This is a much more realistic retelling of King Arthur. In this book Arthur doesn’t come across as a myth so much as as a regular man. If that makes any sort of sense. In other stories there is this unreal quality about him but here we see him more human than myth.

Peter Gibbons has taken the myth and fiction and intertwined it with facts to give us a story that is compelling and page turning. The battles are quite simply brutal and something you would see in a Hollywood movie or documentary. The detail and descriptions put you right there in the midst of them.


I couldn’t put this book down. I loved that Arthur wasn’t the young boy who pulled a sword out of the stone who became this great, shining, white knight of a king. The one who gave so much hope just by existing. Instead we see how much his story was manipulated by Merlin to get the people behind him. I’m not sure how I feel about Merlin as a whole. There were times that I liked him and other times that I just wasn’t sure about him. However, I think that is what made him such a great character.

Having not read the first book I can say you can easily read this on it’s own and if you love historical adventure then this is the book for you. It was a great read that kept me enraptured from beginning to end.

The second book in Peter Gibbons, The Arthurian Chronicles, Pendragon, was no less fascinating than the first!

This is historical fiction that kept me turning the pages. A retelling of King Arthur but with more reality than you would expect. Arthur is so vivid and definitely human in these books. Peter Gibbons has yet again created a story that entwines fact, fiction, and fables together in such a way that I couldn't tell where the facts ended and the fiction began.

The battles are depicted in all the brutality you would expect from this era. The action makes it a gripping read. I am getting used to this with Peter Gibbons writing. I always wonder if I will enjoy his newest book as much as his previous work. I don't even understand why I think like this! He always has the best 'recipe' to tick every box.

Pendragon swept me back in time so easily that I was unwilling to return to 2024 until I read every last word. I find I always learn something when I read historical fiction, and this makes me feel a little more educated with every book that I glean new facts from. Pendragon fulfilled that for me, too.

Such a rich and vivid instalment in this series. I am looking forward to his next book!
Thanks to Rachel's Random Resources, Boldwood Books and NetGalley for the copy of the book to write my honest review for the book tour.

Second in the series of the Arthurian legend. Arthur has spend 2 years fighting the Saxons. This is a thoroughly engaging retelling of the story of Arthur, Merlin and the men fighting with him. It is brutal and bloodthirsty at times but the strength of the writing and story carry you over that. A fantastic story of Arthur's fight for Britain.I recommend this to anyone who enjoys historical novels.

I appreciate how this story mixes myth, fantasy, and historical fiction keeping the barbaric parts and the darkness which plays an important part in the Arthurian cycle.
Arthur is not the knight in shining armour, the symbol of all that was great and good in being a knight. Merlin is great manipulator and able to make people hope in a sort of messianic king and a better future.
The Arthur/Merlin relationship made me think of Dune and how the Kwisatz Aderach is a mix of things and there's a specific goal.
This is a fast paced and action-packed novels, a page turner that keeps you reading till you turn the last page.
Highly recommended.
Many thanks to Boldwood Books and Rachel's Random Resources for this ARC, all opinions are mine

Wow wow wow!!! This was such a ride. The character development and world building was top notch. This is a must read!!

"Pendragon" by Peter Gibbons: Gibbons shows well the duplicitous and contentious nature of the kings of the British Celts, puts a spin on Arthur's love life and Lancelot. Arthur is a poor tactician and leader, who is a legend only due to Merlin's skills as a bard.

This is the second book in the series and it helps to have read the first, Excalibur. It's a retelling of Arthur and Merlin and keeps to the fables whilst detailing the great battles. Some of the myths are explained as hype to get the people behind the people's champion. Arthur's treatment of Morgan made me loose my sympathy for Arthur and I would have hoped in the modern day there would have been a way to re-tell that part of the story. I mean, if there is a way around excaliber coming from a stone, surely there is a way to tell Morgans story.

I thoroughly enjoyed this second book in the series! I had a little trouble with the first book holding my attention, but "Pendragon" moves at a decent clip with action deserving of a warlord. It's interesting to see how the author brings in the different aspects of Arthur and his cohorts and if you know the stories of King Arthur and Camelot you get a thrill at piecing things together while these new writings unfold. It's also fun to figure out where all the ancient names relate to, especially if you're a diehard Celt/Briton/Pict & Viking like me. I highly recommend this read for all King Arthur and Historical enthusiasts!

Arthur and the Britons are trying to push back the Saxon hoardes.
An entertaining and believable retelling of the Arthur Legend.
You can feel the tension anxiety and fear in the pages as Arthur seeks to bring the Saxons to battle without being overwelmed and on unfamiliar territory.
Live through the terror relief and exhaustion of battle as shield walls clash in a violent shoving match as each side seeks to break the other which will lead to slaughter and mayhem.
Readers of Benard Cornwall and Mathew Haffry will enjoy the battle scenes portrayed by the author.

The second instalment in the series follows Arthur across Britain in search of his destiny. The book is one of Britain trying to fight back against the Saxon hoards from across the sea, with Arthur right in the thick of it. Bravery, betrayal, magic, brotherhood abut above all, love. In true Gibbons fashion, heavy on the battle depictions with no filter on the details! Fantastic!

A great read from start to finish and I can’t wait for the next one.

An irresistible slice of escapism and a joy to read. Compelling, absorbing and highly entertaining. Fast-moving and fun! ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ loved all the action!

My only complaint about this book is I have to wait until l late November to get the audiobook!!
Bloody good in every sense of the word

This uses the historical adventure element perfectly, I loved the use of King Arthur and how everything worked in the story being told. Peter Gibbons has a strong style for the genre and how I was expecting the characters to work. I really enjoyed how good this worked with the series and other book that I read in this series.