Artorius

Leader of Battles #2

by David Pilling

"Beware the shadow, and the storm in the north..."

Britain, 470 AD. Ambrosius Aurelanius, the defender of Britannia, is dead, murdered by the son of his greatest enemy. His successor, the heroic General Artorius, is meant to take the crown his predecessor refused and reign as High King. With the Saxons defeated, and the Picts and Scotti driven out, all is set for a golden age of peace and prosperity.

Artorius, however, chooses to step aside and allow another to seize power. The new king, Constantine, despatches Artorius and his army across the sea, to aid the Western Empire in her fight against the Visigoths. Betrayed on all sides, the general narrowly avoids death and returns home to disgrace and exile.

Now reduced to a mercenary, fighting the enemies of British kings, Artorius gathers a band of elite horsemen around him. As Britannia’s enemies slowly recover their strength, and the realm slides back into darkness and ruin, he proves to be the only hope of his people. All the while, a terrifying new threat arises in the north, from the lands Artorius once called home...

Book Two of the Leader of Battles trilogy chronicles the military exploits of Artorius, destined to be remembered as King Arthur, in the treacherous, crumbling world of Sub-Roman Britannia, where every man was a potential enemy, and the sword ruled.

Genres: Historical Fiction

390 pages, Kindle Edition

First published October 15, 2014

Reviews

[Alison Bahmüller · Rating 5 out of 5]

I really enjoyed reading this novel. The prose is simply beautiful. I particularly liked the element of fantasy in the story, and also the author's clever and original inclusion of several characters from medieval Welsh tales, like Gwrgi the Man-dog, Ganhumara and Melwas. The story is fast-paced with plenty of action, and the author gives a realistic portrayal of Artorius and a very good picture of post-Roman Britain.
In short, a captivating read.

[Jean-luc · Rating 5 out of 5]

Another very good book by David Pilling. His Arthur is quite credible as opposed to what we are used to seeing on the big screen. A more modest and humble leader. I loved Cornwell Bernard's Arthur in his series of novels but in this new set we get fewer of the mystical characters and it lends some more historical credence to the hero. Can't wait for a follow up book.

[Blair Hodgkinson · Rating 5 out of 5]

As usual, David Pilling has done a good job once more re-imagining an otherwise familiar legend. By setting Arthur down in his authentic setting of post-Roman Britain instead of Malory's whimsical medieval wonderland, he mines the legend for new ore and strikes gold.

Pilling is not afraid to bring a little fantasy into his history, adding mystery and a touch of originality to his approach to the Morgana character. Without spoiling the surprises attached to the character, let me say I was impressed with the handling of this character in particular. Pilling's Morgana has a genuine motivation for her actions which could leave her open to the judgement of history as either a villainess or a heroine, depending on your point of view.

Arthur himself is consistent with the characterization established in the earlier volume, Ambrosius. The story is also a logical continuation from that story.

As a sidebar, I recently read Morgan Llywelyn's After Rome, largely overlapping with the events of this series. Where Llywelyn fails, Pilling succeeds in making a fast-paced and logical action/political thriller that just happens to be set in the Dark Ages (if you accept the term).

Highly recommended reading.

I look forward as well to the next installment.

[Charles van Buren · Rating 4 out of 5]

 A realistic Arthur

This review is from: Leader of Battles (II): Artorius (Kindle Edition)

This is, so far as I know, a new approach to the Arthur legend. This Arthur has few faults as a war leader, but like all real people, is far from perfect. In a mood of anger, believing that he has been betrayed, he hurts people & damages himself. He feels fear at the idea of being more than a soldier. Consequently, he refuses to accept the office of high king until forced by circumstances & his followers. No sword in the stone & so far no Merlin. Just events as they might have been lived by real people & real heroes. I am already reading part three, GWENHWYFAR.

[R Pata · Rating 2 out of 5]

A Stench

I am tired, tired of authors taking the easy way in the storyline. Making the protagonist a sometimes strong-willed leader, and other times the linguini-spined squish that can’t make his mind up about obvious needs. This story has Artie flip-flopping all over the place, leaving a stench like the Cleveland sewer outflow to the Cuyahoga River.

Plus, the amount of sleight of hand with history is very unusual for this author. It’s maddening, maddening I say!

It deserves a 1.5 stars for making Arthur the Squish, but 2.5 for decent, non-specific action.

[Frank G. Lea · Rating 5 out of 5]

Wow

I've always loved writings of King Arthur one of my Early Childhood Heroes and this book does his Justice loved it thank you so very much

[Aritra · Rating 4 out of 5]

Good book, good writing, reads easily. I actually read all the books in this series within a space of a week on my Kindle, which says something for it's plotline! Writing style is descriptive and poetic, which is beautiful, and the inserts of various different languages and cultures from the UK into the book made it quite a fascinating read.

Would recommend.

[Jerry Mercer · Rating 3 out of 5]

Dry Reading

This book is not easily read, having used original names of characters and places. The author takes great license with the action, especially the sordid details of torture and murder.