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Arthur Rex: Ex Lapis
Merlin has devised a test.
All of the petty kings have gathered in Londinium to see who will be the next High King. Arthur and his retinue travel to the city in secret, but they are not the only ones with an interest in the Sword in the Stone. Morgana, Arthur's half-sister and the renegade queen of Rheged, has journeyed there with her Saxon lover, and petty kings have come with no kind welcome for the young High King.
Arthur pulls the sword, but the kings will not accept him. He is given the temporary title of Dux Bellorum, and with Merlin at his side, he sets out to unite the tribes of Britannia as the Saxon threat grows more menacing on their eastern shore.
Some battles are easy.
Others are carried out in secret.
It is the secret battles that Arthur will need to fear.
"Arthur Rex: Ex Lapis" is the second installment of an epic retelling of the Arthurian legend.
You only think you know the story.
All of the petty kings have gathered in Londinium to see who will be the next High King. Arthur and his retinue travel to the city in secret, but they are not the only ones with an interest in the Sword in the Stone. Morgana, Arthur's half-sister and the renegade queen of Rheged, has journeyed there with her Saxon lover, and petty kings have come with no kind welcome for the young High King.
Arthur pulls the sword, but the kings will not accept him. He is given the temporary title of Dux Bellorum, and with Merlin at his side, he sets out to unite the tribes of Britannia as the Saxon threat grows more menacing on their eastern shore.
Some battles are easy.
Others are carried out in secret.
It is the secret battles that Arthur will need to fear.
"Arthur Rex: Ex Lapis" is the second installment of an epic retelling of the Arthurian legend.
You only think you know the story.
- GenresFantasy
314 pages, Kindle Edition
Published July 20, 2019
9 people want to read
About the author
J.A. Cummings
54 books76 followersI have been writing for as long as I can remember. It started on a snowy day near Christmas when I was three or four. I don't recall the impetus, but my older sister, whom I idolized and copied as much as possible, started writing a story. Not to be outdone, I started writing a story too. I've been writing ever since.
I am proud to have written the Rune Series books ("Rune Sword", "Rune Master", "Rune Hunter", and "Rune King's Daughter"), and I intend to continue my first series, Clans, which began with the novel "Nightchild". I'm currently working on an Arthurian retelling, "Arthur Rex".
I am proud to have written the Rune Series books ("Rune Sword", "Rune Master", "Rune Hunter", and "Rune King's Daughter"), and I intend to continue my first series, Clans, which began with the novel "Nightchild". I'm currently working on an Arthurian retelling, "Arthur Rex".
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Displaying 1 - 6 of 6 reviews
October 14, 2020
A delightful continuation of the King Arthur legend. Well written with so much to learn of the king and his druid, Merlin. A quest to be king and stand for what’s right.There is magic in this land and you will learn of a changing time.
There is much action, intrigue, and life. A time when adventure abounds. A view of a time that never existed, but fills your mind with wonder.
The characters are intriguing with emotion, uncertainty, and caring. Life can be hard in this land, and that’s even without others trying to take it from you.
There is much action, intrigue, and life. A time when adventure abounds. A view of a time that never existed, but fills your mind with wonder.
The characters are intriguing with emotion, uncertainty, and caring. Life can be hard in this land, and that’s even without others trying to take it from you.
August 5, 2019
This book begins with a scene that those of us who enjoy tales about King Arthur and his knights are very familiar with. We get to see a young Arthur Pendragon reveal his true birthright by travelling to Londinium and pulling the sword from the stone when everyone else has failed. As expected, there are some who immediately acknowledge him as their king, while others refuse to believe that it is more than merely a trick to have “Merlin’s puppet” seated upon the throne. And so, it seems that war is inevitable.
In this book, we see a combination of both the familiar stories and an original take on the legend shared by Ms. Cummings. King Arthur is a wonderful tale that has been described in many ways by many writers, but I enjoyed this version. Here, we see how he was not immediately prepared and had to train hard in fighting, battle tactics, as well as study diplomacy and negotiations before he took charge. And while he was always calmer and more determined than those around him, he also knew enough to know how much more he still needed to learn and was prepared to work hard to do so.
