Perilous Times by Thomas D. Lee is a re-imagining of King Arthur and Camelot. I love the history and bring the Knights of the Round table back to life. Who doesn't love Merlin!?! This book brings the telling of this classic story into a new world: the near future when Britain is at climate collapse. The concept was fantastic and I enjoyed reading this story.

This is one of the wildest spins on the Arthurian legend I can ever remember reading. Taking place in a dystopian future a Knight of the Round Table embarks on the wildest quest ever…combating climate change. Laced with humor the story also touches on such topics as politics, climate change (obviously), racism, addiction, and much more.While I thought it was a bit too long for its own good and the pacing could have been a little tighter, overall it’s entertaining. A unique/fun addition to the volumes of Arthurian lore already out there. 3.5 stars, rounded up. I’d like to thank Random House Publishing Group - Ballantine and NetGalley for the opportunity to read and review an eARC of Perilous Times.

https://www.amazon.com/review/R2SJO3ZVSQDOM3/ref=pe_1098610_137716200_cm_rv_eml_rv0_rv

This Modern Take On Old Arthurian Mythology Is A Real Treasure For Fans Of King Arthur! As Kay, Mariam, Lancelot, Marlowe, & Morgan Plot, Plan, & Fight Their Way Against The Peril That Threatens To Consume The Entire World In A Woke Apocalypse, They Must Revisit Old Mistakes, Wrestle With Unsettling Truths, & Come To Terms With The Fallible Nature Of Man.


ABOUT THIS BOOK:

This is a modern interpretation of the infamous and much-beloved lore of King Arthur. The book takes a few liberties with the Arthurian tales of old. Those that might feel that to be blasphemy might not appreciate the departure. On the other hand, this interpretation may help create a renewed interest in readers that otherwise might not have been interested in Arthurian legend.

The medieval mythological figure of King Arthur has his stamp on history and literature thanks to various authors over time, notably Le Morte d’Arthur by Sir Thomas Malory. Not surprisingly, it is believed that the tales of Arthur and his Knights of the Round Table might be based upon a real historical figure from the fifth or sixth century – perhaps a military leader with ties to the Romans. Arthur and his Knights of the Round Table participated in the Crusades and fought to hold off the invading Saxons. Seated in Camelot, Arthur Pendragon and his Knights protected the realm of Britain during a magical time in which powerful witches, wizards, dragons, and other magical creatures existed in the land. The famous wizard Merlin played a prominent role, and the witch Morgana, sometimes known as Arthur’s half-sister, was always plotting. Arthur, son of Uther Pendragon, is sometimes said to have been placed by Merlin in Sir Ector’s home to be raised as his own. That thread is followed in this book, making Arthur the adopted younger brother of Ector’s son Kay. Sir Kay the Seneschal is later known for his loyalty to his brother Arthur. There are many stories of Arthur’s knights. Sir Lancelot is famously known as a lady's man and was quite close with Arthur’s wife, Queen Guinevere.

This story takes Arthurian legend and infuses it with a woke twist. It opens in a woke-inspired Armageddon. The earth has warmed beyond the point of saving. Waters have risen, causing a refugee crisis in England and a consequent food shortage. Governments have become so corrupt and inept that they have basically given up rule to corporations and hired out basic functions. Hired mercenaries keep the peace, so to speak. Those in power have no real interest in helping the masses; they only care about saving their own skins at any cost. The chaos that has ensued serves to keep the rebel factions too preoccupied to organize against those wielding real power – a well-established tactic with an excellent success rate. Enter Sir Kay and Sir Lancelot, thanks to Merlin’s magic. They are brought back to life whenever Britain is in peril.

