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King Arthur #1
El hijo del dragón
Reina la edad oscura en tierras de Britania. Es un tiempo de caos y derramamiento de sangre. Hace mucho tiempo que las legiones romanas abandonaron la isla y Uter Pandragón, el gran rey de la Britania Celta, está próximo a la muerte. Su reino arde en discordias entre los jefes tribales que se disputan su trono.
Entre tanto, Artorex, de padres desconocidos crece como sirviente en la casa donde lo han acogido hasta que aparecen tres importantes caballeros que ordenan que sea adiestrado como un guerrero: en la espada y el escudo, en el caballo y el fuego, en el valor y el dolor. Invadido el país por las hordas sajonas, Artorex se gana la estima de los guerreros celtas y al frente de los mismos derrota a los intrusos en varias batallas. Con su carisma y sus dotes guerreras, sólo él parece capaz de unificar a las tribus britonas. Pero para poder alcanzar su destino y llegar a ser el gran rey de los britones, Artorex debe encontrar la corona y la espada de Uter…
Entre tanto, Artorex, de padres desconocidos crece como sirviente en la casa donde lo han acogido hasta que aparecen tres importantes caballeros que ordenan que sea adiestrado como un guerrero: en la espada y el escudo, en el caballo y el fuego, en el valor y el dolor. Invadido el país por las hordas sajonas, Artorex se gana la estima de los guerreros celtas y al frente de los mismos derrota a los intrusos en varias batallas. Con su carisma y sus dotes guerreras, sólo él parece capaz de unificar a las tribus britonas. Pero para poder alcanzar su destino y llegar a ser el gran rey de los britones, Artorex debe encontrar la corona y la espada de Uter…
560 pages, Paperback
First published January 1, 2009
77 people are currently reading
2506 people want to read
About the author
M.K. Hume
24 books159 followersMarilyn K. Hume is an Australian author, born in 1948, and based in Brisbane, Australia.
Hume graduated as a teacher in 1967, specializing in Art and Ancient History before commencing teaching high school students. While teaching, she studied university courses as an external student in English and Ancient History. Along the way, Hume obtained a BA, an MA, a Master of Literary Studies degree and a Phd in Arthurian Literature.
In 1996, Hume was encouraged to enter an historical romance writing competition conducted by the Random House Publishing Group under the sponsorship of a popular women’s magazine. Hume had no interest in romance writing, but she dashed off a novel based on her family history. The novel won second prize from a massive field of recognised authors - and she won $5,000 for her efforts.
In 2007, Hume retired from the Queensland Education Department, and immediately commenced to write a trilogy based on the life and times of King Arthur of Britain.
Hume’s agent, the Dorie Simmonds Agency in London, brokered a contract with Headline Review to publish the three books in the trilogy. This agreement soon became six books, for Hume soon produced a further trilogy on the life and times of Merlin, which is now a prequel to the Arthurian trilogy.
Her works are now published at six-monthly intervals, and the author maintains a punishing schedule involving eight hours of research and/or writing every day. She doesn’t believe that there is any such thing as ‘writer’s block’, and loves the whole creative process.
Hume intends to write at least 30 novels before ‘she drops off the perch’. She reads voraciously and adores meeting friends, attending rummage sales, making porcelain dolls and painting portraits.
Hume graduated as a teacher in 1967, specializing in Art and Ancient History before commencing teaching high school students. While teaching, she studied university courses as an external student in English and Ancient History. Along the way, Hume obtained a BA, an MA, a Master of Literary Studies degree and a Phd in Arthurian Literature.
In 1996, Hume was encouraged to enter an historical romance writing competition conducted by the Random House Publishing Group under the sponsorship of a popular women’s magazine. Hume had no interest in romance writing, but she dashed off a novel based on her family history. The novel won second prize from a massive field of recognised authors - and she won $5,000 for her efforts.
In 2007, Hume retired from the Queensland Education Department, and immediately commenced to write a trilogy based on the life and times of King Arthur of Britain.
Hume’s agent, the Dorie Simmonds Agency in London, brokered a contract with Headline Review to publish the three books in the trilogy. This agreement soon became six books, for Hume soon produced a further trilogy on the life and times of Merlin, which is now a prequel to the Arthurian trilogy.
Her works are now published at six-monthly intervals, and the author maintains a punishing schedule involving eight hours of research and/or writing every day. She doesn’t believe that there is any such thing as ‘writer’s block’, and loves the whole creative process.
Hume intends to write at least 30 novels before ‘she drops off the perch’. She reads voraciously and adores meeting friends, attending rummage sales, making porcelain dolls and painting portraits.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 159 reviews
August 30, 2019
I have read lots t of Arthurian novels and it is one of my favourite genres. This one is great , third to my other two favourites Mary Stewart's Merlin trilogy and Nancy McKenzies Queen of Camelot and Grail Prince.
It beats Marion Zimmer Bradley's Mists of Avalon and Stephen Lawheads Pendragon Cycle.
Artorex is the foster son of a Romanized Celtic nobleman, Ector, and his Roman wife Livinia. His foster brother Cauis is portrayed as a sadistic pederist, a departure from the usual depictions of him as good natured , down to earth fellow.
Arthur's first wife a beautiful, sexy, vivacious Roman girl, Gallia, comes into this one and after Artorex breaks a chain of child killing/child rapists and brings them to justice, his star sores.
He soon finds out the truth of his patronage of the evil and cruel High King Uther Pendragon, and his vengeful , demented half sister Morgan
Some pretty gruesome scenes, not for the faint of heart
But fast paced writing, great imagery and characterization, and liked that it puts Arthurian legend right where it belongs in the post Roman Celtic are with none of the medieval knights nonsense
I would call it a historical thriller
It beats Marion Zimmer Bradley's Mists of Avalon and Stephen Lawheads Pendragon Cycle.
Artorex is the foster son of a Romanized Celtic nobleman, Ector, and his Roman wife Livinia. His foster brother Cauis is portrayed as a sadistic pederist, a departure from the usual depictions of him as good natured , down to earth fellow.
Arthur's first wife a beautiful, sexy, vivacious Roman girl, Gallia, comes into this one and after Artorex breaks a chain of child killing/child rapists and brings them to justice, his star sores.
He soon finds out the truth of his patronage of the evil and cruel High King Uther Pendragon, and his vengeful , demented half sister Morgan
Some pretty gruesome scenes, not for the faint of heart
But fast paced writing, great imagery and characterization, and liked that it puts Arthurian legend right where it belongs in the post Roman Celtic are with none of the medieval knights nonsense
I would call it a historical thriller
February 25, 2011
Dragon's Child is the first novel in a trilogy by M K Hume, dealing with the historical version of the tale of King Arthur. Here he is Artorex, and is a cuckoo in the nest of Ector and his Roman wife. Artorex lives a life of mundane servitude, referred to as Lump, until the day three mysterious strangers visit Ector and encourage him to train Artorex in arms, letters and horse skills. His wife Livinia is asked to show Artorex how best to speak to people of high standing. Although he doesn't know it, Artorex is being trained for kingship. Soon enough the day arrives when Artorex is brought before Uther Pendragon and is forced to recognise the destiny he has been steered towards by Myrddion Merlinus.
This is a marvellous piece of historical fiction. It presents a very real idea of life in the tumultuous land of Saxons, Celts and Jutlanders once the Romans had departed. War was rife and the various kinglets kept power over tiny provinces. The minutiae of life in those Dark Age times is brought into vivid existence - from weaponry, to food, to clothing.
When I first picked up this novel, I was convinced M K Hume was a male writer. I discovered it is, in fact, a female novelist - and this surprised me greatly. The reason I say this is because the writing is so strong and capable, and gruff in the manner I associate with male writers. I say this in a complimentary fashion - the encounters and relationships between men are presented with incredible realism.
M K Hume's characters are a highlight of the novel. From Artorex, who is everything a hero should be, to Targo, grizzled old warrior who shows the boy how to live as a proper should, to Merlinus himself - all are written with warmth, humour and dialogue that fits the character. The women are also done well - they are not forced into roles that don't match the time within which the novel is written. They are at the mercy of their families and husbands, considered by some no more than chattel. Despite this, they still shine from the page with compassion and a strength of will that is occasionally missing from their menfolk.
What I liked particularly about the writing is that it feels very organic. Every scene leads naturally from that which goes before, the tale unwinding at a slow but persistent pace. The writing is occasionally floral, but never to the detriment of the story, and I, personally, enjoyed these flourishes.
Up until now, my go-to novels for an historical presentation about King Arthur have been those written by Helen Hollick. I think now, though, that I have a new favourite! My immediate thought on closing the last page? "Thank goodness there are two more books!" For anyone who enjoys meticulously researched and, above all, fun historical novels, this is highly recommended. An excellent read.
This is a marvellous piece of historical fiction. It presents a very real idea of life in the tumultuous land of Saxons, Celts and Jutlanders once the Romans had departed. War was rife and the various kinglets kept power over tiny provinces. The minutiae of life in those Dark Age times is brought into vivid existence - from weaponry, to food, to clothing.
When I first picked up this novel, I was convinced M K Hume was a male writer. I discovered it is, in fact, a female novelist - and this surprised me greatly. The reason I say this is because the writing is so strong and capable, and gruff in the manner I associate with male writers. I say this in a complimentary fashion - the encounters and relationships between men are presented with incredible realism.
M K Hume's characters are a highlight of the novel. From Artorex, who is everything a hero should be, to Targo, grizzled old warrior who shows the boy how to live as a proper should, to Merlinus himself - all are written with warmth, humour and dialogue that fits the character. The women are also done well - they are not forced into roles that don't match the time within which the novel is written. They are at the mercy of their families and husbands, considered by some no more than chattel. Despite this, they still shine from the page with compassion and a strength of will that is occasionally missing from their menfolk.
What I liked particularly about the writing is that it feels very organic. Every scene leads naturally from that which goes before, the tale unwinding at a slow but persistent pace. The writing is occasionally floral, but never to the detriment of the story, and I, personally, enjoyed these flourishes.
