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The Arthurian Age #2
The Strife of Camlann
Arthur’s Men have returned to Britain to keep the peace between fractious allies. Gawain wants only to raise his family and forget the war, yet he carries a heavy burden: an oath to maintain a terrible lie.
But is it a lie?
Looming conflicts threaten more than any border or throne. The course of history, the future of the Britons, will be decided at Camlann.
The Strife of Camlann is the second book the historical fiction series, The Arthurian Age, introducing readers to the origins of King Arthur and the world he lived and fought for.
But is it a lie?
Looming conflicts threaten more than any border or throne. The course of history, the future of the Britons, will be decided at Camlann.
The Strife of Camlann is the second book the historical fiction series, The Arthurian Age, introducing readers to the origins of King Arthur and the world he lived and fought for.
- GenresHistorical Fiction
442 pages, Kindle Edition
First published November 14, 2021
2 people are currently reading
45 people want to read
About the author
Sean Poage
5 books54 followersHistorical fiction author, Sean Poage, has had an exciting and varied life, as a laborer, soldier, police officer, investigator, computer geek and author. Travelling the world to see history up close is his passion.
These days he works in the tech world, writes when he can, and spends the rest of the time with his family, which usually means chores and home improvement projects, with occasional time for a motorcycle ride, scuba dive, or a hike in the beautiful Maine outdoors.
These days he works in the tech world, writes when he can, and spends the rest of the time with his family, which usually means chores and home improvement projects, with occasional time for a motorcycle ride, scuba dive, or a hike in the beautiful Maine outdoors.
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Displaying 1 - 6 of 6 reviews
January 11, 2022
Book two in this series continues to provide a fresh look at Arthur and his knights. One could say Arthur's knights are presented in a very original fashion here. After reading this tome, there is just one key thought. When is a legend a powerful as a sword?
Gawain is the focus of this work again. It could be said that everything legendary about these legends is represented in the presentation of Gawain. The use of olde English and Welsh language is laudable. The next time I find myself in the 5th century of Britannia, I will be well versed in the language.
This book carries through a number of fascinating stories that are linked by legend. The action scenes are intense. The story building is very well done. The reader is left ready for what has to be an incredible third book in this series.
Fans of sword and shield fiction will love this book. Fans of the first book must read this book. Fans of Arthurian legend will find this approach interesting.
Disclaimer: I bought a copy on Amazon CA.
My Rating: 5 stars
Reviewed by: Mr. N
This review first appeared: https://www.nnlightsbookheaven.com/po...
Gawain is the focus of this work again. It could be said that everything legendary about these legends is represented in the presentation of Gawain. The use of olde English and Welsh language is laudable. The next time I find myself in the 5th century of Britannia, I will be well versed in the language.
This book carries through a number of fascinating stories that are linked by legend. The action scenes are intense. The story building is very well done. The reader is left ready for what has to be an incredible third book in this series.
Fans of sword and shield fiction will love this book. Fans of the first book must read this book. Fans of Arthurian legend will find this approach interesting.
Disclaimer: I bought a copy on Amazon CA.
My Rating: 5 stars
Reviewed by: Mr. N
This review first appeared: https://www.nnlightsbookheaven.com/po...
January 26, 2022
For those of you who haven’t yet considered ‘The Arthurian Age’ series, The Strife of Camlann continues the events depicted within the first book: The Retreat to Avalon, (which I read and reviewed a few years ago). I found this particular series intriguing, because it’s not so much pure fantasy, as it is based on historical and archaeological research, woven into the legend that surrounds one of the most mystical characters ever known. Arthur. And that adds a weight to this story I’ve found missing from other tales in this genre.
Here’s the blurb to set the scene:
*******
Arthur’s Men have returned to Britain to keep the peace between fractious allies. Gawain wants only to raise his family and forget the war, yet he carries a heavy burden: an oath to maintain a terrible lie.
But is it a lie?
Looming conflicts threaten more than any border or throne. The course of history, the future of the Britons, will be decided at Camlann.
*******
So, what do we get?
A rather compelling tale. That’s what. And it comes – mainly – through the eyes of a warrior who experienced it. Gawain. And Poage has very skillfully blended fact with fiction. We see great attention to detail of life during the dark ages – what everyday people did; what they wore; what they ate; how they dressed and conducted themselves; under what conditions they lived, etc, merged beautifully with an imaginary war. A war caused by the very real friction that existed between the warring tribes and factions of that time.
