Camelot

by Peter Gibbons

Brand new epic adventure from bestselling author Peter Gibbons! Must-read for fans of Bernard Cornwell ⚔️💥 Can one-man unite Britain and secure its future? 👑 Dark Age Britain

Britain slides into darkness. A splintered land ruled by brutal Kings in their hilltop fortresses and besieged by Saxon invaders.

Wielding Excalibur, Arthur Pendragon, king of kings is all that stands between Britain and Saxon conquest.

His call to arms to unite against the Saxon invasion as one army is rebuked. Ancient rivalries, jealousy, and bitterness prevent Arthur from uniting his countrymen in defiance of the savage Saxon warlords who have seized Britain’s east and south coast.

Arthur must face and defeat enemies within his own kingdom, and then unite the kingdoms of Britain in a war that will shake the country’s very foundations.

Can Arthur succeed with vicious enemies all around him? Merlin, Lancelot, Bors, Gawain and Kai join their swords to Arthur’s iron will as they do battle for Britain’s very existence.

The continuation of the compelling, fast-paced series from bestselling writer Peter Gibbons. Perfect for the fans of Bernard Cornwell.

Praise for Peter

'Bristling with intense action, this is the grounded and brutal retelling of Arthurian myth set in the grim landscape of Dark Age Britain.' - Richard Cullen

'A power house of a novel told with the pace of a charging war horse. Well rounded characters brought to vivid life in Britain's Dark Age. Not a book to be missed.' - Adam Lofthouse

'Riveting, page-turning action that shows Arthur growing from a frightened youngster into a confident warlord. A fresh new take on an old legend that readers will find hard to put down.' - Steven A McKay

'Epic, brutal action' - Matthew Harffy

'A gripping tale in which our distant British history is brought to life. A must-read for any Arthurian fan.' - Reader Review

'First class. I could not put this book down. Absolutely riveting. Action packed throughout. I eagerly await the next book in the series.' - Reader Review

'This was full of battles, violence, politics and is a fresh new take on Arthurian legend. It’s the first in a series that’s left me hungering for more' - Reader Review

'Bloody and brutal, Peter's vivid writing really brings the story to life.' - Donovan Cook

'A superbly atmospheric tale of redemption that pitches the English against Viking raiders and resounds with the fierceness of battle-hardened warriors' - MJ Porter

'Thunderously atmospheric! Gibbons once again proves himself a master of Viking & Dark Age lore.' - Gordon Doherty

Genres: Historical Fiction, Fantasy, Arthurian

346 pages, Kindle Edition

Published September 18, 2025

About the author

I am an author based in Kildare in Ireland, with a passion for Historical Fiction, Fantasy, Science Fiction, and of course writing! My books include the Viking Blood and Blade Saga and the Saxon Warrior Series. You can visit my own website at www.petermgibbons.com or find me on Facebook at https://www.facebook.com/Peter-Gibbon...

Reviews

[elizabeth rose · Rating 4 out of 5]

Peter Gibbons delivers an absolutely electrifying continuation of his Arthurian saga in Camelot. From the very first page, I was swept into Dark Age Britain—a brutal, divided land where Arthur Pendragon must wield not only Excalibur but also every ounce of strategy and resolve to unite a fractured kingdom. ⚔️

This is historical fiction at its most gripping: full of visceral battle scenes, political rivalries, and a richly atmospheric setting that makes the Dark Ages feel alive. Gibbons excels at balancing relentless action with fully realized characters—Arthur’s strength, Merlin’s mystique, and the camaraderie of his companions shine against the chaos of Saxon invasion.

As a fan of Bernard Cornwell, I found this every bit as compelling—fast-paced, bloody, and impossible to put down. Gibbons brings a fresh yet grounded energy to Arthurian legend, capturing both the brutality and the hope of Britain’s fight for survival.

Camelot is a must-read for fans of epic, battle-driven historical fiction. Highly recommend.

[Sharon Rimmelzwaan · Rating 4 out of 5]

Who doesn't love a tale of Arthur? Camelot, excalibur, and everything connected! This is the third book in The Chronicles of Arthur series. It is better to be read in order, but it does read well if you don't fancy the full series.

Peter Gibbons has again written a very detailed and realistic story. One that depicts the battles and warfare of the time. It was a dark and very unstable time for the country. It's a very gory and brutal instalment, but it all adds to the authenticity.

I raced through the story, I have a penchant for historical fiction, and Camelot filled that need so well. The characters are developed well. It just felt like catching up with old friends. Peter Gibbons is a rich and vivid storyteller, and this book is a perfect example!