Up until now, my go-to novels for an historical presentation about King Arthur have been those written by Helen Hollick. I think now, though, that I have a new favourite! My immediate thought on closing the last page? "Thank goodness there are two more books!" For anyone who enjoys meticulously researched and, above all, fun historical novels, this is highly recommended. An excellent read.
August 13, 2013
Thank you to Atria Books for sending me an advanced copy of Dragon's Child in exchange for an honest review! Originally published in 2009, a new edition of the paperback and ebook will be available later this fall, thus it was provided to me via Atria's latest Galley Alley program. This book first caught my eye when I found out it was an Arthurian fantasy novel written by an expert on the subject. Like many, I've been exposed to my share of retellings and interpretations of the King Arthur mythos in fiction (there are a ton out there!), but I am most definitely not well-versed in the historical details. This made me curious as to how an academic authority on Arthurian literature would tackle the legend.
Not surprisingly, the novel turned out to be a story of Arthur (known here as Artorex) and his journey from a humble childhood to become the High King of the Britons. Artorex is presented to us as the reluctant hero, whose personal choice would have been to raise a family on his foster family's farm and live out the rest of his days as a simple steward. Fate, however, has set him on another path.
I'll admit that I found it difficult to get into the story at first. The introduction to the hero's journey is a familiar one: the boy who everyone had initially dismissed suddenly discovers that he has a greater destiny. In the next few chapters, his skills are honed and he becomes stronger. He learns to fight, he learns to ride, and he gains all the experiences he will someday need to become a great leader. It was pretty standard, even as Arthurian legends go, and I had to suppress the temptation to skim this section, especially knowing that the real meat of the story had to be just beyond this point.
Thankfully, I was right and the book did get better. Much better, in fact, with the introduction of Gallia, Artorex's first wife. That's right, I did a double-take too when I saw that. M.K. Hume herself wrote in her Author's Note explaining that she once came upon an evocative reference in an obscure text named Guinevere as Arthur's second wife, but even though she could find no other material in her research that even hints at a first wife, the idea stuck. And I have to say, the fact whole epic trilogies can develop and evolve from tiny little tidbits like that is what fascinates me about historical fiction, and why I love the genre.
In this case, I really enjoyed the author's take on Artorex's childhood and teenage years, as well as her reasoning behind why she chose to tell his story the way she did. A lot of attention is given to these formative years, and I was surprised at how engaging the story became after getting past his boyhood training. Even though Hume used a third person omniscient point of view to narrate the story (which I normally dislike, because it tends to distract me from the main character), the focus always remained on Artorex, making his transformation from the boy known simply as Lump to King Artor of the Britons a very drawn-out but believable one.
In the end, I went from feeling luke-warm towards this novel to liking it quite a lot. The writing style can come off as a bit cumbersome at first if you're not used to it, but I later felt it suited the book very well, giving a cold edge to some of the darker and more violent parts of the story. This first book ends with Artorex being crowned the High King, and the best part is knowing there is so much more to his legend, which I'm looking forward to continuing in the rest of this trilogy.
More reviews at The BiblioSanctum
Not surprisingly, the novel turned out to be a story of Arthur (known here as Artorex) and his journey from a humble childhood to become the High King of the Britons. Artorex is presented to us as the reluctant hero, whose personal choice would have been to raise a family on his foster family's farm and live out the rest of his days as a simple steward. Fate, however, has set him on another path.
I'll admit that I found it difficult to get into the story at first. The introduction to the hero's journey is a familiar one: the boy who everyone had initially dismissed suddenly discovers that he has a greater destiny. In the next few chapters, his skills are honed and he becomes stronger. He learns to fight, he learns to ride, and he gains all the experiences he will someday need to become a great leader. It was pretty standard, even as Arthurian legends go, and I had to suppress the temptation to skim this section, especially knowing that the real meat of the story had to be just beyond this point.
Thankfully, I was right and the book did get better. Much better, in fact, with the introduction of Gallia, Artorex's first wife. That's right, I did a double-take too when I saw that. M.K. Hume herself wrote in her Author's Note explaining that she once came upon an evocative reference in an obscure text named Guinevere as Arthur's second wife, but even though she could find no other material in her research that even hints at a first wife, the idea stuck. And I have to say, the fact whole epic trilogies can develop and evolve from tiny little tidbits like that is what fascinates me about historical fiction, and why I love the genre.
In this case, I really enjoyed the author's take on Artorex's childhood and teenage years, as well as her reasoning behind why she chose to tell his story the way she did. A lot of attention is given to these formative years, and I was surprised at how engaging the story became after getting past his boyhood training. Even though Hume used a third person omniscient point of view to narrate the story (which I normally dislike, because it tends to distract me from the main character), the focus always remained on Artorex, making his transformation from the boy known simply as Lump to King Artor of the Britons a very drawn-out but believable one.
In the end, I went from feeling luke-warm towards this novel to liking it quite a lot. The writing style can come off as a bit cumbersome at first if you're not used to it, but I later felt it suited the book very well, giving a cold edge to some of the darker and more violent parts of the story. This first book ends with Artorex being crowned the High King, and the best part is knowing there is so much more to his legend, which I'm looking forward to continuing in the rest of this trilogy.
More reviews at The BiblioSanctum
February 6, 2016
I Loved this book, brilliant!
June 25, 2025
A fantastic story with a different slant on other tales about the great man that rose to be king in his countries time of need
February 12, 2018
It is the Dark Ages when Artorex becomes the High King of the Britons (Celts) to fight the Saxon Hoard who are attempting to conquer all of the land of the Britons. M.K. Hume’s Dragon’s Child, The King Arthur Trilogy, Book 1, presents the story of Artorex beginning when he is a 12 year old boy. Dr. Hume sets her story using Roman names for cities with some characters who are Roman but Briton born such as Artorex’s foster mother, Livinia . Her husband is Lord Ector, and Caius is her son and Artorex’s foster brother. The story tells of Artorex’s upbringing and his training to be a leader of soldiers. He learns to read and write, but more importantly, he trains to fight with a sword plus he is taught to ride. Artorex is an extremely apt pupil. One day ‘three travelers’ come to Lord Ector’s villa-one being Myrddion Merlinus (Merlin). He and his two friends are the only ones who know Artorex’s
linea
mgle, and they all wait until the ‘right’ time to reveal their plan for Artorex. With her magnificent writing, Dr. Hume conveys the Dark Ages and the kind of battle that existed then. She uses extensive description of the horrors of war during that period. I was constantly reaching for a dictionary to discover the meaning of this word and that. This retelling of the beginning of the legend of King Arthur is intriguing and somewhat brutal, but that was life during Dark Age Britain. Beautifully done!
Highly recommended
linea
mgle, and they all wait until the ‘right’ time to reveal their plan for Artorex. With her magnificent writing, Dr. Hume conveys the Dark Ages and the kind of battle that existed then. She uses extensive description of the horrors of war during that period. I was constantly reaching for a dictionary to discover the meaning of this word and that. This retelling of the beginning of the legend of King Arthur is intriguing and somewhat brutal, but that was life during Dark Age Britain. Beautifully done!
Highly recommended
September 21, 2015
**Note the spelling of character names is probably all wrong, I listened to the audiobook**
Boy, I really mis-judged the synopsis on this. So this drastically different re-telling of the King Arthur legend is much like the 2003 Movie "Arthur" with Clive Owen. It takes a very historic approach to the legend. This method never made much sense to me. King Arthur and the legend, we all know many times over never exists. So applying a historically accurate wrapper on it, creates a very dry, dull novel that uses vague names of the characters that we know. Arthur is Artirex, Kay is Kayus, Merlin is Myrddion Merlinus apparently. These names given to the characters come off as a very false and artificial way of applying a more "historic" and Roman theme to the story.
The author really tries to add the history of Rome and Brittany to the story, involving the earlier tribes of Brits, celts, jutes etc... While I appreciate the effort, and it's a good idea, I wish it would have been introduced much later. The story itself just comes off as brash, abrasively raw, and it seems like it's trying **too** hard to be accurate.
Following this theme of realism, characters are given more human flaws, including things like pedophila, rape, and torture.
In the Once and Future King, Arthur's first quest involves stealing into Morgan's candy lair, and slaying a Griffon.
(I'm going to refer to The Once and Future King as TOAFK from here on out)
In this dystopian re-imagining, Arthur's first "quest" involves stealing into a secret torture chamber set up to capture and rape little boys, while others are forced to watch.
See the difference here?
The book itself is written with mediocrity. No characters I really even care for. I think I can attribute this to the stark differences from the original Arthurian legends. Arterex is wed to someone early on, Kayus is a wife beater, and a masochist... Merlin does absolutely nothing.
Seriously, even the teacher/student role of Merlin and Arthur has been wiped out, and Merlin's role of teacher has been replaced by some swordmaster. Again this makes sense in the setting that MK Hume provides but it's just, to me, not Arthurian...
What did I actually enjoy?
Well, I did enjoy the pacing of the novel...to a point. My gripe with TOAFK is that everything happens very quickly. Arthur becomes king without little resistance, and is suddenly given the crown. Now what should be noted is that the Once and Future King is a very different style. The first book of T.O.A.F.K is very child like in it's nature.
That being said, this book drags out the crowning of Arterex a bit more, but it's not even done that well either. The timing is jarring in this book. Suddenly years go by at a time, and we have no idea what Arterex was doing during that time. "Training" apparently to be king. Suddenly when it happens, he's a man who knows how to rule and make decisions. What was great about TOAFK was that during Merlin's tutoledge, it taught Arthur about the laws of men, culture, government, fair rule, justice etc... All the training that this Arterex has in this novel, is some jazz about Kayus beating a horse. Then suddenly, he's making decisions and putting men to death in brutal killing circles.
This book wasn't for me. If anything I would have enjoyed this book a tad bit more if it wasn't under the guise of the King Arthur name...It's such a departure and 'forced' theme of realism it comes off as boring. Perhaps someone who is far more into history over the creative imaginings of a fantasy novel, would appreciate this story more than I.
