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Modern Arthur #3
Fall of Knight
When Gwen DeVere Queen miraculously survives an assassination attempt, Arthur Penn is forced to reveal his true identity as King Arthur and the existence of the Holy Grail, but when he is flooded by desperate requests for healing, he bottles the water from the Grail, unknowingly tainting the purpose of this holy cup's existence. Reprint.
347 pages, Mass Market Paperback
First published June 1, 2006
259 people want to read
About the author
Peter David
3,569 books1,358 followersaka David Peters
Peter Allen David, often abbreviated PAD, was an American writer of comic books, novels, television, films, and video games. His notable comic book work includes an award-winning 12-year run on The Incredible Hulk, as well as runs on Aquaman, Young Justice, SpyBoy, Supergirl, Fallen Angel, Spider-Man, Spider-Man 2099, Captain Marvel, and X-Factor.
His Star Trek work included comic books and novels such as the New Frontier book series. His other novels included film adaptations, media tie-ins, and original works, such as the Apropos of Nothing and Knight Life series. His television work includes series such as Babylon 5, Young Justice, Ben 10: Alien Force and Nickelodeon's Space Cases, which he co-created with Bill Mumy.
David often jokingly described his occupation as "Writer of Stuff", and he was noted for his prolific writing, characterized by its mingling of real-world issues with humor and references to popular culture, as well as elements of metafiction and self-reference.
David earned multiple awards for his work, including a 1992 Eisner Award, a 1993 Wizard Fan Award, a 1996 Haxtur Award, a 2007 Julie Award and a 2011 GLAAD Media Award.
Peter Allen David, often abbreviated PAD, was an American writer of comic books, novels, television, films, and video games. His notable comic book work includes an award-winning 12-year run on The Incredible Hulk, as well as runs on Aquaman, Young Justice, SpyBoy, Supergirl, Fallen Angel, Spider-Man, Spider-Man 2099, Captain Marvel, and X-Factor.
His Star Trek work included comic books and novels such as the New Frontier book series. His other novels included film adaptations, media tie-ins, and original works, such as the Apropos of Nothing and Knight Life series. His television work includes series such as Babylon 5, Young Justice, Ben 10: Alien Force and Nickelodeon's Space Cases, which he co-created with Bill Mumy.
David often jokingly described his occupation as "Writer of Stuff", and he was noted for his prolific writing, characterized by its mingling of real-world issues with humor and references to popular culture, as well as elements of metafiction and self-reference.
David earned multiple awards for his work, including a 1992 Eisner Award, a 1993 Wizard Fan Award, a 1996 Haxtur Award, a 2007 Julie Award and a 2011 GLAAD Media Award.
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Displaying 1 - 18 of 18 reviews
May 14, 2022
I thiink I first fell in love with Peter David's quirky writing when he was masterminding The Incredible Hulk comic in the mid-to-late '80s, and for a while read (and occasionally watched) almost anything of his I could get my hands on, even the occasional Star Trek novel. Back in the day, I particularly enjoyed his Knight Life and One Knight Only, about the return of King Arthur from the Isle of Avalon. He (and some of his supporting cast) go far beyond the typical fish-out-of-water schtick (done so well in the Jean Reno film The Visitors), as he realizes that this really is the time of greatest need -- even if he happens to be in New York. The first book saw him become Mayor of New York, and the second President of the United States (sort of ignoring the bit about being a native-born citizen).
So what was left?
I just discovered that, sometime after I sort of drifted away from comics for a while, David had completed the trilogy with this book. It begins a while after Arthur has left the White House under unusual circumstances, and begins --
-- no, wait. It actually begins with "Ye Olde Prelude", in which an incredible bastard of a barbarian ruler (but not a king) kills the last, if not indeed only, unicorn, and pays the price.
