Ancient & Medieval Historical Fiction discussion

The group read thread for Prophecy: Clash of Kings by M.K. Hume

The first in an epic historical trilogy charting the heroic life of Merlin.

In the town of Segontium, a fugitive is washed ashore. He brutally rapes the granddaughter of the king of the Deceangli tribe, leaving her to bear his son, Myrddion Merlinus. Spurned as a demon seed, the boy is raised by his grandmother and he is apprenticed to a skilled healer who hones his remarkable gift. Meanwhile, the High King of the Celts, Vortigern, is rebuilding the ancient fortress at Dinas Emrys. According to a prophecy, he must use the blood of a demon seed to make the towers stand firm. Myrddion's life is in jeopardy. But the boy has a prophecy of his own and a richer destiny to fulfil. Soon Vortigern shall be known as the harbinger of chaos, and Myrddion must use his gifts for good in a kingdom besieged by evil. So begins the healer's journey to greatness.

This is the series this book belongs to:

In the Commonwealth these are their titles


In the US (and maybe some non Commonwealth countries?) these are the titles:


That Merlin series precedes M.K.Hume's King Arthur Series:

I have reserved Prophecy from my library so will have it in time for June.
I will start the month on the Medieval Group Read and then come to this Ancient Group Read after I finish Insurrection

Great news for this group read!

The author of this book, M.K. Hume, has agreed to join us in A&M for this group read.
So if you have any questions or feedback as you read the book in June, M.K will be around when she gets a chance. :)

That explains why when I looked it up on amazon I could not find any US stores selling it. I did not know at the time that there were different names for the books, so I ordered a copy from the U.K. It was super cheap though.

Love a good priced novel. Prices are getting better and better these days.
They are still expensive in the stores of Australia, but online they are more afordable than they ever have been.


Re: Prophecy/Battle of Kings
When I send out the group read broadcast around the 27th of May I'll be mentioning to members the title difference. Hopefully this will help others find the book if they are from the US.

(I hate it when piblishers change book titles for the US. Should be one name for all)

I agree about titles being the same across the board. I'm often if that opinion with covers too. Not for different editions, that's fine, but this business of publishing house X not carrying book in Region A, so PubHouse Y picks it up but uses their own cover. Oi vey!
Drives me mental when I'm at the bookshop. If I don't remember to bring my itouch then I might either have the title or the author and if the cover doesn't match up with my memory, that author loses a sale. It's not so bad online, I sometimes get to choose the cover I prefer, but that's a whole other topic.

I should mention, that barring a delay with the post, I will be reading this June group read first. With news of the author joining us, I'm very excited as it'll be my first Vortigern fiction. I've thus far, only read of him in non-fiction.

Thank goodness for GR. They have all the titles combined when they are different. It has saved me from many a pickle. And by pickle, I mean, buying the same book under a different title.

I hope that the different title problem will lessen in time. Due to places like Goodreads which will no doubt grow exponentially after Amazon takes over.
GR/Amazon are International sites. And that fact might discourage title disparity in the future.

Darcy wrote: "I should mention, that barring a delay with the post, I will be reading this June group read first. With news of the author joining us, I'm very excited as it'll be my first Vortigern fiction. I've..."

So while Darcy starts June with Prophecy/Battle of Kings...I'll start over on Insurrection. :-)

I really wanted to read them both, but they are both fairly beastly books in size so I don't know if I can manage both of them. I will be starting with this one and see what happens.

I only noticed that Insurrection was yesterday. When I watched a press conference with Robyn Young from back when she released the book.
I was taken aback at the brick of a book she lifted in the air! I think I should be buying it instead of borrowing it from the library. In case someone else reserves it and I only have two weeks to have it. (I will be picking it up this week which means two weeks will be first week June.
Three weeks might just get me there...
But I did not realise that Prophecy/Battle of Kings was a big boy too.

I saw this on M.K. Hume's bio:
Having completed an MA and Phd in Arthurian Literature many years ago, M. K. Hume has fulfilled a lifelong dream to walk in the footprints of the past by retelling the epic tale of Merlin in a magnificent trilogy.

