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Excather
Decades ago on Christmas Eve, one young boy in a tattered coat did the impossible deed, drawing the king’s sword from iron and stone. Proclaimed the chosen one, he plunged the world into conflict. Now an aging man, Arthur, son of Uther, sits on the throne, all his enemies crushed beneath his feet. With the enchanted blade Excalibur at his side, he is invincible, and immune to the dark arts of those who would try to topple his dynasty. But unbeknownst to the world, Arthur is going mad. A conniving wizard is pulling his strings. As the chaos mounts, the coastlands begin to whisper of another chosen one: a raven-haired boy bearing a black sword, a rival to Arthur, Excalibur, and all they stand for. The truth may yet tear the world apart. 380 pages. Previously published as two novels, “Mordred” and “Chalice.”
- GenresFantasy
380 pages, Paperback
First published December 18, 2012
About the author
Gregory J. Downs
17 books23 followersI'm the author of a few books and the drinker of many smoothies. My interests in writing are primarily fantastic things and true things. I suppose you could call that Good Stories and Theology. If I had to pick a favorite genre, it would be fantasy, but there are good books in nearly every corner of the library, so to speak.
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Displaying 1 - 2 of 2 reviews
July 2, 2014
Good Mordred. Bad Arthur.
A startling beginning, and not a promising one. But I read on anyway. The story wasn't the usual bad-guy-isn't-really-bad junk. Mordred wasn't the main character because the author wanted to side with bad behavior. He was the main character because sometimes the person who will be the downfall of something isn't totally the bad guy--very often, he's provoked in his rebellion by corruption. Arthur's court has deteriorated as Arthur's own character has disintegrated into a guy whom is running away from the consequences of his past actions.
Basically, this book--which consists of several books and is VERY long--has three basic plots going on.
1: Mordred's relationship with Arthur. Which one of them can reform into being a better person? Read it and see for yourself.
2: The constant effort on the part of the Druid pagan religion to get rid of Christian Rome.
3: Battles, battles, battles.
Things You Need to Know:
The author is extremely good at describing physical sets and live action events so you feel like you've been there. He also has some ability with theological themes etc. All stuff involving the old magic trying to corrode at the church etc was very strong.
If you're looking for a steamy Guinevere/Lancelot scandal, look elsewhere. That's not what he's interested in. ( In fact, one of the most striking scenes is a mash-up of Arthurian myth with Ivanhoe, where Mordred finds himself publically defending the queen's honor.)
There are tons of long, well described battles. I found these tedious, but I'm just not the epic fantasy violence person. Someone else might like them. All other readers should just skip those sections.
Gawain and Vivien were the best characters--besides Mordred himself. The author's depiction of Vivien was particularly good. He's not sentimental about her. The fact that she is a witch and not--mostly--working on the good side is never glossed over.
All depictions of the Christian church were good. No petty sneering at Catholicism.
The ending is beautiful and sad--like the end of every good King Arthur book.
Overall, a book that shows a lot of promise. I felt it dragged in places, and the author's theological undertones--though interesting--were slightly confused by the end. I don't think this is because the author is himself a fuzzy thinker. It's just all the various storylines didn't QUITE fit together into a coherent picture. Almost, but not quite. That's why I gave it a 4 star instead of a 5.
And maybe that's just me. Maybe someone with a stronger intellect wouldn't need it to be more coherent. Theology is not my thing.
A startling beginning, and not a promising one. But I read on anyway. The story wasn't the usual bad-guy-isn't-really-bad junk. Mordred wasn't the main character because the author wanted to side with bad behavior. He was the main character because sometimes the person who will be the downfall of something isn't totally the bad guy--very often, he's provoked in his rebellion by corruption. Arthur's court has deteriorated as Arthur's own character has disintegrated into a guy whom is running away from the consequences of his past actions.
Basically, this book--which consists of several books and is VERY long--has three basic plots going on.
1: Mordred's relationship with Arthur. Which one of them can reform into being a better person? Read it and see for yourself.
2: The constant effort on the part of the Druid pagan religion to get rid of Christian Rome.
3: Battles, battles, battles.
Things You Need to Know:
The author is extremely good at describing physical sets and live action events so you feel like you've been there. He also has some ability with theological themes etc. All stuff involving the old magic trying to corrode at the church etc was very strong.
If you're looking for a steamy Guinevere/Lancelot scandal, look elsewhere. That's not what he's interested in. ( In fact, one of the most striking scenes is a mash-up of Arthurian myth with Ivanhoe, where Mordred finds himself publically defending the queen's honor.)
There are tons of long, well described battles. I found these tedious, but I'm just not the epic fantasy violence person. Someone else might like them. All other readers should just skip those sections.
Gawain and Vivien were the best characters--besides Mordred himself. The author's depiction of Vivien was particularly good. He's not sentimental about her. The fact that she is a witch and not--mostly--working on the good side is never glossed over.
All depictions of the Christian church were good. No petty sneering at Catholicism.
The ending is beautiful and sad--like the end of every good King Arthur book.
Overall, a book that shows a lot of promise. I felt it dragged in places, and the author's theological undertones--though interesting--were slightly confused by the end. I don't think this is because the author is himself a fuzzy thinker. It's just all the various storylines didn't QUITE fit together into a coherent picture. Almost, but not quite. That's why I gave it a 4 star instead of a 5.
And maybe that's just me. Maybe someone with a stronger intellect wouldn't need it to be more coherent. Theology is not my thing.
April 2, 2013
Excellent: Grabbed me from the first page. I like the fact that Mordred decided not to depend on magic but on God. Somewhat tainted by the "magic" of Excather and Excalibur and the supernatural powers of the priests and the chalice, but it is fantasy. My only real problem with the book are the huge gaps between Book II and Book III: unexplained absence of Mordred from the throne and Camelot/Caledonia, how Queen Morwen came to rule, circumstances under which Medru and Galahad had met, etc. I found the gap frustrating and a bit confusing. Though I can't pinpoint exactly why, Book III was not as compelling as Books I & II.
Displaying 1 - 2 of 2 reviews