Anyway, the novel proper begins with Arthur and Gwen floating around in the South Pacific on their private yacht, hidden from the world. But planes take pictures, publicity happens, and they are called back into the world -- along with Percival and the Holy Grail (acquired in book 2), which is why Gwen is actually alive: it has mickle healing powers. Brought to the White House by his successor, Arthur impulsively uses the cup to cure a reporter who has a near-fatal episode right there in the Press Room. The cat is out of the bag, the milk is spilt, and Arthur fesses up, telling the gathered press who he is and what the Grail is.
Soon the White House is surrounded by folks who want healing, far more than Arthur could even think of helping. With the help of Secret Service Agent Cook, Arthur, Gwen and Percival are spirited away to a secret location that I don't feel like explaining but it's right in the middle of Central Park. Anyway, they grow bored, and when approached by a sharp business guy named Barry Seltzer, they go into business funneling water through the Grail, diluting it just enough, and selling it as Grail Ale (good for what ails you). People begin to look at Arthur not only as rightwise king but as a god, or at least a sort-of god, and Arthurism begins to spread.
Meanwhile, someone very nasty has his own plans for the Grail. Nimue (fickle creature that she is) ensures that Merlin can't warn him that the Spear Luin, the Spear of Destiny, and many other names but just one object, is in the hands of that someone.
This book is rather darker than the first two, and while it has its funny bits, is not, as a whole, a funny book. David has some serious matter to deal with, and he deals with it seriously. His quirky writing is a little tamer, as befits the content, and things will get much worse before they get better if, indeed, they do.
So what was left?
I just discovered that, sometime after I sort of drifted away from comics for a while, David had completed the trilogy with this book. It begins a while after Arthur has left the White House under unusual circumstances, and begins --
-- no, wait. It actually begins with "Ye Olde Prelude", in which an incredible bastard of a barbarian ruler (but not a king) kills the last, if not indeed only, unicorn, and pays the price.
Anyway, the novel proper begins with Arthur and Gwen floating around in the South Pacific on their private yacht, hidden from the world. But planes take pictures, publicity happens, and they are called back into the world -- along with Percival and the Holy Grail (acquired in book 2), which is why Gwen is actually alive: it has mickle healing powers. Brought to the White House by his successor, Arthur impulsively uses the cup to cure a reporter who has a near-fatal episode right there in the Press Room. The cat is out of the bag, the milk is spilt, and Arthur fesses up, telling the gathered press who he is and what the Grail is.
Soon the White House is surrounded by folks who want healing, far more than Arthur could even think of helping. With the help of Secret Service Agent Cook, Arthur, Gwen and Percival are spirited away to a secret location that I don't feel like explaining but it's right in the middle of Central Park. Anyway, they grow bored, and when approached by a sharp business guy named Barry Seltzer, they go into business funneling water through the Grail, diluting it just enough, and selling it as Grail Ale (good for what ails you). People begin to look at Arthur not only as rightwise king but as a god, or at least a sort-of god, and Arthurism begins to spread.
Meanwhile, someone very nasty has his own plans for the Grail. Nimue (fickle creature that she is) ensures that Merlin can't warn him that the Spear Luin, the Spear of Destiny, and many other names but just one object, is in the hands of that someone.
This book is rather darker than the first two, and while it has its funny bits, is not, as a whole, a funny book. David has some serious matter to deal with, and he deals with it seriously. His quirky writing is a little tamer, as befits the content, and things will get much worse before they get better if, indeed, they do.
January 28, 2018
I think this was my favourite of the trilogy, and arguably the closest to the original concept. Arthur visits the White House and spends time with the President and Chief of Staff, but he isn't a politician in this book.
In fact, this was where I finally got a sense of Arthur's character. He was a bit of a cipher in the first two books, whereas he now reminds me a bit of Captain Calhoun (from New Frontier).
I live in England, so it was nice to see some of the characters visit there. One part seemed a bit odd when I read it, but after some research I think it's actually plausible.
I see that some other reviewers have described this book as blasphemous, and it certainly has some controversial ideas about Christianity. However, this isn't The Da Vinci Code and it's not claiming to be factual history; as long as it works within the context of the story, I'm ok with that.