Boy, I really mis-judged the synopsis on this. So this drastically different re-telling of the King Arthur legend is much like the 2003 Movie "Arthur" with Clive Owen. It takes a very historic approach to the legend. This method never made much sense to me. King Arthur and the legend, we all know many times over never exists. So applying a historically accurate wrapper on it, creates a very dry, dull novel that uses vague names of the characters that we know. Arthur is Artirex, Kay is Kayus, Merlin is Myrddion Merlinus apparently. These names given to the characters come off as a very false and artificial way of applying a more "historic" and Roman theme to the story.
The author really tries to add the history of Rome and Brittany to the story, involving the earlier tribes of Brits, celts, jutes etc... While I appreciate the effort, and it's a good idea, I wish it would have been introduced much later. The story itself just comes off as brash, abrasively raw, and it seems like it's trying **too** hard to be accurate.
Following this theme of realism, characters are given more human flaws, including things like pedophila, rape, and torture.
In the Once and Future King, Arthur's first quest involves stealing into Morgan's candy lair, and slaying a Griffon.
(I'm going to refer to The Once and Future King as TOAFK from here on out)
In this dystopian re-imagining, Arthur's first "quest" involves stealing into a secret torture chamber set up to capture and rape little boys, while others are forced to watch.
See the difference here?
The book itself is written with mediocrity. No characters I really even care for. I think I can attribute this to the stark differences from the original Arthurian legends. Arterex is wed to someone early on, Kayus is a wife beater, and a masochist... Merlin does absolutely nothing.
Seriously, even the teacher/student role of Merlin and Arthur has been wiped out, and Merlin's role of teacher has been replaced by some swordmaster. Again this makes sense in the setting that MK Hume provides but it's just, to me, not Arthurian...
What did I actually enjoy?
Well, I did enjoy the pacing of the novel...to a point. My gripe with TOAFK is that everything happens very quickly. Arthur becomes king without little resistance, and is suddenly given the crown. Now what should be noted is that the Once and Future King is a very different style. The first book of T.O.A.F.K is very child like in it's nature.
That being said, this book drags out the crowning of Arterex a bit more, but it's not even done that well either. The timing is jarring in this book. Suddenly years go by at a time, and we have no idea what Arterex was doing during that time. "Training" apparently to be king. Suddenly when it happens, he's a man who knows how to rule and make decisions. What was great about TOAFK was that during Merlin's tutoledge, it taught Arthur about the laws of men, culture, government, fair rule, justice etc... All the training that this Arterex has in this novel, is some jazz about Kayus beating a horse. Then suddenly, he's making decisions and putting men to death in brutal killing circles.
This book wasn't for me. If anything I would have enjoyed this book a tad bit more if it wasn't under the guise of the King Arthur name...It's such a departure and 'forced' theme of realism it comes off as boring. Perhaps someone who is far more into history over the creative imaginings of a fantasy novel, would appreciate this story more than I.
September 19, 2013
As usual, this book arrived at my doorstep free of charge. Unusually, I can't determine with any specificity exactly why it did so. If I had to guess I'd say it was the Atria program via Simon and Schuster. Despite that kind and mysterious consideration, my candid and baldfaced opinions appear below.
In a nutshell, this is the retelling of the King Author myth spanning from Author's birth through his rise to the kingship. As Authurian legends go, this one tends towards the strictly realistic and pulls no punches about the state of the world at the time.
On the positive side, Hume's writing is beyond reproach. I found myself constantly entertained at her use of appropriate and timely language which pulled me to my dictionary repeatedly and with unbridled glee. This is a book that educates while it entertains. Anything she chooses to write in the future will have my utmost attention. Here is a tale that is woven with intricacy and detail that is unrivaled.
On the negative side, and this is a negative side that is rather implied by my perceptions of the tastes of other readers, this is not a book that speeds along with any great rapidity. The book goes on for almost 500 pages and while I was entranced by the intricacies, I can imagine other readers finding themselves in the arms of a rather intransigent ennui. The book does move slowly but the arc that it traces is an epic one.
In summary, this is a book to approach in an unhurried and open-minded manner. It has much to teach you, not the least of which is vocabulary. It's not a book for a single solitary rainy afternoon but instead one to be taken a few chapters at a time over the course of a week. It is a book to be pondered over and digested slowly. As epic tales go, this is a fresh and delightful retelling but don't expect to swallow it in one go. Take the time to savor and learn from what it has to tell you. I look forward to the subsequent volumes. This is a book for the thinkers among us.
In a nutshell, this is the retelling of the King Author myth spanning from Author's birth through his rise to the kingship. As Authurian legends go, this one tends towards the strictly realistic and pulls no punches about the state of the world at the time.
On the positive side, Hume's writing is beyond reproach. I found myself constantly entertained at her use of appropriate and timely language which pulled me to my dictionary repeatedly and with unbridled glee. This is a book that educates while it entertains. Anything she chooses to write in the future will have my utmost attention. Here is a tale that is woven with intricacy and detail that is unrivaled.
On the negative side, and this is a negative side that is rather implied by my perceptions of the tastes of other readers, this is not a book that speeds along with any great rapidity. The book goes on for almost 500 pages and while I was entranced by the intricacies, I can imagine other readers finding themselves in the arms of a rather intransigent ennui. The book does move slowly but the arc that it traces is an epic one.
In summary, this is a book to approach in an unhurried and open-minded manner. It has much to teach you, not the least of which is vocabulary. It's not a book for a single solitary rainy afternoon but instead one to be taken a few chapters at a time over the course of a week. It is a book to be pondered over and digested slowly. As epic tales go, this is a fresh and delightful retelling but don't expect to swallow it in one go. Take the time to savor and learn from what it has to tell you. I look forward to the subsequent volumes. This is a book for the thinkers among us.
September 16, 2015
This is yet another take on the Arthur legend and one that is darker than many of the others I have read. Some of the story is of course changed and the nature of the characters is different. Arthur is raised as he usually is by a nobleman and is unaware he is Uther's son. Merlin in this story is not a Druid and there are two noblemen who work with Merlin to keep the secret of Arthur's birth (and Arthur is Artorex. In this version, Arthur as a young man falls in love and has a child and one on the way when he is summoned by the three men to go to court. King Uther is an evil king although it is said he was once an honorable warrior king. Morgana is, as she often is portrayed, a witch and it is only her who keep Uther alive.
There is a great deal of bloodshed in this book, and for the most part it was not a pleasant read. I don't regret reading it as there is an interesting look into the world at those times. I found the story of the sword and how Artorex retrieves it totally different than the "sword in the stone" versions, but it was actually more believable with no magic or sorcery involved. As with all Arthur stories, Artorex is a great warrior but also a very troubled man. This book is the first of a series and ends with Uther's death so a large part of the legend is not included here.
I found the Author's Note at the end extremely interesting as the author explains what led her to make the changes she did. One of these she mentions is that she has written a first wife into the story before Guenevere (who does not appear in this book). An old writing she discovered during her research of a translation from an ancient grave marker that read "Here lies Arthur, King of the Britons, and Guenevere, his second wife"
This was not my favorite Arthur legend version, but one to add to the variations of the story
There is a great deal of bloodshed in this book, and for the most part it was not a pleasant read. I don't regret reading it as there is an interesting look into the world at those times. I found the story of the sword and how Artorex retrieves it totally different than the "sword in the stone" versions, but it was actually more believable with no magic or sorcery involved. As with all Arthur stories, Artorex is a great warrior but also a very troubled man. This book is the first of a series and ends with Uther's death so a large part of the legend is not included here.
I found the Author's Note at the end extremely interesting as the author explains what led her to make the changes she did. One of these she mentions is that she has written a first wife into the story before Guenevere (who does not appear in this book). An old writing she discovered during her research of a translation from an ancient grave marker that read "Here lies Arthur, King of the Britons, and Guenevere, his second wife"
This was not my favorite Arthur legend version, but one to add to the variations of the story
March 6, 2014
I've read a lot of Arthurian legend stories over the years, some of them awful, many very good and a few that were brilliant (e.g. Once and Future King). Like M K Hume, a few of the authors treated Arthur as an historical figure, a great king at the end of the Roman/Celtic years fighting off the rampaging Saxons. Hume is a retired academic and brings a very credible sense of history to this book, the first of three. Her version of Arthur is more human than most, with a real childhood and youth, shaped by the times and by real personal tragedy. The familiar characters, from Merlin to Morgan, are likewise created anew and human. It's good stuff, and I look forward to reading the rest of the trilogy--and, apparently, another trilogy focusing on Merlin's life previous to Arthur.
January 6, 2011
Totally loved this book -read it in two days. It drew me in.
Loved the idea of the Roman background to Arthur and that his life before kinghood was happy with a wife and family - all of which shaped him.
I liked the way his parentage was obvious to the reader from early on but hidden from him and that many of the characters from the legend had some of their pre-authurian backgrounds explained.
On the whole it was cleverly written - none too sentimental and the brutality within the story wasn't just for added gore but an integral part of the building of Artor (Arthur) as a person.
Will certainly invest in the other two in the series to read later in the year.
Loved the idea of the Roman background to Arthur and that his life before kinghood was happy with a wife and family - all of which shaped him.
I liked the way his parentage was obvious to the reader from early on but hidden from him and that many of the characters from the legend had some of their pre-authurian backgrounds explained.
On the whole it was cleverly written - none too sentimental and the brutality within the story wasn't just for added gore but an integral part of the building of Artor (Arthur) as a person.
Will certainly invest in the other two in the series to read later in the year.
December 19, 2013
The theme is nothing new. I have read and seen countless books about King Arthur, but there is something about M.K.'s writing that adds a new layer to the tale. I have a feeling it has something to do with her studies in Arthurian litterature, but her gift to weave together the story of a young Artorex and bring him into adulthood is remarkable to me. With every page turn there is another layer of Artorex that the reader gets to know. As I was reading, I felt as if I was getting to know the legend himself. How he was molded in the figure that all of us know. Needless to say, I am anxiously awaiting the arrival of the next to books.
