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The Return of King Arthur #1
The Ravenmaster's Revenge
It is the autumn of 2019. Merlin’s wayward apprentice has escaped from the Tower of London with his raven familiars. Legend foretells that the White Tower, then England, will fall.
Can King Arthur, a weary veteran of the English Civil War, Waterloo and the Somme, prevent the Ravenmaster from exacting his revenge?
Can King Arthur, a weary veteran of the English Civil War, Waterloo and the Somme, prevent the Ravenmaster from exacting his revenge?
220 pages, Kindle Edition
Published May 24, 2019
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184 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 44 reviews
January 15, 2024
As an Arthurian legend fan, I'm always up for any retelling concerning the legendary King of the Britons. So you can imagine I was very excited to read "The Ravenmaster's Revenge", Book 1 of "The Return of King Arthur" series by the wonderful author, Jacob Sannox. The fact that this novel was was selected as a semi-finalist in the 2019 SPFBO (Self Published Fantasy Blog Off) competition, indicated it would likely be a great read. Although, honestly, the book was not what I expected, it was indeed an excellent read!
My fault, I did not take a look at the book length on Amazon. This was (for me) rather short book, and I would have loved a bit more time to delve into the transfixing world that Sannox has created. Nonetheless, the brevity made for a quick and entertaining romp, back and forth between ancient settings, and modern day ones. For the bulk of the narrative, the reader will find themselves in modern day England. This is the land that, according to legend, Arthur is a sort of immortal guardian of, as the "Once and Future King". Sannox picks up this concept, and makes his Arthur a weary but devoted man who is tasked with protecting his beloved land, throughout the ages, down to the present day.
At his side is his mentor, the omnipotent Merlin, who is the nemesis of the eponymous Ravenmaster of the book's title. Merlin, I must say, was my favourite character of the book. He has been somewhat of a puppet-master, manipulating world events, with seemingly noble intentions. Sannox cleverly ties the job of Merlin's opponent as modern-day job as Ravenmaster of the Tower of London to the fact that he tries to orchestrates the destiny of the land, and includes the Legend of the Tower Ravens to illustrate this: "...if the Tower of London ravens are lost or fly away, the Crown will fall and Britain with it."
While Merlin manages to safeguard England successfully for centuries, not all of Merlin's machinations turn out well. Merlin is consistently forced to correct errors he has made in influencing world history. As is canon, Arthur becomes the tool Merlin uses to do this. And in Sannox's version of Arthur, Arthur's immortality is explained, and we see the fabled king fight or be engaged in affecting some pivotal historical events. Some of these critical junctures include the First World War, the 17th century English Civil War, and the Napoleonic War.
As a history buff, I found this book absolutely fascinating. I also found it was an interesting choice by Sannox to depict Arthur the way he did. Surrounded by some of his celebrated knights of the Round Table, who in fealty have accompanied Arthur, Arthur perseveres in his tasks, though what he truly desires is respite from his burdens. Sannox has given his Arthur a sort of Captain America-esque type arch. Sannox has written Arthur as a man who is living out of his time, but whose fate, and overwhelming sense of duty and obligation, forces him to continue his mission. And continue it he does, even though in many ways he cannot entirely relate to the land and people that he protects anymore. It makes Sannox's Arthur, a man lionized in the annals of history and of particular significance to the British, very human and relatable, and I thought this was very well-done.
The heart of the plot is a classic good versus evil tale, with Merlin's apprentice, Branok, as the the Ravenmaster, the villain. Merlin, Arthur, and his redoubtable knights are locked in an eternal game of wits against Branok, who tries to maneuver history for his own adverse purposes. The book provides plenty of action, with thrilling battle and fight scenes, including peaks back in time, like such epic confrontations as Arthur's venerated "last" battle at Camlann versus Modred.
I completely adored Sannox's vivid writing, in terms of how he describes England, a place I have always longed to visit. Sannox captivated me with his expository prose. I truly felt I was strolling or driving through today's downtown, bustling London, or the quaint urban countryside. The conversations between especially Arthur, Merlin, and the knights, were engaging, and sprinkled with some good humour. As noted, Sannox does an amazing job with Arthur and Merlin, to make them main characters the reader can identify with and root for. Once again, though I would have preferred a longer book, the pacing was exceptional. With the plot always being driven forward in exhilarating fashion, voracious readers might knock this book off in one day's setting.
I thoroughly enjoyed this book. I have already purchased the sequel: "Agravain's Escape", and am very much looking forward to diving into that one! Five stars for "The Ravenmaster's Revenge"!
My fault, I did not take a look at the book length on Amazon. This was (for me) rather short book, and I would have loved a bit more time to delve into the transfixing world that Sannox has created. Nonetheless, the brevity made for a quick and entertaining romp, back and forth between ancient settings, and modern day ones. For the bulk of the narrative, the reader will find themselves in modern day England. This is the land that, according to legend, Arthur is a sort of immortal guardian of, as the "Once and Future King". Sannox picks up this concept, and makes his Arthur a weary but devoted man who is tasked with protecting his beloved land, throughout the ages, down to the present day.
At his side is his mentor, the omnipotent Merlin, who is the nemesis of the eponymous Ravenmaster of the book's title. Merlin, I must say, was my favourite character of the book. He has been somewhat of a puppet-master, manipulating world events, with seemingly noble intentions. Sannox cleverly ties the job of Merlin's opponent as modern-day job as Ravenmaster of the Tower of London to the fact that he tries to orchestrates the destiny of the land, and includes the Legend of the Tower Ravens to illustrate this: "...if the Tower of London ravens are lost or fly away, the Crown will fall and Britain with it."
While Merlin manages to safeguard England successfully for centuries, not all of Merlin's machinations turn out well. Merlin is consistently forced to correct errors he has made in influencing world history. As is canon, Arthur becomes the tool Merlin uses to do this. And in Sannox's version of Arthur, Arthur's immortality is explained, and we see the fabled king fight or be engaged in affecting some pivotal historical events. Some of these critical junctures include the First World War, the 17th century English Civil War, and the Napoleonic War.