The cover for this edition doesn't quite work. It's well drawn, and it continues the theme of the other two books, but nothing like that actually happens in the story.
Related to that, I'm a bit dubious about Vivian.
This book has a plot device that Peter David has used a couple of times before, so I really shouldn't keep falling for it! However, when I re-read the novel, knowing about that plot point, I'm not sure what Arthur could have done differently.
I also found that there were still some surprises for me on a second reading, which was nice. That's obviously subjective, depending on how recently you've read the book and how well you remember it, but I'm always glad when a book stands up to re-reading.
In fact, this was where I finally got a sense of Arthur's character. He was a bit of a cipher in the first two books, whereas he now reminds me a bit of Captain Calhoun (from New Frontier).
I live in England, so it was nice to see some of the characters visit there. One part seemed a bit odd when I read it, but after some research I think it's actually plausible.
I see that some other reviewers have described this book as blasphemous, and it certainly has some controversial ideas about Christianity. However, this isn't The Da Vinci Code and it's not claiming to be factual history; as long as it works within the context of the story, I'm ok with that.
The cover for this edition doesn't quite work. It's well drawn, and it continues the theme of the other two books, but nothing like that actually happens in the story.
Related to that, I'm a bit dubious about Vivian.
This book has a plot device that Peter David has used a couple of times before, so I really shouldn't keep falling for it! However, when I re-read the novel, knowing about that plot point, I'm not sure what Arthur could have done differently.
I also found that there were still some surprises for me on a second reading, which was nice. That's obviously subjective, depending on how recently you've read the book and how well you remember it, but I'm always glad when a book stands up to re-reading.
December 14, 2011
(Original review: http://hill-kleerup.org/blog/2007/10/...)
Story: Good
Characters: Fair
Re-Readability: Good
Overall: Good
Story: This is the third volume of Peter David’s return of Arthur trilogy. "Knight Life" (one of David’s first published works) told of Arthur’s reappearance and his election to mayor of New York. "One Knight Only" had him voted President of the United States. This book takes place after that administration, as Arthur and Gwen bum about at loose ends. But what happens when the healing power of the Grail becomes known to the public at large — especially when it serves as a key part of a dark adversary’s plan to use it, in conjunction with another ancient artifact, to destroy, not heal, the world?
Like his Apropos series, David’s Arthurian tales are darkly whimsical, as both the ideals and dark sides of humanity are brought out by events and personal choices. David’s tone is often cynical, even sometimes bitter, but also hopeful, and includes more than a couple of theological zingers.
The story itself is complex, building some from the previous volumes, but also working pretty well on its own. There are some fine extrapolations (if the Grail can cure those who drink of it — can water from the Grail be bottled and sold? And, if so, what would that do to both churches and hospitals?), some dastardly villainy, more than a few bits of heroism, and a reasonable amount of conspiracy, new and ancient. It’s a satisfying, if relatively quick, read.
Characters: Unlike his New Frontier series, characters take something of a back seat here to myth. They’re there, of course, and well-drawn — from Arthur and Merlin and Percival and Gwen, to politicians, businessfolk, and church leaders — but one has the sense that the tale is more important than the players in it, and that the figures of myth are as captured by the narrative as the reader.
Re-Readability: I think I’ll reread this again — not soon, but it was entertaining enough, and well-told enough, that I think the whole trilogy will stay on my shelf.
Overall: A good capper to the series — and, in fact, there’s nothing to say there couldn’t be a fourth — it was worth the extortionate costs of today’s paperbacks, and probably even more worth borrowing from someone who has it.
Story: Good
Characters: Fair
Re-Readability: Good
Overall: Good
Story: This is the third volume of Peter David’s return of Arthur trilogy. "Knight Life" (one of David’s first published works) told of Arthur’s reappearance and his election to mayor of New York. "One Knight Only" had him voted President of the United States. This book takes place after that administration, as Arthur and Gwen bum about at loose ends. But what happens when the healing power of the Grail becomes known to the public at large — especially when it serves as a key part of a dark adversary’s plan to use it, in conjunction with another ancient artifact, to destroy, not heal, the world?