May 3, 2024
- ¿Dejareis de amarme, mi querido señor, cuando mi vientre sea demasiado grande para los placeres de la cama? ¿O buscara mi semental una sirvienta complaciente y me dejará languidecer? - Pág. 206
- ¿Quién teme a una diosa cuando el amor se aferra con fuerza al corazón? - Pag. 263
- Por muchas razones os pido que seas coronado como el rey Artor, famoso como el gran Oso, que es una bestia noble y regia. Merlín le estaba entregando un recuerdo de Gallia para que la guardase en su corazón. - Pág. 443
- Cuando era joven, aprendí que solo los hombres de gran empuje y valor moral pueden estar seguros de que el poder no llegará a corromperlos. Vuestra senda es más difícil que la mía, ya que mi alma no está constantemente acosada por las tentaciones, día tras día, hasta el momento final. - Pág. 437
- ¿Quién teme a una diosa cuando el amor se aferra con fuerza al corazón? - Pag. 263
- Por muchas razones os pido que seas coronado como el rey Artor, famoso como el gran Oso, que es una bestia noble y regia. Merlín le estaba entregando un recuerdo de Gallia para que la guardase en su corazón. - Pág. 443
- Cuando era joven, aprendí que solo los hombres de gran empuje y valor moral pueden estar seguros de que el poder no llegará a corromperlos. Vuestra senda es más difícil que la mía, ya que mi alma no está constantemente acosada por las tentaciones, día tras día, hasta el momento final. - Pág. 437
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
August 6, 2018
Actually 4.5 stars
I really enjoyed this version of the Arthurian legend - the historical take on it was something different to anything I'd read before and I thought it worked really well. The realism also brought a certain darkness and harshness that fit with Hume's version of the tale. It was well-paced and really kept me interested - I'm excited to read books 2 and 3.
I really enjoyed this version of the Arthurian legend - the historical take on it was something different to anything I'd read before and I thought it worked really well. The realism also brought a certain darkness and harshness that fit with Hume's version of the tale. It was well-paced and really kept me interested - I'm excited to read books 2 and 3.
September 11, 2018
Picked this up on a whim from the library and was so glad to have done this. A fresh new look at the Arthur mythology!
June 15, 2019
Me ha gustado esta versión del clásico, más realista y humana que otras más fantásticas y épicas, pero con muy buen fondo.
June 28, 2020
Wow! What a fresh re-imagining of the story of King Artor! I loved every page and can’t wait to get my hands on the other books as well as Hume’s Trilogy of the story of Merddion!
September 28, 2019
Stars: 4.5 / 5
Recommendation: A known legend that is turned to fiction in the clever hands of an author who knows how to spin a great tale around a legend, keeping those historical events within the web and adding elements from an author's perspective.
Dragon's Child is the first book in The King Arthur Trilogy by M. K. Hume published first in March of 2009. The trilogy provides the epic tale of the man who was destined to become King Arthur. In this first book, author Hume takes us through his rising from a 12 year old boy to become a Celtic war chief called as Warrior of the West.
This is one of those books I picked at a library sale for a few reasons - a) the cover of the first book caught my attention; b) the author's name some how reminded me of A. P. J. Abdul Kalam, the eleventh president of India. (Don't ask me why); c) Something about Arthur and his reign always intrigued me; and lastly d) I thought it was an Arthurian story set in modern century (you have no idea how wrong I was). Well, anyways, here is the review of the book.
Twelve year old, Artorex "Artor", living under the shelter of Lord Ector in Villa Poppinidii as a person of no status, is suddenly pulled into a world of warriors where he gets training of every kind - Blade and Shield; Horse and Fire; and finally Pain and Bravery! Eventually grows into the Steward of Villa Poppinidii, from where he rises to become the Celtic war chief called as Warrior of the West.
This being a tale spun around an already legendary and somewhat fantasy tale of King Arthur, there are several references to actual historical events and characters that surrounded King Arthur, Merlin and Camelot. For some I had to do Google and read a bit about it before I could follow the flow of the plot. This reduced my pace of reading the book.
Being that the plot is set in late 5th century and early 6th century, author Hume uses a lot of phrases and words that would perhaps pertain to that era or somewhat derivatives of English, Roman and Latin from that period. However, on closer look she has used maximum of them from 15th or later. Yet it still seems something spoken from the 5th century if we don’t know the origins. Smart move.
The author shows the conflict that Artorex faces at every juncture - of walking the grey lines rather than seeing things black and white, the way of the world. At a very young age when a person can think only in black and white, and understand the greys in between, is a quality that is considered for a good leader. And Artorex certainly proved to be one.
It always makes me ponder on human emotions especially situations where parent-child are involved. Why would a parent knowing their child is evil still protect and ask others to protect that said child? Why not send that child to authorities?
Author Hume shows a very different perspective of King Arthur with Arotrex - a boy who was forced upon the kingship just because he had birthright but had no desire to take it over. She also shows the petty human mentality of hating a person just because he or she was born a certain way. And that hatred did not end with common man alone, even royals had the same petty feelings.
Everyone knows the legend of King Arthur, whether he was real or a fiction of historian's imaginations is still debatable. However, Hume took the legend and spun a great tale around that, keeping those historical events within the web and adding elements from an author's perspective. At some places, I fail to see which was Hume's fiction and which was historical fiction that we all have already read and heard of.
One thing did confuse me though. I had thought King Arthur was a British King, but there are influences of Romans and its culture seen in his upbringing in Hume's version here. Perhaps he is more of a Roman-British warrior who fights for Britain in the wars against Saxons. I had to go back to google and Wikipedia to understand further that he was indeed a Roman-British warrior.
Hume also gives a different spin to the story of Arthur drawing the sword out of the stone. The legendary sword and crown of Uther Pendragon that King Arthur inherits, comes out in quite a different way in the hands of Hume in this tale of Artorex. She also gives a few different villains than what the legend reflects for King Arthur.
It took a while for me to finish the book as I was going back to google for help in connecting the dots between the story that Hume spun for us and the actual legend that everyone is after. I should have guessed that Hume would give appendices at the end that would help reader. She has two appendices - for the various characters, the place names that were then and what are called now.
All in all Hume spun a very good historic tale for King Arthur in his alter-ego Artorex, keeping the fiction blended with the legend, while adding her own flair to it without leading the readers off the known story. A very nice beginning to the trilogy keeping the reader's interest to continue into the next book. Cant wait to pick it up soon.
Spoiler Alerts:
1. Plot Reveals:
a. References to historical events and characters are seen all through the plot:
i. Sir Gorlois of Tintagel (https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Gorlois) - Duke of Cornwall and husband to Ygerne before Uther Pendragon killed him, raped Ygerne and ends up marrying her because she becomes pregnant.
ii. Giant's Dance of Merlin (https://www.timetravel-britain.com/ar...)
iii. Caeser's Gaul Campaign (https://www.ancient.eu/gaul/)
iv. The Bleeding Pool of Glastonbury referenced by Hume in the novel looks like is based off of Chalice Well (https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Chalice...) - a natural Red Spring.
b. Morgana, the step-daughter of Uther Pendragon, professes that a child born of russet-hair will end Uther's life. Uther feels threatened with every fair hair child. This prophecy is so similar to a tale in Hindu mythology. Tale about Kamsa, the tyrant ruler of Mathura is professed that the 8th child of his sister Devaki will slew Kamsa. More about it here: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Kamsa But it is so surprising that some of the stories cross-over regions and religions. Perhaps they are same as well as different in their own way.
c. Firth had given a hazel knoll polished and threaded to wear around Gallia's neck. After Gallia's murder, Artorex is given that for remembrance which he wears it around his neck years later which again forms part of the tapestry of King Arthur's legend.
d. Artorex changes his name to Artor when he gets coronated as the High King.
e. Father Lucius of Glastonbury gives Artorex a ring for his left thumb as a gift on being recognized as the High King. Another piece of Arthur that goes into his legend.
f. Myrddion carries a staff that resembles a great sea serpent. Another piece that will become the legend.
g. Some of the characters who might evolve into the characters from Arthurian Legend:
i. Caius is shown as very wily, wicked and cruel although he mends. But there are signs that he has resorted back to his previous self in this book. Curious to see if M. K. Hume still puts him in King Arthur's Knights of Round Table as the legend goes or will spin a different fate for Caius to make this a fiction.
ii. Gruffydd is a spy for Myrddion who rescues a Jute child who is named Nimue. Artorex to avoid Morgan's influence has his dragon tattooed on her leg, and claims her as his protégé. Have to wait and see who she becomes from the legend. Gruffydd becomes the sword bearer to Artorex at the end of the plot here.
iii. Perce - a kitchen helper at Venonae.
iv. Gawayne - third son of King Lot and Queen Morgause (step-daughter of Uther).
v. Simon aka Simeon, a Jewish smith who reforges Uther's sword and remakes the crown for Artorex. He also makes a ring for Artorex's right thumb with a large pearl in it. These also become part of Arthurian legend. The sword is named Caliburn, the Dragon of Britain.
vi. Pinhead or Pelles - one of Artorex's captains.
h. Artorex makes his base in Cadbury Tor where he envisions to create his headquarters, build a symbol for the Britains.
2. Sub Plots:
a. Uther Pendragon, High King of Sub-Roman Britain, is old and sick. His wife is Ygerne, who was widow of Gorios, the Boar of Cornwall, step-daughters are Morgana and Morgause. Morgana is a seer, a Druid Princess and professes that a woman of yellow hair will be Artorex's downfall, although he will become a great king.
b. Artorex's foster family consists of - Lord Ector, a Celt Lord heading the Villa Poppinidii; Livinia his wife; Caius, his birth son, who is married to Julanna and have a child named Livinia. His teacher, Targo the weapons master. Firth, an old maid at the Villa who looks after Artorex. Bishop Lucius sends Artorex here as a two year old babe, aided by Andrewina Ruadh who saves him at the expense of her life.
c. Artorex marries Gallia, friend of Julanna from the House of Gallus. They have a girl child, Licia. She is pregnant again with a second child.
d. It is revealed that Artorex is the son of Uther and Ygerne, a result of Ygerne being raped by Uther.
e. Gareth - great-grandson of Firth who works for Artorex.
f. Bregan the blacksmith, gives Artorex a very finely carved dagger with the dragon of Dracos Legion standard - Winged Worm of the Cetic Kings. It would go on to become King Arthur's legendary dagger. Here it is called as the Dragon Knife of King Artor.
g. Before the trial for strength at Uther's Hall, Trago gives Artorex two wristbands that bear the Dracos Legion insignia. Again these would go on to become legendary.
h. Myrddion Merlinus "Merlin" -
i. Llanwith pen Bryn, King of Ordovice; Myrddion Merlinus and Luka, King of Brigante - the three benefactors of Artorex.
i. Andrewina Ruadh had Merlinus loved each other.