As a history buff, I found this book absolutely fascinating. I also found it was an interesting choice by Sannox to depict Arthur the way he did. Surrounded by some of his celebrated knights of the Round Table, who in fealty have accompanied Arthur, Arthur perseveres in his tasks, though what he truly desires is respite from his burdens. Sannox has given his Arthur a sort of Captain America-esque type arch. Sannox has written Arthur as a man who is living out of his time, but whose fate, and overwhelming sense of duty and obligation, forces him to continue his mission. And continue it he does, even though in many ways he cannot entirely relate to the land and people that he protects anymore. It makes Sannox's Arthur, a man lionized in the annals of history and of particular significance to the British, very human and relatable, and I thought this was very well-done.
The heart of the plot is a classic good versus evil tale, with Merlin's apprentice, Branok, as the the Ravenmaster, the villain. Merlin, Arthur, and his redoubtable knights are locked in an eternal game of wits against Branok, who tries to maneuver history for his own adverse purposes. The book provides plenty of action, with thrilling battle and fight scenes, including peaks back in time, like such epic confrontations as Arthur's venerated "last" battle at Camlann versus Modred.
I completely adored Sannox's vivid writing, in terms of how he describes England, a place I have always longed to visit. Sannox captivated me with his expository prose. I truly felt I was strolling or driving through today's downtown, bustling London, or the quaint urban countryside. The conversations between especially Arthur, Merlin, and the knights, were engaging, and sprinkled with some good humour. As noted, Sannox does an amazing job with Arthur and Merlin, to make them main characters the reader can identify with and root for. Once again, though I would have preferred a longer book, the pacing was exceptional. With the plot always being driven forward in exhilarating fashion, voracious readers might knock this book off in one day's setting.
I thoroughly enjoyed this book. I have already purchased the sequel: "Agravain's Escape", and am very much looking forward to diving into that one! Five stars for "The Ravenmaster's Revenge"!
April 27, 2022
Novel provided by the Author in exchange for an honest review.
Reading this book reminded me why we readers have to pick up more self-published books. Is it the best book I have ever read? No, but The Ravenmaster’s Revenge is a great read that I think most fantasy readers will enjoy.
When asked if I was interested in reading this book I took a quick look on Goodreads and was sold immediately when I saw it was an Arthurian-inspired story. We follow Arthur, Merlin and all the Knights and it’s fantastic. Jacob Sannox pulls these men through time and we watch as their long lives unfold.
Sannox does a fantastic job of pulling from historical events and bringing them into the present. We see Guy Fawkes, Charles I and more. I won’t get into any details as this review is spoiler-free, so instead, I will focus on what I am allowed to talk about.
I am not a big reader of urban fantasy. Some may have seen my struggle through the first few books in Jim Butcher’s The Dresden Files, but I quickly came to love that series. I didn’t have the same struggle with The Ravenmaster’s Revenge. Instead, I was quickly drawn into the story and found myself enjoying the ride.
The main storyline is set in 2019 but we get a lot of historical chapters too and to be honest, if the book was set 100% in the past, I wouldn’t have been mad. The historical chapters were my favourite parts but that isn’t to say the “present-day” storyline wasn’t enjoyable.
I will briefly touch upon some negatives, but they are easy to overlook as the story is great and it’s a quick read that I really enjoyed. The first of these is the characters. There are a lot of knights, I get it, and while Sannox does in parts give them unique voices I found their dialogue merging together a lot. They didn’t always have individual personalities.
The final point I want to make is about the villain. There is an element of complexity to the antagonist of the novel which I enjoyed, but I found myself wondering why he was doing what he was doing. Yes, we are told, but I didn’t feel it.
I will certainly continue with the next books in this series and see how it goes because the story was good! You should definitely give it a shot if you need a quick read as a break between the massive fantasy books like Steven Erikson’s Malazan Book of the Fallen!
View the full review at The Fantasy Review
Reading this book reminded me why we readers have to pick up more self-published books. Is it the best book I have ever read? No, but The Ravenmaster’s Revenge is a great read that I think most fantasy readers will enjoy.
When asked if I was interested in reading this book I took a quick look on Goodreads and was sold immediately when I saw it was an Arthurian-inspired story. We follow Arthur, Merlin and all the Knights and it’s fantastic. Jacob Sannox pulls these men through time and we watch as their long lives unfold.
Sannox does a fantastic job of pulling from historical events and bringing them into the present. We see Guy Fawkes, Charles I and more. I won’t get into any details as this review is spoiler-free, so instead, I will focus on what I am allowed to talk about.
I am not a big reader of urban fantasy. Some may have seen my struggle through the first few books in Jim Butcher’s The Dresden Files, but I quickly came to love that series. I didn’t have the same struggle with The Ravenmaster’s Revenge. Instead, I was quickly drawn into the story and found myself enjoying the ride.
The main storyline is set in 2019 but we get a lot of historical chapters too and to be honest, if the book was set 100% in the past, I wouldn’t have been mad. The historical chapters were my favourite parts but that isn’t to say the “present-day” storyline wasn’t enjoyable.
I will briefly touch upon some negatives, but they are easy to overlook as the story is great and it’s a quick read that I really enjoyed. The first of these is the characters. There are a lot of knights, I get it, and while Sannox does in parts give them unique voices I found their dialogue merging together a lot. They didn’t always have individual personalities.
The final point I want to make is about the villain. There is an element of complexity to the antagonist of the novel which I enjoyed, but I found myself wondering why he was doing what he was doing. Yes, we are told, but I didn’t feel it.
I will certainly continue with the next books in this series and see how it goes because the story was good! You should definitely give it a shot if you need a quick read as a break between the massive fantasy books like Steven Erikson’s Malazan Book of the Fallen!
View the full review at The Fantasy Review
April 5, 2021
This book has a very nice first abstract (and first sentence). Which leads to a very nice atmosphere from the very beginning.
It has been a while since I read anything King Arthur related. A while ago I read the first book of the Merlin series by T.A. Barron but that is not exactly Arthur. Therefore, I was not entirely knowledgeable about the names relevant to the Arthur Saga. However, Jacob Sannox has a nice way of reminding one of the relevant characters without being too obvious.
