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Grail Quest #2
Vagabond
Thomas of Hookton, having survived the battle of Crécy, is sent by the king on a mission to discover more about his father's strange inheritance, which rumored to be connected to the Holy Grail. But he is not the only person pursuing it and his rivals will stop at nothing. Now the holder of great knowledge, he is in even greater danger, facing at last his enemy and cousin, the elusive Guy of Vexille.
500 pages, Paperback
First published October 7, 2002
About the author
Bernard Cornwell
586 books20k followersCornwell was born in London in 1944. His father was a Canadian airman, and his mother, who was English, a member of the Women's Auxiliary Air Force. He was adopted and brought up in Essex by the Wiggins family, who were members of the Peculiar People, a strict Protestant sect who banned frivolity of all kinds and even medicine. After he left them, he changed his name to his birth mother's maiden name, Cornwell.
Cornwell was sent away to Monkton Combe School, attended the University of London, and after graduating, worked as a teacher. He attempted to enlist in the British armed services at least three times but was rejected on the grounds of myopia.
He then joined BBC's Nationwide and was promoted to become head of current affairs at BBC Northern Ireland. He then joined Thames Television as editor of Thames News. He relocated to the United States in 1980 after marrying an American. Unable to get a green card, he started writing novels, as this did not require a work permit.
As a child, Cornwell loved the novels of C.S. Forester, chronicling the adventures of fictional British naval officer Horatio Hornblower during the Napoleonic Wars, and was surprised to find there were no such novels following Lord Wellington's campaign on land. Motivated by the need to support himself in the U.S. through writing, Cornwell decided to write such a series. He named his chief protagonist Richard Sharpe, a rifleman involved in most major battles of the Peninsular War.
Cornwell wanted to start the series with the Siege of Badajoz but decided instead to start with a couple of "warm-up" novels. These were Sharpe's Eagle and Sharpe's Gold, both published in 1981. Sharpe's Eagle was picked up by a publisher, and Cornwell got a three-book deal. He went on to tell the story of Badajoz in his third Sharpe novel, Sharpe's Company, published in 1982.
Cornwell and wife Judy co-wrote a series of novels, published under the pseudonym "Susannah Kells". These were A Crowning Mercy, published in 1983, Fallen Angels in 1984, and Coat of Arms (aka The Aristocrats) in 1986. (Cornwell's strict Protestant upbringing informed the background of A Crowning Mercy, which took place during the English Civil War.) In 1987, he also published Redcoat, an American Revolutionary War novel set in Philadelphia during its 1777 occupation by the British.
After publishing eight books in his ongoing Sharpe series, Cornwell was approached by a production company interested in adapting them for television. The producers asked him to write a prequel to give them a starting point to the series. They also requested that the story feature a large role for Spanish characters to secure co-funding from Spain. The result was Sharpe’s Rifles, published in 1987, and a series of Sharpe television films staring Sean Bean.
A series of contemporary thrillers with sailing as a background and common themes followed: Wildtrack published in 1988, Sea Lord (aka Killer's Wake) in 1989, Crackdown in 1990, Stormchild in 1991, and Scoundrel, a political thriller, in 1992.
In June 2006, Cornwell was made an Officer of the Order of the British Empire in the Queen's 80th Birthday Honours List.
Cornwell's latest work, Azincourt, was released in the UK in October 2008. The protagonist is an archer who participates in the Battle of Agincourt, another devastating defeat suffered by the French in the Hundred Years War. However, Cornwell has stated that it will not be about Thomas of Hookton from The Grail Quest or any of his relatives.
Cornwell was sent away to Monkton Combe School, attended the University of London, and after graduating, worked as a teacher. He attempted to enlist in the British armed services at least three times but was rejected on the grounds of myopia.
He then joined BBC's Nationwide and was promoted to become head of current affairs at BBC Northern Ireland. He then joined Thames Television as editor of Thames News. He relocated to the United States in 1980 after marrying an American. Unable to get a green card, he started writing novels, as this did not require a work permit.
As a child, Cornwell loved the novels of C.S. Forester, chronicling the adventures of fictional British naval officer Horatio Hornblower during the Napoleonic Wars, and was surprised to find there were no such novels following Lord Wellington's campaign on land. Motivated by the need to support himself in the U.S. through writing, Cornwell decided to write such a series. He named his chief protagonist Richard Sharpe, a rifleman involved in most major battles of the Peninsular War.
Cornwell wanted to start the series with the Siege of Badajoz but decided instead to start with a couple of "warm-up" novels. These were Sharpe's Eagle and Sharpe's Gold, both published in 1981. Sharpe's Eagle was picked up by a publisher, and Cornwell got a three-book deal. He went on to tell the story of Badajoz in his third Sharpe novel, Sharpe's Company, published in 1982.
Cornwell and wife Judy co-wrote a series of novels, published under the pseudonym "Susannah Kells". These were A Crowning Mercy, published in 1983, Fallen Angels in 1984, and Coat of Arms (aka The Aristocrats) in 1986. (Cornwell's strict Protestant upbringing informed the background of A Crowning Mercy, which took place during the English Civil War.) In 1987, he also published Redcoat, an American Revolutionary War novel set in Philadelphia during its 1777 occupation by the British.
After publishing eight books in his ongoing Sharpe series, Cornwell was approached by a production company interested in adapting them for television. The producers asked him to write a prequel to give them a starting point to the series. They also requested that the story feature a large role for Spanish characters to secure co-funding from Spain. The result was Sharpe’s Rifles, published in 1987, and a series of Sharpe television films staring Sean Bean.
A series of contemporary thrillers with sailing as a background and common themes followed: Wildtrack published in 1988, Sea Lord (aka Killer's Wake) in 1989, Crackdown in 1990, Stormchild in 1991, and Scoundrel, a political thriller, in 1992.
In June 2006, Cornwell was made an Officer of the Order of the British Empire in the Queen's 80th Birthday Honours List.
Cornwell's latest work, Azincourt, was released in the UK in October 2008. The protagonist is an archer who participates in the Battle of Agincourt, another devastating defeat suffered by the French in the Hundred Years War. However, Cornwell has stated that it will not be about Thomas of Hookton from The Grail Quest or any of his relatives.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 682 reviews
May 24, 2023
3.5/5 Estrellas
El año posterior a la batalla de Crecy (1346), marca uno de los hitos más exitosos de la Guerra de los 100 años, a favor del bando inglés.