3. Some of old world English and Latin / Roman based English used by the author in the plot:
a. Frigidarium - large cold pool at the Roman baths
b. Caldarium - room with hot bath used in a Roman bath complex.
c. Scriptorium - room set apart for writing manuscripts, especially in a monastery.
d. Catamite - a boy kept for homosexual practices.
e. Pestilence - A fatal epidemic disease.
f. Pannier - a basket carried by beasts of burden.
g. Travail - engage in laborious effort
h. Pederast - old word for a pedophile
i. Cavalcade - a formal procession of people walking, on horseback, or riding in vehicles.
j. Triclinium - a dining table with couches along three sides, used in ancient Rome.
k. Strigil - an instrument with a curved blade used, especially by ancient Greeks and Romans, to scrape sweat and dirt from the skin in a hot-air bath or after exercise.
l. Dotage - the period of life where one is old and weak.
m. Mien - a person's look or manner.
n. Dux Bellorum - A war leader or a warlord.
o. Doggerel - Comic verse composed in irregular rhythm.
4. Grammatical / Character / Plot / Geographical / Historical / Mythological Errors:
a. On Pg. 139, Last line, shouldn’t it be "…It will be months…"
b. On Pg. 241, Line 7, the double quotes after High King is not needed.
Recommendation: A known legend that is turned to fiction in the clever hands of an author who knows how to spin a great tale around a legend, keeping those historical events within the web and adding elements from an author's perspective.
Dragon's Child is the first book in The King Arthur Trilogy by M. K. Hume published first in March of 2009. The trilogy provides the epic tale of the man who was destined to become King Arthur. In this first book, author Hume takes us through his rising from a 12 year old boy to become a Celtic war chief called as Warrior of the West.
This is one of those books I picked at a library sale for a few reasons - a) the cover of the first book caught my attention; b) the author's name some how reminded me of A. P. J. Abdul Kalam, the eleventh president of India. (Don't ask me why); c) Something about Arthur and his reign always intrigued me; and lastly d) I thought it was an Arthurian story set in modern century (you have no idea how wrong I was). Well, anyways, here is the review of the book.
Twelve year old, Artorex "Artor", living under the shelter of Lord Ector in Villa Poppinidii as a person of no status, is suddenly pulled into a world of warriors where he gets training of every kind - Blade and Shield; Horse and Fire; and finally Pain and Bravery! Eventually grows into the Steward of Villa Poppinidii, from where he rises to become the Celtic war chief called as Warrior of the West.
This being a tale spun around an already legendary and somewhat fantasy tale of King Arthur, there are several references to actual historical events and characters that surrounded King Arthur, Merlin and Camelot. For some I had to do Google and read a bit about it before I could follow the flow of the plot. This reduced my pace of reading the book.
Being that the plot is set in late 5th century and early 6th century, author Hume uses a lot of phrases and words that would perhaps pertain to that era or somewhat derivatives of English, Roman and Latin from that period. However, on closer look she has used maximum of them from 15th or later. Yet it still seems something spoken from the 5th century if we don’t know the origins. Smart move.
The author shows the conflict that Artorex faces at every juncture - of walking the grey lines rather than seeing things black and white, the way of the world. At a very young age when a person can think only in black and white, and understand the greys in between, is a quality that is considered for a good leader. And Artorex certainly proved to be one.
It always makes me ponder on human emotions especially situations where parent-child are involved. Why would a parent knowing their child is evil still protect and ask others to protect that said child? Why not send that child to authorities?
Author Hume shows a very different perspective of King Arthur with Arotrex - a boy who was forced upon the kingship just because he had birthright but had no desire to take it over. She also shows the petty human mentality of hating a person just because he or she was born a certain way. And that hatred did not end with common man alone, even royals had the same petty feelings.
Everyone knows the legend of King Arthur, whether he was real or a fiction of historian's imaginations is still debatable. However, Hume took the legend and spun a great tale around that, keeping those historical events within the web and adding elements from an author's perspective. At some places, I fail to see which was Hume's fiction and which was historical fiction that we all have already read and heard of.
One thing did confuse me though. I had thought King Arthur was a British King, but there are influences of Romans and its culture seen in his upbringing in Hume's version here. Perhaps he is more of a Roman-British warrior who fights for Britain in the wars against Saxons. I had to go back to google and Wikipedia to understand further that he was indeed a Roman-British warrior.
Hume also gives a different spin to the story of Arthur drawing the sword out of the stone. The legendary sword and crown of Uther Pendragon that King Arthur inherits, comes out in quite a different way in the hands of Hume in this tale of Artorex. She also gives a few different villains than what the legend reflects for King Arthur.
It took a while for me to finish the book as I was going back to google for help in connecting the dots between the story that Hume spun for us and the actual legend that everyone is after. I should have guessed that Hume would give appendices at the end that would help reader. She has two appendices - for the various characters, the place names that were then and what are called now.
All in all Hume spun a very good historic tale for King Arthur in his alter-ego Artorex, keeping the fiction blended with the legend, while adding her own flair to it without leading the readers off the known story. A very nice beginning to the trilogy keeping the reader's interest to continue into the next book. Cant wait to pick it up soon.
Spoiler Alerts:
1. Plot Reveals:
a. References to historical events and characters are seen all through the plot:
i. Sir Gorlois of Tintagel (https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Gorlois) - Duke of Cornwall and husband to Ygerne before Uther Pendragon killed him, raped Ygerne and ends up marrying her because she becomes pregnant.
ii. Giant's Dance of Merlin (https://www.timetravel-britain.com/ar...)
iii. Caeser's Gaul Campaign (https://www.ancient.eu/gaul/)
iv. The Bleeding Pool of Glastonbury referenced by Hume in the novel looks like is based off of Chalice Well (https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Chalice...) - a natural Red Spring.
b. Morgana, the step-daughter of Uther Pendragon, professes that a child born of russet-hair will end Uther's life. Uther feels threatened with every fair hair child. This prophecy is so similar to a tale in Hindu mythology. Tale about Kamsa, the tyrant ruler of Mathura is professed that the 8th child of his sister Devaki will slew Kamsa. More about it here: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Kamsa But it is so surprising that some of the stories cross-over regions and religions. Perhaps they are same as well as different in their own way.
c. Firth had given a hazel knoll polished and threaded to wear around Gallia's neck. After Gallia's murder, Artorex is given that for remembrance which he wears it around his neck years later which again forms part of the tapestry of King Arthur's legend.
d. Artorex changes his name to Artor when he gets coronated as the High King.
e. Father Lucius of Glastonbury gives Artorex a ring for his left thumb as a gift on being recognized as the High King. Another piece of Arthur that goes into his legend.
f. Myrddion carries a staff that resembles a great sea serpent. Another piece that will become the legend.
g. Some of the characters who might evolve into the characters from Arthurian Legend:
i. Caius is shown as very wily, wicked and cruel although he mends. But there are signs that he has resorted back to his previous self in this book. Curious to see if M. K. Hume still puts him in King Arthur's Knights of Round Table as the legend goes or will spin a different fate for Caius to make this a fiction.
ii. Gruffydd is a spy for Myrddion who rescues a Jute child who is named Nimue. Artorex to avoid Morgan's influence has his dragon tattooed on her leg, and claims her as his protégé. Have to wait and see who she becomes from the legend. Gruffydd becomes the sword bearer to Artorex at the end of the plot here.
iii. Perce - a kitchen helper at Venonae.
iv. Gawayne - third son of King Lot and Queen Morgause (step-daughter of Uther).
v. Simon aka Simeon, a Jewish smith who reforges Uther's sword and remakes the crown for Artorex. He also makes a ring for Artorex's right thumb with a large pearl in it. These also become part of Arthurian legend. The sword is named Caliburn, the Dragon of Britain.
vi. Pinhead or Pelles - one of Artorex's captains.
h. Artorex makes his base in Cadbury Tor where he envisions to create his headquarters, build a symbol for the Britains.
2. Sub Plots:
a. Uther Pendragon, High King of Sub-Roman Britain, is old and sick. His wife is Ygerne, who was widow of Gorios, the Boar of Cornwall, step-daughters are Morgana and Morgause. Morgana is a seer, a Druid Princess and professes that a woman of yellow hair will be Artorex's downfall, although he will become a great king.
b. Artorex's foster family consists of - Lord Ector, a Celt Lord heading the Villa Poppinidii; Livinia his wife; Caius, his birth son, who is married to Julanna and have a child named Livinia. His teacher, Targo the weapons master. Firth, an old maid at the Villa who looks after Artorex. Bishop Lucius sends Artorex here as a two year old babe, aided by Andrewina Ruadh who saves him at the expense of her life.
c. Artorex marries Gallia, friend of Julanna from the House of Gallus. They have a girl child, Licia. She is pregnant again with a second child.
d. It is revealed that Artorex is the son of Uther and Ygerne, a result of Ygerne being raped by Uther.
e. Gareth - great-grandson of Firth who works for Artorex.
f. Bregan the blacksmith, gives Artorex a very finely carved dagger with the dragon of Dracos Legion standard - Winged Worm of the Cetic Kings. It would go on to become King Arthur's legendary dagger. Here it is called as the Dragon Knife of King Artor.
g. Before the trial for strength at Uther's Hall, Trago gives Artorex two wristbands that bear the Dracos Legion insignia. Again these would go on to become legendary.
h. Myrddion Merlinus "Merlin" -
i. Llanwith pen Bryn, King of Ordovice; Myrddion Merlinus and Luka, King of Brigante - the three benefactors of Artorex.
i. Andrewina Ruadh had Merlinus loved each other.
