The author of the brilliant magicians trilogy doing King Arthur? Yes please! Much like how he tackled The Magicians books, The Bright Sword takes legends we know, then turns them on their heads with humanity, humour, and darkness. This isn't your ordinary arthurian tale - people are hugely flawed and relatable - even with the mystical setting, More please.

A modern tour de force through Arthurian legend with strong character writing and fantastic twists. I loved the subversion of the Knight's Tale and the gritty, realistic look at what it would have been like to be a Knight of the Roundtable. The representation of queer and mentally ill people was also well-written and handled with care.

A regretful DNF at around 15%. I didn't dislike anything I'd read, but neither did it capture or hold my attention--I'd put it down after a chapter or so then go weeks or months before forcing myself to pick it back up again (hence the disgusting lateness of this review) and eventually the massive page count just became too daunting when coupled with my tepid interest. While it wasn't for me I do think it would be a hit for the right reader, and I would still recommend it if the premise sounds like a good fit. Note that it is a big departure from the Magicians, but in the sense that I think readers who disliked that series would maybe find more to like here.

A knight arrives at Camelot that has already seen its glory days, and joins other misfits and not-quite-famous mythological figures in putting the pieces back together. It's a thoroughly engaging premise, and Grossman's writing style is same as always. My problem with it, however, is that his style simply doesn't work for me. It didn't in Magicians, and The Bright Sword was more or less the same. It's just slightly too sarcastic, too modernised and overall trying a bit too hard.

Camelot now exists in a world that has lost it’s balance: God abandons Britain and old gods are reawakening led by Morgan Le Fay. The Knights of the Round Table must reclaim Excalibur and make this ruined world whole again.

A story about imperfect men and women who are left behind after the dust settles and the stories are told, full of strength and pain who are seeking to remake a world in spite of being broken themselves. An intense fever dream of a book that takes a well known story, turns it on it’s head and make the people in the myth more human than anything that already exists.

𝐓𝐡𝐚𝐧𝐤 𝐲𝐨𝐮 𝐭𝐨 𝐑𝐚𝐧𝐝𝐨𝐦 𝐇𝐨𝐮𝐬𝐞 𝐔𝐊, 𝐂𝐨𝐫𝐧𝐞𝐫𝐬𝐭𝐨𝐧𝐞 | 𝐃𝐞𝐥 𝐑𝐞𝐲 𝐟𝐨𝐫 𝐚𝐧 𝐚𝐝𝐯𝐚𝐧𝐜𝐞𝐝 𝐝𝐢𝐠𝐢𝐭𝐚𝐥 𝐜𝐨𝐩𝐲 𝐯𝐢𝐚 𝐍𝐞𝐭𝐆𝐚𝐥𝐥𝐞𝐲 𝐨𝐟 𝐓𝐡𝐞 𝐁𝐫𝐢𝐠𝐡𝐭 𝐒𝐰𝐨𝐫𝐝 𝐛𝐲 𝐋𝐞𝐯 𝐆𝐫𝐨𝐬𝐬𝐦𝐚𝐧

Oh, good LORD, this was a fun book to read.

When seventeen year old Collum, an orphaned bastard fresh from a small little island off of the coast of Britain, turns up at Camelot, he’s not sure what he’s expecting….but it’s certainly not a majorly diminished collective of round table knights, deep in their cups, proclaiming that the great King Arthur is dead, and that there are frankly no more adventures to be had.

However, this leaves Britian on the precipice, with no true ruler to be found, armies lying in wait ready to invade, and the otherworld ready to seep through the veil once more….and so begins the quest to discover who, truly, should sit on the throne, now that the man who pulled the sword from the stone has gone.

This book is pretty long, clocking in at 673 pages, but not once did I find myself bemoaning the length. It’s a deeply immersive, and fleshed out, dive into the fantasy land of ancient Britian, journeying around with the last ragged collective of the round table, desperately searching for a sign from God, a new king, a quest, anything to help point them to where they need to be and show them what they should be doing.

Each character is so thoroughly fleshed out, with background chapters on each character popping up throughout the story, offering depths to them that would have otherwise gone amiss. The remaining collective of knights are all so varied that each backstory brings a different perspective to the book, which widens its immersion and reach even more.