The godless woke religion is nothing like the Christianity that King Arthur and his Knights so passionately fought for, so on the surface the combination feels impossibly wrong. However, the story never goes beneath the surface of the religions. The otherwise incompatible sides instead find commonality in their desire for Britain’s survival. It works. That is not to say that the story is not ripe with hypocrisy. Much of the hypocrisy is pointed out, so again, it works. It is excused by pointing out the fallible nature of people. They often seek to take out their frustration by assigning blame, but the target of their ire doesn’t always make sense. For instance, they are against murder, yet depending upon the circumstances, they find it acceptable. They don’t allow that there might be those on the opposite side making the same calculations, resulting in a circular series of events with no hope of an end. Their emotions rule their reasoning. Since religion involves faith and emotion, it is easy to see how such hypocrisies occur over time.

Wokeism is trending, making the release of this story quite timely. The story does assume that woke science is accurate in warning against devastating floods due to global warming. It is the basis for the chaos. The bad guys are the capitalist oligarchs who belong to an organization called GX5 – a group who actually sound an awful lot like the liberal oligarchs and politicians of the WEF who sew chaos with their policies in order to effect the new world order that they are actively trying to create. In the story, those in power control the media propaganda fed to the people, much like the mainstream media that dominates and controls the public with its choice of stories with the prescribed spin - or in some cases, the lack of coverage altogether. They want more power for themselves, less for the people. Their vision doesn’t allow for the fact that people are fallible, that leaders become corrupt when unchallenged and unaccountable. The story repeatedly points out that humans cannot be trusted and that good, honest, well-intentioned leaders are hard to find. The story illustrates that the value of democracy is in the people’s ability to elect new leaders and hold power to account. It also shows that once the process is corrupted, it is destined to fail.

This is what happens in this woke vision of the future with an Arthurian spin. Democracy fails in the chaos, and the rebel factions hoping to reclaim control from GX5 are too caught up in their own power struggles to accomplish anything at all. In the book, those with power plot in secret, which stands in contrast with the WEF which plots in public view. The chaos sewn in this book leaves a power vacuum, allowing the powerful to tinker and manipulate to their own benefit while the masses fall into despair. It is the case today across the world to varying degrees. Well-intentioned countries ascribe to biodiversity credits and are surprised when their economies suffer, leaving their citizens powerless in the aftermath. A billionaire who hedges and bets against growth reaps the benefits when economies collapse, all while openly and unapologetically working to sew the seeds of discontent by supporting disruptive candidates for office. This story doesn’t go into much detail about the propaganda employed by GX5, just that they own the media and hence the messaging, making it harder for the rebels to find something to unite behind.

GX5 manipulates the Knights of the Round Table. Thanks to Merlin’s immortality stones, they can be called back to serve Britain whenever she is in peril. The unassuming knights follow their orders without question, although they often end up on opposing sides. They are pawns in a larger game. But good and bad are not always clearly defined, and after centuries of resurfacing only to die another violent death, they struggle to find reason and meaning. It isn’t just Britain in peril when Kay and Lancelot are resurrected once again. Their lives have become meaningless, meandering from one assignment to the next. They both face an internal challenge as Britain faces its imminent demise.

This story is sometimes tedious, especially in the beginning, but soon familiarity with the characters and factions makes it easier to follow. The occasional hypocrisy would be unbearable if not pointed out, but instead, it frequently ends up serving as a light comical relief. It is not all called out, though, so there is still the occasional twinge at false self-righteousness. It remains that there is obviously considerable effort made to point out the futility of war and killing in this book, even though, hypocritically, there is still much death. The effort is worthy. Although to be fair, it would have been more effective to show some signs of humanity within the GX5 or its supporters, as the message doesn’t really make it to that side, instead painting it with a broad evil swath.

This new modern take on Arthurian legend does take some getting used to, but it doesn’t take long to get past that hump. Aside from the woke apocalypse premise, wokeism is present in the story, but it doesn’t overwhelm it. It really does become more about the characters and their own journeys. The struggles they face to continue on with no real hope in sight defines this story. There are secrets unveiled, truths to digest, and consciences to attend to. Uniting the rebel forces behind a leader that can command effectively is a challenge when nobody can agree which side they are on and what they stand for. Lancelot and Kay have been at odds since the time of Arthur, and despite their common support of Britain, they cannot seem to put the past behind. They, along with the rebels, face impossible odds in their biggest challenge yet.

