I loved Lancelot when I read it last year, and I was incredibly excited to get an ARC of Camelot! Some things are the same - Kristian's incredibly evocative way with words in particular, which bring Britain to life and make it easy to picture both the scenery and the horrors of weather and war.

However, this is also a very different kind of book - where Lancelot covers the main character's journey from birth to death, Camelot starts when Galahad is 20, and only tells a very small portion of his tale. Galahad is much less sure of himself and his place in the world than Lancelot ... which made the middle third of this book a little tedious (there's a lot of wandering around on various missions and puzzling things through), but paid off in the finale. It's also nice to see a number of the characters from Lancelot return, including an expanded role for Merlin, who is cunning and unpredictable to the last.

Overall I really enjoyed this one and wouldn't be at opposed to reading more in this world.

I read and loved Lancelot before nad this was an absolute delight as well.
It's the story of Galahad, the son of Lancelot from the other book. It's told with immense detail, atmosphere, and really gripping storytelling.
If you like historical fiction and interested in the Dark Ages of Britain, it's a must-read.

Thanks a lot to NG and the publisher for this copy.

Sometimes a book comes your way and you instantly engage with it. The main character could be feeling the same emotions as you, maybe even the author felt as you did when they wrote it. For whatever the reason, I felt this way when I picked up Camelot.

Galahad is a novice monk, haunted by his past. Abandoned by his father, Lancelot, who left him on a hilltop with a battle raging below, to go off and die with Arthur. Galahad is very different to his father, more aware of the people around him and their feelings. Aware too, how people view him. Some fear him, thinking him an echo of bygone days, others rally behind him, hoping he will be the warrior his famed father once was.

The Saxons have taken all of the east, and just a few of Arthur's famed Cataphracts remain, fighting on against the inevitable, believing beyond hope that they can win.

Hope is not all lost. In the wilderness of the marsh, Arthur yet lives. His beloved Guinevere is with him in body if not spirit, her mind lost in another world. Gawain seeks Merlin, the revered Druid, hoping he can bring Guinevere back to Arthur, and therefore Arthur back to them. For only with Arthur fighting under his bear banner can they drive the Saxon scourge back to the sea. Or so they thought.

Unbeknown to Arthur, his daughter rides into his marshland hideaway, Galahad at her side. With Arthur's daughter and the great Merlin at her side, maybe, just maybe, they can finally halt the Saxon advance, and win back the lands they lost long ago.

The rest... well, buy the book. Seriously, buy it. There aren't many books I would bother squinting at my phone to read (no e-reader, and couldn't resist the email from Transworld, inviting me for an early read) but I'm so glad I did with this. Giles writes with a lyrical prose, a height he hit with Lancelot and I didn't really think he would be able to sustain, but he has. Each page is drenched in detail, immersing you into a world left by the Romans and not yet colonised by the Saxons. Britain is painted as a mist covered, marsh filled, godless place. A hard land, that breeds hard men.

As with Lancelot, it isn't really the plot that keeps you reading, but the strength of the characters, the elegance of the prose. It's just beautiful. There really is no one writing now that tells a story the way Giles does, its so unique, and deserves to be cherished.

The ending is quite open, I'm hoping there's one more book left in this tale, the first two certainly deserve a third.

Britain is in turmoil and the Saxons are running riot and all seems lost. The Britain’s need a hero to turn the tide,. Step forward a reluctant young man. He is one thing that no one else is - he is Galahad, the son off the greatest warrior of a generation, Lancelot!
A book that is so brilliantly written you feel every emotion and fear every sword stroke, Giles Kristian brings an atmosphere to his writing that makes you fall in love with his characters.
In this novel he has woven a masterpiece of Arthurian legend that is nothing short of true genius. I absolutely loved this book and highly recommend it. Just sensational.

A couple of years ago, I read Lancelot by Giles Kristian, not really expecting to like it. After all, Lancelot was the villain of the King Arthur story and lover of Guinevere; he caused the downfall of Camelot. However, Kristian skillfully put a different spin on the story, presenting Lancelot as a flawed but talented knight, torn between the love for his lord, Arthur, and that for for his true love, Guinevere. Lancelot became a tragic hero and the cause of his own downfall. Lancelot was a story of complex loyalties, tested to the limit by war and circumstance beyond the control of the leading protagonists. In short, it was an incredible piece of storytelling that totally changed my view of Lancelot and the Arthurian legend.

This new book, Camelot, had a lot to live up to!