Tras destrozar el inmenso ejército francés, el rey Eduardo III marcha a sitiar la ciudad estratégica de Calais, que considera imprescindible como cabeza de puente con las islas (con razón ya que fue la última posesión perdida por los ingleses en el continente) . Aquí no le va a ir demasiado bien, detenido por los pantanos, el tiempo y las poderosas murallas de la ciudad.
Sin embargo en otros escenarios, las cosas van sorprendentemente bien. En la frontera escocesa, aprovechando la supuesta debilidad inglesa (con el ejército en Francia), un poderoso ejército escocés nunca antes visto, al mando de David II (hijo de Robert Bruce, que consiguió independizarse de Inglaterra....que recuerdos de Braveheart y William Wallace), invade el norte de Inglaterra, camino de Durham y York, devastando todo a su paso. A las puertas de Durham, en la batalla de Neville´s Cross, un pequeño ejército les hace frente y tras un duro enfrentamiento acaban aniquilando a los escoceses y capturando a su rey...¿os imagináis qué fue decisivo?. Los arqueros, si. Este cuerpo militar, se estaba convirtiendo en un arma de destrucción masiva que, bien dirigida, era capaz de ganar batallas en condiciones de inferioridad numérica abrumadora.
En el otro escenario de la guerra, el ducado de Bretaña, donde los ingleses se habían apoderado de varias plazas, el duque pro-francés, el duque de Blois, sobrino del rey de Francia, sale al campo dispuesto a expulsar al invasor. Igualmente, con un ejército superior, se ve barrido por los ingleses a las puertas de La Roche Derrien, una pequeña ciudad bretona y el duque también es capturado.
Dos ilustres inquilinos pasan a habitar la Torre en Londres. Sus ingentes rescates enriquecerán sobremanera al tesoro inglés.
Dos episodios no muy conocidos, pero que ponen de manifiesto la tremenda superioridad militar de los ingleses en estos momentos y el terrible impacto que los arqueros tenían en el escenario bélico y en la moral de sus enemigos.
Y, entre estos dos episodios llenos de acción, se mueven nuestros protagonistas, Thomas (el arquero descendiente de nobles franceses exiliados), Robbie (escocés capturado en la batalla de Neville's Cross), Sir Guillaume....y muchos otros que se mueven de forma errática a la búsqueda del preciado Grial. Y aquí, es donde todo se va al garete, para mi claro. Asistimos a la típica pugna entre nuestro héroe, los poderes vaticanos, los villanos buscavidas que siguen el olor del dinero y del poder y que convierten la historia en un batiburrillo, que sólo se salva por la potencia de las escenas de acción y por lo bien que están contados los episodios históricos.
Mira que siempre he huido del rollo este del Grial, pero en esta serie me tienen atrapado el relato de las batallas y el periodo histórico, así que me seguiré tragando las historias de manuscritos, leyendas, copas, milagros y demás mandangas....a ver por donde sale en el siguiente.
Porque este señor narra la guerra y las batallas como nadie.
El año posterior a la batalla de Crecy (1346), marca uno de los hitos más exitosos de la Guerra de los 100 años, a favor del bando inglés.
Tras destrozar el inmenso ejército francés, el rey Eduardo III marcha a sitiar la ciudad estratégica de Calais, que considera imprescindible como cabeza de puente con las islas (con razón ya que fue la última posesión perdida por los ingleses en el continente) . Aquí no le va a ir demasiado bien, detenido por los pantanos, el tiempo y las poderosas murallas de la ciudad.
Sin embargo en otros escenarios, las cosas van sorprendentemente bien. En la frontera escocesa, aprovechando la supuesta debilidad inglesa (con el ejército en Francia), un poderoso ejército escocés nunca antes visto, al mando de David II (hijo de Robert Bruce, que consiguió independizarse de Inglaterra....que recuerdos de Braveheart y William Wallace), invade el norte de Inglaterra, camino de Durham y York, devastando todo a su paso. A las puertas de Durham, en la batalla de Neville´s Cross, un pequeño ejército les hace frente y tras un duro enfrentamiento acaban aniquilando a los escoceses y capturando a su rey...¿os imagináis qué fue decisivo?. Los arqueros, si. Este cuerpo militar, se estaba convirtiendo en un arma de destrucción masiva que, bien dirigida, era capaz de ganar batallas en condiciones de inferioridad numérica abrumadora.
En el otro escenario de la guerra, el ducado de Bretaña, donde los ingleses se habían apoderado de varias plazas, el duque pro-francés, el duque de Blois, sobrino del rey de Francia, sale al campo dispuesto a expulsar al invasor. Igualmente, con un ejército superior, se ve barrido por los ingleses a las puertas de La Roche Derrien, una pequeña ciudad bretona y el duque también es capturado.
Dos ilustres inquilinos pasan a habitar la Torre en Londres. Sus ingentes rescates enriquecerán sobremanera al tesoro inglés.
Dos episodios no muy conocidos, pero que ponen de manifiesto la tremenda superioridad militar de los ingleses en estos momentos y el terrible impacto que los arqueros tenían en el escenario bélico y en la moral de sus enemigos.
Y, entre estos dos episodios llenos de acción, se mueven nuestros protagonistas, Thomas (el arquero descendiente de nobles franceses exiliados), Robbie (escocés capturado en la batalla de Neville's Cross), Sir Guillaume....y muchos otros que se mueven de forma errática a la búsqueda del preciado Grial. Y aquí, es donde todo se va al garete, para mi claro. Asistimos a la típica pugna entre nuestro héroe, los poderes vaticanos, los villanos buscavidas que siguen el olor del dinero y del poder y que convierten la historia en un batiburrillo, que sólo se salva por la potencia de las escenas de acción y por lo bien que están contados los episodios históricos.
Mira que siempre he huido del rollo este del Grial, pero en esta serie me tienen atrapado el relato de las batallas y el periodo histórico, así que me seguiré tragando las historias de manuscritos, leyendas, copas, milagros y demás mandangas....a ver por donde sale en el siguiente.
Porque este señor narra la guerra y las batallas como nadie.