The writing is exquisite. I genuinely cannot fault anything about it. There were sentences within this book that stopped me in my tracks, because they were simply that good. It kept me locked in at all times, throughout all the backstories, trips into the otherworld, reminisces of doomed love, and even deep into the depths of battles. It’s so funny, and doesn’t take itself too seriously, but that’s not to say that it glosses over everything with humour. Some backstories come with heavy issues that are handled with care, and poignancy, skilfully intertwined into a story that does sway overall towards a joyous fantasy romp.

There’s lots of twists and turns to this book, as you’d probably expect from a fantasy book of this size, and I thoroughly enjoyed the ride. It’s full of heart, humour, and grand mythical adventuring and I cannot praise it enough.

Thank you to the publishers, and Netgalley, for the copy to review.

Talented knight Collum leaves his island home to travel to Camelot to join King Arthur and his knights. When he finally arrives, Arthur is dead and only a handful of knights remain. And so begins the quest for Collum and these oddball knights to attempt to return Camelot to its former glory. It's a quest that takes them in many directions and has them meeting Morgan LeFay, Lancelot and many other characters known from the Arthurian legends.

This was a fascinating take on the King Arthur and the Knights of the Round table. It breathes new life into characters often forgotten and even into well-known ones. As the saga goes on, we get flashback chapters for all of the remaining knights, providing a background for those we really never knew in the stories. I will admit the book is quite long and sometimes it felt a bit of a slog to get through some chapters, especially in the first half. Later on, the action picks up a bit and I felt compelled to keep reading to find out how things turn out in the end. It was worth the effort and definitely had me thinking about it long after I stopped reading. It's very much a "What if" book where we suppose various characters had certain reasons for there being there. And Collum was an interesting outsider who sometimes fit in and sometimes didn't in the world of Camelot. He was a character caught between two worlds, that of his home and his own background, and that of the Knights.

Overall, I rate this book four stars. I would like to thank Netgalley and Cornerstone Books for giving me an advanced reader copy for free. I have provided this review under no obligation.

From the author who brought us “The Magicians Trilogy” is another classic fantasy about a young knight missing his chance at glory at Camelot
Loved delving into the myths and legends of Arthurian England
Each knight is unique and have their own story to tell
“We’re not the heroes, we’re the odd ones out, the losers. But did you ever think that might be why we’ve lived so long, losing makes you tough”
It’s a hefty tome at 650 pages , but we’ll worth the read
Thanks @levgrossman @vikingbooks & @netgalley for the epic read

Having previously read Lev Grossman’s The Magicians series (which I did not finish the whole series) I approached The Bright Sword with a mix of curiosity and caution. Although I was intrigued by Grossman’s new take on the Arthurian legend, my experience with his earlier work left me apprehensive. Sadly, my concerns were not unfounded.

The Bright Sword begins with a slow build-up, introducing its protagonist, Collum, who flees his town to seek out Arthur’s court at Camelot. Despite this promising premise, the narrative's pace felt glacial, with the first 10% of the book focused primarily on setting up character’s journey and the story’s backdrop. This methodical approach did not immediately engage me, and I found myself struggling to connect with Collum.

Grossman’s descriptive style, which delves deeply into the minutiae of settings, seemed to amplify my disconnection. While this level of detail might appeal to some, it felt excessive to me, overshadowing the emotional depth and momentum of the narrative. My previous experience with his writing style had already indicated that it might not align with my preferences, and The Bright Sword only reinforced this.

Regrettably, I had to set the book aside after reaching 30%. Although I recognise that The Bright Sword could offer an enriching experience to readers who enjoy Grossman’s elaborate style, it was ultimately not for me. Perhaps in the future, I might revisit it, but for now, it stands as a ‘Did Not Finish’ in my reading journey. Unfortunately I cannot give h the is book a rating it deserves as it would be unfair otherwise since I did not manage to finish the book.

A fabulous new take on the Arthurian mythology. It's a mix of Dark Ages historical setting, after the fall of the Roman Empire, facing the Saxon colonisation, and a good dose of old magic and folk tales that bring this version of Arthur's Britain to vivid life. The story is told through the minor knights of the Round Table who are left without purpose after Arthur falls in battle. They seek to find new purpose through a quest to seek the Holy Lance and to heal Arthur who lies mortally wounded in Avalon. You are hooked from the start and I can't wait for the next part!