Like his Apropos series, David’s Arthurian tales are darkly whimsical, as both the ideals and dark sides of humanity are brought out by events and personal choices. David’s tone is often cynical, even sometimes bitter, but also hopeful, and includes more than a couple of theological zingers.
The story itself is complex, building some from the previous volumes, but also working pretty well on its own. There are some fine extrapolations (if the Grail can cure those who drink of it — can water from the Grail be bottled and sold? And, if so, what would that do to both churches and hospitals?), some dastardly villainy, more than a few bits of heroism, and a reasonable amount of conspiracy, new and ancient. It’s a satisfying, if relatively quick, read.
Characters: Unlike his New Frontier series, characters take something of a back seat here to myth. They’re there, of course, and well-drawn — from Arthur and Merlin and Percival and Gwen, to politicians, businessfolk, and church leaders — but one has the sense that the tale is more important than the players in it, and that the figures of myth are as captured by the narrative as the reader.
Re-Readability: I think I’ll reread this again — not soon, but it was entertaining enough, and well-told enough, that I think the whole trilogy will stay on my shelf.
Overall: A good capper to the series — and, in fact, there’s nothing to say there couldn’t be a fourth — it was worth the extortionate costs of today’s paperbacks, and probably even more worth borrowing from someone who has it.
January 7, 2018
I am a pretty devoted Camelot stories fan. I find the idea of Arthur, Gwen, Merlin, etc., wandering through current times intriguing. In this particular novel, Merlin is an eight year old in a casino.
This is the third book in a series. I evidently missed Book 2, so I’m searching for it.
Arthur and Gwen are sailing about and visiting remote islands after an assassination attempt on Gwen almost succeeds. However, someone manages to track them down using satellite photography. Arthur was president of the USA for a term, so the media is chasing them. Plus, Perceval is walking around with the Holy Grail, and an evil foe from centuries ago is carrying the Spear if Destiny, planning to destroy the entire planet.
Entertaining read.
This is the third book in a series. I evidently missed Book 2, so I’m searching for it.
Arthur and Gwen are sailing about and visiting remote islands after an assassination attempt on Gwen almost succeeds. However, someone manages to track them down using satellite photography. Arthur was president of the USA for a term, so the media is chasing them. Plus, Perceval is walking around with the Holy Grail, and an evil foe from centuries ago is carrying the Spear if Destiny, planning to destroy the entire planet.
Entertaining read.
October 15, 2018
This book gets in some witty lines, but overall was just kind of…odd, and was kind of a chore to get through. It does some interesting things with Merlin’s backstory and how that weaves into the present day, but I find it difficult to conjure up strong feelings one way or the other about it. One wonders if the musings behind this book’s concept were inspired by the Da Vinci Code controversy, since this was being written at about the time that book caused a mini-mass crisis of faith over the concept of Jesus’ divinity.
I think the first book in this trilogy is definitely the best, if you're looking for a fun adventure conceiving what it might look like if King Arthur appeared in modern times.
I think the first book in this trilogy is definitely the best, if you're looking for a fun adventure conceiving what it might look like if King Arthur appeared in modern times.
February 18, 2022
An interesting end to the trilogy. Thanks GA for making this as I wouldn't have tried it otherwise. This one had a lot more 'dad jokes' for sure, but I enjoyed it. I'm going to pursue some other Peter David's book after this one as he did a Marvel novel that I see and another GA audio series.
September 7, 2022
Truly enjoyed it. You felt the book may even be better than the first one.