March 27, 2025
În modul cel mai firesc pentru însușirile lui Cornwell, acțiunea celui de-al doilea volum al trilogiei Graalului începe cu lupta de la Neville's Cross (în apropiere de Durham) dintre englezi și scoțieni. Nu a trecut prea mult de la bătălia de la Crécy din 26 august 1346. Suntem în 17 octombrie. Thomas și-a păstrat vitejia, e un arcaș neîntrecut, un luptător fără pereche. Corpul arcașilor englezi va fi decisiv și în această bătălie.
În timp ce oștirile se înfruntă cu înverșunare, în Durham, călugărul dominican Bernard de Taillebourg, inchizitor fanatic, însoțit de Guy Vexille, vor să afle secretul Graalului de la un monah bătrîn, aflat pe moarte, un bătrîn care l-a îngrijit pe părintele Ralph. Nu obțin mare lucru de la Hugh Collimore. În schimb, îi ucid în treacăt pe Eleanor (logodnica lui Thomas) și pe părintele Hobbe.
Naratorul relatează, așadar, ura dintre verii Vexille (Guy și Thomas) și consecințele ei. Întîlnim cîteva personaje noi. Cel mai important dintre ele este, desigur, Robbie Douglas, un scoțian impulsiv, devenit prietenul arcașului. Thomas nu jelește prea tare moartea lui Eleanor (în Evul Mediu nu exista acest obicei) și, cînd se va întoarce în Bretania, o va reîntîlni pe Jeanette în cetatea La Roche-Derrien. Femeia s-a pocăit suficient. Dar și-a păstrat intactă puterea de fascinație. Nu e nevoie decît de o scînteie ca focul de odinioară să izbucnească din nou:
Nu-i de mirare că și acest volum se încheie cu o luptă la fel de crîncenă. Ducele Charles de Blois, călăul lui Jeanette, începe asediul cetății La Roche-Derrien. Francezii nu au noroc nici cu acest prilej, arcașii englezi fac minuni de vitejie, și maleficul duce e luat prizonier. Thomas de Hookton va porni spre sudul Franței, acolo unde au fost cîndva proprietățile familiei Vexille.
Am găsit un pasaj în care lordul Outhwaite de Witcar îi povestește lui Thomas minunățiile pe care le-a admirat și venerat într-o călătorie prin Europa. Pasajul mi-a amintit un fragment celebru din Decameronul lui Boccaccio:
În timp ce oștirile se înfruntă cu înverșunare, în Durham, călugărul dominican Bernard de Taillebourg, inchizitor fanatic, însoțit de Guy Vexille, vor să afle secretul Graalului de la un monah bătrîn, aflat pe moarte, un bătrîn care l-a îngrijit pe părintele Ralph. Nu obțin mare lucru de la Hugh Collimore. În schimb, îi ucid în treacăt pe Eleanor (logodnica lui Thomas) și pe părintele Hobbe.
Naratorul relatează, așadar, ura dintre verii Vexille (Guy și Thomas) și consecințele ei. Întîlnim cîteva personaje noi. Cel mai important dintre ele este, desigur, Robbie Douglas, un scoțian impulsiv, devenit prietenul arcașului. Thomas nu jelește prea tare moartea lui Eleanor (în Evul Mediu nu exista acest obicei) și, cînd se va întoarce în Bretania, o va reîntîlni pe Jeanette în cetatea La Roche-Derrien. Femeia s-a pocăit suficient. Dar și-a păstrat intactă puterea de fascinație. Nu e nevoie decît de o scînteie ca focul de odinioară să izbucnească din nou:
„Thomas? întrebă din nou Jeanette. Îngenunche lîngă pat și îl mîngâie pe față. E în regulă, spuse ea blînd, ești în siguranță acum. Aceasta este casa mea. Nu îţi va face nimeni rău aici” (p.382).
Nu-i de mirare că și acest volum se încheie cu o luptă la fel de crîncenă. Ducele Charles de Blois, călăul lui Jeanette, începe asediul cetății La Roche-Derrien. Francezii nu au noroc nici cu acest prilej, arcașii englezi fac minuni de vitejie, și maleficul duce e luat prizonier. Thomas de Hookton va porni spre sudul Franței, acolo unde au fost cîndva proprietățile familiei Vexille.
Am găsit un pasaj în care lordul Outhwaite de Witcar îi povestește lui Thomas minunățiile pe care le-a admirat și venerat într-o călătorie prin Europa. Pasajul mi-a amintit un fragment celebru din Decameronul lui Boccaccio:
„Am văzut o sticluţă cu cristale din sîngele Domnului nostru. Asta se întîmpla în Flandra, şi sîngele începea să curgă ca răspuns la rugăciuni! Mai e o sticluţă în Gloucestershire, mi s-a spus, dar pe aceea nu am văzut-o. Odată am atins barba sfîntului Ieronim în Nantes; am ţinut păr din coada măgăriţei lui Balaam; am sărutat o pană din aripa Sfîntului Gavriil şi am atins chiar maxilarul cu care Samson a nimicit atît de mulţi filisteni! Am văzut o sanda de-a sfîntului Pavel, o unghie a Mariei Magdalena şi şase fragmente din adevărata cruce, una dintre ele pătată de acelaşi sînge pe care l-am văzut în Flandra. Am privit oasele peştilor cu care Domnul i-a hrănit pe cei cinci mii de bărbaţi, am simţit ascuţişul capătului uneia dintre săgeţile care l-au doborât pe sfîntul Sebastian şi am mirosit o frunză din mărul din Grădina Edenului” (pp.167-168).(18.07.25.v).
August 6, 2014
He could hear the hoofbeats now and he thought of the four horsemen of the apocalypse, the dreadful quartet of riders whose appearance would presage the end of time and the last great stuggle between heaven and hell. War would appear on a horse the color of blood, famine would be on a black stallion, pestilence would ravage the world on a white mount, while death would ride the pale horse.
I love this series.
The search for the holy grail continues with Thomas Hookton, a character I instantly connected with as he struggles to survive as an archer in some of the bloodiest battles I've ever read. I couldn't help but cheer him on as he searched for the relic and vengeance for those he loves.
Cornwell has definitely done his research and I love the tie in between real battles and the fictional characters he makes come alive.