In the book, there are two different time strings. One is in the present; the other starts in the 5th century AD leads to today and shows how Merlin and the 'ravenmaster' influenced British history. So if you are into alternate history, this book definitely is for you. There is also an interesting idea concerning the background of the ravens at the Tower of London (you know the ones from the saying: "if the Tower of London ravens are lost or fly away, the Crown will fall and Britain with it.").
One minor point is that the knights remain shallow and I had also problems relating to Arthur. That leads to a slightly detached feeling while reading. However, I see a lot of potentials here for future books as the characters themselves are very interesting.
What really won me over is the ending: It has one of the best ways to end a book, without a cliffhanger and a lot of closure. Even though it is a series, you could totally stop reading unless you want to continue. Don't get me wrong, I like good cliffhangers, but I love it when there a none. Otherwise, I feel a bit pressured to continue reading the series. This is not the case here. But I think I will nevertheless continue reading. Maybe, then I get to know the different characters better.
Thanks to Jacob Sannox for providing a physical copy in exchange for an honest review.
It has been a while since I read anything King Arthur related. A while ago I read the first book of the Merlin series by T.A. Barron but that is not exactly Arthur. Therefore, I was not entirely knowledgeable about the names relevant to the Arthur Saga. However, Jacob Sannox has a nice way of reminding one of the relevant characters without being too obvious.
In the book, there are two different time strings. One is in the present; the other starts in the 5th century AD leads to today and shows how Merlin and the 'ravenmaster' influenced British history. So if you are into alternate history, this book definitely is for you. There is also an interesting idea concerning the background of the ravens at the Tower of London (you know the ones from the saying: "if the Tower of London ravens are lost or fly away, the Crown will fall and Britain with it.").
One minor point is that the knights remain shallow and I had also problems relating to Arthur. That leads to a slightly detached feeling while reading. However, I see a lot of potentials here for future books as the characters themselves are very interesting.
What really won me over is the ending: It has one of the best ways to end a book, without a cliffhanger and a lot of closure. Even though it is a series, you could totally stop reading unless you want to continue. Don't get me wrong, I like good cliffhangers, but I love it when there a none. Otherwise, I feel a bit pressured to continue reading the series. This is not the case here. But I think I will nevertheless continue reading. Maybe, then I get to know the different characters better.
Thanks to Jacob Sannox for providing a physical copy in exchange for an honest review.
September 13, 2022
This story switches between the actual time of King Arthur and 2019. The history bits go on in history, so we close the time gap slowly and in big leaps.
While I liked the tone of the story, the historic bits weren't long enough to really catch me in the scene. This might be a "me" problem, as I have little to no knowledge of British history, but if you know the people and events that we get to visit, it might be just perfect.
The story itself was quick and entertaining enough to keep me going throughout the whole book, and I quite enjoyed the brotherhood between Arthur and his Knights.
So if you're looking for a slightly different Urban Fantasy, or if you just like to read about history with a bit of a twists this might well be the perfect book for you!
While I liked the tone of the story, the historic bits weren't long enough to really catch me in the scene. This might be a "me" problem, as I have little to no knowledge of British history, but if you know the people and events that we get to visit, it might be just perfect.
The story itself was quick and entertaining enough to keep me going throughout the whole book, and I quite enjoyed the brotherhood between Arthur and his Knights.
So if you're looking for a slightly different Urban Fantasy, or if you just like to read about history with a bit of a twists this might well be the perfect book for you!
November 25, 2020
"We are not the heroes of old, warriors of legend that exist in the storybooks, embellished by each new author…We are here, in this land, of this land, and in truth, it is as unified as it ever will be"
The Ravenmaster awakens and the fate of the whole of England hangs in the balance in Jacob Sannox's riveting Arthurian Fantasy novel, The Ravenmaster's Revenge. This is a tale that explores an alternate history of our own, and tells of the immortal king and his devoted knights, bound by a loyalty that transcends the ages. Their obligation to protect their country is a long and arduous task, going so far as to pose the thought-provoking question of "what is a country?" – its rulers, its people, or the land itself? Within this book's pages vengeance and its damaging consequences take center stage as old rivalries fueled by fanaticism resurface from the annals of history, lying in wait to wreak havoc on the unworthy. Original storytelling, remarkably developed characters, and charming settings, The Ravenmaster's Revenge is an incredible story for those looking for something a bit different.
Sannox presents this story in a thoroughly unique and engaging way; the main narrative takes place in modern-day London, but the story is spliced with accounts of pivotal points in England's history during times of war and unrest. Present events are clearly chronicled, then the various points in time are utilized to dig deeper to explain the whats and whys, adding admirable richness to this relatively short book. Whether we're learning the reasoning behind the rage of a powerful man or the significance of a particular weapon, there are an abundance of little treasures to be discovered along our journey. He also wonderfully captures the concept of transformative change and its jarring effects on the ageless. Imagine hailing from a time thousands of years in the past, but forced to adapt to today's world and all the technology it carries along with it. Intimidating, isn't it?
This tale is filled to the brim with an sprawling cast of familiar, yet freshly portrayed characters. At the center lies Arthur, a man steadfast in his duties to protect, yet a soul battered by the ages and longing for peace, and Merlin, a man with untold power attempting to right the wrongs he's wrought, all while lamenting the path taken by a boy he once loved and respected. Their actions act as direct catalysts for the events that transpire throughout the centuries, all while knowing their decisions would shape what's to come. Merlin's apprentice, Branok, acts as the antagonist of this story, feverishly working to transform the workings of the world into one he sees fit, though through sinister means. While the general tone of this story is somber, there is a bit of comic relief throughout attributed to the brilliant dynamics between the characters. Whether Merlin is being forced to withstand the onslaught of modern retellings of his legend, or the banter between knights fills the quiet silence, I welcomed these moments of respite with open arms.
In addition to an intelligently told narrative and some incredible character development, the charming depiction of England and all the beauty and history it has to offer the world is what drew me in the most. I've personally never been, but Sannox paints a vivid picture that completely immersed me in a land that seemed so very familiar. From the bustling metropolitan, to the quaint snow-laden countryside, and everything in between, there's just an ultimate comfort to be found in the world he builds around us. Fragments of historical events with new twists deliver us to moments in time highlighting the importance of past strife, a bold and wise decision. Infusing the mundane with the fantastical is a surefire way to grab my attention, and I found it too easy to lose myself in this book he's penned. I read the entirety of it in one sitting, and immediately craved more.