I am even more intrigued. I had already spoken with M.K. about her books and her thoughts on Arthur and Merlin, but I hadn't realised there was a MA and a Phd involved. :-)

I can`t speak for the Hume book, but the font for Insurrection in my copy isn`t what I`d call, big. It`s a basic 10.5 size I think.

So lots of reading in that big book?

Yup, lots.

I'll buy it. Checked Prophecy out and Insurrection out. Can't afford both.Decided I'd buy Insurrection (sorry Marilyn...:(...) as it was the cheaper.

All is well, it has arrived. It's no wee thing and I'll tell you that for nothing.
For me this is the perfect font for this size of book and it still smells of pulp and ink. :)

Oooo. I wish I could smell from here. I do like that smell. :-)

Have the Hume book, and hope to start reading it today. Hey, first time I'll be ahead of schedule!

I'll be starting it on or about 1 June. Have a few books to sneak in first.

Sherrie wrote: "Have the Hume book, and hope to start reading it today. Hey, first time I'll be ahead of schedule!"

Oh yay! I saw your bad news first on the Medieval Group Read. At least you could find this one. :-)

Cynan Jones of the National Trust of Wales recounts the legend surrounding this novel. For those who've never heard Welsh spoken, this will be a double treat. There are subtitles (more like side titles)

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cdjx5F...

ETA: Meant to also add that Cwrtheyrn is Welsh for Vortigern.

Worth watching just to hear the Welsh. :)

Searched battle of kings at my library, and saw it was on order. I put a hold on it when it comes in. Might be late, but this is good. I wanted to read that one.

It would be grand if it arrived before the end of the month, then you could join us and ask M.K. Hume questions, but even if it arrives afterward, this discussion will still be available.

I'm looking forward to this one too.

I have my copy in hand. Just waiting for June 1st to roll around.

Ha. I'm the same on the other group read with Insurrection...only I am in a mad rush trying to finish a book in time to start. But I do have the book ready to go if I can just finish the one I am on. :)

A couple of us were having a conversation in another thread about why Prophecy: Clash of Kings/Battle of Kings and our Medieval read Insurrection by Robyn Young are not available in Kindle format in the US.

Does anybody undertsand why?

Both Prophecy/Battle of Kings and Young's Insurrection are published in the US. Both authors are bestselling authors.
Usually when there is no US Kindle edition it is because the book isn't published in the US. but these are. Confusing...

M.K. Hume's Clash of Kings is available on Apple iBook (which is in ePUB format) for $11.99.

Mine however is the print book.

Good news and bad news.

Darcy won't be starting the month with you guys on this read..ohh.booo :[

Good news is that I WILL! :D

We have swaped over. I was going to start the month on Insurrection, Darcy was starting the month on Prophecy. Only there was a delay on The Book Depository sending me my copy of Insurrection and instead of it being sent on time and arriving here in the next week, it won't arrive until mid June. *grrrr*

I asked Darcy if she wanted to swap over and lead the Insurrection group read first and she was fine with that.

So you all have me leading the group read here on Prophecy instead.
I'll jump over and read Insurrection after Prophecy and darcy will jump back over here and read Prophecy after Insurrection.

:)

Yes, so I expect everyone's Welsh to be up to snuff by the time I get here. ;)

(I hope no one actually takes me up on that or I'll look a right fool)

I can do a Welsh accent fairly well (Welsh speaking English)...but I'm afraid celtic languages look too tough to try and learn. :)

So...let me come clean...I have never been a huge fan of the King Arthur myths and reading this book will be interesting for me.
I liked the Bernard Cornwell King Arthur Trilogy (which starts with The Winter King), but I usually steer clear of books about Arthur and Merlin because they are fantasy versions.
I don't like that kind of fantasy.

I have heard from the author, that this Merlin series is rational historical fiction. That while the character does have 'sight', if you want to, you can rationally explain it (which is what I will do).

there we are. those are my thoughts going into this read, which I shall start in a couple days.

I don't believe he existed either.
I believe that if there was someone that resembles Arthur, the leader who took over after the Romans left, then it would be far removed from the legend we know as King Arthur.
But I won't debate or argue with anyone who wants to believe he existed. People are definitely entitled to their own opinions.

We have some group videos:
One I just added to coincide with the read:
Merlin the Myth
http://www.goodreads.com/videos/44835...