On to the next!
I love this series.
The search for the holy grail continues with Thomas Hookton, a character I instantly connected with as he struggles to survive as an archer in some of the bloodiest battles I've ever read. I couldn't help but cheer him on as he searched for the relic and vengeance for those he loves.
Cornwell has definitely done his research and I love the tie in between real battles and the fictional characters he makes come alive.
On to the next!
January 15, 2022
This historical novel still burns pretty brightly, just like the Hundred Year's War it depicts.
What a nasty time. It makes me thankful that we're not quite THERE yet.
Thomas continues his adventure in gross poverty and murder in an appropriately low style, joining armies all over the place to shine as the wonderful archer that he is. We see a lot of England this time and I really appreciated the battles with the Scots. Oh, and hearing "The English" become a substitute for all rapists, brigands, and assholes was also great. It turned the term into a general-purpose curse word. :)
Solid continuation. Just a hit of Grail stuff, good buddy-building, and endless war.
What a nasty time. It makes me thankful that we're not quite THERE yet.
Thomas continues his adventure in gross poverty and murder in an appropriately low style, joining armies all over the place to shine as the wonderful archer that he is. We see a lot of England this time and I really appreciated the battles with the Scots. Oh, and hearing "The English" become a substitute for all rapists, brigands, and assholes was also great. It turned the term into a general-purpose curse word. :)
Solid continuation. Just a hit of Grail stuff, good buddy-building, and endless war.
July 24, 2021
And as always in Cornwell’s books, along with the great characters, such vivid descriptions of seiges and battles that you feel you were there. Another great read.
November 7, 2020
Not quite the same standard as the Uhtred novels, but still an enjoyable read.
March 5, 2016
The search for the Grail continues, Tomas of Hookton continues its adventure in the border of England and Scotland. King Edward the third sent him to find out whether there is truth to Grail. But this adventure brings him only pain and suffering because he is not the only one seeking the Grail. Continuation of the book is a bit more intriguing than the first part but still good.
June 23, 2025
What I have seen in this novel is the longbow archers are the the most effective weapon in the 100 years war and Thomas is still on the trail of the Holy Grail. The armies of all the players in this rush for plunder pray to God and the saints for victory in war. That is not a very Christian thing to do because you pray to the Christian god for peace not victory in a war that has caused so much misery. To paraphrase Bob Dylan: If God was on our side he would stop the war. There are no saints in this story since everyone does some evil deeds in pursuit of their goals of the Grail, plunder, women, and of course political power. The action scenes were great since Bernard Cornwell can spin a great yarn every time.
July 1, 2020
I wasn't prepared for the setting to switch from France to the Scottish/English border in this second installment of Bernard Cornwell's Grail Quest series. I was thrown off and needed time to acclimate, but once I got my feet under me again, I fell into the flow of another battle-packed book by one of historical-fiction's best!
December 18, 2019
Sequel of a breath-taking and captivating book, even this one is a page turner. What can I say? Only that the reading was superb, I loved it right from the first page. Couldn't put it down, the story was just so gripping and it kept me going through the book at a very fast pace. I loved this book, there were many twists and a lot of action. I will immediately start reading the next book of the series, hoping that it will be as gripping as the first two books. While I was reading it felt as if I was right in the story and that made me consider how it must have been difficult for the peasants to live in the middle ages with all those battles.
March 19, 2019
Well...what can I say here? It took me forever (not literally of course) to get around to this book. It's one I kept moving other books "in front of" so to speak (please forgive the poor grammar).
Thomas is still somewhat undecided here...well actually he's not. He simply wants to lead archers in battle but he's been charged with finding the Holy Grail (sadly he doesn't really believe the Grail is real and he does believe that his father was a bit...well...cracked[?]) So accordingly he makes some very, shall we say, poor decisions? These of course lead us into the rest of the story and giive us another reliably readable adventure from Mr. Cornwell.
Recommended, enjoy.
Oh, and now I have to make a spot on my reading list for the next one.
Thomas is still somewhat undecided here...well actually he's not. He simply wants to lead archers in battle but he's been charged with finding the Holy Grail (sadly he doesn't really believe the Grail is real and he does believe that his father was a bit...well...cracked[?]) So accordingly he makes some very, shall we say, poor decisions? These of course lead us into the rest of the story and giive us another reliably readable adventure from Mr. Cornwell.
Recommended, enjoy.
Oh, and now I have to make a spot on my reading list for the next one.
September 26, 2021
Read this book in 2005, and its the 2nd part of the "Thomas of Hookton" series.
In this book Thomas is sent back to England to find to Holy Grail.
During his hunt he will become involved with many enemies specialized in the art of sword fights, and he only being an archer, while his greatest fear will come at the Battle of Neville's Cross, where he will learn that a lot more people are in search for the Holy Grail and wanting him dead.
The only option fot Thomas will be to escape England and head to France, and there to rescue his old commander, Will Skeat, but even there they are not safe from enemies who will try to hunt them down.
What is follow is a gripping and action-packed tale about the Hundred Years War, and especially how to be an archer of England and feel king of the battlefields.
Very much recommended, for this is another terrific tale that will take us back to the war between England and France, and that's why I like to call this episode: "A Glorious Thomas Of Hookton Sequel"!
In this book Thomas is sent back to England to find to Holy Grail.
During his hunt he will become involved with many enemies specialized in the art of sword fights, and he only being an archer, while his greatest fear will come at the Battle of Neville's Cross, where he will learn that a lot more people are in search for the Holy Grail and wanting him dead.
The only option fot Thomas will be to escape England and head to France, and there to rescue his old commander, Will Skeat, but even there they are not safe from enemies who will try to hunt them down.
What is follow is a gripping and action-packed tale about the Hundred Years War, and especially how to be an archer of England and feel king of the battlefields.
Very much recommended, for this is another terrific tale that will take us back to the war between England and France, and that's why I like to call this episode: "A Glorious Thomas Of Hookton Sequel"!
January 24, 2023
A little slower paced with filler throughout, although the final chapter had a worthwhile payoff - meaning a bad guy or two got their comeuppance.
The rest was typical Cornwell good stuff, including some important reveals about Thomas’ ancestry and the grail itself. Finding the book of clues was interesting, too.