The Ravenmaster's Revenge is a compelling and moving read that caught me completely by surprise. I've been looking for a book that strays from my usual reading diet, and I'm so grateful I've been given the chance to spread my wings a bit. This particular story arc concludes nicely and can definitely be read as a standalone novel, but there's more adventures to behold in the rest of the The Return of King Arthur series. If you're looking for a classic tale told with a modern twist, then this may be just the one you need – I thoroughly recommend. Onto Agravain's Escape!
––
NOTE: A huge thank you to the author for a complementary advance copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.
See this review and others at Whispers & Wonder
September 12, 2022
King Arthur is back, but can he stop the Ravenmaster?
The Ravenmaster’s Revenge by Jacob Sannox is a short fantasy novel, coming in at just 44,000 words, making it a quick, enjoyable read. Sannox employs a split timeline structure, where the main story, set in 2019, is interwoven with various key events from England’s history. Think Arthurian Fantasy meets Highlander and you get the general idea.
The style combines the conventions of a modern thriller with a hectic series of historical adventures as Arthur and his knights work to thwart Branok, Merlin’s wayward apprentice. Arthur, a 5th Century King, and his loyal knights of the Round Table have been bound by Merlin to defend England throughout the ages, effectively making them immortal. We follow their exploits during various key moments in history including the War of the Roses, the Gunpowder Plot, the English Civil War, the Black Death, the Great Fire of London, the Battle of Waterloo and World Wars I & II.
A key theme, which emerges as the centuries pass, is how the knights and the ideals they represent have increasingly less relevance to the land they are sworn to protect. The scene in the Somme during WWI is particularly vivid, capturing the horror of that conflict and the price of war brilliantly. As Arthur says, “This is not war as I understand it.”
This is a quintessentially English tale, illustrated by how Sannox deploys humour to underline the bizarre situation Arthur and his allies find themselves in as they try and relax for the evening during 2019:
‘Merlin sat through Excalibur, albeit sulking and muttering throughout, but left during the first animation in Monty Python and the Holy Grail.’
However, there are also more serious passages, beautifully written, which showcase Sannox’s storytelling ability and craft:
‘Before him, the last moments his family had spent together were preserved. The bad news had not been through the gate, had not walked the path or unlocked the door. The tragedy had not packed up Peter's cars or Alice's crayons from their bedroom floors. The plates on the draining board had yet to be informed of the loss. Carol's half-finished coffee would be waiting patiently for her return, just where she had left it on top of the piano, leaving a ring on the varnish.
The Bolton family's life was waiting for them. And if he turned the key and let in the air from a world in which his wife and children were dead, if he crossed that threshold?
David’s keys sat on his open palm, and he held them up, scrutinising them. He returned them to his trouser pocket and walked away from the house, from his Pompeii.’
What I enjoyed most about this novel is Sannox’s capacity to completely surprise you as the reader. I lost count of the number of times I was sitting there, thinking I knew where the story was going, only for my expectations to be confounded as the plot went off in another direction altogether. This is well-written, entertaining stuff that leads up to a chilling, unexpected climax.
I liked how Sannox tried something different with this book, although its length means some of the more interesting ideas aren’t fully explored and the supporting characters get less space to grow and develop. That said, I found myself caring about Arthur, Merlin and even Branok, each of them convincingly drawn and believable. Together, this trio hold the story together and propel it forwards at breakneck pace. The magical elements are also a standout aspect, especially Branok’s familiars.
Ravenmaster is a thoroughly enjoyable fantasy novel with a modern twist that will keep you guessing right to the end. I’ll definitely be going on to read the sequel, Agravain’s Escape. The premise is great and Sannox clearly has lots more in store for his readers as this series develops.
The Ravenmaster’s Revenge by Jacob Sannox is a short fantasy novel, coming in at just 44,000 words, making it a quick, enjoyable read. Sannox employs a split timeline structure, where the main story, set in 2019, is interwoven with various key events from England’s history. Think Arthurian Fantasy meets Highlander and you get the general idea.
The style combines the conventions of a modern thriller with a hectic series of historical adventures as Arthur and his knights work to thwart Branok, Merlin’s wayward apprentice. Arthur, a 5th Century King, and his loyal knights of the Round Table have been bound by Merlin to defend England throughout the ages, effectively making them immortal. We follow their exploits during various key moments in history including the War of the Roses, the Gunpowder Plot, the English Civil War, the Black Death, the Great Fire of London, the Battle of Waterloo and World Wars I & II.
A key theme, which emerges as the centuries pass, is how the knights and the ideals they represent have increasingly less relevance to the land they are sworn to protect. The scene in the Somme during WWI is particularly vivid, capturing the horror of that conflict and the price of war brilliantly. As Arthur says, “This is not war as I understand it.”
This is a quintessentially English tale, illustrated by how Sannox deploys humour to underline the bizarre situation Arthur and his allies find themselves in as they try and relax for the evening during 2019:
‘Merlin sat through Excalibur, albeit sulking and muttering throughout, but left during the first animation in Monty Python and the Holy Grail.’
However, there are also more serious passages, beautifully written, which showcase Sannox’s storytelling ability and craft:
‘Before him, the last moments his family had spent together were preserved. The bad news had not been through the gate, had not walked the path or unlocked the door. The tragedy had not packed up Peter's cars or Alice's crayons from their bedroom floors. The plates on the draining board had yet to be informed of the loss. Carol's half-finished coffee would be waiting patiently for her return, just where she had left it on top of the piano, leaving a ring on the varnish.
The Bolton family's life was waiting for them. And if he turned the key and let in the air from a world in which his wife and children were dead, if he crossed that threshold?
David’s keys sat on his open palm, and he held them up, scrutinising them. He returned them to his trouser pocket and walked away from the house, from his Pompeii.’
What I enjoyed most about this novel is Sannox’s capacity to completely surprise you as the reader. I lost count of the number of times I was sitting there, thinking I knew where the story was going, only for my expectations to be confounded as the plot went off in another direction altogether. This is well-written, entertaining stuff that leads up to a chilling, unexpected climax.
