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Leader of Battles #3
Gwenhwyfar
A historical action adventure in the style of Bernard Cornwell and Rosemary Sutcliffe, the Leader of Battles series breathes new life into Arthurian legend...
“Gwenhwyfar, daughter of Ogyrfan Gawr,
Bad when little, worse when great...”
Britannia, 481 AD. Artorius has reigned as High King for two years. After his shattering victory at Mount Badon, an uneasy peace reigns over the land. The squabbling British kingdoms cling on in the west, while to the east the Saxons under Cerdic lick their wounds, waiting for a new generation of warriors to grow to manhood.
Artorius is still unmarried, and faces increasing pressure from his nobles to take a wife. When civil war threatens, he finds a bride in the person of Gwenhwyfar, eldest daughter of the King of Powys. In return for his promise of protection, Gwenhwyfar agrees to marry the High King and live with him in the new British capital at Caerleon.
Wolves circle the royal couple. Britannia is threatened by Scotti pirates ravaging his coasts, plundering at will and carrying off treasure and slaves. Artorius raised an army and sails to Hibernia, where he plans to defeat the Scotti tribes and capture the fabled Cauldron of Annwn. With the aid of Bedwyr, Gwenhwyfar is left to rule in his stead, and must survive assassination attempts and savage barbarian invasions...
Book Three of the Leader of Battles series chronicles the rise of Gwenhwyfar, better-known as Guinevere, Queen of Camelot. Drawing on Welsh folklore, the glory and tragedy of Britannia are seen through the eyes of a woman who struggles to control her own fate, even as darkness begins to fall over her husband’s kingdom.
“Gwenhwyfar, daughter of Ogyrfan Gawr,
Bad when little, worse when great...”
Britannia, 481 AD. Artorius has reigned as High King for two years. After his shattering victory at Mount Badon, an uneasy peace reigns over the land. The squabbling British kingdoms cling on in the west, while to the east the Saxons under Cerdic lick their wounds, waiting for a new generation of warriors to grow to manhood.
Artorius is still unmarried, and faces increasing pressure from his nobles to take a wife. When civil war threatens, he finds a bride in the person of Gwenhwyfar, eldest daughter of the King of Powys. In return for his promise of protection, Gwenhwyfar agrees to marry the High King and live with him in the new British capital at Caerleon.
Wolves circle the royal couple. Britannia is threatened by Scotti pirates ravaging his coasts, plundering at will and carrying off treasure and slaves. Artorius raised an army and sails to Hibernia, where he plans to defeat the Scotti tribes and capture the fabled Cauldron of Annwn. With the aid of Bedwyr, Gwenhwyfar is left to rule in his stead, and must survive assassination attempts and savage barbarian invasions...
Book Three of the Leader of Battles series chronicles the rise of Gwenhwyfar, better-known as Guinevere, Queen of Camelot. Drawing on Welsh folklore, the glory and tragedy of Britannia are seen through the eyes of a woman who struggles to control her own fate, even as darkness begins to fall over her husband’s kingdom.
257 pages, Kindle Edition
First published February 4, 2015
18 people are currently reading
56 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 8 of 8 reviews
February 21, 2015
The 3rd installment of the Leader of Battles series is as good as its predecessors. The previous volumes have focused on male figures testing themselves in the treacherous world of post-Roman Britain and while Arthur himself continues to play a vital role in the saga this one shifts a great deal of the focus to the feminine characters, especially the new High Queen Gwyhwyfar. This welcome exploration of a new perspective in no way impairs the advancement of the overarching story arc, but rather enhances it. This book is rich in period detail but never bogs down in it. Battles play out excitingly and believably and often enough to satisfy any adventure-lover. There are plenty of political power-plays to keep readers engaged in the treacherous struggle for unity annd power. The Arthurian saga is given a fresh and satisfying new take in this series and I'm looking forward to the next volume!
March 17, 2016
This novel is another good and exciting read by David Pilling. It has an original plot and very original main characters - this Gwenhwyfar is not at all like the traditional Gwenhwyfar/Guinevere as we know her on the silver screen. The minor characters are also interesting and not the usual ones. The story never gets dull for a moment - there are exciting battles, intrigues, betrayals and also a few surprises. It is well told and kept me riveted throughout.
