Arthurian Fantasy Book
Explore books, themes, and recommendations in Arthurian Fantasy Book.
Arthurian Fantasy is easily defined as any fantasy story incorporating the legends of King Arthur and his many companions.
The stories of Arthur have been told and retold for centuries. Sir Thomas Malory's Le Morte d'Arthur was published in 1485, which is a compilation of stories about Arthur and his Knights of the Round Table. Geoffrey of Monmouth wrote the History of the Kings of Britain in 1136. These two compilations are the general source material for the King Arthur legends.
Most readers know the story of Excalibur, they know about the Arthur-Guinevere-Lancelot love triangle, the quest for the Holy Grail, they know the story of Arthur's conception. The appeal of Arthurian Fantasy is the imaginative retellings of these classic stories and the reinvention of these legendary characters.
Arthurian Fantasy Characteristics
- Level of Magic
Variable. Some stories focus more on the knights errant, while others feature wizard battles. Arthurian Fantasy has a vast repository of books and some have more magical elements and others are more mundane.
- Level of Grand Ideas and Social Implications
Variable. The legends of Arthur have messages and lessons and teach an honorable code of conduct. These are relatively small ideas, but they are the beginnings of bigger ideas. Arthurian tales also grapple with the nature of power, family structures, and education. Although, some tales are more about the adventure of the quest than any grand idea.
- Level of Characterization
High. Arthurian characters have a long history. Everyone knows Arthur, Lancelot, Guinevere, and Merlin so writers have a strong base of knowledge to work with and so their own versions of these legendary characters can be well developed.
- Level of Plot Complexity
High. Quests, adventures, and prophecy are all key aspects of most Arthurian stories and proper plot development is key to each.
- Level of Violence
Moderate-High. Knights errant, wizard duels, assignation attempts, and battles of good versus evil—violence is very much a part of the stories of King Arthur and his court. However, some books, like those of the Young Adult genre, tend to focus on the magic, rather than the violence.
Popular Arthurian Fantasy Book
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1
The Once and Future King
by White, T. H.
A classic Arthurian tale about a young Arthur and his mentor Merlin.
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2
The Mists of Avalon
This is a classic tale of Arthurian legends, but told from the perspective of female characters.
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3
The Crystal Cave
This first novel of the series introduces readers to a young Merlin, who does not know his father but does possess the Sight.
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4
Mordred, Bastard Son
He is tortured by his mother, whom he has great loyalty to and by his love for Lancelot, whom he cannot have.
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5
Taliesin
The first book of the Pendragon Cycle, this story takes place before Arthur and Merlin, but sets up the legend. It follows an Atlantean princesses and a seer and druid Prince.
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6
King Maker
A modern and edgy take on the Arthurian legends, this book mixes the ancient myths with drug gangs. King is a street hustler to must unite the streets.
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7
Uther
by Jack Whyte
A new look at Uther, Pendragon from child to adult. Uther, friend of Merlyn, divides himself between two worlds: the world of Camulod and Roman military training, and that of the Pendragon of Cambria, a dark and harsh world.
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8
The Winter King
A compelling retelling of the King Arthur saga. Merlin has disappeared and Arthur, who was banished, returns to a land where magic and religion are vying for people's souls.
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9
The King
By Donald Barthelme An alternate history story where King Arthur and his Knights of the Round table fight with the Nazis.
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10
Knight Life
by Peter David
Part of Arthur's mythic quality is the legend that he is supposed to return when he is once again needed. In this book, Arthur returns and runs for mayor of New York city.
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