March 27, 2011
After being so disappointed in the second book of the series I was really happy to see the third book improve again. After saving Gwen from certain death at the end of the previous book, Arthur & Gwen are sailing in isolation so as to avoid the attention that the miraculous cure would cause and to avoid answering the difficult questions. Being the modern age though and the intrusive media, they are soon discovered and have to go back and, in his infinite wisdom, Arthur decides to be honest and admit that Gwen was cured by the Holy Grail, that he is really King Arthur and Percival really is a 1000 year old knight.
As you can imagine it makes for some interesting moments. Throw in the question about religion, faith, can something good happen without a negative reaction elsewhere, commercialism, magic, myth etc and you get a book that holds your attention.
What I really enjoyed about this book was that not only was it a return to the humour of the first book at times, but there was also a slightly darker edge to it. We had Arthur admitting that he wasn't a good man at times in his previous life and the scene where he admits to Gwen the things he had done, and the fact that he watched as burned at the stake in her previous life because she had wounded his pride was handled really well. I enjoyed these signs of his imperfections (because really, so many times Arthur is painted as a virtuous, gallant King wronged by all). There were parts of the book that made me a little uncomfortable at times - I always feel a little uneasy when religion takes a bashing, but I was needlessly concerned as it was resolved respectfully to both the story and to people of faith which I enjoyed.
Overall, a very enjoyable book and a good, fun series as a whole.
As you can imagine it makes for some interesting moments. Throw in the question about religion, faith, can something good happen without a negative reaction elsewhere, commercialism, magic, myth etc and you get a book that holds your attention.
What I really enjoyed about this book was that not only was it a return to the humour of the first book at times, but there was also a slightly darker edge to it. We had Arthur admitting that he wasn't a good man at times in his previous life and the scene where he admits to Gwen the things he had done, and the fact that he watched as burned at the stake in her previous life because she had wounded his pride was handled really well. I enjoyed these signs of his imperfections (because really, so many times Arthur is painted as a virtuous, gallant King wronged by all). There were parts of the book that made me a little uncomfortable at times - I always feel a little uneasy when religion takes a bashing, but I was needlessly concerned as it was resolved respectfully to both the story and to people of faith which I enjoyed.
Overall, a very enjoyable book and a good, fun series as a whole.
June 13, 2011
"I don't see how Gwen and I can, in good conscience, spend the rest of our lives carefree if it means that Ron's buttocks will become transformed into a lawn."
I think, when dealing with this sort of mythical character in a modern age, there's always the question of what to do with your mythological beings when your story is told. In this case, I liked the ending, and think this is as neat a tie-up to a light series of this sort as you could ask for. The humour is still there though not as sharp as some of the later stories David's written, but these are great little reads to while away some sleepless nights with.
I think, when dealing with this sort of mythical character in a modern age, there's always the question of what to do with your mythological beings when your story is told. In this case, I liked the ending, and think this is as neat a tie-up to a light series of this sort as you could ask for. The humour is still there though not as sharp as some of the later stories David's written, but these are great little reads to while away some sleepless nights with.
October 4, 2008
last of the book series, it seems pretty good so far. I just love the first one, but they seem to kind of go off the funny and unexpected like the first one was. still has its charm, but I'm not a huge fan of the politics the characters have to deal with. want more adventure
not as great as the first, sad to say. but pretty good, fast read.
not as great as the first, sad to say. but pretty good, fast read.
February 9, 2012
Thoughtfully blasphemous but generally dull. Disturbing over-use of the word 'miraculous'. Best epilogue ever.
May 31, 2019
Fitting end to the series. Not high literature but definitely fun and entertaining.
January 7, 2011
Peter David's writing returned from comic book land (where the second book of the series was set) and this is a hilarious, fun, fitting end to the trilogy. Worth some time, maybe at the beach.
June 24, 2011
This was a fun read. I enjoyed it more with Merlin back in action.
August 19, 2011
Highly blasphemous, extremely offensive Avoid this garbage
October 30, 2011
book group
January 28, 2016
Great book. wish there was a forth one.
March 24, 2016
Can't finish this. Too terrible.
Displaying 1 - 18 of 18 reviews