IN THIS BOOK:

Kay the Cupbearer has awoken from slumber under his oak tree yet again, signaling that Britain is in peril. He never knows what he will face once he surfaces. Decades might have passed, or it could be minutes since his last death. It always works out one way or another, though. Marlowe might meet him with orders, or he might stumble upon someone in need. The magic that keeps him coming back always ends up putting things in his path to help him sort things out. He thinks of his wife in heaven, Hildwyn, and looks forward to the time he can finally join her – if he is lucky enough. But for now, things look different. There is flooding. He stumbles upon a large, fenced-in facility. His mission becomes clear when a woman rushes past him, gunfire following her.

Mariam hadn’t planned on blowing up the fracking facility, just on disabling it. As a member of FETA, the Feminist Environmentalist Transgressive Alliance, she is opposed to polluting the atmosphere and murder, yet she did just that, breaking everything her small group stands for when she went behind their back to take out the facility single-handedly. She has a lot of explaining to do once she returns, but in the meantime, the strange man that seemingly came to her rescue has some outlandish claims. If not for the dragon she just saw, she wouldn’t give his claims a second thought.

Lancelot surfaces yet again to find Marlowe waiting for him, dossier in hand. The two have a long history together, but it is his fellow knight Galehaut that means the most to him. Maybe he can bring Galehaut up to join the fight – whatever it is this time – but in the meantime, he goes with Marlowe. He has never been known for his loyalty and he is not exclusive. He likes having a good time. When he sees that his assignment involves a dragon and his old foe Kay, it doesn’t surprise him. Kay is always getting caught up on the wrong side. It won’t be the first time they’ve fought one another.

Marlowe might not have the ability to resurrect like Lancelot, he hasn’t been around as long, either, but he does have immortality. That is not to say that he is invulnerable, but he has other people to do the fighting for him. He has amassed tremendous power over the years, as evidenced by his store of dossiers. The information at his fingertips gives him all the power he needs. He just needs to set his plan in motion.

Morgan tried living out her immortality peacefully, but when Britain fell apart, she couldn’t continue to sit back quietly. She took a stand. She also began plotting. The only hope of saving her country is piercing the veil between worlds and bringing King Arthur back to rule once again.

As Kay, Mariam, Lancelot, Marlowe, and Morgan plot, plan, and fight their way against the peril that threatens to consume the entire world in a woke apocalypse, they must revisit old mistakes, wrestle with unsettling truths, and come to terms with the fallible nature of man. Many die, but the realm is eventually saved – for the time being – from imminent doom.

This modern take on old Arthurian mythology is a real treasure for fans of King Arthur. Those that cannot stomach the wokeism may not enjoy it, but otherwise, it is a great new adventure to add to the treasury of tales. The story is plot-driven and quite complex, yet there is sufficient character development to get the reader engaged in their journeys, particularly Kay and Lancelot. I never could buy into Mariam’s role. She wasn’t special in any particular way and I couldn’t get behind her, but I was not opposed to her either. The story is written in third person. There are nineteen chapters in Kay’s POV, fourteen in Mariam’s, seven in Lancelot’s, one in Marlowe’s, and one in Morgan’s POV. I rate this book 4.5 stars.

I received an advance copy of this book and am voluntarily leaving a review.