3. Some of old world English and Latin / Roman based English used by the author in the plot:
a. Frigidarium - large cold pool at the Roman baths
b. Caldarium - room with hot bath used in a Roman bath complex.
c. Scriptorium - room set apart for writing manuscripts, especially in a monastery.
d. Catamite - a boy kept for homosexual practices.
e. Pestilence - A fatal epidemic disease.
f. Pannier - a basket carried by beasts of burden.
g. Travail - engage in laborious effort
h. Pederast - old word for a pedophile
i. Cavalcade - a formal procession of people walking, on horseback, or riding in vehicles.
j. Triclinium - a dining table with couches along three sides, used in ancient Rome.
k. Strigil - an instrument with a curved blade used, especially by ancient Greeks and Romans, to scrape sweat and dirt from the skin in a hot-air bath or after exercise.
l. Dotage - the period of life where one is old and weak.
m. Mien - a person's look or manner.
n. Dux Bellorum - A war leader or a warlord.
o. Doggerel - Comic verse composed in irregular rhythm.
4. Grammatical / Character / Plot / Geographical / Historical / Mythological Errors:
a. On Pg. 139, Last line, shouldn’t it be "…It will be months…"
b. On Pg. 241, Line 7, the double quotes after High King is not needed.
November 23, 2014
A decent reimagining of the early years of King Arthur, or Artorex as he is known here - a blend of the Celt and Roman in one tall and ginger man (or 'russet', if you're sensitive about gingerness), unaffectionately known as Lump by the foster family that has raised him in a small Roman settlement near Aquae Sulis. Little better than a slave, Lump is ignored by most and valued by none except for the elderly slave Frith, at least until the family is visited by three travellers (one of whom bears the name Merlinus) who exhort them to train the young Artorex in the ways of battle, diplomacy and other qualities needed in a leader of men. Content to live the life of a simple steward at Villa Poppinidii, events are soon set in motion that leave young Artorex no choice but to venture into the wider, scarier world of ancient Britain and take up the sword against the marauding Saxons while discovering his true birthright as the only son of the dying Uther Pendragon, the malicious, cruel and murderous rapist who's High King of the Britons
Apparently inspired by a note in a historical text referring to Guinevere as King Arthur's second wife, MK Hume has done a pretty decent job of building the world young Artorex lives in with the Britain of the time a curious mix of the Roman, the Celt, and the various other tribes who would have made up a large part of the population of the time, reminding me a little of the Clive Owen starring King Arthur (which, despite being mildly disappointing, did have the advantage of including both Hannibal Lecter and Will Graham being hot on horses).
One of the book's strengths were the small details on how life might have been and how society may have functioned and I have zero problem with the liberties taken with the myths as I know them, but did find that the book faltered somewhat whenever dealing with emotion. While it is quite fitting that the inscrutable Artorex not be mastered by his, there were still many times where the ordeals being faced should have stirred some feeling within me but, other than a small gulp of sadness concerning Frith, I was left completely unruffled. The characters were also drawn with pretty broad strokes, so while there was at least some effort to provide motivations and shades of grey, the villains of the piece were all blatant moustache-twirlers of the highest order.
That said, with the world outside of books needing a bit more of my brainpower at the moment, this was an undemanding and still fairly entertaining bit of brain-candy that will hopefully continue to soothe my tired brain as I plow through the rest of the trilogy.
**Also posted at Randomly Reading and Ranting**
Apparently inspired by a note in a historical text referring to Guinevere as King Arthur's second wife, MK Hume has done a pretty decent job of building the world young Artorex lives in with the Britain of the time a curious mix of the Roman, the Celt, and the various other tribes who would have made up a large part of the population of the time, reminding me a little of the Clive Owen starring King Arthur (which, despite being mildly disappointing, did have the advantage of including both Hannibal Lecter and Will Graham being hot on horses).
One of the book's strengths were the small details on how life might have been and how society may have functioned and I have zero problem with the liberties taken with the myths as I know them, but did find that the book faltered somewhat whenever dealing with emotion. While it is quite fitting that the inscrutable Artorex not be mastered by his, there were still many times where the ordeals being faced should have stirred some feeling within me but, other than a small gulp of sadness concerning Frith, I was left completely unruffled. The characters were also drawn with pretty broad strokes, so while there was at least some effort to provide motivations and shades of grey, the villains of the piece were all blatant moustache-twirlers of the highest order.
That said, with the world outside of books needing a bit more of my brainpower at the moment, this was an undemanding and still fairly entertaining bit of brain-candy that will hopefully continue to soothe my tired brain as I plow through the rest of the trilogy.
**Also posted at Randomly Reading and Ranting**
December 17, 2013
I'll only touch on a few things for this review, but I have to say that overall I wasn't that impressed with the writing style. The "head-hopping" (or constant point-of-view switching) drove me up a wall. Here I am as a published author thinking how my editors would have told me to do a complete rewrite if I head-hopped as much as Ms. Hume does in this book. The end result of using this "omniscient narrator" (head-hopping) creates an emotional distance from the characters, especially the main character of Artorex. Yes, his name is a Roman name and not "Arthur" that you'd might think considering the long title of the book/trilogy. I'm okay that Ms. Hume wants to make Artorex a Celt brought up by a Roman family, although by 600 AD how many pure bred "Romans" are left in Britain, really? (And why are Celts seen to be "deficient" in their warrior ways that only a Roman could do the job right?) It's the emotional distance that the reader feels that sinks the story, because we never stay in any one character's POV for very long--I'm talking about head-hopping every other paragraph in some scenes. Without staying in one POV and feeling a deep connection to the young and struggling Artorex, you really don't get a feel for him as a character or even care for what happens to him. What makes this any different than reading a non-fiction article on the legend of Arthur/Artorex? One spoiler--there is no "magic" or fantasy elements in this story, so some readers who enjoy Arthurian legend will be disappointed. But if you like a story that's simply told to you about a young Celtic boy raised in a Roman manner to become the High King of the Britons, and you don't mind head-hopping, then this is the book for you.
December 2, 2020
DNF- 43%, right around the time I guess the action was to actually start
I REALLY REALLY wanted to like this book. however, bad writing was to be its downfall.
I love a good Arthurian fiction. So I went into this book expecting great things. However, MK Hume has such flat characters that it pulled me away from complete immersion. There are few "bad" characters up to where I reached, and all the "good" (non-villain) people are GOOD. They have a single personality quality that bashes the reader over the head with how many times it's mentioned. They're all understanding and compassionate. No nuance, no flaws that are explored; everyone is unquestionably devoted to Artorex, who himself is perfect in every way. A perfect foster son, a perfect steward, a perfect husband, and I assume to be a perfect leader. MK Hume's writing isn't very subtle either: her dialoguing is on par with contemporary fiction dialogue, but the rest of the chapters consist of TELLING the reader what happens rather than showing it. The perspective doesn't focus on Artorex, but rather takes a bird's-eye outsider's view, and she tells the reader that things happen and bluntly states the way characters react to things happening. She also describes the character personalities at length, instead of showing
I appreciated that there was a theme of Intentions vs. Actions that was faintly brushed upon, but this book could have been so much more.
I REALLY REALLY wanted to like this book. however, bad writing was to be its downfall.
I love a good Arthurian fiction. So I went into this book expecting great things. However, MK Hume has such flat characters that it pulled me away from complete immersion. There are few "bad" characters up to where I reached, and all the "good" (non-villain) people are GOOD. They have a single personality quality that bashes the reader over the head with how many times it's mentioned. They're all understanding and compassionate. No nuance, no flaws that are explored; everyone is unquestionably devoted to Artorex, who himself is perfect in every way. A perfect foster son, a perfect steward, a perfect husband, and I assume to be a perfect leader. MK Hume's writing isn't very subtle either: her dialoguing is on par with contemporary fiction dialogue, but the rest of the chapters consist of TELLING the reader what happens rather than showing it. The perspective doesn't focus on Artorex, but rather takes a bird's-eye outsider's view, and she tells the reader that things happen and bluntly states the way characters react to things happening. She also describes the character personalities at length, instead of showing
I appreciated that there was a theme of Intentions vs. Actions that was faintly brushed upon, but this book could have been so much more.
July 19, 2011
Now, I'm a great fan of Arthurian legend and have read almost every book there is on this topic (including non-fic folk-lore stuff), so I'm very open to interpretations......
And this book has a lot of them; some good, some not so good, but they all fit well into the author's story. So, if you've only read some Arthurian stuff, then this is good enough to add to your list.
However, the Author's Note at the end of the book implies that the author is an academic authority on Arthur and that actually defines the level of writing IMHO. It does read like an academic thesis, fictioned-up to bolster the known mythology. It is plodding, though even paced, not very magical, and not even action-packed in the fight/battle scenes. I originally thought this was a YA targeted book, but there is a small plot line which involves 'dark god' worship and pederasty, neither of which contributed to the whole story, nor was quite necessary in the first place. There is also a very vivid after-battle rape scene which actually made me feel nauseous, and a 'black magic' scene which didn't add anything that part of the story. So I certainly wouldn't give it to a young teen to read.
Having bought the triolgy, I'll probably read 2 and 3 bearing all this in mind, and hoping it takes off..........to be continued.
And this book has a lot of them; some good, some not so good, but they all fit well into the author's story. So, if you've only read some Arthurian stuff, then this is good enough to add to your list.
However, the Author's Note at the end of the book implies that the author is an academic authority on Arthur and that actually defines the level of writing IMHO. It does read like an academic thesis, fictioned-up to bolster the known mythology. It is plodding, though even paced, not very magical, and not even action-packed in the fight/battle scenes. I originally thought this was a YA targeted book, but there is a small plot line which involves 'dark god' worship and pederasty, neither of which contributed to the whole story, nor was quite necessary in the first place. There is also a very vivid after-battle rape scene which actually made me feel nauseous, and a 'black magic' scene which didn't add anything that part of the story. So I certainly wouldn't give it to a young teen to read.
Having bought the triolgy, I'll probably read 2 and 3 bearing all this in mind, and hoping it takes off..........to be continued.
December 29, 2018
This marvellous book by this author, which is the 1st volume of the King Arthur trilogy, has been my very first encounter with this lady and I have to say that I thoroughly enjoyed the whole book.
The tale is written in a very dedicated and passionate way by the author and it pictures the complete way of living in Celtic Britain in a most authentic and wonderful manner while at the same time all her characters within this book come all vividly to life.