The rest was typical Cornwell good stuff, including some important reveals about Thomas’ ancestry and the grail itself. Finding the book of clues was interesting, too.
November 16, 2020
I enjoy reading historical books, this the second book of the ( The Grail Quest series )from Bernard Cornwell
March 22, 2023
The continuation of the story of Thomas of Hookton, this time we are in medieval England. Thomas has finished his search for the artifact that was stolen from his church. He is now pressured to find The Holy Grail. Thomas is surrounded by enemies, who want the grail themselves. War still persists in France and reaches the Northern part of England when the Scots decide to invade.
Cornwell writes battle with such precision and finesse, you can hear the arrows whipping by. This book has a little less battle scenes, which was fine with me. There is more a mystery and the introduction of some new characters, one in particular an Inquisitor-the face of pure evil!
Lots of abuse and gore in this story, fair warning to those who have trigger points.
A grand adventure I shall continue.
Cornwell writes battle with such precision and finesse, you can hear the arrows whipping by. This book has a little less battle scenes, which was fine with me. There is more a mystery and the introduction of some new characters, one in particular an Inquisitor-the face of pure evil!
Lots of abuse and gore in this story, fair warning to those who have trigger points.
A grand adventure I shall continue.
November 1, 2007
Master of battle scenes and the details of the soldier. It gets you thinking about life in the middle ages and how you might have suvived the age. Couldn't put it down.
December 17, 2008
The second volume in the Grail Series, this story was not nearly as interesting or exciting as the first book in the series, "The Archer".
It opens with the 1346 battle of Neville's Cross in Northern England, which is peripheral to the main plot of Thomas of Hockton's search for the grail which is supposedly under the control of his family and has been hidden by his dead father. It ends with the 1347 battle of La Roche-Derrien in Brittany between the forces of Charles of Blois and the English occupiers.
In between Thomas struggles with his doubts that the Grail even exists and travels around England and Northwestern France while working off his guilt at not being able to save his two early travel companions from being murdered.
As usual, Cornwell's battle descriptions are as good as any in historical fiction. His description of this Middle Ages' environment is also excellent. I was particularly impressed with his analysis of the power and influence of the Catholic Church in those days.
The story does tend to drag, though, through the middle of the book. Nevertheless, I will continue with the third book in the series, "The Heretic". I also recommend this offering. It's just not as compelling as some of his other books.
It opens with the 1346 battle of Neville's Cross in Northern England, which is peripheral to the main plot of Thomas of Hockton's search for the grail which is supposedly under the control of his family and has been hidden by his dead father. It ends with the 1347 battle of La Roche-Derrien in Brittany between the forces of Charles of Blois and the English occupiers.
In between Thomas struggles with his doubts that the Grail even exists and travels around England and Northwestern France while working off his guilt at not being able to save his two early travel companions from being murdered.
As usual, Cornwell's battle descriptions are as good as any in historical fiction. His description of this Middle Ages' environment is also excellent. I was particularly impressed with his analysis of the power and influence of the Catholic Church in those days.
The story does tend to drag, though, through the middle of the book. Nevertheless, I will continue with the third book in the series, "The Heretic". I also recommend this offering. It's just not as compelling as some of his other books.
December 15, 2022
The deepest this second book in the Grail Quest series got was the effect it had on me: in how it prompted me to look up the real history of events; much time was spent perusing Wikipedia.
Apart from the the battle of St. Neville’s Cross, some torture scenes, and the battle of La Roche-Derrien, there wasn’t much to this book.
That latterly mentioned battle, though. That’s another story that I just could not believe actually happened. Look it up on Wikipedia. History can be so strange and unbelievable sometimes.
And once again, Cornwell proves himself to be an incredibly competent writer. Good prose, entertaining plot and battles. I don’t know how he’s able to pump out so many books, at such a level of excellence.
I guess it comes at the expense of depth. These aren’t really the kind of books one rereads.
Would I re-read: nope.
Apart from the the battle of St. Neville’s Cross, some torture scenes, and the battle of La Roche-Derrien, there wasn’t much to this book.
That latterly mentioned battle, though. That’s another story that I just could not believe actually happened. Look it up on Wikipedia. History can be so strange and unbelievable sometimes.
And once again, Cornwell proves himself to be an incredibly competent writer. Good prose, entertaining plot and battles. I don’t know how he’s able to pump out so many books, at such a level of excellence.
I guess it comes at the expense of depth. These aren’t really the kind of books one rereads.
Would I re-read: nope.
December 8, 2015
Another one of my "second reads" - something I am doing a lot of since I retired and cash is not so easy to come by, mind with 2,500+ books I have a selection to choose from!
Whereas the first in the Grail series can be read as a stand alone, this one is obviously only part of the overall story.
Cornwell's tales often start and end with a battle, and this is so in this book: Nevilles Cross and the amazing La Roche-Derrien (in the first book it is the England besieging the town, in this book it is the English defending it). In between times the main man, Thomas of Hookton, loses his lover in circumstances that I did not like, met up with old acquaintances and a lover, is subjected to "questioning" by the Dominicans and is tempted by his cousin, who led the raid on Hookton in the first book (Harquin).
Bernard Cornwell writes a fast paced, well researched story and doesn't spare the violent reality of the 14thC.
2024 - Third read: I had problems getting past what happened to Elenore: she reminded me so much of a girlfriend I had when I was 17, both in looks and nature, so much so it became rather 'personal'. Cornwell has a lots of villians in his books and they are always well flagged which makes the tales a mite predictable at times. It still reads well, but I preferred "Harlequin".
Whereas the first in the Grail series can be read as a stand alone, this one is obviously only part of the overall story.
Cornwell's tales often start and end with a battle, and this is so in this book: Nevilles Cross and the amazing La Roche-Derrien (in the first book it is the England besieging the town, in this book it is the English defending it). In between times the main man, Thomas of Hookton, loses his lover in circumstances that I did not like, met up with old acquaintances and a lover, is subjected to "questioning" by the Dominicans and is tempted by his cousin, who led the raid on Hookton in the first book (Harquin).
Bernard Cornwell writes a fast paced, well researched story and doesn't spare the violent reality of the 14thC.