One thing for the reader to be aware of is that like the first book in the series, there is a good deal of rather descriptive sex in this book. I believe that all of it was a necessary part of this story and describes how Arthur grows to become the man he is destined to be, but some might find it to be more than they were looking for in an arthurian tale. It is definitely not a story meant for younger readers
This book takes us into the early reign of King Arthur, still in the days when he was fighting to unite the kingdom and find a way to make it a better place for everyone, not just those rich and powerful enough to have whatever or whomever they wished. I enjoyed reading this author’s take on what to me is a fairly familiar tale. (I have long been a fan of Arthurian stories in their many different incarnations.) I greatly enjoyed reading it and I believe that others will as well. I am looking forward to seeing where this author decides to take this tale next. Recommended for those who enjoy King Arthur stories.
In this book, we see a combination of both the familiar stories and an original take on the legend shared by Ms. Cummings. King Arthur is a wonderful tale that has been described in many ways by many writers, but I enjoyed this version. Here, we see how he was not immediately prepared and had to train hard in fighting, battle tactics, as well as study diplomacy and negotiations before he took charge. And while he was always calmer and more determined than those around him, he also knew enough to know how much more he still needed to learn and was prepared to work hard to do so.
One thing for the reader to be aware of is that like the first book in the series, there is a good deal of rather descriptive sex in this book. I believe that all of it was a necessary part of this story and describes how Arthur grows to become the man he is destined to be, but some might find it to be more than they were looking for in an arthurian tale. It is definitely not a story meant for younger readers
This book takes us into the early reign of King Arthur, still in the days when he was fighting to unite the kingdom and find a way to make it a better place for everyone, not just those rich and powerful enough to have whatever or whomever they wished. I enjoyed reading this author’s take on what to me is a fairly familiar tale. (I have long been a fan of Arthurian stories in their many different incarnations.) I greatly enjoyed reading it and I believe that others will as well. I am looking forward to seeing where this author decides to take this tale next. Recommended for those who enjoy King Arthur stories.
August 4, 2019
Great read
I loved this version of King Arthur and the main characters in his world. The main characters consisting of Merlin, Lancelot and Guinevere. This Merlin took a personal and an emotional ( fill in love ) interested in Arthur, which was new and exciting and dignity different than all the other Merlins I've read. These characters seem more real and likable. I'll recommend this book it was a great read.
I loved this version of King Arthur and the main characters in his world. The main characters consisting of Merlin, Lancelot and Guinevere. This Merlin took a personal and an emotional ( fill in love ) interested in Arthur, which was new and exciting and dignity different than all the other Merlins I've read. These characters seem more real and likable. I'll recommend this book it was a great read.
October 6, 2019
Arthur Rex: Ex Lapis
The 4 instead 5 rating is simply because I hate waiting to find out what happens next! I am so involved with this J. A. Cummings series and these two books that I absolutely hate waiting for the rest. YES, I know you have a life but don't leave us hanging waiting for your version of King Arthur!
The 4 instead 5 rating is simply because I hate waiting to find out what happens next! I am so involved with this J. A. Cummings series and these two books that I absolutely hate waiting for the rest. YES, I know you have a life but don't leave us hanging waiting for your version of King Arthur!
July 7, 2019
Again, I find myself wiahing that yhere was more to this book, not in a bad way though. In a damn it why did it have to end way. This time however I will have to wait for the next book.
I absolutely love this story and I can tell that it is going to be one that I reread over and over again.
I absolutely love this story and I can tell that it is going to be one that I reread over and over again.
October 12, 2019
The second installment to this twist on king author it been a while since I read this type of book, but I'm loving the twist and seeing some similar and difference between the tales I've read. Highly recomind if your for love is love and a twist on a classic.
Displaying 1 - 6 of 6 reviews