Let me preface I enjoyed this book in many ways. It’s probably more like 3.5 stars. The basic premise, the idea that Knights of the Roundtable return from the dead to defend the British empire when it is in grave danger is original. The writing is often humorous and the characters eccentric. A mushroom growing hippie for Merlin and a gay yet jaded Sir Lancelot for example.
Climate change, greed and infighting has set the empire in end times. The heroines led by Mariam are eco terrorists, Saxons are the evil doers and there is an entire cast of characters from Arthur to fairies and everyone else you can think of. Because of this the plot gets a bit messy until we come to a satisfactory conclusion. Thanks to Orbit and Netgalley for this advance

Of all the re-imaginings of Arthur and Camelot, this is one of the absolute best. It's set in the not-too-distant future, when the combination of greed and physics has made climate change even worse, Britain is a failed state (polluted, flooded, and mostly owned by oligarchs), and despair is the order of the day.

Ah, but in Britain's hour of peril, the knights of the Round Table return, along with Merlin, Morgan le Fay, and good King Arthur. But how do they even figure out who to fight, not to mention how to do it? The result is a great story: exciting, funny, touching, hopeful, and wise. The author captures some of the weirdness of Malory and the old stories - dragons, enchanted horses, the Holy Grail, and the Pub that's always where it needs to be.

This is a very fun read, and I highly recommend it.

Perilous Times follows Sir Kay, an immortal defender of the realm who finds himself grappling with the challenges of a new era. Lee's vivid descriptions and imaginative world-building paint a compelling picture of a world where oceans have risen, the army is privatized, and Britain has been sold to foreign powers.

What truly makes this book shine are the well-drawn characters. Sir Kay is a complex and relatable protagonist, burdened by the weight of his immortality and the changing times. Mariam, the ordinary person who dares to hope for a better world, is a strong and determined character who adds depth to the story. The dynamic between Kay and Mariam is beautifully portrayed, adding emotional depth and complexity to the plot.

The thing I appreciated most about the characters in this book is that all of the lead characters (to the best of my recollection) are queer and/or BIPOC. Given the theme of climate justice, I appreciated that the author made the deliberate choice to give the spotlight to those who are often ignored in these conversations while being most affected by the issues.

The plot is fast-paced and action-packed, with plenty of twists and turns that keep readers on the edge of their seats. The magical conspiracy that Kay and Mariam uncover adds a layer of mystery and intrigue to the story, and the clashes with dragons and old enemies provide adrenaline-pumping moments.

Lee's prose is eloquent and immersive, drawing readers into the story from the very first page. The book is filled with vivid imagery, transporting readers to a world that feels both familiar and fantastical. The themes of leadership, courage, and the challenges of navigating a broken system are skillfully woven into the narrative, making the story not only entertaining but also thought-provoking.

As a fan of Arthurian legends, I found Perilous Times to be a fresh and captivating take on the timeless tale. Lee's unique spin on the Arthurian mythos, combined with his engaging writing style and well-drawn characters, make this book a must-read for fantasy and adventure lovers alike.

This is a masterfully crafted epic adventure that kept me captivated from start to finish. With its rich world-building, compelling characters, and thrilling plot, this book deserves a resounding five-star rating. I highly recommend it to anyone who enjoys immersive fantasy stories with Arthurian legend and a dash of magical intrigue.

Perilous Times brings the Arthurian legend into a new world: the near future when Britain is at climate collapse.
In a world where the Knights of the Round Table are immortal, Sir Kay is finding it tiring to be awakened every time Britain is in peril. Kay once rode alongside his brother, King Arthur. He has found himself a token in war having fought at Hastings and at Waterloo and more. But when he climbs from the wet dirt this time, he finds himself in a strange, perilous time where oceans have risen, the army has been privatized, and half of Britain has been sold to foreign powers. Plus, there is a dragon mucking about, meaning magic has run amok. With the help of eco-terrorist Mariam, can he make a difference as he goes against his handlers and Lancelot himself?
The book was hard to get through. And I don’t mean it because of the content. The writing style was the problem. There was paragraph after paragraph dense with information. There isn’t that much dialogue which surprises me for this kind of story. The other issue is that the writer repeats themselves over and over. Thomas D. Lee gives a clear description of the horrid state of nature but then he dooms the characters to think about those same images over and over. If the repeated inner monologues were cut, this story would have flowed so much easier.
The story itself is great. I loved the idea of the immortal knights who came to save the realm. The story becomes very realistic as they are brought back for political purposes and privateering. Everything comes to a head when the one percent wants to bring back King Arthur—they even have a secret plan in place. I wish there had been more urgency about this, but the characters get down on themselves and have repeated inner monologues. But when they all work together and the action happens, there is a great payoff. The bones of the stories are great, just dragged down, not by the state of the world, but by the writing style.
Perilous Times looks at climate change and the future with a magical flair. Too bad we don’t really have that magic on our side in real life.

