Warriors of Camlann [Paperback]

N Browne (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: May 4, 2009

When the thick fog of the Veil descends again, Dan and Ursula expect to return to present-day Britain. Instead, the treacherous mist transports them to an ancient world very like the one they have just escaped. But the battle they fought in only hours before is distant history to those around them and their deeds on the battlefield are legend. Dan and Ursula have travelled forwards through time, but how far? What has happened to their old allies and enemies? To find a way back, they have to piece the clues together and use all their skills of survival - as it seems they were not the only ones to step through the mist. Subtly and cleverly woven around Arthurian legend, Warriors is action-packed and completely compelling.

Editorial Reviews

From School Library Journal

Grade 7 Up-In this sequel to Warriors of Alavna (Bloomsbury, 2002), Ursula and Dan find themselves once again coming out of the Veil into a strange land. During their journey from pre-Roman Britain, Ursula is taken prisoner by Princess Rhonwen and her henchmen. Dan is rescued, renamed Gawain, and taken straight into the political mess that will be known in modern times as the Age of Camelot. By the time the two are reunited, they have discovered that in this world Ursula has no magic, but is a powerful warrior, and that Dan, the legendary berserker, is hyperempathic. With only their old friend Taliesin for guidance, they navigate the treacherous political waters surrounding the Duke Arturus. After a decisive battle, Dan and Ursula once again enter the Veil, only to return to the same land, just in time for the fall of Camelot. Browne has created a strong, fierce young woman, and an introspective, sensitive, young man, and plays with the idea of looking at the "reality" of Camelot, with the glamour worn off. This searching for the roots of myth makes for a fascinating and thrilling story. The only quibble is that at times the language is inconsistent. It is understandable that the two teens would slip into modern phrasing and language, but other characters also make the same slips. That should not detract from the sweet counterpoint of Dan and Ursula's growing love for one another against the graphic and sometimes overwhelming violence of battle or Browne's achievement in crafting a filthy world without hot running water and flush toilets. The teens' final walk into the Veil will leave readers wondering where (or rather when) this pair will wind up.
Patricia A. Dollisch, DeKalb County Public Library, Decatur,
Copyright 2003 Reed Business Information, Inc. --This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.

Review

Praise for 'Warriors of Ethandun': 'One of the very best magical adventures of the past 30 years ... [Browne] is a part of the grand Celtic storytelling tradition in British children's literature that began with Kipling's Puck of Pook's Hill, continued with T.H. White's The Sword in the Stone and blossomed in Tolkien and Alan Garner' The Times

See all Editorial Reviews

Product Details

• Paperback: 400 pages
• Publisher: Bloomsbury Childrens Books (May 4, 2009)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0747597006
• ISBN-13: 978-0747597001
• Product Dimensions: 7.7 x 5 x 1.1 inches
• Shipping Weight: 9.1 ounces
• Average Customer Review: 4.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (3 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #2,907,102 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

4 of 5 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars pretty good...., July 7, 2004

By A Customer

This review is from: Warriors of Camlann (Hardcover)

This book was pretty good, though not as good as the first one, Warriors of Alavna. I liked how it switched the roles of men and women. The main female character was the strong warrior, killing with powerful strokes of her axe while the main male character was in fact the one who felt nausea and agony at the sight of pain. I recommend this to any teenager, especially those who like the story of King Arthur and fighting. I have to admit, I was kinda disappointed at the way the author depicted Arthur, so for those who are avid supporters of King Arthur, prepare to be annoyed!! Other than that small point, it was a good read.

3 of 4 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Interesting Read, November 18, 2004

By 

J. Chippindale (England) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Warriors of Camlann (Hardcover)

The author has set out to put a new slant on the Arthurian legends and in all honesty it is probably closer to the truth than the recognised stories.
I believe that this books is the second in a series and as I have not read the first one the opening of the book was a little mystifying, but you soon get into the swing of things.
Dan and Ursula have been back in time and think that they are coming back through the "veil" to the modern day England they left. However this is not so, what happens is that they come forward in time but only by a few hundred years to the time when the Romans have left Britain undefended and Arthur and is men are taking on the Saxons.
The plot is well thought out and the book is well worth a read particularly to those readers interested in the Arthurian legends in one form or another.

1 of 2 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars A really nice sequel..., November 13, 2004

By 

Atrinoinbeus Alastarius Deveraux "Atrin" - See all my reviews

This review is from: Warriors of Camlann (Hardcover)

Browne has again done well, though I perfer his first book. I do not quite like the changing of personalities, as Ursula's thoughts feelings were not well brought across to the reader, sometimes givng the impression of her being a ruthless warrior liking to fight and threaten. Yet, the plot is whole and well-written, a pleasant read, I'd recommend it to any 11 year olds and above. (Though I hate it when he ends the story with a question mark.) I shall wish for his thrid book to be published soon without having a three-year span as with the first two books.