Shadow of the King by Helen Hollick (Book Review)

Title: Shadow of the King
Author: Helen Hollick
Publisher: Sourcebooks Landmark

About the book: At long last, the peace King Arthur was born to usher in has settled over the realm. But Arthur was also born to be a warrior and all true warriors are restless without a fight. Yearning for battle and ever-loyal, Arthur is easily deceived into setting sail for Gaul to defend its territories -- leaving his country vulnerable and leaderless.

A beacon of hope in a land of desolation, he was to be the Lord of the Summer Land for now and forever. But first, the Pendragon must face the ultimate test, one that will take all his courage, strength of will, and honor to survive.

Because once destiny is fulfilled, can you ever truly win again?

My thoughts: What can I say about Helen Hollick's books that I haven't said before. She has truly made me a fan of King Arthur and I want to learn more about him and that time period. As in the second book, much of this material was new to me. It is not a book for "light" reading (no pun intended as it weighs in at 672 pages.) Helen Hollick really brings King Arthur's story to life and shows him with all his faults and imperfections as well as his strengths and great romances. Even though this book is the final in the series, it could easily be read as a stand alone - but I recommend the entire trilogy! You can also visit my reviews of The Kingmaking and Pendragon's Banner.

Shadow of the King
Publisher/Publication Date: Sourcebooks Landmark, Mar 1, 2010
ISBN: 978-1-4022-1890-3
672 pages

~I was provided this book free for my unbiased review from Sourcebooks.~

Mailbox Monday/In My Mailbox 12-7-2009

Mailbox Monday is hosted at The Printed Page or In Your Mailbox at The Story Siren. Please stop by those posts and take a look at what packages everybody else got this week!

Penguin Luck I received from Media Muscle for a February review.

Penguin Luck by Kay Mupetson

In the novel Penguin Luck, Doreen Lowe is a young, sophisticated junior associate in a small Manhattan law firm that primarily serves the lower echelons of society. Regularly visited by three ghosts, Doreen is forced to listen to their pleas that she "carry on for them" - after the Holocaust - all while balancing the demands of her career and personal life.

After Doreen marries a banker with an entrepreneurial spirit, he achieves his dream of establishing a telecommunications company. Within a few years, Doreen is serving as the company's legal counsel while simultaneously raising a son, but is still being tormented by her spirits. As the young couple rides out the tech boom of the late 1990s, Doreen must reconcile her unorthodox personal choices with her widowed father, her friends, and her large conscience.

Penguin Luck is a compelling tale about one woman's emotional journey as she learns to cope with a burdensome family history, a trio of determined ghosts, and the power of luck. (back cover)

I received The Mountain Beyond from TBB Media for a January review.

The Mountain Beyond by Terry Miller

"Hoppy is gone! What will we do?"

My father replied. "Well, we just have to search for him."

"Well, I'm sure he'll turn up in due time."

There it was, the final anticipation that he would come home! However, I didn't buy it! Off to my room I went - dejected and devoid of all hope. The tears came quickly in the quiet of my room. Emotion, especially tears, was an expression of feelings that were not allowed in our household. As a matter of fact, this era did not support the outward showing of emotion period! It was the philosophy that, "Grown men don't cry!" Why not?

Men were supposed to be strong, masculine and reserved. Showing other emotions diminished that role. Tears were not to be shown. Hugs and saying "I love you" were rarely seen nor were they acceptable. (back cover)

I received Cowboy Trouble from Sourcebooks for a Feb/Mar review.

Cowboy Trouble by Joanne Kennedy

A COWBOY LIKE THAT COULD BREAK YOUR HEART. . .

Fleeing her latest love life disaster, big city journalist Libby Brown's transition to rural living isn't going exactly as planned. Her childhood dream has always been to own a farm - but without the constant help of her charming, sexy cowboy neighbor, she'd never make it through her first Wyoming season.

BUT HE COULD SURE KEEP YOU WARM AT NIGHT, TOO. . .

Handsome rancher Luke Rawlins is impressed by this sassy, independent city girl. But he yearns to do more than help Libby out with her ranch. . .he's ready for love, and he wants to go the distance. . .

Then the two get embroiled in their tiny town's one and only crime story, and Libby discovers that their sizzling hot attraction is going to complicate her life in every way possible. . . (back cover)

I received Shadow of the King from Sourcebooks for a review in Feb/March.

Shadow of the King by Helen Hollick

At long last, the peace King Arthur was born to usher in has settled over the realm. But Arthur was also born to be a warrior. . .and all true warriors are restless without a fight. Yearning for battle and ever-loyal, Arthur is easily deceived into setting sail for Gaul to defend its territories - leaving his country vulnerable and leaderless.

A beacon of hope in a land of desolation, he was to be the Lord of the Summer Land for now and forever. But first, the Pendragon must face the ultimate test, one that will take all his courage, strength of will, and honor to survive.

Because once destiny is fulfilled, can you ever truly win again? (back cover)


Primal I received from Random House for a tour later this month.

Primal by Mark Batterson

BE ASTONISHED AGAIN

We have a tendency to complicate Christianity. Jesus simplified it: Love God with all of your heart, soul, mind, and strength. If we are to live out the essence of Christianity, we must commit to being great at this Great Commandment.

In Primal, Mark Batterson explores the four elements of Great Commandment Christianity: compassion, wonder, curiosity, and power. Along the way, he calls you to be a part of God's reformation, starting in your own life.

As Mark writes, "Is there a place in your past where you met God and God met you? A place where your heart broke for the things that break the heart of God? Maybe it was a sermon that became more than a sermon. Maybe it was a mission trip or retreat. Maybe it was a vow you made at an altar. In that moment, God birthed something supernatural in your spirit. You knew you'd never be the same again. My prayer is that this book would take you back to that burning bush - and reignite a primal faith."

Primal will help you live in light of what matters most and discover what it means to love God. It will help you become great at the Great Commandment. (inside cover)




What books made a new home with you this week?