[David Baird · Rating 5 out of 5]

Review

We are back with Arthur as he stands against the Saxon threat.. he’s Pendragon, the protector of Britain..but can he face a threat closer to home?

Arthur and his men have been pushing back the Saxons for what seems like forever…it’s finally time to rest as the weather turns and stops the Saxons from crossing the sea.

A well earned rest then??? yeah that’s not possible. Merlin arrives and confirms the newest threat.. there are kingdoms within Britain who don’t support him.. they see him as usurper.. but the only way to defeat the Saxons truly is to band together.. what can he do?

Well Arthur marches his men across Britain to bring the kingdoms to heel… by any means necessary.

This is where the authors talent really shines through and his words sing off the page.. Arthurs torment.. he still doesn’t see himself as the person to unite Britain.. he doesn’t want to fight his fellow countrymen..he wants to reason with those against him.. he just needs support for a little longer so they can finally see off the Saxons.. he doesn’t crave power… but they won’t listen…so he needs to let the inner rage out, at times let savage energy overcome him to crush those who refuse to accept him… he’s left with no other choice.. you can see the inner turmoil.

That’s not the only thing on his mind.. his Queen.. Guinevere..they both long for a child but have not been blessed…this brings its own tension.. amplification comes with the change in religion sweeping the land.. Christianity has taken hold and the Druids of the past are struggling to keep their place.. Arthur is in a hard place.. Merlin..the druid obviously doesn’t hold any nice thoughts for these vermin.. but his Queen on the other hand.. she’s listened to their words can their God grant them a child?

There’s a battle to be had no matter which way he looks!

Speaking of battle, they come thick and fast and I loved the detail added, the stress of battle, the stench.. the urgency… it’s beautifully brutal and exhilarating but also moving.. The excitement tapered with Arthurs struggles.. too many have died along the way and he’s not here for glory.. he’s there to protect Britain.

Camelot is book 3 in the series and it was lovely to see Arthur reflect on his journey, allowing the author to throw in details so fans of the series can reminisce but also allows new readers to join now with some understanding allowing readers to understand his emotions and motivations.

The only way to describe Camelot is “rich”.. its rich is detail, battles, development in characters and plot, emotion.. brutality and kindness, struggles, pain.. oh my..

I’m sure not there’s much better in the genre.. Peter Gibbons shows exactly how to write a historical fiction novel, balanced perfectly.. it’s a bloody delightful read.

[Bzz Kolla · Rating 4 out of 5]

Thank you NetGalley and Boldwood Books for this eCopy to review.

Peter Gibbons delivers a brutal, battle-scarred vision of Dark Age Britain, where myth meets steel and destiny is forged in blood.

⚔️ Plot Summary
Britain is fractured ruled by petty kings and threatened by relentless Saxon invaders. Arthur Pendragon, wielding the legendary Excalibur, rises as the last hope to unite the land. But unity doesn’t come easily. Ancient rivalries, betrayal, and internal rebellion threaten his vision of a peaceful, united kingdom.

Arthur must rally his allies Merlin, Lancelot, Bors, Gawain, and Kai and face not only external enemies but also the bitter divisions within his own ranks. As war looms, the fate of Britain hangs in the balance, and Arthur must decide what kind of king he truly wants to be.

This is the third book in The Chronicles of Arthur series, and it continues Gibbons’ gritty, action-packed reimagining of the legend with cinematic intensity.

🔥 What I Loved
The Realism: Gibbons strips away the romantic sheen of Camelot and gives us a world of mud, blood, and hard choices. It’s Arthurian legend with a pulse.

The Action: The battle scenes are vivid and relentless. You feel every clash of swords and the weight of leadership on Arthur’s shoulders.

The Characters: Arthur grows from a hesitant leader into a hardened warlord. His relationships with Merlin, Lancelot, and his enemies are complex and compelling.

The Stakes: This isn’t just myth it’s survival. The tension between idealism and necessity runs throughout the novel.

⚠️ What Fell Short
Pacing: Some middle chapters felt repetitive, especially in the build up to major battles.

Limited Female Presence: The story is heavily male-dominated, and Guinevere’s role is minimal compared to other retellings.

🏰 Final Thoughts
Camelot is a fierce, atmospheric retelling for fans of Bernard Cornwell and gritty historical fiction. If you love stories where legends are reborn through hardship and heroism, this one’s worth your time. It’s not the Camelot of fairy tales, it’s the Camelot of warriors.