The story itself begins in Britain in the Dark Ages with the nearing death of Uther Pendragon, High King of Celtic Britain, and so while the tyrant is slowly falling and dying, behind his back minor kings are fighting for his throne.
At this same time Artorex is growing up in the household of Lord Ector, when one day three influential men arrive at Ector's villa to arrange for Artorex to be taught the martial skills of the warrior.
When Artorex arrives back some years later, now well trained in the arts of battle and as a married man, he finds the cities in the east of Britain fall to the Saxon hordes.
Although Artorex wins many battles for the Celts, for him that's not enough, because if he wants to win the complete trust of these same Celtic warriors and become High King he needs to find Uther's Crown and Sword.
This book is a wonderful piece of storytelling and thus "A Fantastic Opening Scene" of the King Arthur trilogy!
The tale is written in a very dedicated and passionate way by the author and it pictures the complete way of living in Celtic Britain in a most authentic and wonderful manner while at the same time all her characters within this book come all vividly to life.
The story itself begins in Britain in the Dark Ages with the nearing death of Uther Pendragon, High King of Celtic Britain, and so while the tyrant is slowly falling and dying, behind his back minor kings are fighting for his throne.
At this same time Artorex is growing up in the household of Lord Ector, when one day three influential men arrive at Ector's villa to arrange for Artorex to be taught the martial skills of the warrior.
When Artorex arrives back some years later, now well trained in the arts of battle and as a married man, he finds the cities in the east of Britain fall to the Saxon hordes.
Although Artorex wins many battles for the Celts, for him that's not enough, because if he wants to win the complete trust of these same Celtic warriors and become High King he needs to find Uther's Crown and Sword.
This book is a wonderful piece of storytelling and thus "A Fantastic Opening Scene" of the King Arthur trilogy!
February 11, 2014
Es este camino, el de intento de recreación histórica, el que sigue M. K. Hume, profesora e investigadora del mito artúrico, en el libro que nos ocupa (primera parte de la trilogía “El rey Arturo”). Y esto puede ser tanto su gran acierto como su principal defecto, según se mire. Dice la contraportada: “[...] en ella despoja al personaje de todo aspecto mágico para convertirlo en un hombre de carne y hueso. Lo traslada de la leyenda a la historia que pudo ser”. Aquí no encontraremos el brillante Camelot. El Arturo de Hume se llama Artorex, y vive en una Britania aún marcada por la caída de Roma –estableciendo, en este sentido, un escenario vagamente similar al que presenta Valerio Massimo Manfredi en su La última legión–, acosada por los invasores sajones. De este modo, Hume...
Sigue leyendo: http://www.laespadaenlatinta.com/2014/02/resena-mk-hume-hijo-dragon-ciclo-arturico.html
Sigue leyendo: http://www.laespadaenlatinta.com/2014/02/resena-mk-hume-hijo-dragon-ciclo-arturico.html
October 24, 2010
This was a chance buy at the airport while travelling to work and has since gone around my family, friends and work colleagues.
The book tells the story of Artorex, the foster son of a Roman family in Aquae Sulis (Bath), and his gradual rise to adulthood and the fate that has been decided for him since his birth.
Hulme is a fantastic story-teller and develops the characters in an unobtrusive way that helps the reader to build a relationship with the story; you’re not reminded that you’re reading a book by over the top paragraphs of description or blatant asides (which wouldn’t work in the case of this story).
I enjoyed this so much that I re-read the prologue and the historical notes – the later of which I can recommend to everyone as it really helps to enhance the ‘legitimacy’ of the story that Hulme has created around such a legendary figure.
September 16, 2016
Creo que la única referencia que tenía sobre las historia del rey Arturo es la caricatura de Disney. El rey Arturo, el hijo del dragón es el primer libro que leo sobre un hombre llamado Arturo y me refiero a "hombre" porque la mayoría de las historias contadas son más sobre el "mito o leyenda" de este personaje.
M.K. Hume ha hecho de este personaje una persona más real, más de carne y hueso, haciendo que muchas de las leyendas sobre Arturo sean justificadas o mucho más creíbles sin toda la fantasía y mística que ha rodeado al personaje.
El Arturo de M.K. Hume es tan increíblemente descrito que siento como si fuera real y más humano. Si Arturo fuera un personaje histórico real, me gustaría que hubiese sido como el de este primer libro.
M.K. Hume ha hecho de este personaje una persona más real, más de carne y hueso, haciendo que muchas de las leyendas sobre Arturo sean justificadas o mucho más creíbles sin toda la fantasía y mística que ha rodeado al personaje.
El Arturo de M.K. Hume es tan increíblemente descrito que siento como si fuera real y más humano. Si Arturo fuera un personaje histórico real, me gustaría que hubiese sido como el de este primer libro.
February 13, 2017
I can't say anything about the historical accuracy of the novel but as a work of fiction, I really enjoyed it.
There is little magic in this tale, it's more an attempt to portray Arthur in a historical perspective which is great. Most the time authors who focus on King Arthur legends focuses more on the mythological aspects and with less emphasis on human achievement and logical reasoning. This is the reverse in Hume 's novel.
I look forward to read books 2&3.
* This contains some disturbing stuff such as horrific abductions and torture of children, rape, about pedophiles etc.
There is little magic in this tale, it's more an attempt to portray Arthur in a historical perspective which is great. Most the time authors who focus on King Arthur legends focuses more on the mythological aspects and with less emphasis on human achievement and logical reasoning. This is the reverse in Hume 's novel.
I look forward to read books 2&3.
* This contains some disturbing stuff such as horrific abductions and torture of children, rape, about pedophiles etc.
March 3, 2016
Un libro entretenido y para pasar un buen rato. Es una versión bastante realista del mito de Arturo, aunque mantiene a todos los personajes canónicos: Merlín y Morgana y supongo que a Lanzarote y Ginebra en la segunda parte.
Están bien conjugadas las dos teorías del Arturo romano y el Arturo celta y, como libro de aventuras, es entretenido.
El principal fallo, para mi gusto, es que los personajes son estereotipos con patas; y por tanto, bastante planos y previsibles. Pero se deja leer y me apetece continuar con el siguiente (de hecho, ya lo he empezado)
Están bien conjugadas las dos teorías del Arturo romano y el Arturo celta y, como libro de aventuras, es entretenido.
El principal fallo, para mi gusto, es que los personajes son estereotipos con patas; y por tanto, bastante planos y previsibles. Pero se deja leer y me apetece continuar con el siguiente (de hecho, ya lo he empezado)
February 11, 2021
Might have enjoyed this more if the omniscient narrator didn't describe a 14-year-old girl as "voluptuous"
October 22, 2013
Originally published at Risingshadow.
M. K. Hume's Dragon's Child is a bit different kind of a retelling of the well-known and famous legend of King Arthur. The author explores King Arthur's background in a surpringly deep way from childhood to adulthood. This novel tells how King Arthur becomes the man he is and what makes him do the things he does.
Dragon's Child is an epic historical adventure that follows a young man's journey from an unknown, but respected steward to the High King of the Britons. It's a story about family ties, village life, innocence lost, betrayal, deception and wartime horrors.
There are probably readers out there who wonder if Dragon's Child is historical fiction or historical fantasy. In my opinion this novel is historical fiction that contains a few fantastical elements (prophecies etc), so it differs a bit from normal historical fiction.
Here's a bit of information about the story:
- In the prologue Uther Pendragon is a dying man in the palace of Venta Belgarum. Morgan keeps him alive with drugs.
- Lump is a 12 year old boy and lives with his foster father Lord Ector and his family at the Villa Poppinidii. When strangers come for a visit, things change for him and people begin to call him Artorex. He has to learn several new things and he finds out about how he was brought to Lord Ector and what happened to the woman that saved her. Targo teaches him how to fight and he slowly grows up and learns new things about fighting and also about life. When Artorex has grown up, Myrddion and his friends arrive to take him with them, because he has a destiny to fulfill...
M. K. Hume writes fluently about the characters. The characterization is good and detailed. It's great that the author takes time to develop the characters and shows how they grow up etc, because it adds depth to the novel. The author explores fascinatingly what is good and what is evil through her characters, because the characters make their own choices and they have to live with what they have done or haven't done.
The cast of characters is diverse and there are plenty of characters in this novel. Here's a bit of information about certain characters so that readers can see what kind of characters there are in this novel:
- Artorex is a young man who has a lot to learn. His early life is full of learning etc, but he's a man who has a good head on his shoulders and knows what's right and what's wrong.
- Gallia is an intriguing young woman. She talks a lot, she's brave and she's not afraid to say what's on her mind - she's very outspoken.
- Caius, Artorex's foster brother, is an evil character and his deeds are horrifying. The author paints a vivid picture of him and his evil nature.
- Lord Ector, the foster father of Artorex is an interesting character, because he's the lord of the Villa Poppinidii. He refuses to see certain things about his evil son, although he knows about his evil deeds.
- Morgan is a fantastic evil woman. She's full of hate and she's obviously mad. Everybody fears her, because they think that she's a witch.
- Myrddion is a bit mysterious man. The author writes well about him and tells how he supports Artorex.
I enjoyed reading about Artorex and his life. It was fascinating how the author wrote about his early years and how he became a leader. There was plenty of love, loss and pain in his life (it was great that the author hinted mysteriously to what may happen to Artorex in the future and what his life may be like).
I also enjoyed reading about Morgan and her evil doings, because she's one of the best and most malicious female characters I've ever read about. She's a beautiful, but dangerous woman who can see things and gives prophecies. She has her own motives for doing the things she does.
Dragon's Child is a novel for adult readers, because it contains all kinds of brutality from child mutilation and domestic violence (wife beating) to sexual violence and bloody murders. The scene involving the dark god worship and the altar was a brilliantly brutal and disturbing scene and it may be a shocking reading experience to readers who aren't used to reading dark and disturbing material. All the readers who like grim and dark stories will be thrilled to read about it.
I think it's good to mention that in this novel bad things happen to good people. This is good, because it shows that the author doesn't shy away from difficult material and isn't afraid of shocking her readers. I've always respected authors who are willing to take risks with their stories and make readers move away from their comfort zones.