To say that this is the most unusual King Arthur Legend book that I have ever read is an understatement but it is definitely the most entertaining. The premise of the book is that through Merlin’s magic, some of the knights are resurrected throughout the years any time “the realm” (Britain) is in peril. For instance, in the past, they have been called forth to fight in wars such as WWII. Once the danger is past, the knights die again and return to the earth under giant trees to sleep until the realm faces another peril. Now, at a time in the not so distant future, Kay and Lancelot are called up to face the threat of climate change although essentially on different sides of the conflict due to a sinister motive orchestrated by an immortal Christopher Marlowe. They awaken to a world that is more underwater and has less vegetation and very poor air quality, caused in part by the Saxon Oil Company. Kay is forced to work with some quirky and unusual groups and characters to try and save a world that has become completely unfamiliar to him and eventually, Lancelot joins his cause. Other Arthurian legends, Merlin, Morgan, Nimue and King Arthur himself become involved in various ways and we even see the awakening of dragons. I really enjoyed the creativity of this story and loved the quirky and likable characters. The battles and espionage were fast paced and entertaining with all the qualities of a good edge of your seat thriller. The good versus evil theme was well done and although the story was humorous and exaggerated, climate change was presented as a very real and pressing threat. I did think that the book was a little too long because of some of the side stories and backwards and forwards progression and I thought the Marlowe character was confusing and unnecessary. But overall, I was entertained and enjoyed the genre crossing aspects - fantasy, science fiction, contemporary issues and thriller all coming together nicely.
#NetGalley #RandomHousePublishing-BallantineBooks

Thank you to the publisher and NetGalley for providing this eARC.

Perilous Times is a queer dystopian Arthurian retelling.

This was a fun read! It was easy to love the characters, and the world they inhabit is complicated and interesting. I loved that the book tackled some tough stuff while also maintaining a kind of whimsical voice. In all, it was fun, if a little ridiculous in some areas. I think readers who are fans of Arthurian legend will find a lot to love here, and though I am sure there will be readers who are vehemently opposed to the various topics this book tackles -- like the climate crisis, racism, xenophobia, etc. -- I'm so excited about a book that is so up front about the realities of the world we live in.

Perilous Times is a fantastic blend of old Arthurian legends and contemporary humor & heart.

Kay is a Knight of the Round Table, sworn defender of the realm, and he's been slumbering beneath a tree for thousands of years. Whenever the realm is in peril, he awakens to protect it, and then returns to death. But upon his latest return, Kay is thrust into a world he doesn't recognize and danger lurks around every corner.

This book was so fun, but it also made me think. Climate change and environmental catastrophe are very real problems, but Perilous Times looks at them through this lens that allows some distance and reflection, and with great empathy and humor. I have to confess that I only knew the most basic information about King Arthur and the Knights of the Round Table before reading this book, but after I finished, I wanted to know all I could about them. That's the mark of a good book, in my opinion. One that ignites a fire inside you and stays with you long after you turn the final page. Thank you to Netgalley and Ballantine Books for the chance to review this advance copy. Perilous Times is available for purchase everywhere you buy books now!

Arthurian knights, but they resurrect whenever Britain is in peril. In modern times, they wake up and have to fight dragons, eco-terrorists, each other, and possibly King Arthur himself? If you like stories based on Arthurian legends, this is absolutely a book for you. The plot was entertaining and kept me wondering what would happen next. This was such a fun read!