[Annarella · Rating 5 out of 5]

I'm loving this series and loved this book: more intrigues, more barbaric moments, more action.
I continue to be impressed by how Peter Gibbons weaves myth, fantasy, and historical grit into the Arthurian tapestry. This new chapter in the Camelot saga deepens the darkness and brutality that shaped the legend, refusing to romanticize the age of knights and kings.
Arthur remains far from the polished ideal: he's a warlord forged by chaos, not a paragon of virtue. Merlin, once again, is the master manipulator, pulling strings with eerie foresight and a chilling sense of purpose. Their dynamic evolves here, even more reminiscent of Dune's prophetic tension: the messianic hope, the engineered destiny, the cost of belief.
Compared to the previous book, this one feels sharper, more urgent. The stakes are higher, the battles more visceral, and the emotional toll heavier. Gibbons doesn't let up, it's another fast-paced, action-packed ride that grips you from the first page to the last.
Highly recommended for fans of myth reimagined with grit
Many thanks to Boldwood Books and Rachel's Random Resources for this ARC, all opinions are mine.

[David · Rating 2 out of 5]

Third in Peter Gibbons ongoing 'Chronicles of Arthur' (after both Excalibur and Pendragon), which sees Arthur continue to try to unite the various warring kingdoms of his time against the encroaching Saxon invaders.

Not entirely sure why this one is called Camelot as there's little in here about Camelot, other than a few references to Arthur and Guineveire's dream of building the same. Perhaps because, towards the end of the book, that's what they start doing? Or, rather, Guineviere and Lancelot start doing whilst Arthur is off fighting more battles ...

[Bargain Sleuth Book Reviews · Rating 4 out of 5]

Thanks to NetGalley and Boldwood Books for the digital copy of this book; I am leaving this review voluntarily.

I’ve long had an interest in the Arthurian legend. The 1981 movie Excalibur is still one of my favorite movies of all time. I loved the TV show Merlin and its twist on the legend. Peter Gibbons has written a trilogy of stories featuring the Pendragons. I have not read the first two books in the series, but to be truthful, Camelot could be read as a standalone novel, too.

In my reading of late, I’ve been focusing on nonfiction and fictionally grounded power struggles. Camelot is a fractured kingdom in this book, with internal rivalries and a king trying to unite people who are all under threat.

I’m not a big fan of blow-by-blow descriptions of battles, and there are a lot of them in this book, so I didn’t enjoy it as much as I hoped. However, the Arthurian legend still has a strong pull on me, so the other parts of the book found me immersed in the drama.

[Cody Marie Phoenix · Rating 4 out of 5]

Another strong, vengeful story of Arthur, Pendragon of Britain, and his cohorts. First I have to say that I truly believe there was an Arthur in our historical past! I'm fairly certain he was nothing like that of the legend we read about today, and who knows if Guinevere existed, but I don't like her any more in this series than I do in the rest of the stories. She's manipulative and selfish, and gives women a bad reputation! There, rant over.

There are some interesting turn of events happening throughout the story and it makes you stop and wonder, could things have really been that way. Gibbons definitely has a knack of describing battle detail, and the targaid were a nice touch! Be prepared for a little nail biting as you travel through Arthur's trials and tribulations.

This is my honest review after reading on ARC from Netgalley and Boldwood Books.

[Joe Singleton · Rating 4 out of 5]

Although this is the third book in series it was the first book that I have read by this author. The writing was very detailed and realistic considering the story is set around Arthur and his battles and around Excalibur and Camelot, all legendary stories not much is known of what is actually true.
Generally, the story was well paced, although the pace did dip at times throughout the book.
I will definitely be looking out for more to read from this author.
Many thanks to Boldwood Books, NetGalley and the author for providing me with an advanced copy of the book in electronic format, in return for an honest and unbiased review.
The book is published on the 19th September and is available in e-book, hardback and paperback formats

[Harry Preston · Rating 5 out of 5]

This next instalment in the series follows Arthur and his loyal black cloaks up, down and around the length of Britain, on a mission to united her kingdoms and keep the Saxons at bay.
As always, I am a big fan of Gibbons writing style, you just know what you’re going to get. No messing around, no details excluded and a rip roaring story from start to finish with very little down time.
Arthur is obviously the most noble of characters and is surrounded by loyal, steadfast men who you can not only love but also feel the sense of brotherhood these warriors have leaking from the pages.
Full of action, a never ending struggle between life and death not only in our world but of that of the gods.
A great read.

[Ann-Marie · Rating 2 out of 5]

Arthur, the Pendragon, has defeated the last boatload of Saxons of the summer. Now, he and his men can return to their homes and families for the winter, and he’ll be reunited with Guinevere. But it’s not going to be as simple and easy as that, as he is warned that the northern Kings are banding together against him.

