SHADOW OF THE KING (The Pendragon's Banner Trilogy Book 3)

500 AD. Britain is at peace. But after the war cry - bitter the grave. At long last, the peace King Arthur has fought for has settled over Britain, but he is a warrior, restless for battle. When his territory of Less Britain is under threat from barbarian raiding he sails to Gaul, intending to be away for only a few months. When he fails to return, and rumour spreads of his death, who will take his place as King of All Britain - and who will Gwenhwyfar, his wife, take as a new husband? Not accepting her widowhood she is determined to discover Arthur's fate. But sometimes it takes more than courage to face the reality of truth... The Kingmaking: Book One Pendragon's Banner: Book Two Shadow of the King: Book Three The Boy: Who became a Man Who became a King: Who became a Legend... KING ARTHUR There is no Merlin, no sword in the stone, and no Lancelot. Instead, the man who became a king and our most enduring hero. "If only all historical fiction could be this good." Historical Novels Review "... Juggles a large cast of characters and a bloody, tangled plot with great skill. " Publishers Weekly "Hollick's writing is one of the best I've come across - her descriptions are so vivid it seems as if there's a movie screen in front of you, playing out the scenes." Passages To The Past "Hollick adds her own unique twists and turns to the familiar mythology" Booklist "Uniquely compelling... bound to have a lasting and resounding impact on Arthurian literature." Books Magazine AMAZON READERS' COMMENTS "Spell-binding, magnificent, gutsy, heartbreaking, raw with bloodshed, triumphant! Helen Hollick's Arthurian trilogy quickly draws you into the world of legend. No genteel fairy tale story of Camelot, this! Gutsy, sweaty, and real. The Dark Ages brought vividly, to life! This is the legend I want to believe in." "In this version of the King Arthur story, Arthur is a dark hero. He is young, selfish, ambitious and callous. He makes decisions based on his own desires with little thought to future consequences, making enemies left and right. Yet Ms. Hollick does a fabulous job of letting the reader glimpse just enough of his fears and vulnerabilities to keep him from being unlikeable, and to sway the reader to root for his success. I thoroughly enjoyed the portrayal of Gwenhwyfar. She is a worthy heroine. Full of action, troubled heroes, wicked villains, violence, betrayal and, of course, true love, this well-written book is an intense read and a real page-turner." "Helen Hollick brings her multi-layered, complex characters to life on the page. I especially enjoyed her depiction of the feisty, independent Gwenhwyfar - who is somewhat of a warrior in her own right. Ms. Hollick's interpretations of the Sacred Stone, The Lady of the Lake, Stonehenge, etc., are really original." "Arthur is at times very unlikeable: no modern man in fancy dress here, but a man of his time - and that time was brutal. As for Gwenhwyfar... a brilliant heroine, at times strong, at times horribly vulnerable. Their relationship is compelling and feels true" "What a story! I fell in love with Arthur from the start, a flesh and blood hero with flaws. [This] wonderful trilogy doesn't rely on unnecessary padding, the descriptions are heart rending. Here is a writer in the older style not ' jump on the bandwagon writing!' Read and enjoy..."