The Bright Sword might not be a quick read, but it is entertaining and difficult to put down. The novel is a fresh take on the Arthurian stories, written in modern but lyrical language. If you know next to nothing about the Knights of the Round Table, don’t worry. Lev Grossman provides enough information for you to understand and enjoy the story. We start with Collum, but the author soon introduces the other characters through legends and retrospectives. This slows down the pace, but the stories are fascinating, and the writing style is engaging, so it only adds complexity to the main plot. I’m not sure how far this novel strays from the original stories about Arthur, but it’s well-written and has a group of unlikely heroes embarking on a quest. I might have a look at the other novels by this author or another Arthurian story.

As a lifelong fan of the Arthurian myths, this book hit hard. It somehow managed to be the exact book I've always been waiting for someone to write. True to the storytelling tradition that surrounds King Arthur without rehashing old tales or losing the magic. This IS the continuation of King Arthur's Britain and what happened after he died.

I was hooked from page one! And what is not to love when you have Lev Grossman combined with King Arthur mythology? Sadly I could not finish it due to an error with the download. I plan to buy and finish it as I can't be left hanging like this :)
Based on the 'extract' I read, it feels like it's going to be one of the top books of the year. Please note my rating is based on the first third of the book. Thank you to Netgalley and the publisher for the ARC.

So glad I committed to reading this! I love King Arthur and the Merlin world. But I would survive in Camelot but I liked this take on it all! So different and new and with fantasy that’s hard to achieve, Lev character builds and world builds so well and this is just a cut and shoulder above the rest of the novels published this year. I’m so excited to read some more of Lev’s work as I’ve gone out and bought the magicians as a result and I’m so ready to dive head first into a different but well crafted world!

Bringing you into the world of King Arthur's roundtable, but its 2 weeks since Arthur's death at the Battle of Camlann, Grossman has written a long, involved and engrossing saga of the lesser known knights struggle to make sense of Arthur's death.

As in all great Athurian legends the knights quest leads them through each others back stories in search of the Holy Lance - culminating in a well written final third that brings these stories together into a satisfying payoff - recommended

Set in Arthur's court. Arthur is dead and the knights left behind are lost when Collum finds them. He comes on a Camelot he did not expect. They aren't the knights of legend such as Lancelot more the secondary players.
It took a while for the book to get going and it is long!
But once I got to know the characters and followed their quest it was a lot more interesting.
As I said it is a long book but worth it in the end. If you like a cast of oddball characters and a quest this is for you.
Thanks Netgallery..

"The Bright Sword" is a captivating historical fantasy novel that delves deep into the rich tapestry of Arthurian legends.
For enthusiasts of Arthurian tales, this book offers a rewarding and immersive reading experience.

The story unfolds through a dual narrative, with one strand following Collum's quest alongside the remaining knights to recover the Holy Lance, while the other delves into the intricate backstories of the surviving knights. While these individual backstories are undeniably compelling, their integration within the narrative felt somewhat disjointed and jarring timeline. One of the novel's standout features is its vivid portrayal of Britain's transition from ancient magical traditions to the arrival of Christianity. The author navigates this transformation with sensitivity, seamlessly weaving together the mystical heritage with the harsh realities of historical context. Additionally, the inclusion of historical context. Additionally, the inclusion of historical elements such as the Roman occupation adds a layer of depth and entertainment value to the narrative. However, it's worth noting that the character development of the remaining knights could have been more cohesive, as the frequent shifts to their backstories occasionally disrupted the flow of the main plot. Furthermore, a more pronounced focus on Nimue and the other female characters would have enriched the overall narrative.

Overall, "The Bright Sword" stands as a commendable addition to the expansive Arthurian canon. My gratitude to NetGalley and Random House for providing an e-arc, allowing me to offer this honest review.

The tale after king Arthur died, an unlikely protagonist rises, is he our new hero? Collum—with the last of the knights of the round table, not the heroes, the leftovers, the "losers"—sets out to bring Britain back to Arthur's age, to glory, if that's even possible... When God has forsaken the land, who chooses it's king?

The Bright Sword by Lev Grossman is as epic as an Arthurian story can get, it holds the heart of Arthuriana with all it's weird quests and events while bringing something fresh to the table. I'm not sure casual Arthurian enjoyers know how batsh*t crazy, and random old Arthurian stories were and this novel honours that very essence perfectly. That being said it brings something new and refreshing to the story, it honours the dreaminess mixed with darkness of the medieval Arthurian tales while bringing it's own modernisation to it.