I liked how Sannox tried something different with this book, although its length means some of the more interesting ideas aren’t fully explored and the supporting characters get less space to grow and develop. That said, I found myself caring about Arthur, Merlin and even Branok, each of them convincingly drawn and believable. Together, this trio hold the story together and propel it forwards at breakneck pace. The magical elements are also a standout aspect, especially Branok’s familiars.
Ravenmaster is a thoroughly enjoyable fantasy novel with a modern twist that will keep you guessing right to the end. I’ll definitely be going on to read the sequel, Agravain’s Escape. The premise is great and Sannox clearly has lots more in store for his readers as this series develops.
September 10, 2021
TL;DR review: If you're on the fence, BUY IT.
Holy crap lions, what HAVE I just read?!
"The Return of King Arthur" is misleading – those are the many returns, where history mixes with fantasy (how far in the past can a book be set to still count as urban fantasy…? World War II fantasy? World War I fantasy? all-periods-historical fantasy?) in wildest twists and turns. I rarely use this phrase complimentarily, but this book is all action, the only expectable thing – the unexpected, and DAMN.
I don't think it's possible to review this book without any spoilers, so I'll just settle for the above – and an ending nobody could possibly see coming, except perhaps the author. Who, (un)fortunately, has not proven talented a wizard enough to predict a pandemic (although the word "sickness" uttered at the end by one of the characters has proven prophetic).
There might be a few unsolved arcs (what happened with the photos of Daisy and khm khm?), the secondary characters might feel interchangeable, but that won't stop me from five-starring this book and immediately buying the second instalment of the series. It's a 9.5/10 and if it underwent another round or two of editing, I'd have another candidate for book of the year.
Holy crap lions, what HAVE I just read?!
"The Return of King Arthur" is misleading – those are the many returns, where history mixes with fantasy (how far in the past can a book be set to still count as urban fantasy…? World War II fantasy? World War I fantasy? all-periods-historical fantasy?) in wildest twists and turns. I rarely use this phrase complimentarily, but this book is all action, the only expectable thing – the unexpected, and DAMN.
I don't think it's possible to review this book without any spoilers, so I'll just settle for the above – and an ending nobody could possibly see coming, except perhaps the author. Who, (un)fortunately, has not proven talented a wizard enough to predict a pandemic (although the word "sickness" uttered at the end by one of the characters has proven prophetic).
There might be a few unsolved arcs (what happened with the photos of Daisy and khm khm?), the secondary characters might feel interchangeable, but that won't stop me from five-starring this book and immediately buying the second instalment of the series. It's a 9.5/10 and if it underwent another round or two of editing, I'd have another candidate for book of the year.
November 30, 2019
This is my review of the audio version as posted on Audible:
It's my first book by Jacob Sannox and I'll probably have to read or listen to something more by him to decide whether I truly like his writing or not...
As stories go, this one left me rather indifferent, which is strange as I usually like Arthurian tales. But somehow I did not feel at all connected to Arthur and his fellow knights throughout this story. It felt like a brief account of some important events in British history intended almost as a quick lecture rather than a magical tale of a legendary King who is supposed to save England in times of trouble. The premise sounded good - a conflict between wizards, with the whole of England at stake, but... I think the book lacks tension. True, Arthur and his knights face the warlock Brannock and thwart his efforts time and again, there are descriptions of battles and magical spells being cast, but none of these engaged me emotionally... It's difficult for me to explain why, but I just did not believe in Brannock's reasons for revenge and his "evil motifs", and neither did I keep my fingers crossed for Arthur and his team...
But all this said, there are some things that I liked about the book: some ideas of how magic works there, the fact that Arthur and his knights feel human behind the veneer of immortal defenders of the land, the ravens-familiars... all these saved the book for me.
The narrator, Nigel Peever, is also new to me. I like his voice, it has a nice warmth to it, and I generally liked his interpretation of this book; there are some really well acted out dialogues. But in the long run he sounds a bit monotonous - there's no change in the level of emotions throughout the narrative parts at all... So, as with the author of the book, I'll have to listen to something else interpreted by him to finally decide to what extent I like him as a narrator...
So do I generally recommend the book? Well, I'd say: just listen to it and check for yourself - maybe you'll find more to your liking in it than I did...
DISCLAIMER: I was given this free review copy audiobook at my request and have voluntarily left this review.
It's my first book by Jacob Sannox and I'll probably have to read or listen to something more by him to decide whether I truly like his writing or not...
As stories go, this one left me rather indifferent, which is strange as I usually like Arthurian tales. But somehow I did not feel at all connected to Arthur and his fellow knights throughout this story. It felt like a brief account of some important events in British history intended almost as a quick lecture rather than a magical tale of a legendary King who is supposed to save England in times of trouble. The premise sounded good - a conflict between wizards, with the whole of England at stake, but... I think the book lacks tension. True, Arthur and his knights face the warlock Brannock and thwart his efforts time and again, there are descriptions of battles and magical spells being cast, but none of these engaged me emotionally... It's difficult for me to explain why, but I just did not believe in Brannock's reasons for revenge and his "evil motifs", and neither did I keep my fingers crossed for Arthur and his team...
But all this said, there are some things that I liked about the book: some ideas of how magic works there, the fact that Arthur and his knights feel human behind the veneer of immortal defenders of the land, the ravens-familiars... all these saved the book for me.
The narrator, Nigel Peever, is also new to me. I like his voice, it has a nice warmth to it, and I generally liked his interpretation of this book; there are some really well acted out dialogues. But in the long run he sounds a bit monotonous - there's no change in the level of emotions throughout the narrative parts at all... So, as with the author of the book, I'll have to listen to something else interpreted by him to finally decide to what extent I like him as a narrator...
So do I generally recommend the book? Well, I'd say: just listen to it and check for yourself - maybe you'll find more to your liking in it than I did...
DISCLAIMER: I was given this free review copy audiobook at my request and have voluntarily left this review.