This is the third book in a series about Arthur and his fight to rid Britain of the Saxons. I haven’t read the first two and that may have had an impact on my view of this book as I’ve come into it part way through Arthur’s story. I found it well written and very detailed, but also too long, had too many battles and ultimately, for me, became boring.

Thanks to Net Galley and Boldwood Books for an ARC for my honest review.

[John Deardurff · Rating 5 out of 5]

Camelot by Peter Gibbons is an excellent retelling of Arthurian legend that trades myth for realism. Set in a fractured Dark Age Britain, Arthur fights to unite rival kingdoms against Saxon invaders. The result is brutal battles and unwavering loyalty among his knights and clan guard of warrior women.

The book has a lot of action with emotional depth, making this a must-read for fans of historical fantasy who want Arthur as a warrior king, not a fairy tale. Two minor complaints, is that for a smart battle general, Arthur does seem to charge into bad decisions only to be miraculously saved by #SpoilerAlert. Also, I could do without the old gods and the Nailed God story lines, but I can see where it will be used to create a rift between #Spoiler and #Spoiler.

[Farah G · Rating 3 out of 5]

This is the action packed epic tale of Arthur Pendragon who seeks to unite his fractious countrymen to stand up to the Saxon invaders. Even as they rebuff his attempts, he is supported by powerful allies in the form of Merlin, Lancelot, Gawain and others who recognise that this is a battle for Britain's survival.

Gritty, hard-hitting and brutal, this is the tale of the Arthurian legends - full of the clamour of battle and the price of conflict - as they would have been told if they were indeed history rather than myth. Rousing story telling, this gets 3.5 stars.

I received a free copy of this book from Netgalley in exchange for an honest review

[Christine Harman · Rating 5 out of 5]

The third book in the Chronicles of Arthur series. Arthur is continuing his quest to ride the country of the Saxons and return it to the Britons. Guinevere petitions Arthur to built them a place of their own, In the meantime, Arthur has to raise an army to defend the counties that are loyal to him from the Saxons. Another excellent telling of the Arthur Sagas. The characters are so familiar that it is like living with them. Although it's a story we know the outcome off this is a fresh retelling. Recommended to people who enjoy a good medieval drama. With thanks to the author, Boldwood Books and Netgalley for the opportunity to read this book.

[Storied Conversation · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is an absolutely stunning installment in Peter Gibbons’ Arthurian series. Brutal battles, shifting faiths, political rivalries, and Arthur’s personal struggles are woven together into a story that’s both epic and intimate. The writing is rich and immersive, the battles breathtakingly brutal, and Arthur’s humanity shines through even in his darkest moments. One of the best works of historical fiction I’ve read in years.



Thank you Boldwood Books, NetGalley, Rachel's Random Resources, and the author for providing me with an ARC of the book. All opinions are my own.

[Rob · Rating 4 out of 5]

Further adventures for Gibbons version of King Arthur. Entertaining audible listen. I enjoy how the author weaves the myth with some truth about Britain and the Saxon invaders. Merlin and Lancelot take a back seat in this novel but Arthur continues to grow his legend. The concept of Camelot itself is introduced although not really central to the story (which is fine). Looking forward to book 4.

[Joseph · Rating 5 out of 5]

I am a huge fan of Peter Gibbons, and he has done fantastic work here. Each book in this series builds nicely on the strong foundation of its predecessor. The characters deepen, the stakes rise, and the action gets even more intense. This story of Arthur moves along at an incredible pace, and each book continues to bring the time period vividly to life. Can’t wait for the next installment. ….Read it.

[Mike Gaston · Rating 5 out of 5]

Creating Camelot - What Cost?

The myth of Camelot sounded magic on Victorian nursery floors. The harsh gritty reality of post Roman Britain’l is no less gripping in Peter Gibbons hands, but a whole lot more convoluted and bloody. The third in the series that’s sometimes hard to read and always hard to put down. Can’t wait for the next one.

[Vicki · Rating 5 out of 5]

Wonderful Telling of King Arthur Struggle

This was the most exciting tale of King Arthur I've read yet. Merlin's critical role revealed in a compelling and believable way. A real page turner.

[C. Roger Bartlett · Rating 5 out of 5]

Good read!

Another page turner from Peter Gibbons. I highly recommend this series to anyone who loves to read action and history.

[Adele · Rating 5 out of 5]

Fantastic (as always).

Such a good read, love the Arthur legend. Could be doing with the next one now 😬
Non stop action ♥️

[David · Rating 5 out of 5]

Fantastic

Couldn't put it down. Battles great heroes you can feel yourself being there. Can't wait for the next one hope it's soon

[Wesley Teasdale · Rating 5 out of 5]

Fast paced and full of energy, couldn't put it down