2024 - Third read: I had problems getting past what happened to Elenore: she reminded me so much of a girlfriend I had when I was 17, both in looks and nature, so much so it became rather 'personal'. Cornwell has a lots of villians in his books and they are always well flagged which makes the tales a mite predictable at times. It still reads well, but I preferred "Harlequin".
July 7, 2014
-Más ficción sobre el marco general de la Guerra de los Cien Años.-
Género. Novela Histórica (por lo menos, su trasfondo).
Lo que nos cuenta. En otoño de 1346, Thomas, su mujer (que no esposa todavía desde la perspectiva más cristiana del asunto) embarazada y el padre Hobbe se encaminan hacia Durham tratando de seguir la pista del Grial, que Thomas desea con fervor que realmente exista. Pero no son los únicos y además una batalla, que transcurrirá entre la niebla, se está gestando. Segundo libro de la trilogía Arqueros del Rey.
¿Quiere saber más de este libro, sin spoilers? Visite:
http://librosdeolethros.blogspot.com/...
Género. Novela Histórica (por lo menos, su trasfondo).
Lo que nos cuenta. En otoño de 1346, Thomas, su mujer (que no esposa todavía desde la perspectiva más cristiana del asunto) embarazada y el padre Hobbe se encaminan hacia Durham tratando de seguir la pista del Grial, que Thomas desea con fervor que realmente exista. Pero no son los únicos y además una batalla, que transcurrirá entre la niebla, se está gestando. Segundo libro de la trilogía Arqueros del Rey.
¿Quiere saber más de este libro, sin spoilers? Visite:
http://librosdeolethros.blogspot.com/...
June 18, 2024
Cornwell simply can’t write a book that’s not a solid effort…a little surprised at the ending bc of his authorial tendencies but well done all around…
September 21, 2026
Vagabond' is the second installment in The Grail Quest Series. Thomas of Hookton, having survived the battle of Crecy, is sent by King Edward III of England on a mission to find out more about his father's strange inheritance, which is rumoured to be connected to the Holy Grail. But he isn't the only person seeking information. Powerful enemies, including his cousin and bitter rival Guy Vexville and a bloodthirsty Dominican Inquisitor, are also on his trail and his rivals will stop at nothing, backed by powerful forces, to gain the knowledge that they seek.
Vagabond, like the previous book in the series, is full of sweeping battles and Cornwell’s historical details of medieval society are vivid. The first major battle is the Battle of Neville’s Cross in which the Scots invade northern England while the the majority of the English army is away in France, and the ending battle sequence takes place back in France at La Roche Derrien. Both are fast paced and captivating in their brutality.
At the end of the Battle of Neville’s Cross, Thomas is joined in his quest by a Scotsman, Robbie Douglas. Robbie’s dialogue is quite crude at times but his character also provides a touch of neccesary humour to the narrative and creates an interesting relationship between the two men.
Once again the battles of Neville's Cross and La Roche-Derrien realIy took place. So if you’re looking for historical fiction with epic battles, adventure, flawed characters, and accurate medieval details, The Grail Quest series isn't a bad place to start. On to the next in the series.
Vagabond, like the previous book in the series, is full of sweeping battles and Cornwell’s historical details of medieval society are vivid. The first major battle is the Battle of Neville’s Cross in which the Scots invade northern England while the the majority of the English army is away in France, and the ending battle sequence takes place back in France at La Roche Derrien. Both are fast paced and captivating in their brutality.
At the end of the Battle of Neville’s Cross, Thomas is joined in his quest by a Scotsman, Robbie Douglas. Robbie’s dialogue is quite crude at times but his character also provides a touch of neccesary humour to the narrative and creates an interesting relationship between the two men.
Once again the battles of Neville's Cross and La Roche-Derrien realIy took place. So if you’re looking for historical fiction with epic battles, adventure, flawed characters, and accurate medieval details, The Grail Quest series isn't a bad place to start. On to the next in the series.
February 2, 2023
Mais uma incrível sequência, de outra incrível obra do mestre.
Thomas continua sua missão em descobrir o passado do seu pai, sobre o Graal e se aproximar de Guy Vexille e seus segredos. Enquanto isso, a guerra dos 100 anos continua, agora com os escoceses também tomando parte sobre. Inclusive, temos o adicional de Robbie Douglas na história (com a saída de outros tão importantes quanto).
Acredito que, para quem leu as Crônicas do Rei Artur, talvez ache Thomas com uma personalidade e falas extremamente parecidas com as de Derfel, mesmo sem todo o background que o segundo tem. Mas nada que afete a história. Mal posso esperar pelo final!
Thomas continua sua missão em descobrir o passado do seu pai, sobre o Graal e se aproximar de Guy Vexille e seus segredos. Enquanto isso, a guerra dos 100 anos continua, agora com os escoceses também tomando parte sobre. Inclusive, temos o adicional de Robbie Douglas na história (com a saída de outros tão importantes quanto).
Acredito que, para quem leu as Crônicas do Rei Artur, talvez ache Thomas com uma personalidade e falas extremamente parecidas com as de Derfel, mesmo sem todo o background que o segundo tem. Mas nada que afete a história. Mal posso esperar pelo final!
February 5, 2026
Lubię militaria, lubię bitwy. Tutaj już było jednak trochę przesadzone. Wiem, że to Cornwell, ale jednak to nie jest seria o wikingach, a o Gralu. Przydałoby się więcej go w tej historii.
September 20, 2017
αν και άργησα για τα δεδομένα μου να το τελειώσω αποτελεί άλλο ένα σπουδαίο βιβλίο του συγγραφέα... μικρό διάλειμμα και συνεχίζω με το τρίτο μέρος... αιρετικοί
September 24, 2015
Povijesna trilogija Bernarda Cornwella prati Thomasa od Hooktona, fikcionalnog lika engleskog strijelca, kroz neke od prvih bitaka između engleske i francuske vojske, za koje se kasnije ispostavilo da su bile samo uvod u ono što će postupno prerasti u Stogodišnji rat između ovih dviju zemalja.