June 2, 2020
A review of
The Ravenmaster’s Revenge
By
Jacob Sannox
The Ravenmaster’s Revenge: The Return of King Arthur as the title suggests is a re-working of the classic Arthurian tale but instead is set mostly in modern day England. The main plot is about an old apprentice of Merlin who schemes and plots behind the scenes with the aim of maintaining the ancient bloodline of the English kings, but at any cost. In the present day he has become the Ravenmaster of the Tower of London and wields his supernatural ravens to subtly achieve his aims even if it means doing great evil to do so. Arthur finds himself, quite rightly, on the side of good and justice, and with his knights must stop this ancient sorcerer and let history take its course.
The story skips through important dates in history and reveals how Arthur took part in those historic events. In fact, the entire story is very cleverly entwined with English history which is probably the thing I enjoyed the most. Sannox shows us the fictional “real” story which was not recorded in the history books as Arthur, Merlin and his knights struggle against the schemes and dark witchcraft of the Ravenmaster. Arthur’s extreme longevity is explained really nicely as the man lives from 5th Century to present day, I won’t spoil it but it all makes sense. All the classic names from Arthurian canon are there too but have been cleverly re-worked into interesting characters. We also discover Arthur’s story from the 5th Century and the original legend of Arthur, as he battles Mordred, through to the English Civil war and the fate of King Charles and the Stewart family, we also get to see him take part in the Great Fire of London, the Battle of Waterloo and World War One, as Arthur continues his fight to protect the England he once ruled.
I really enjoyed this book. It is relatively short and makes for a quick enjoyable read. I would very much recommend it for history fans and fans of alternate history or Arthurian canon. There is also a sequel that I look forward to reading as soon as possible.
Thanks for reading
Lee C. Conley
The Ravenmaster’s Revenge
By
Jacob Sannox
The Ravenmaster’s Revenge: The Return of King Arthur as the title suggests is a re-working of the classic Arthurian tale but instead is set mostly in modern day England. The main plot is about an old apprentice of Merlin who schemes and plots behind the scenes with the aim of maintaining the ancient bloodline of the English kings, but at any cost. In the present day he has become the Ravenmaster of the Tower of London and wields his supernatural ravens to subtly achieve his aims even if it means doing great evil to do so. Arthur finds himself, quite rightly, on the side of good and justice, and with his knights must stop this ancient sorcerer and let history take its course.
The story skips through important dates in history and reveals how Arthur took part in those historic events. In fact, the entire story is very cleverly entwined with English history which is probably the thing I enjoyed the most. Sannox shows us the fictional “real” story which was not recorded in the history books as Arthur, Merlin and his knights struggle against the schemes and dark witchcraft of the Ravenmaster. Arthur’s extreme longevity is explained really nicely as the man lives from 5th Century to present day, I won’t spoil it but it all makes sense. All the classic names from Arthurian canon are there too but have been cleverly re-worked into interesting characters. We also discover Arthur’s story from the 5th Century and the original legend of Arthur, as he battles Mordred, through to the English Civil war and the fate of King Charles and the Stewart family, we also get to see him take part in the Great Fire of London, the Battle of Waterloo and World War One, as Arthur continues his fight to protect the England he once ruled.
I really enjoyed this book. It is relatively short and makes for a quick enjoyable read. I would very much recommend it for history fans and fans of alternate history or Arthurian canon. There is also a sequel that I look forward to reading as soon as possible.
Thanks for reading
Lee C. Conley
November 11, 2020
This is the second book I have read by Jacob Sannox. I read Dark Oak a few weeks back and absolutely loved it and highly recommend it! I look forward to the second book in that series. This novel, The Ravenmaster’s Revenge, is the first book in another series by Jacob. This book was a fun and quick adventure through time with King Arthur and his knights of the round table. I enjoyed it, but it didn’t grab my attention the way his other book did. That being said, I do look forward to reading the second book in this series, Agravain’s Escape. I am intrigued to see where things go next with Arthur and his knights.
What I struggled with most in this book, was the jump between times in each chapter. Some of the chapters take place in modern time and other chapters take place in past historical events that Arthur and his knights witnessed and/or took part in. I felt like the weakness here, was that I didn’t feel a connection to the characters or the events they were involved in. It felt more like a trip through history rather than a new exciting adventure with the characters.
Overall, this book felt like it was setting up a strong foundation for what could be a great series. I just wish it had been longer!
What I struggled with most in this book, was the jump between times in each chapter. Some of the chapters take place in modern time and other chapters take place in past historical events that Arthur and his knights witnessed and/or took part in. I felt like the weakness here, was that I didn’t feel a connection to the characters or the events they were involved in. It felt more like a trip through history rather than a new exciting adventure with the characters.
Overall, this book felt like it was setting up a strong foundation for what could be a great series. I just wish it had been longer!
April 21, 2021
I was pleasantly surprised at how well this book was written.
I love alternate history and new takes on old stories, so when I saw this book, I was reservedly hopeful. Based on the stories of King Arthur and his knights, Jacob Sannox brings the myths of the round trouble into modern day England in a way that keeps you enthralled throughout.
The Ravenmaster's Revenge follows King Arthur and his knights as they battle to save England from dangers both foreign and domestic. These men - though "out of their time" - are warriors, and put their lives on the line for their beloved England whenever the need calls. As the story progresses in the modern day, old enemies raise their heads once again, seeking power and the destruction of the Knights of the Round Table.
I listened to this book on Audible, and had a little trouble following the "time jumps" in the narrative at first. Once I got back to actively listening, rather than just passively listening, I had no more issues.
I love alternate history and new takes on old stories, so when I saw this book, I was reservedly hopeful. Based on the stories of King Arthur and his knights, Jacob Sannox brings the myths of the round trouble into modern day England in a way that keeps you enthralled throughout.
The Ravenmaster's Revenge follows King Arthur and his knights as they battle to save England from dangers both foreign and domestic. These men - though "out of their time" - are warriors, and put their lives on the line for their beloved England whenever the need calls. As the story progresses in the modern day, old enemies raise their heads once again, seeking power and the destruction of the Knights of the Round Table.
I listened to this book on Audible, and had a little trouble following the "time jumps" in the narrative at first. Once I got back to actively listening, rather than just passively listening, I had no more issues.
