Sir Gawaine is a sworn knight of the Round Table, and a loyal companion to Arthur. But his mother, powerful sorceress Morgause, despises Arthur and wishes to destroy him--and put one of her own sons on the throne. When Gawaine and three of his brothers journey to Cadbury, suspicions from all sides are thrown on them. Arthur must doubt his own friends.

And finally Gawen, a youngster that journeys to Cadbury seeking revenge on Gawaine for untold reasons (that is, until the end.) When Arthur refuses to take him on as one of his knights, Gawen becomes Merlinnus's assitant and much of the story unfolds through his eyes--and indeed, Gawen influences the plot very drastically.

Merlinnus has an ingenious plan. It started simply, putting the sword in the stone and letting it be found in the hills, inscripted with the promise that whosoever pulls it will be High King. After a little bit of show, Arthur should pull it effortlessly and no one would be able to doubt Arthur's rule. But he must bargain with his old student, Morgause, and her bitter, dark magic that is bent on revenge.

And he didn't count on someone pulling the sword before Arthur got to it.

This is a well-told tale of the early days of King Arthur's reign. Yolen makes her characters humbly and realistically flawed; Arthur is more boldly human than I've ever seen him protrayed in fiction, yet endearingly holds the qualities of nobleness and kindness associated with the traditional Arthur. Yolen artfully deceives the identity of our main protagonist, Gawen, until the very end, tying up the loose ends that were threaded throughout the novel. Gawen's insights on Cadbury and Arthur are unique and original, and allow us a very different view on the old myth.

I thoroughly enjoyed this novel. I give it four stars for being a good re-telling, refreshingly insightful, and well-written. The fifth star was left off because sometimes the plot dragged slightly in the middle and you had to be familiar with Arthurian myths to catch some of the context.

I would check this novel out from your library, DON'T purchase it. Its a good story to read and you'll be satisfied, especially since you didn't pay a dime for it. While captivating and intriging, once you are done, I doubt you'll want to read it again. Happy Reading!