SIR BEDIVERE IS IN LOVE WITH KING ARTHUR AND I LOVE THIS—it should be done more, honestly.

There are queer and trans characters and a bit of cultural diversity that I really enjoyed. Though there was a disability portrayal that I loved, it met a slightly disappointing end but also fitting for this story so I can't fault it for that.

Something that I felt lacked when hitting the halfway mark, was a more gentle approach to female characters—as a devout enjoyer of the "feminist" Arthurian retellings who center the women. But it all comes down to it being so complex and slow-paced and so I was actually pleasantly surprised about the female characterisation in the end. Getting Queen Guinevere's POV and that twist for her in the end (if you know you know), I really enjoyed it.

It truly is a complex story with complex characters, like Arthuriana ought to be. I ended up loving a character, then hating them, then loving them again etc... Are they good, are they bad? Heroes, villains? It's never truly that black and white. Like, the reveal and plot twist of ultimately our biggest or final antagonist was suprising—the author did this really well, this kind of twist can be done badly, a twist for a twist sake, shock effect, but it worked out so well for this story and was well done.

"It's messy, but the messiness is, I would argue, an authentic part of the Arthurian tradition."

I'm going to be very honest, I don't think this book is for everyone and I'm speaking from knowing the different types of audiences on my little corner of the internet; this is not a fun, modern, fast-paced little retelling. It has a classic feel to it; I kind of want to compare this novel to T.H. White's The Once and Future King, but I would have to reread that to fully make that statement... But as it goes; bizarre quest, descriptive writing, complex heroes and a slow-paced story is what I know both of these have in common.

That being said there are plenty of softer moments, funny moments and above all moments where you wish you were part of this mismatched band and their developed camaraderie.

"Nations come and go, and centuries, and traditions, and kings, and writers, but King Arthur always returns."

Thank you Netgalley for sending me an ARC in return of an honest review.

I’ve been keen to read a Lev Grossman book for years but, for one reason or another, the stars never aligned. When I saw this book, which promised a bunch of oddballs, I was sure it was for me.

I conveniently ignored the fact that I’ve never been that interested in the legend of King Arthur. Sure, I watched The Sword in the Stone when I was a kid but that doesn’t count.

Initially I was hooked. I really liked Collum, who’s on his way to Camelot.

“Oh, you’re too late for that.”

Unbeknownst to Collum, King Arthur is dead and all that’s left of the Round Table are the leftovers, the ones that didn’t die.

While I enjoyed the chapters that focused on the characters’ backstories, I found it difficult to get into the actual quest at hand and by a third of the way into it, it started to drag for me.

The writing really engaged me in the beginning so I don’t think it has anything to do with the author’s style. I’m actually more keen than ever to read The Magicians trilogy, which is one of my favourite TV series.

I don’t think this is a case of this not being the book for me. I think it’s the right book at the wrong time. Once I read The Magicians trilogy, I don’t think you’ll be able to keep me away from it.

“The sword’s in the sea, and the last ship has sailed.”

Thank you so much to NetGalley and Del Rey, an imprint of Penguin Random House, for the opportunity to read this book. I’m rounding up from 3.5 stars.

This was such an interesting concept - Camelot AFTER Arthur that I was immediately intrigued and requested an ARC. There is a wide cast of this story and lots of plot points that link together. This book touches on a lot of different elements - the meaning of family, love and sex, religion, legends magic and the importance of oaths. There were elements of this books I really enjoyed, for example the backstories of the remaining Knights such as Palomides and Dinadan. The writing style is quite unique too. Collum as a main character is also an enjoyable one - he is simultaneously naïve and yet has been through so much that his character voice was an interesting one to work through. He definitely can be frustrating as a character, but as he comes into himself it was great to see him grow.

However, this story very much does not follow a linear path. The story meanders around, jumping between time points and some these stories were definitely less relevant than others. I believe it was the authors intent to do this, to show that adventures and magic do not always follow a linear path but at points it became convoluted. The use of magic is never really explain - again, I think intentionally to show the lack of knowledge the characters have about magic but it becomes a bit difficult to follow for the reader.

I'd give this three stars. Thank you to Netgalley and Del Ray for the ARC!