Booklist Reviews
*Starred Review* Collum is a common bastard from Mull who wants to be a knight of the round table more than anything. But when he arrives in Camelot, he's just a few weeks too late. King Arthur is dead, Excalibur is gone, and the last few (oft-forgotten) knights—loyal Bedivere, the "Saracen" Palomides, mysterious Dinadan, coquettish Constantine, and rough Villiars—have no idea what to do next. Arthur's death surely means the end of the age of heroes, and the question of who should be king next is near impossible to solve. But they'll have to figure it out somehow, because a reckoning is fast-coming on the horizon, Morgan Le Fey is looming, and Britain will need to find solid ground if it's to survive a new clash between old-world faerie and new-world Christians. Grossman's first adult fantasy novel since the completion of The Magicians series is packed with magic, quickly beloved characters, punishing twists, and exciting, bold action scenes. Satisfyingly epic but also fast-paced, this novel captures everything that's grand and magnificent about the age of King Arthur while picking at its edges and delving into its darker depths. All fantasy and mythology fans will want to make time for this moving, entertaining epic. HIGH-DEMAND BACKSTORY: The convergent popularity of Grossman and Arthurian legend means this epic fantasy is sure to be a hit. Copyright 2024 Booklist Reviews.
Library Journal Reviews
Young Collum of Mull, with his pilfered armor and his dreams of knighthood, has journeyed from the Outer Hebrides to Camelot, hoping to join King Arthur's famous Round Table in any capacity in which they will have him. On arriving, he discovers that the king is dead, along with most of his knights. The few remaining knights, led by Bedivere, try to convince Collum that the glorious era of the Round Table is over, but he persuades them that they have one more task to complete—finding a new king. Following in the footsteps of the classic stage play