July 27, 2021
It starts out as a seed of discontent, but over centuries it takes root in the heart as it feeds on the anger and a twisted need for control. Fully grown it towers over the land, pouring forth the deadly poison of vengeance. It comes in the form of Merlin’s apprentice, who is determined to finally bring modern day Britain to its knees. Only one stands in his way, the one who always has. It’s an oath to defend and protect that spans the ages embodied in one man and the brotherhood that will not be vanquished. King Arthur and his knights. Arthur is a king whose reign transcends time, one who continues to somehow fight in every battlefield his people’s blood is shed. However, the battlefields have taken their toll, and Arthur finds he’s battered in more ways than one from the centuries of onslaught. He’s given up much, lost even more as he stares at the grave of one of his fallen friends. Still the king’s heart holds true to his vow for he cannot abandon the people he loves to the closing terror. So, the legendary king, along with his trustworthy wizard and his surviving faithful brotherhood of knights, will not hesitate to face another battle, to take up the weapons of war again. Yet, will their sacred oath to defend be enough to claim this battlefield or will an age-old vow of revenge finally bring darkness to the land?
April 3, 2023
Historical Mythical Goodness.
Just fantastic, I absolutely loved this book. Jacob Sannox's wonderful take on the legendary story that is King Arthur and the Knights of the Round Table is written so cleverly and beautifully crafted. It's like a breath of fresh air. An old tale with a modern-day twist that merges past history events with mythology that will keep you hooked from the first page to the very last. It's a fast-paced story, full of action, where it flips between timelines with its legendary characters. After reading the first two books in The Dark Oak Chronicles, I knew I was in for treat with The Ravenmater's Revenge. The Ravenmaster's Revenge is the first book in The Return Of King Arthur series, set in 2019 Arthur and his Knights are being hunted by Merlins apprentice Branok, a powerful sorcerer and his Raven familiars who want revenge for the beheading of King Charles II. Branok has reeked havoc over the last few centuries and will stop at nothing till he gets his wish. Fun read for any fan of Arthurian fantasy. If you haven't checked out Jacob Sannox's books, I reckon you should remedy that you won't regret it. Now, for the second book, Agravain's Escape, highly recommended...😁💙💥
Just fantastic, I absolutely loved this book. Jacob Sannox's wonderful take on the legendary story that is King Arthur and the Knights of the Round Table is written so cleverly and beautifully crafted. It's like a breath of fresh air. An old tale with a modern-day twist that merges past history events with mythology that will keep you hooked from the first page to the very last. It's a fast-paced story, full of action, where it flips between timelines with its legendary characters. After reading the first two books in The Dark Oak Chronicles, I knew I was in for treat with The Ravenmater's Revenge. The Ravenmaster's Revenge is the first book in The Return Of King Arthur series, set in 2019 Arthur and his Knights are being hunted by Merlins apprentice Branok, a powerful sorcerer and his Raven familiars who want revenge for the beheading of King Charles II. Branok has reeked havoc over the last few centuries and will stop at nothing till he gets his wish. Fun read for any fan of Arthurian fantasy. If you haven't checked out Jacob Sannox's books, I reckon you should remedy that you won't regret it. Now, for the second book, Agravain's Escape, highly recommended...😁💙💥
December 13, 2020
Story : ⭐️⭐️⭐️
Narration : ⭐️⭐️
I listened to the audio version of this book and Nigel Peevers the narrator certainly gives it his all and is very good at giving each character distinguishing voices that bring them to life, but in general his overall tone is a touch too over dramatic for me. Likening it to a very English stage “actorrrre” ( and yes he does roll his rrr’s at times ) it was a tad grandiose, which I found distracting enough to pull me slightly out of a story that wasn’t bad; if the idea of an Arthurian based suburban fantasy tickles your fancy. I liked it enough to persevere to the end but in this case I think I’d have enjoyed it more had I read rather than listened. A lot of audiobook reviewers love Mr Peevers style and granted, he does animate the story, so these observations are just my own personal preferences.
Disclaimer: I requested a free copy of this audiobook and am voluntarily giving an honest review.
Narration : ⭐️⭐️
I listened to the audio version of this book and Nigel Peevers the narrator certainly gives it his all and is very good at giving each character distinguishing voices that bring them to life, but in general his overall tone is a touch too over dramatic for me. Likening it to a very English stage “actorrrre” ( and yes he does roll his rrr’s at times ) it was a tad grandiose, which I found distracting enough to pull me slightly out of a story that wasn’t bad; if the idea of an Arthurian based suburban fantasy tickles your fancy. I liked it enough to persevere to the end but in this case I think I’d have enjoyed it more had I read rather than listened. A lot of audiobook reviewers love Mr Peevers style and granted, he does animate the story, so these observations are just my own personal preferences.
Disclaimer: I requested a free copy of this audiobook and am voluntarily giving an honest review.
January 12, 2022
This one was a bit of a mixed bag for me! I love anything Arthurian, but I'm also incredibly picky about it. I'm querying my own Arthurian retelling right now, so it can be hard for a King Arthur book to please me, since i have some pretty particular opinions about how the story "ought" to be retold. This one hit the spot, though. I loved the raven motif and it was used in clever and insightful ways. I also really enjoyed the way most of the characters were interpreted, and the sweeping view of history was fascinating, especially in such a quick read.
However, I didn't love Sannox's style. The writing felt somewhat choppy to me, and the sentence structure got rather repetitive in a way that detracted from the reading experience.
The ending, though, was truly moving. I loved seeing these characters get that conclusion, and it was beautifully executed. Well worth the read for the epilogue alone!
However, I didn't love Sannox's style. The writing felt somewhat choppy to me, and the sentence structure got rather repetitive in a way that detracted from the reading experience.
The ending, though, was truly moving. I loved seeing these characters get that conclusion, and it was beautifully executed. Well worth the read for the epilogue alone!
October 30, 2019
Instead of just another iteration of the Arthurian legend, this is a bold new spin-off of it, and definitely NOT the same old schtick, giving King Arthur a whole new story! The book starts out in 2019, but then jumps us back to King Arthur's final battle and death! Yes, that's really where this book starts... But, King Arthur has his Knights, and of course his ace-in-the-hole, Merlin! With Merlin's magic, King Arthur, and his Knights only sleep until England has need for them again! Every time the Monarchy is in jeopardy, King Arthur is there fighting! Not as a King of course, but still a leader of men, he's there unheralded, taking care of business. Jacob Sannox skips us through this action-packed bit of history, and brings us up to current times... You're gonna wanna get this one, and find out how that worked out for Arthur!