There's also sex in this novel, but the sex scenes aren't very explicit. The author has written these scenes well.
One of the best things about Dragon's Child is that the past events affect the future events. The author has created a story that relies on the past events. For example, what Caius has done has an effect on his later life.
There's even a bit of humour in this novel. For example, it was fun to read how Gallia came for a visit to Villa Poppinidii. These humorous moments are written delightfully.
M. K. Hume has a talent for creating a good and believable atmosphere. The poisonous and malicious atmosphere in Uther Pendragon's court is amazing, because the old king is dying and he's mad (Morgan despises him, but keeps him alive with her potions to prolong his suffering). I loved reading about these scenes.
The author also writes well about how heavy the burden of leadership can feel and how difficult it is to make decisions that affect the lives of several men and women. It was interesting to read how Myrddion and Artorex had to make difficult choices and how they coped with the choices they had done.
M. K. Hume has an interesting way of avoiding typical clichés associated with Arthurian legends and historical fantasy novels. She hasn't made easy choices and writes unflinchingly about brutal scenes, which is very nice. She has taken quite a lot of liberties with the legend of King Arthur, but that's a good thing, because it was nice to read a new retelling of the famous legend. She has made many changes to the story, but these changes are interesting.
I have to admit that I was impressed by how easily the author wrote about the life and the customs of the people at the Villa Poppinidii. She pays attention to small details and makes everything feel realistic and beliavable. Her descriptions of the people and their lives were interesting. She has plenty of imagination, because she has created a believable vision of Celtic Britain in the Dark Ages (she has had courage to write about what life was really like during the time of King Arthur).
The author's detailed descriptions of the ancient life are so believable that at times it felt like I was reading a history book. This didn't bother me at all, because I'm interested in ancient history, but it's possible that it may bother some readers. In my opinion this kind of storytelling adds an interesting flavour to the prose.
It's a bit difficult to compare M. K. Hume to other authors of Arthurian novels and stories, because she has her own writing style that separates her from other authors. Her writing style reminds me a bit of Karen Azinger. She has the same kind of talent of writing fluently and vividly about the happenings as Karen Azinger and she keeps the story moving all the time.
I think it's good that the author has used old words and terms in this novel, because it adds a bit of realism to the storyline. I also have to mention that the maps, family trees and author's notes are probably useful to several readers, because they help the reader to understand certain things.
It's possible that Dragon's Child may split readers to those who like it and to those who don't like it, because it isn't your usual kind of King Arthur story. There's plenty of morality in this novel and the author also shows that the actions of the characters have consequences and it's up to them to either learn about their mistakes or ignore them. I personally enjoyed reading this novel, because it was something a bit different.
I'll soon read and review The Warrior of the West, which is the second novel of The King Arthur Trilogy. It'll be interesting to see how the author continues the story, becaue this novel laid a good foundation for the sequels.
I can recommend Dragon's Child to reader who like Arthurian stories, because it's an interesting reading experience. It's an entertaining piece of historical fiction that tells the legend of King Arthur in a totally different kind of way, because the author concentrates on writing about King Arthur, his life and his feelings. It's not an easy novel, because it contains brutal scenes, but it's interesting entertainment. I think that Dragon's Child will be of interest to readers of historical fiction and epic fantasy, because it contains an epic story arc and vivid descriptions of life in ancient Britain.
Good entertainment!
M. K. Hume's Dragon's Child is a bit different kind of a retelling of the well-known and famous legend of King Arthur. The author explores King Arthur's background in a surpringly deep way from childhood to adulthood. This novel tells how King Arthur becomes the man he is and what makes him do the things he does.
Dragon's Child is an epic historical adventure that follows a young man's journey from an unknown, but respected steward to the High King of the Britons. It's a story about family ties, village life, innocence lost, betrayal, deception and wartime horrors.
There are probably readers out there who wonder if Dragon's Child is historical fiction or historical fantasy. In my opinion this novel is historical fiction that contains a few fantastical elements (prophecies etc), so it differs a bit from normal historical fiction.
Here's a bit of information about the story:
- In the prologue Uther Pendragon is a dying man in the palace of Venta Belgarum. Morgan keeps him alive with drugs.
- Lump is a 12 year old boy and lives with his foster father Lord Ector and his family at the Villa Poppinidii. When strangers come for a visit, things change for him and people begin to call him Artorex. He has to learn several new things and he finds out about how he was brought to Lord Ector and what happened to the woman that saved her. Targo teaches him how to fight and he slowly grows up and learns new things about fighting and also about life. When Artorex has grown up, Myrddion and his friends arrive to take him with them, because he has a destiny to fulfill...
M. K. Hume writes fluently about the characters. The characterization is good and detailed. It's great that the author takes time to develop the characters and shows how they grow up etc, because it adds depth to the novel. The author explores fascinatingly what is good and what is evil through her characters, because the characters make their own choices and they have to live with what they have done or haven't done.
The cast of characters is diverse and there are plenty of characters in this novel. Here's a bit of information about certain characters so that readers can see what kind of characters there are in this novel:
- Artorex is a young man who has a lot to learn. His early life is full of learning etc, but he's a man who has a good head on his shoulders and knows what's right and what's wrong.
- Gallia is an intriguing young woman. She talks a lot, she's brave and she's not afraid to say what's on her mind - she's very outspoken.
- Caius, Artorex's foster brother, is an evil character and his deeds are horrifying. The author paints a vivid picture of him and his evil nature.
- Lord Ector, the foster father of Artorex is an interesting character, because he's the lord of the Villa Poppinidii. He refuses to see certain things about his evil son, although he knows about his evil deeds.
- Morgan is a fantastic evil woman. She's full of hate and she's obviously mad. Everybody fears her, because they think that she's a witch.
- Myrddion is a bit mysterious man. The author writes well about him and tells how he supports Artorex.
I enjoyed reading about Artorex and his life. It was fascinating how the author wrote about his early years and how he became a leader. There was plenty of love, loss and pain in his life (it was great that the author hinted mysteriously to what may happen to Artorex in the future and what his life may be like).
I also enjoyed reading about Morgan and her evil doings, because she's one of the best and most malicious female characters I've ever read about. She's a beautiful, but dangerous woman who can see things and gives prophecies. She has her own motives for doing the things she does.
Dragon's Child is a novel for adult readers, because it contains all kinds of brutality from child mutilation and domestic violence (wife beating) to sexual violence and bloody murders. The scene involving the dark god worship and the altar was a brilliantly brutal and disturbing scene and it may be a shocking reading experience to readers who aren't used to reading dark and disturbing material. All the readers who like grim and dark stories will be thrilled to read about it.
I think it's good to mention that in this novel bad things happen to good people. This is good, because it shows that the author doesn't shy away from difficult material and isn't afraid of shocking her readers. I've always respected authors who are willing to take risks with their stories and make readers move away from their comfort zones.
There's also sex in this novel, but the sex scenes aren't very explicit. The author has written these scenes well.
One of the best things about Dragon's Child is that the past events affect the future events. The author has created a story that relies on the past events. For example, what Caius has done has an effect on his later life.
There's even a bit of humour in this novel. For example, it was fun to read how Gallia came for a visit to Villa Poppinidii. These humorous moments are written delightfully.
M. K. Hume has a talent for creating a good and believable atmosphere. The poisonous and malicious atmosphere in Uther Pendragon's court is amazing, because the old king is dying and he's mad (Morgan despises him, but keeps him alive with her potions to prolong his suffering). I loved reading about these scenes.
The author also writes well about how heavy the burden of leadership can feel and how difficult it is to make decisions that affect the lives of several men and women. It was interesting to read how Myrddion and Artorex had to make difficult choices and how they coped with the choices they had done.
M. K. Hume has an interesting way of avoiding typical clichés associated with Arthurian legends and historical fantasy novels. She hasn't made easy choices and writes unflinchingly about brutal scenes, which is very nice. She has taken quite a lot of liberties with the legend of King Arthur, but that's a good thing, because it was nice to read a new retelling of the famous legend. She has made many changes to the story, but these changes are interesting.
I have to admit that I was impressed by how easily the author wrote about the life and the customs of the people at the Villa Poppinidii. She pays attention to small details and makes everything feel realistic and beliavable. Her descriptions of the people and their lives were interesting. She has plenty of imagination, because she has created a believable vision of Celtic Britain in the Dark Ages (she has had courage to write about what life was really like during the time of King Arthur).
The author's detailed descriptions of the ancient life are so believable that at times it felt like I was reading a history book. This didn't bother me at all, because I'm interested in ancient history, but it's possible that it may bother some readers. In my opinion this kind of storytelling adds an interesting flavour to the prose.
It's a bit difficult to compare M. K. Hume to other authors of Arthurian novels and stories, because she has her own writing style that separates her from other authors. Her writing style reminds me a bit of Karen Azinger. She has the same kind of talent of writing fluently and vividly about the happenings as Karen Azinger and she keeps the story moving all the time.
I think it's good that the author has used old words and terms in this novel, because it adds a bit of realism to the storyline. I also have to mention that the maps, family trees and author's notes are probably useful to several readers, because they help the reader to understand certain things.
It's possible that Dragon's Child may split readers to those who like it and to those who don't like it, because it isn't your usual kind of King Arthur story. There's plenty of morality in this novel and the author also shows that the actions of the characters have consequences and it's up to them to either learn about their mistakes or ignore them. I personally enjoyed reading this novel, because it was something a bit different.
I'll soon read and review The Warrior of the West, which is the second novel of The King Arthur Trilogy. It'll be interesting to see how the author continues the story, becaue this novel laid a good foundation for the sequels.
I can recommend Dragon's Child to reader who like Arthurian stories, because it's an interesting reading experience. It's an entertaining piece of historical fiction that tells the legend of King Arthur in a totally different kind of way, because the author concentrates on writing about King Arthur, his life and his feelings. It's not an easy novel, because it contains brutal scenes, but it's interesting entertainment. I think that Dragon's Child will be of interest to readers of historical fiction and epic fantasy, because it contains an epic story arc and vivid descriptions of life in ancient Britain.
Good entertainment!
Displaying 1 - 30 of 159 reviews