Annerlee’s Reviews > The Winter King > Status Update

This book has been on my "wish" list for a long while. Do you recommend it?

It’s well written and paints a good picture of infighting in Britain after the Romans. There is conflict between tribes, between Saxons and Britons, between emerging Christianity and the ancient pagan beliefs. it’s a little slow and only gets going after the halfway point. The book is obviously the first volume in a longer saga and takes its good time.

I like the author’s take on characters we know from the legend; Arthur, Lancelot, Guinevere, Merlin (the druid) etc. They become real characters, set within the historical context and less idealised than we’re used to. Merlin is good fun, but hasn’t appeared very often.

There is intrigue, fighting, bloodshed and a LOT of political posturing. Occasionally there is also some adventure.

The pace is a little too slow for my liking. The setting is interesting but the story isn’t all-engrossing. Book 2 may pick up (now we have met the characters and know the context) but I wont rush to continue the series…. maybe at some time in the future though.

I hope that helps

Thanks for the long comment. I love books with lots of politics, and I don't mind a slow-paced story. Sounds like something I'll enjoy reading :)

La_mariane wrote: "Thanks for the long comment. I love books with lots of politics, and I don't mind a slow-paced story. Sounds like something I'll enjoy reading :)"

Cool. Yes, I think you’ll enjoy it then!