This is one of those books where the union of book and narrator is so perfect, that the end product is actually better than the sum of it's parts! Thank the gods (and Nigel Peever) for narration like that!
This Audiobook was an Absolute Blast!!!
⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
This is one of those books where the union of book and narrator is so perfect, that the end product is actually better than the sum of it's parts! Thank the gods (and Nigel Peever) for narration like that!
This Audiobook was an Absolute Blast!!!
⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
Currently reading
August 21, 2020Not rated because O didn't finish. I didn't finish because the book is so unevenly written. Parts are smooth while other parts clunky and annoying, like a bad TV script. The battle scene goes on forever and was boring. The story takes place in multiple time periods, which is okay,, but the various time periods read as if written by different authors. I like the idea of Arthur coming back, but the contemporary Arthur is an asshole CEO type who treats the knights like flunkies So...it is possible the book will improve and I might give it a shot later, but for now I am disappointed and have moved on to a different book.
June 18, 2021
Many authors have been fascinated with the Arthurian legends and added their own versions to the story. In this one, Arthur and his knights return over and over, to fight in wars and other crises threatening England. They find themselves at odds with a former pupil of Merlin's, who turned to the dark arts and determines to cause chaos. The book bounces back and forth through time as the seemingly never-ending battle rages on. Perhaps I've become jaded from reading too many such stories. I thought it well-written but it didn't engage me emotionally and I was always aware that I was reading rather than falling into the story.
August 15, 2020
I actually enjoyed this story of Arthur and his knights, brought back from the dead to protect England through the ages. There’s just one sentence at the end of chapter 22 that almost spoiled it. There was absolutely no need for the sentence, no need to subliminally insert a political opinion. I debated whether to read the next in the series and have decided I will. But any more sentences like that I won’t be reading any more. In conclusion I enjoyed the story overall, was let down for me in that one instance, therefore only 4 stars instead of the 5 I intended
September 11, 2020
This has had a lot of praise and I can see why. The ideas are clever, it’s atmospheric, the characters work and the tension builds effectively. There are some bold strokes here and the dipping in and out of different historical periods to build the story was effective. I did enjoy reading it, but the ending, while it worked, felt a bit rushed, like condensing a whole season of a drama into a feature film. It’s only just over 200 pages and the concepts, characters and plot needed longer to mature.
January 10, 2020
This was a really fun twist on a King Arthur story. I would recommend that you not try to multitask while listening to this one, there are enough characters and flashbacks that I had to go back and re-listen to a few parts. The narrator did a great job and was entertaining to listen to. On a side note there was some language and some parts in the book got a little gory for me.
I was given this free review copy audiobook at my request and have voluntarily left this review.
I was given this free review copy audiobook at my request and have voluntarily left this review.
November 22, 2020
I received this audiobook in exchange for an honest review.
I enjoyed this story. King Arthur is resurrected to be involved in some very historical moments in England. Along with Merlin and the most villainous characters from time, King Arthur rises to the occasion (no pun intended). Being a lover of all things historical, I recognized most of the scenarios where Arthur fictitiously took part. The narration was great. This is the first in the series and I look forward to the next installment.
I enjoyed this story. King Arthur is resurrected to be involved in some very historical moments in England. Along with Merlin and the most villainous characters from time, King Arthur rises to the occasion (no pun intended). Being a lover of all things historical, I recognized most of the scenarios where Arthur fictitiously took part. The narration was great. This is the first in the series and I look forward to the next installment.
October 6, 2019
Audiobook review: The Ravenmaster’s Revenge is a fast paced fantasy involving King Arthur and Merlin, but it is different from the traditional concepts of these two and covers a very lengthy time period. A well written story. The narrator did a great job! I received a free copy of this audiobook at my request and have voluntarily left this review.
June 15, 2022
Audible:This was a very good book.It switched back and forth from Merlins time to current time. It seems King Arthur was 'frozen',along with his knights for a time when he would be needed again. Nigel Peever was a terrific narrator.I was given this free review copy audiobook at my request and have voluntarily left this review.
September 14, 2023
The général idea is Nice and fresh but it found it too quick and boring. The characters are very flat, not very well developped. The flashbacks are not all useful, the ravens not well used as well and the ending is rushed. Im sure the book has a lot of potential and could have been amazing properly detailed and expended to gain more depht and substance !
October 1, 2023
I don't read much fantasy, but I picked this up for a book club challenge. It was excellent! I thoroughly enjoyed it! The story line was creative, the characters like old friends: Arthur, Merlin, the Knights. The flashbacks kept the story moving and made it cohesive. First in a series I will continue. Bravo!
June 30, 2020
. I love King Arthur books but I was very disappointed in this one. This new style of writing with each chapter being a different story and you have to keep up with it has gotten very tiresome. I really could not get into the characters or the story. There was no depth.
August 15, 2020
The King is Dead, Long live the King!
Excellent book that builds and bridges the Arthurian legends from its beginning in Post-Roman England to modern day London. Well crafted, great characters and a very satisfying conclusion!
Excellent book that builds and bridges the Arthurian legends from its beginning in Post-Roman England to modern day London. Well crafted, great characters and a very satisfying conclusion!
March 30, 2022
Great read!!!
Love this take on King Arthur & his Knights. Was a sitting on the edge of your seat kinda of book....I had trouble putting it down. If you love King Arthur stories this is the book for you!!!
Love this take on King Arthur & his Knights. Was a sitting on the edge of your seat kinda of book....I had trouble putting it down. If you love King Arthur stories this is the book for you!!!
May 3, 2023
Jacob has it spot on target with mix of real historical events and his own well developed alternative historical events.
Such a smooth enjoyable fast read. Full of action and enough intrigue to keep us the readers guessing
Such a smooth enjoyable fast read. Full of action and enough intrigue to keep us the readers guessing
Displaying 1 - 30 of 44 reviews