Radnja je napeta, ne samo zbog toga što Thomas iz jedne bitke ulazi ravno u drugu, već i zbog toga što on usput slijedi i put svoje zakletve i svako malo doznaje nešto novo i neočekivano u vezi Harlekina i ukradene relikvije, zbog čega često upada u sukobe i izvan bojišta. Glavnina romana fokusirana je na nekolicinu glavnih likova, koji su sjajno okarakterizirani, ali jednako dobra karakterizacija odlikuje i one sporedne likove, pa čak i one koji se tek par puta pojave u čitavom tijeku radnje.
Same bitke, kao i sve ono što im prethodi i što slijedi nakon njih, opisano je u svoj svojoj surovosti i realnosti: sve one pljačke, ubojstva, gramzivost i spremnost na najgroznija djela kako bi se u ratu profitiralo ili proslavilo Cornwell se ne gnuša prikazati baš onako kako jest, a to (ponekad) nije nimalo lijepo za vidjeti. Kako sam autor kaže, namjerno je rat tako prikazao, kako bi čitatelji mogli vidjeti da rat nisu samo bitke dvaju suprotstavljenih vojski, već on uključuje i masakr nevinih građana - staraca, žena i djece, i često posve nepotrebne okrutnosti.
Iako pri opisivanju ratnih pohoda autor ne pristaje ni uz jednu suprotstavljenu stranu, već nam priču priča potpuno objektivno, za ovu bi se trilogiju moglo reći da je ona u biti oda engleskim strijelcima. Činjenica je da je Engleska mnoge svoje bitke uspjela izvojevati upravo zaslugom svojih strijelaca, koji su u povijesti postali poznati po svojim iznimno dugačkim lukovima, kakve nije upotrebljavala niti jedna druga vojska. Ti su lukovi često u fokusu ovih romana i autor se ne libi iskazati i vlastito divljenje strijelcima koji su ih rabili, a koji su bili u stanju izboriti pobjedu čak i protiv osjetno brojnijeg neprijatelja. Posebno je zanimljivo to što je upravo jednog engleskog strijelca Cornwell postavio u ulogu glavnog protagonista, zbog čega smo dobili priliku iz prve ruke vidjeti koju su ulogu strijelci imali u engleskoj vojsci i zbog čega su bili tako važni.
Ako uživate u čitanju povijesnih romana, ova se trilogija svakako mora naći na vašoj listi za čitanje. Čitajući, puno toga ćete doznati što možda još niste znali o razdoblju Stogodišnjeg rata, posebno o ulozi engleskih strijelaca u njemu, a malo mitologije vezane uz Gral ovdje je da napetost održi cijelo vrijeme na visokom nivou. Tijekom čitanja ove 2/3 trilogije bilo mi je teško knjige ispustiti iz ruku, te jedva čekam da se prevede i posljednja trećina.
Skupna recenzija prve dvije knjige trilogije o Gralu je na FB stranici.
Radnja je napeta, ne samo zbog toga što Thomas iz jedne bitke ulazi ravno u drugu, već i zbog toga što on usput slijedi i put svoje zakletve i svako malo doznaje nešto novo i neočekivano u vezi Harlekina i ukradene relikvije, zbog čega često upada u sukobe i izvan bojišta. Glavnina romana fokusirana je na nekolicinu glavnih likova, koji su sjajno okarakterizirani, ali jednako dobra karakterizacija odlikuje i one sporedne likove, pa čak i one koji se tek par puta pojave u čitavom tijeku radnje.
Same bitke, kao i sve ono što im prethodi i što slijedi nakon njih, opisano je u svoj svojoj surovosti i realnosti: sve one pljačke, ubojstva, gramzivost i spremnost na najgroznija djela kako bi se u ratu profitiralo ili proslavilo Cornwell se ne gnuša prikazati baš onako kako jest, a to (ponekad) nije nimalo lijepo za vidjeti. Kako sam autor kaže, namjerno je rat tako prikazao, kako bi čitatelji mogli vidjeti da rat nisu samo bitke dvaju suprotstavljenih vojski, već on uključuje i masakr nevinih građana - staraca, žena i djece, i često posve nepotrebne okrutnosti.
Iako pri opisivanju ratnih pohoda autor ne pristaje ni uz jednu suprotstavljenu stranu, već nam priču priča potpuno objektivno, za ovu bi se trilogiju moglo reći da je ona u biti oda engleskim strijelcima. Činjenica je da je Engleska mnoge svoje bitke uspjela izvojevati upravo zaslugom svojih strijelaca, koji su u povijesti postali poznati po svojim iznimno dugačkim lukovima, kakve nije upotrebljavala niti jedna druga vojska. Ti su lukovi često u fokusu ovih romana i autor se ne libi iskazati i vlastito divljenje strijelcima koji su ih rabili, a koji su bili u stanju izboriti pobjedu čak i protiv osjetno brojnijeg neprijatelja. Posebno je zanimljivo to što je upravo jednog engleskog strijelca Cornwell postavio u ulogu glavnog protagonista, zbog čega smo dobili priliku iz prve ruke vidjeti koju su ulogu strijelci imali u engleskoj vojsci i zbog čega su bili tako važni.
Ako uživate u čitanju povijesnih romana, ova se trilogija svakako mora naći na vašoj listi za čitanje. Čitajući, puno toga ćete doznati što možda još niste znali o razdoblju Stogodišnjeg rata, posebno o ulozi engleskih strijelaca u njemu, a malo mitologije vezane uz Gral ovdje je da napetost održi cijelo vrijeme na visokom nivou. Tijekom čitanja ove 2/3 trilogije bilo mi je teško knjige ispustiti iz ruku, te jedva čekam da se prevede i posljednja trećina.
Skupna recenzija prve dvije knjige trilogije o Gralu je na FB stranici.
April 20, 2014
Review in Portuguese from Desbravando Livros:
Vou começar bem direto: o 2º livro da trilogia é ainda melhor do que o primeiro! Mais batalhas, mais tramas e mais reviravoltas acontecem no segundo volume dessa trilogia. Desta vez, Thomas está mais interessado em procurar o Graal e volta à sua aldeia natal para procurar o santo objeto.
O que ele ainda não sabe é que novos pretendentes à relíquia aparecem a cada dia e a sua tarefa fica mais difícil. Neste livro, Thomas toma partido em lutas que não lhe dizem respeito, faz novos amigos e inimigos e também descobre várias pistas do que pode ter acontecido com o Graal.