And one on Arthur that I added ages ago to coincide with the read we did back then of The Skystone (which I remember is the only other Arthur I have read other than Cornwell's):
http://www.goodreads.com/videos/30752...

I am nearly ready to start. I am still not finished my current read and need another day or two.
It is the 1st June here in Oz already, but I think I'll be starting this time on US time or thereabouts. :)

I missed the UK/US title difference for the first few days I tried to find a copy. I finally saw the difference and found it in the library of a neighboring county. Because I'm a cheapskate I chose to do that as opposed to spending $5. That is, until I went to check out and found out I had $24 fine at said other county library form several years ago. Oops!

Getting ready to crack this one open and get started. Hope it's as good as the description says. I want to try to read Insurrection too, but I will probably have to go outside my public library system to get it.

Kate wrote: "I missed the UK/US title difference for the first few days I tried to find a copy. I finally saw the difference and found it in the library of a neighboring county. Because I'm a cheapskate I chose..."

Oh crap.

Marty wrote: "Getting ready to crack this one open and get started. Hope it's as good as the description says. I want to try to read Insurrection too, but I will probably have to go outside my public library s..."

I'm getting ready too. I keep getting sidetracked from my current read, but if I have to I will pause it to start this one.

Read the first 25 pages before going to sleep last night. Really liked the start.

Up to page 50
(view spoiler)[
I enjoyed the start. The first 20 pages, but the whole dude's behaviour after waking up and the rape scene and following scenes was weird to me.
After a prolonged fever like that, which had him unconscious, I'm not sure he would just wake up and rape her. I think he'd be a little ill still, dehydrated a lot and pretty darn hungry. I think his sexual desire would be last on his list of urges to satisfy.
I wish there had been more time pass between him waking and the rape. To make it more real.
It was all a bit awkward and weird.
I'm sure it will get over that hump (no pun intended) soon and become less...um..YA in feel.
(hide spoiler)]

From my spoiler point in my last comment, things have improved for me. Once it got passed that awkward section. :-)

Terri wrote: "Up to page 50

I enjoyed the start. The first 20 pages, but the whole dude's behaviour after waking up and the rape scene and following scenes was weird to me.
After a prolonged fever like that, w..."

(view spoiler)[I can see what you mean about it being a bit awkward all things considered and it does seem a bit of a strange thing to immediately occur to a person after having been so unwell but considering the mythological and magical aspects of the story of King Arthur and presuming that Branwyn's child is going to be Merlin, I see it as being the hand of fate working a bit here and guiding events to ensure that the destined child is brought into the world. (hide spoiler)]

Silver's spoiler (up to page 50)

(view spoiler)[
I suppose yes, I can see what you mean there. The author does want the book to be non mythical and magical, but I guess for readers who like that element to the Merlin story it works.

It seemed to come good for me after that weird moment. So I was glad about that.
(hide spoiler)]

Yay! Both books came today. I'm starting this one so my son can read Insurrection.

That's wonderful! I am really chuffed that we have helped you AND your son find some new reads. :)

Welcome to the Prophecy read, Holly! We are only just starting here so you are right on time.

Terri wrote: "Silver's spoiler (up to page 50)


I suppose yes, I can see what you mean there. The author does want the book to be non mythical and magical, but I guess for readers who like that element to the ..."

I think it is difficult to retell the story without at least some allusion to the mystical side to it. Even in The Skystone which was a rather rational/believable account there was an acknowledgement to the mythical elements of the story, but they were still rationally explained.

(view spoiler)[So as in the case with "the stranger" it can be seen as purely a random action, though occurring at a questionable moment, but it can also be seen as a nod to the legendary aspect of the story. (hide spoiler)]

I am really enjoying this one so far. Started reading it last night and stayed up way too late. I think it's just the right mix of rational, mystical and political.

How do I do the spoilers removed thing? I don't want to ruin it for anyone!

When add a post there's a 'some HTML' option/list with all the codes that can be used. The spoiler one looks like < spoiler > < /spoiler > but without the spaces between after < and before >

HI Holly,
What darcy said, but if you still are not sure, there is this thread where it is explained, and you can also practise.
http://www.goodreads.com/topic/show/7...