July 22, 2018
I won’t go over the synopsis since the publisher does a good job. This book focuses mostly on Gwenhwyfar. She is a tall, strong-willed, clever woman who cares about her people. Although she marries Artorius for the promise of protection, she makes the perfect match for him. She does not take a backseat when things get tough.
This is the third book I’ve read/listened to by this author. I have already listened to Leader of Battles Book 1, Soldier of Fortune Book 1, and would love to listen to Leader of Battles Book 2 to fill in the gaps. I’d like to try listening to anything else he’s written.
This is the third book I’ve listened to by this narrator (Paul Jenkins) and I would definitely listen to another. I think he is a wonderful narrator. He gives every character a distinct voice including the women- they are well done. Listening is like hearing a story told or watching it happen, not listening to a story being read.
There are no explicit sex scenes, excessive violence or swearing.
I was given this free review copy audiobook at my request and voluntarily left this unbiased review
This is the third book I’ve read/listened to by this author. I have already listened to Leader of Battles Book 1, Soldier of Fortune Book 1, and would love to listen to Leader of Battles Book 2 to fill in the gaps. I’d like to try listening to anything else he’s written.
This is the third book I’ve listened to by this narrator (Paul Jenkins) and I would definitely listen to another. I think he is a wonderful narrator. He gives every character a distinct voice including the women- they are well done. Listening is like hearing a story told or watching it happen, not listening to a story being read.
There are no explicit sex scenes, excessive violence or swearing.
I was given this free review copy audiobook at my request and voluntarily left this unbiased review
September 19, 2018
Not Quite Camelot
This is NOT your standard telling of the King Arthur legends nor is this the Guinevere of romance, but a sturdy medieval princess unused to frequent bathing, a tall, plain woman of 16 when we meet her. From the title we learn that this is the third in a series, although clearly the events herein tell their own story. Disguised in what I'd guess to be their Welsh variants, I recognized most of the character names found in the various accounts of the times, but the battles and events don't quite coincide with the musical version. We are treated instead to a strong and robust description that, especially as narrated by Paul Jenkins, pulls us into history and its sights, sounds, and smells--an exciting and real-feeling re-creation. Be sure to listen to the afterword where author David Pilling explains his research and the origins of the events he recreates. Imaginative!
This is NOT your standard telling of the King Arthur legends nor is this the Guinevere of romance, but a sturdy medieval princess unused to frequent bathing, a tall, plain woman of 16 when we meet her. From the title we learn that this is the third in a series, although clearly the events herein tell their own story. Disguised in what I'd guess to be their Welsh variants, I recognized most of the character names found in the various accounts of the times, but the battles and events don't quite coincide with the musical version. We are treated instead to a strong and robust description that, especially as narrated by Paul Jenkins, pulls us into history and its sights, sounds, and smells--an exciting and real-feeling re-creation. Be sure to listen to the afterword where author David Pilling explains his research and the origins of the events he recreates. Imaginative!
October 15, 2019
More wanted
Top read i realy enjoyed it.one of the better authurian tales to read.i found myself transported hundreds of years into the past and couldnt put the book down untill i had finnished it.
Top read i realy enjoyed it.one of the better authurian tales to read.i found myself transported hundreds of years into the past and couldnt put the book down untill i had finnished it.
June 11, 2016
Liked the book. Characters developed well, though I was expecting more of Gwenhyfar than was delivered during the book. Events in the book give rise to strong emotions, which speaks for the writer's style. I'm happy with the read, though a bit disappointed in the character of Gwenhyfar herself!
Would recommend.
Would recommend.
September 5, 2016
Great stories
I am enjoying reading a story of Arthur that is so different from others I have read.
Basing these books on Welsh stories and legends, rather than , British and French sources, is fascinating. I have and will continue to recommend these great tales to my friends and anyone interested in historical fiction.
I am enjoying reading a story of Arthur that is so different from others I have read.
Basing these books on Welsh stories and legends, rather than , British and French sources, is fascinating. I have and will continue to recommend these great tales to my friends and anyone interested in historical fiction.
June 9, 2016
Well-written Story
The author has done a good job connecting the known facts of this period with the fictional creation of characters and action. The series has developed into a good story.
The author has done a good job connecting the known facts of this period with the fictional creation of characters and action. The series has developed into a good story.
Displaying 1 - 8 of 8 reviews