"... Era um sinal, pensou Thomas, e ele não queria acreditar em sinais e visões, queria acreditar no seu arco. Pensou que talvez Eleanor tivesse razão e que o conflito com o seu vencedor inesperado era um sinal do céu de que ele devia entrar na cidade atrás do avant-coureur, mas também havia inimigos no alto da montanha e ele era um arqueiro, e arqueiros não abandonavam uma batalha.- Nós iremos para a cidade – disse ele – depois da batalha."
A narrativa do autor continua sensacional. Não tenho palavras para expressar o quanto fico feliz quando chego ao final de qualquer livro do Bernard Cornwell e me deparo com desfechos realistas e histórias muito bem desenvolvidas. Recomendo muito os livros desse autor para quem gosta de romances históricos e obras que contenham batalhas como cenário principal.
" - Arqueiros! – berrou Thomas, imaginando-se de volta à França e responsável por uma tropa de arqueiros de Will Skeat. – Arqueiros! – gritou, avançando até a borda do fosso. – Matem eles agora!Homens foram para o lado dele, tiveram um grito de triunfo e puxaram suas cordas.Agora era a hora da matança, a hora dos arqueiros."
Pontos fortes: melhor e mais intenso do que o primeiro livro!
Pontos fracos: achei que a trilogia continuaria sem um mapa para me localizar melhor, mas ainda bem que o autor pensou nisso e providenciou um excelente mapa para os leitores.
Vou começar bem direto: o 2º livro da trilogia é ainda melhor do que o primeiro! Mais batalhas, mais tramas e mais reviravoltas acontecem no segundo volume dessa trilogia. Desta vez, Thomas está mais interessado em procurar o Graal e volta à sua aldeia natal para procurar o santo objeto.
O que ele ainda não sabe é que novos pretendentes à relíquia aparecem a cada dia e a sua tarefa fica mais difícil. Neste livro, Thomas toma partido em lutas que não lhe dizem respeito, faz novos amigos e inimigos e também descobre várias pistas do que pode ter acontecido com o Graal.
"... Era um sinal, pensou Thomas, e ele não queria acreditar em sinais e visões, queria acreditar no seu arco. Pensou que talvez Eleanor tivesse razão e que o conflito com o seu vencedor inesperado era um sinal do céu de que ele devia entrar na cidade atrás do avant-coureur, mas também havia inimigos no alto da montanha e ele era um arqueiro, e arqueiros não abandonavam uma batalha.- Nós iremos para a cidade – disse ele – depois da batalha."
A narrativa do autor continua sensacional. Não tenho palavras para expressar o quanto fico feliz quando chego ao final de qualquer livro do Bernard Cornwell e me deparo com desfechos realistas e histórias muito bem desenvolvidas. Recomendo muito os livros desse autor para quem gosta de romances históricos e obras que contenham batalhas como cenário principal.
" - Arqueiros! – berrou Thomas, imaginando-se de volta à França e responsável por uma tropa de arqueiros de Will Skeat. – Arqueiros! – gritou, avançando até a borda do fosso. – Matem eles agora!Homens foram para o lado dele, tiveram um grito de triunfo e puxaram suas cordas.Agora era a hora da matança, a hora dos arqueiros."
Pontos fortes: melhor e mais intenso do que o primeiro livro!
Pontos fracos: achei que a trilogia continuaria sem um mapa para me localizar melhor, mas ainda bem que o autor pensou nisso e providenciou um excelente mapa para os leitores.
September 27, 2019
This is book two of Cornwell's Grail Quest series also called The Archer's Tale series. They follow Thomas of Hookton as he travels around somehow managing to entangle himself in every single major battle England fought during the early part of the Hundred Years War. The early part of this book was very familiar to me but the last third or so was not. I am guessing that my first time through I DNF'd this book right about the point Thomas got caught up by the (SPOILERS).
I feel like a broken record when it comes to my reviews of Bernard Cornwell's books because there are two things that stand out no matter what he is writing or when his historical fiction is to take place. 1) BC does an amazing job of recreating the battles and other major historical events he is depicting. He also does so in a way that truly draws the reader in through the character and plot development. 2) BC hates the church and his personal bias is like a toxic flood seeping into his otherwise pristine writing. In this work especially BC throws away historical fact and plays up the popular myth of what the inquisition was really like. Rather than continue a long rant here, I would encourage the interested reader to do a quick fact check for yourself. This article by the National Review might be a good place to start.
I feel like a broken record when it comes to my reviews of Bernard Cornwell's books because there are two things that stand out no matter what he is writing or when his historical fiction is to take place. 1) BC does an amazing job of recreating the battles and other major historical events he is depicting. He also does so in a way that truly draws the reader in through the character and plot development. 2) BC hates the church and his personal bias is like a toxic flood seeping into his otherwise pristine writing. In this work especially BC throws away historical fact and plays up the popular myth of what the inquisition was really like. Rather than continue a long rant here, I would encourage the interested reader to do a quick fact check for yourself. This article by the National Review might be a good place to start.
September 27, 2014
I'm really enjoying this series.
While I was saddened by the fate of a couple of characters, the writing certainly didn't disappoint. Loved this book, really enjoying the series.
Fantastic battle descriptions, great character development, intrigue, action, emotion . . . very well done.
Might have given five stars (which I don't do often), but wrapped up just a little too neatly at the end for my taste. I already have "Heretic," the third book in the series; but there wasn't anything at the end of this that makes me want to rush to start the next one. I'm a fan of the cliff-hanger. I suppose that if I wasn't binge-reading the series, and had to wait for the next edition, I might feel differently.
While I was saddened by the fate of a couple of characters, the writing certainly didn't disappoint. Loved this book, really enjoying the series.
Fantastic battle descriptions, great character development, intrigue, action, emotion . . . very well done.
Might have given five stars (which I don't do often), but wrapped up just a little too neatly at the end for my taste. I already have "Heretic," the third book in the series; but there wasn't anything at the end of this that makes me want to rush to start the next one. I'm a fan of the cliff-hanger. I suppose that if I wasn't binge-reading the series, and had to wait for the next edition, I might feel differently.
September 7, 2019
The follow-up to The Archer’s Tale did not disappoint. The second book in a series about an English archer searching for the Holy Grail during the Hundred Years War. Cornwell, is really, really good.
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