This was a fun take on Arthurian legend! The banter and comedic moments brought levity to the characters’ situation. The storyline was interesting with its dystopian feel - the mix of old legend plus the dystopian feel was unique and in a good way! I personally appreciated the climate activism take, but it may not be everyone’s cup of tea. It doesn’t seem possible to have fun in the grim environment the characters are in, but somehow their wit makes it enjoyable!

Perilous Times by Thomas D. Lee is a novel that is both thrilling and humorous, rooted in a crucial and pressing reality while also soaring with fantastical elements. This book is a necessary delight, offering a refreshing and intelligent fantasy that is sure to bring joy to many readers. The characters are vividly drawn, and their adventures carve out a space for ancient legends in a brand-new world. Lee's writing is both smart and funny, and his novel is a refreshing departure from the mundane. The story is full of twists and turns, and the characters are complex and engaging. Readers will be swept up in the action and will find themselves rooting for the heroes as they face danger and adversity. Overall, "Perilous Times" is a must-read for anyone who loves fantasy, adventure, and great storytelling. Lee's writing is both accessible and profound, and his novel is sure to become a classic in the genre. So pick up a copy today and prepare to be transported to a world of wonder and excitement!

*I received this book (Via eArc by Netgalley) for free from the Publisher ( Random House Publishing Group - Ballantine) in exchange for an honest review*
I had so much fun reading this book and it was very creative!! Arthurian legend done in the modern world was so unique and especially them also reading about what the stories that were written about them and was so confused because they didn’t happen or it was very off which I found interesting. Overall it’s a great book for those who love Arthurian legend and Merlin BBC show!! Modern but a good one

Stars: 3.25/5.0

If there is one thing to be aware of with this book: be aware of the trigger warnings. Especially the suicide/suicide attempts and the alcoholism. They are very heavy and prominent points in the story. Others include: murder, attempted murder, bodily horror, drug addiction

I was initially interested by the premise of this book: King Arthur inspired story in a near future England. The Knights of the Roundtable made a deal with Merlin in their first life that they may die but they will never pass over in the afterlife. They instead will return to their ancient oak to be resurrected when England is in peril. Now introducing Kay, a knight of the of the round table and King Arthur’s brother. Not much later, we meet Mariam, a member of an all women eco-activist group in England. She and her sisters are working for climate justice in a country dealing with the repercussions of corporate greed, climate change, and government sellout. Kay initially joins with Miriam in this mission. The third POV we eventually get is Lancelot, who offers the opportunity to see more of the workings of the corporate side of the world for the beginning.

While the story is set to follow the 3 individuals as Kay and Lancelot discover what they were raised for (and what the new world means) and Mariam as she and her sisters fight for their initiatives with their own new understanding of the world where men resurrect from the ground, the more interesting aspect in my opinion was actually the backstory of the characters. A big complaint of mine for the story is it felt like the foreshadowing was blatantly thrown into your face like a “hmmm that suspicious but I won’t look at it” *40 pages later* “ah yes that thing that was suspicious was bad”. So I became more interested in why certain dynamics were the way they were.

This book is not an easy read either. It covers a lot of contemporary issues that can weigh you down a lot as you are reading it. (And this is coming from someone who normally reads a lot of books that have contemporary issues/dark topics in it).

Overall, it was a decent book. The pacing felt right and the British humor is a good relief to some of the darkness. The foreshadowing and the overall heaviness is what brings down my rating though.

PERILOUS TIMES by Thomas D. Lee features an enchanted knight from King Arthur's roundtable bound to return when England is in peril. Unfortunately, the rendering of this mythical person is more wisecracking comic book hero whose self-agency appears more attuned to grousing about regular humans and their petty philosophies. I found the shifts in perspective jarring, the slang and old-fashioned language off-putting, and the overall story to be breathless, madcap adventure not matching the promise of the premise. I received a copy of the novel and these are my own, unbiased opinions.