And, of course, it did not disappoint. In fact, I think Camelot surpasses Lancelot in so many ways. The story follows Galahad, Lancelot’s son in the attempts of the British tribes to form one last alliance that will see them fighting off the Saxon advance. The old heroes – Gawain, Arthur and, of course, Merlin – are there to help the new generation find their way. There is humour, sadness, action and adventure. Giles Kristian cleverly weaves his own story into the existing legend, recreating a world lovers of all thing Arthurian cannot fail to appreciate.

Camelot by Giles Kristian is a wonderful crafted novel that leads the reader on a winding tale through Arthurian Britain. It takes you on a legendary quest, to the wondrous castles of Tintagel and Camelot, to the wilds of Anglesey and the Isle of Man and through various skirmishes, political intrigues, disappointments and love. While you are desperate to read on through the next chapter, you simultaneously, never want the book to end.

I truly believe that the sign of a good book, is one that will take you through a range of emotions, from laughter to tears, and that will – when you get to the final page – leave you bereft that there is no more to read, and disappointed that you know will not read anything so good any time soon. Camelot fills all this criteria. It is probably the best book I will read this year – and its only April! This book is a keeper, and one I’ll be getting my dad for Father’s Day, that’s for sure!

Camelot is one of those rare books that will remain with you for days to come, musing over why Arthur acted the way he did, how Galahad managed to achieve what he did, how Gawain’s loyalty and perseverance saved the heroes on more than one occasion and how Merlin managed to weave his magic through the whole story, all the way to the final, climactic battle.

I've just reread the review I wrote for Lancelot nearly two years ago, and even I'm blushing about how effusive I was about it!

Camelot begins in much the same way. The lead character is a young man, about to take his vows to become a monk on the tor at Glastonbury when his world completely changes. The depiction of life on the tor is wonderfully evoked, and even if the author could have just written 'bird' 'tree' and 'flower' I'm sure many will appreciate the attention to detail. (I've never been 'at one' with nature).

The story starts quite slowly, drawing you back into the world of post-Roman/pre-Anglo-Saxon Britain with deft skill and then the story truly begins to take shape, secrets are revealed, and the ties to the previous book begin to be revealed.

I truly don't want to give too much of the story away, but the 'quest', for that is what it becomes, takes readers from Cornwall to Anglesey and then further, the fear of what is to come in the future a palpable threat and even though we all know what's going to happen, in the end (outside the scope of the book) I couldn't help but hope that it would all be very, very different. The characters demand it from the reader.

And the end, is once more, where I have some small complaints about the story. It's not that it doesn't do what I want it to do, it's just that the ending seems wrong for the story, but then, perhaps, it was always going to because that is the legend of Arthur.

But before that ending, the legends of Arthur and his knights are beautifully evoked, and I think a particular strength is the depiction of King Constantine, a bit part character, but immensely powerful and the very embodiment of a land falling to chaos all around him, and yet not prepared to give way and accept what seems to be the inevitable.

This book, once more, has its flaws, some scenes seem unnecessary, and others are skipped over too quickly, but it feels so true to the legends. There's so much that's only half-seen, hinted at but never actually known.

A welcome return to Giles Kristian's 'world' first created in Lancelot, and, I think the author notes at the end of the novel explain a great deal. Now, give me the story of Arthur and his knights at the height of their prowess (please!).

Thank you to Netgalley and the publisher for my review copy.

Giles Kristian's Camelot is the story of Galahad, the son of Lancelot, the subject of his previous novel). The plot centres on the fate of the Celtic resistance to the Saxon invasion of Britain following the defeat of Arthur's forces. It's a remarkable piece of storytelling: vividly imagined, grippingly narrated, rich with sensual detail and packed with plot twists – the kind of novel that transports you into another world so that you look up from the page, surprised to see the familiar shape of your own living room instead of the landscape of Dark Ages Britain. An absolute delight.

Escape the modern world and be taken back to a time when life's challenges were of a far different nature. Adventure and danger run alongside emotion and growth in this new grand epic. A wonderful cast of characters and a plot that leads to destinations unknown. Beautifully written, the language lacks the archaic nature of some historical works and yet it fits so beautifully to the story. A modern narration with the soul of times long gone past. I had already read its predecessor, Lancelot, and perhaps it would help place some of the characters if you have, but I think you could easily read this as a standalone, as it is very much its own full story.