And that’s what makes The Strife of Camlann so appealing. The attention to detail, merged seamlessly with the allegory of folklore. It makes the characters come alive. Adds credence to their struggles. Helps you reflect on what it must have been like to endure such hardships, especially during a time when ancient Briton was only just starting to gel into a nation that went on to form one of the most astounding empires the world has ever seen.
Most of all, it’s a story about the catalyst that burns in everyone’s heart, and how that catalyst can go on to become a legacy, inspiring others, long after you’re gone.
I rather enjoyed it, and I’m sure you will too.
Here’s the blurb to set the scene:
*******
Arthur’s Men have returned to Britain to keep the peace between fractious allies. Gawain wants only to raise his family and forget the war, yet he carries a heavy burden: an oath to maintain a terrible lie.
But is it a lie?
Looming conflicts threaten more than any border or throne. The course of history, the future of the Britons, will be decided at Camlann.
*******
So, what do we get?
A rather compelling tale. That’s what. And it comes – mainly – through the eyes of a warrior who experienced it. Gawain. And Poage has very skillfully blended fact with fiction. We see great attention to detail of life during the dark ages – what everyday people did; what they wore; what they ate; how they dressed and conducted themselves; under what conditions they lived, etc, merged beautifully with an imaginary war. A war caused by the very real friction that existed between the warring tribes and factions of that time.
And that’s what makes The Strife of Camlann so appealing. The attention to detail, merged seamlessly with the allegory of folklore. It makes the characters come alive. Adds credence to their struggles. Helps you reflect on what it must have been like to endure such hardships, especially during a time when ancient Briton was only just starting to gel into a nation that went on to form one of the most astounding empires the world has ever seen.
Most of all, it’s a story about the catalyst that burns in everyone’s heart, and how that catalyst can go on to become a legacy, inspiring others, long after you’re gone.
I rather enjoyed it, and I’m sure you will too.
March 28, 2022
In "The Strife Of Camlann" Sean Poage continues his tale of daring and desperate military stratagems and political skullduggery as a newly united Dark Ages Britannia threatens to burst apart at the seams. Gawain and Arthur's inner circle of fighting men are front and center as they maneuver against foes and former allies alike to keep the dream alive. This is what it could have been like to be in 5th Century Britain with the Saxons arriving on your shores and tribal self interests competing with the belief in a "once and future king" who can lead all the people of Britain into a new world of safety and peace. This is not a tale of magic and fantasy. It is a tale of courage and honor, of betrayal, of battles and victories, and dreams and defeats. This is the Arthur who might have been, a leader who inspired a small circle of hand picked fighters to give up everything in their fight for what they believed in. This is a retelling of the tale that is worthy of the legend and the myth that is King Arthur and his knights of the round table. Sean Poage's second book in his series delivers. Now I am eagerly awaiting book three!
February 1, 2022
I read Sean Poage's first book in this series, The Retreat to Avalon Paperback, a while back and absolutely loved it. I'm a huge fan of Arthurian legends and the mythic storytelling that has always circulated around Arthur as a figure, and of course his knights.
Still, just telling a story with some of my favorite characters in one of my favorite settings does not guarantee I will like what you come up with. Plenty of storytellers have used these compelling parts to tell dull and unimaginative stories. Not the case with Poage here, as he once again weaves a fascinating and truly well written story.
I won't spoil any of the plot for those of you who have not read it yet -- I will instead only say this: if you like legendary storytelling, you like the tales of Arthur and his knights, and you want a well told tale by a talented author, this is the book for you. Well done. Loved it.
Still, just telling a story with some of my favorite characters in one of my favorite settings does not guarantee I will like what you come up with. Plenty of storytellers have used these compelling parts to tell dull and unimaginative stories. Not the case with Poage here, as he once again weaves a fascinating and truly well written story.
I won't spoil any of the plot for those of you who have not read it yet -- I will instead only say this: if you like legendary storytelling, you like the tales of Arthur and his knights, and you want a well told tale by a talented author, this is the book for you. Well done. Loved it.
December 19, 2023
If you want to read about what the real, historical King Arthur of 5th century Britain may have been like and encountered, this two-book series is wonderful. It's based upon the work of famous Arthurian historian, Geoffrey Ashe, and you can follow the breadcrumbs, like the folks many years later in the Middle Ages did, when they made Arthur one of their contemporaries, and wrote what are now the famous the legends. This series places Arthur where he should be in time, and it is full of drama - a page-turner. I will only read Arthurian novels that place Arthur correctly in the 5th century. I enjoyed reading this tremendously. The author told me that he is working on a 3rd book - about Arthur's rise. I can't wait to read it.
April 5, 2025
Very well done.
Displaying 1 - 6 of 6 reviews