3.5/5 stars

This book is a really interesting take on Arthurian legend, and ventures to answer the question: what would it look like when Arthur and his knights return to save Briton, but the threat isn’t something you can fight with swords? (Though to be fair, there’s plenty of sword fighting, and gun fighting, and lots of other fighting.)

While the book was a bit slow to start, once it picks up it’s really entertaining. We’re introduced to a fantastic, diverse cast of characters who are all messy in their own way (and a few who just suck). Even the protagonists are a bit “love them, hate them.” For the most part, I really loved this take on Arthur and his knights. They’re not what you expect, but they feel very honest and raw. After all, legend/history and reality/truth don’t always align.

The book deals with themes of climate change, racism, sexism, and xenophobia while also boasting dragons, pagan gods, and political intrigue. I loved unwinding the knot of the unfolding events, and I think the author did that brilliantly, and all with dark humor to wrap it up.

All of these great things aside, there were some ways in which I think the book could have improved. Overall it was clear that the author wanted to take a very nuanced approach to infighting between various groups. That being said, there’s a brief and hilarious redemption arc for a white supremacist that ultimately falls flat, because he doesn’t seem to truly learn anything. Is it realistic? Maybe. But I would have liked to see a different outcome.

I also would have liked to see Mariam’s friends in FETA developed more. They play a not insignificant role in Marian’s story, but they just don’t feel very three dimensional, and I had a hard time believing they actually liked each other, and I kept forgetting who was who. They just needed more development. On a similar note, the characters have these amazing personal journeys and revelations that they never share with each other, so no one is ever on the same page, and that could get tiring/annoying. I know it’s sort of ~the point~ but can the characters not have at least ONE full conversation that leads to understanding?

As you can see, complicated feelings.

Thanks to NetGalley, and to Penguin Random House for inviting me to read this book in exchange for an honest review.

Knights of the round table, dragons, humor, dystopian future, environmental issues, and Christopher Marlowe. It's a crazy mix that just works. It's weird and wonderful at the same time. It does drag in a few places but stick with it! It's completely unique.

Thank you to NetGalley for an ARC of Perilous Times.

I don't read a lot of science fiction and fantasy, but if a premise intrigues me, I'll give it a whirl.

I know the basics of the legend of King Arthur, and the author sure knows his stuff, and puts his own original spin on it, which I liked very much.

The characters were the best part of the narrative; Kay and I loved the FETA women, their love and support and sincere desire to do something to make the world a better place, not easy since the world's gone nuts.

What I didn't like:

The climate change dystopian world the story is set in. This was a trigger for me so readers, you've been forewarned.

I would have preferred the narrative take place in our present time, which is already a heckhole but that's just me.

There's a lot of stuff going on, subplots and so many characters, everyone in the Arthurian legend makes an appearance, which isn't too hard to follow but can be distracting.

Naturally, the big guns include Lancelot, Merlin (who is barely in the story and I wanted to see more of) and Arthur, who is a d**k though Kay does already give us a heads up on that.

I liked Kay so it was disappointing to see how his character, Lancelot and Arthur didn't turn out to be or do much.

There's some Neil Gaiman-like humor (which I enjoyed) but the narrative was long, really long, and oftentimes, slow.

I found myself putting down Perilous Times and reading something else.

Characters made crappy decisions, which is realistic in real life, but it got frustrating when they kept doing it.

Overall, good writing, original retelling of the King Arthur story, though too long for me. I think true blue fans of King Arthur would enjoy this very much.

What a ride! Arthurian legend with a queer twist mixed with social commentary about climate change/activism--the combination works surprisingly well. While it drags a little toward the end, I found this to be immensely readable because of the characters (some of whom are hilariously dumb and some of whom are bitingly sarcastic--the types balance each other out nicely) and the Pratchett-esque humor. It's entirely different from what I've been reading lately, and it's refreshingly honest and full of adventure.