As a lover of Arthurian legend I was really pleased my application to read Camelot was accepted. This is my first outing with Giles Kristian and right from the beginning I was pulled straight into this book. Beautifully written, it is the story of Launcelot's son Galahad who is located by the remnant's of Arthur's horse soldiers almost ten years after his father's death. Uprooted from the life he should have had as a monk, he is pulled into back into the real world. One where it is perceived he can be instrumental in a resurgence to drive the Saxons from Britain's shores. If you enjoy Bernard Cornwell then you will love this.
One thing I should be mention. Although this is a stand alone novel I would suggest you also read the prequel - Launcelot - which is every bit as thought provoking as this book.

BLURB

Britain is a land riven by anarchy, slaughter, famine, filth and darkness. Its armies are destroyed, its heroes dead, or missing. Arthur and Lancelot fell in the last great battle and Merlin has not been these past ten years. But in a small, isolated monastery in the west of England, a young boy is suddenly plucked from his simple existence by the ageing warrior, Gawain. It seems he must come to terms with his legacy and fate as the son of the most celebrated yet most infamous of Arthur's warriors: Lancelot. For this is the story of Galahad, Lancelot’s son – the reluctant warrior who dared to keep the dream of Camelot alive

REVIEW

In this emotionally taut follow up to Lancelot, the author has taken the Arthurian saga/epic/myth a step further; a certified page turning tale that immerses the reader into that darkest of dark periods in Britain's history. Wonderfully crafted characters, imaginative plot lines full of surprises, a drama played out in heartrending, and visceral fashion...The Horse Lords of Arthur reemerge from fen and forest, proud, loyal to the death...Merlin rediscovers the gods...the lament of Arthur/Lancelot/Guinevere rekindled in Galahad and Iselle...yes my fellow readers, the follow up is an excellent continuation of Lancelot. Take the advice from this humble scribe as sung by The Moody Blues: Are you sitting comfortably? Let Merlin cast his spell.  5 ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐

There was a hell of a lot to love about this book, but also a few minor points i had issues with. Ill start with the massive positives.

Giles Kristian's writing is so beautiful and poetic. He weaves a tale that drips with mysticism, it enchants the reader. its a tale that deserves to be read on a dark night around a roaring fire. Its a slow burning story this one, but it ticks over at a nice pace that keeps drawing the reader in. I liked the character of Galahad, the slightly reluctant hero. Iselle beside him is a brilliant, fiery creation.

I struggled with Arthur's role in this book. I felt like the final battle was building to Arthur's return, but when he didnt show, it kind of limped towards the ending. It seems there needs to be a third book to bring the story to a close, because otherwise its an upsettingly poor ending.

I enjoyed reading this book and I felt that the story was well executed.

The characters had depth and added a lot to the overall sense of the book and it was very enjoyable to keep turning the pages.

Really quite remarkable once again. GK's writing is poetic and his skill at reimagining myth is exemplary. He has managed to create distinctive voices in this sequel/ companion book to Lancelot, but that said - it's not quite as compelling. Largely because the adventures and conflicts of Galahad just don't quite stack up to those of his father. So while a great read, i found it too drawn out - ambling along in beautiful prose but at too slow a pace.

Eine sehr gelungene Fortführung des vorherigen Romans Lancelot des Autoren. Nach dem ersten Buch über die Arthur Saga dachte ich eine Fortsetzung könnte nicht viel bringen, aber ich habe mich getäuscht.
Dieses Buch hat alles was ein guter Historie/Fantasy Schmöker haben sollte, epische Schlachten, Ehre, Liebe und einen hervorragenden Helden, Galahad, Lancelots Sohn.

King Arthur has gone, disappeared into the mists of Avalon, or has he? It's ten years since the Saxons beat the Britons and killed so many. They killed Lancelot too. Now his son Galahad is taken out of the monastery that he was given to to be looked after. So like his father he is a true Briton and his talent leads him to be recognised as the true inheritor of Arthur and his father's mantle. He meets and falls in love with a wild girl in the marches not knowing who she is. Merlin tells him and together they will fight the Saxons to win or to die. This is a fantastic story woven around the legends of Arthur and Camelot and Lancelot giving real life to them and Galahad - with a slight twist of course as Giles Kristian explains at the end. I haven't read Lancelot's story but this one happily stands on its own. I enjoyed it.

When I read Lancelot I thought this book does not need a continuation, I enjoyed it thoroughly and was very happy when I finished, I was wrong, Camelot is even better