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I am always up for an Arthur retelling, and this one is unique, starting out after Arthur's death. Yet it also harkens back to some of the older tales with its almost episodic structure.

It is anachronistic (plate armor in the 5th century, among other things), but at least the author acknowledges it in his closing note.

Overall, this was an interesting read, and I'd recommend it for anyone with a fondness for all things King Arthur.

Starting this chunkster! Excited to read this since I loooved The Magicians series. I‘m due with my first baby in less than 5 weeks so this feels like my last chance to read a big physical book for a while 😅 I‘m off work today and it‘s finally nice enough to sit outside, so am very happy.

In this fun adventure, miracles like King Arthur‘s Excalibur and the Holy Grail are wonders to be attained, treasures to end quests and determine fates. Peace resides in acknowledging that we live in a bright world, shining with age-old miracles, and we just have to be near those marvels, to acknowledge their preciousness, rather than take hold of them. The relics here are like memories. They are special, but can never quite be fully grasped.

It took me three months to read this chunkster. I had (too) high expectations because of how much I love The Magicians trilogy. The first third felt disjointed at times and going was much easier when I moved from book to audiobook. Between a pick and a so so.

I‘m a Grossman fan, so I looked forward to this “Novel of King Arthur” (the subtitle.) The novel is strongest when the author sticks to the storytelling. Bright Sword is weakest when Grossman descends into the snarky asides that worked in the Magicians series, but don‘t work here.

Set when Camelot is in decline after the disastrous grail quest, Lancelot‘s betrayal and Arthur‘s death the remaining knights drive to define the new Britain.

My favorite book of February was The Bright Sword 🗡
#BookBracket2025 @Catsandbooks

I loved this King Arthur retelling so much that I gave it five stars 🌟
The knight Collum goes to Camelot a few weeks after Arthur's death. The fate of the realm is in peril and Collum, Nimue, and the few knights of the round table that are left must find a new king and restore order to the land 👑
#Aardvark
#DoubleSpin @TheAromaofBooks
#KeepOrDonate @julieclair Definitely keeping ❤️

Hosting a Super Bowl party; finding a pie reference in my current read, have yet to vacuum, but otherwise we are ready to cheer on Taylor‘s boyfriend. “The crowds feasted on pastries and pies…” #LitPie #iLovePie #CaresPieShow #GoChiefs 🏈

This was by far my favorite book that I read in January. I couldn't put it down. I read all 673 pages in one sitting. It's insane how good this book is. It will be hard to beat this one. Obviously, I gave it 5 stars.

#BookedForLife

Hey. How are you? I hope you are well. 💖 I bought myself some flowers. Be calm, dance & laugh and read good books. 🤗

This was my first book by Grossman, and it won‘t be my last. Although I felt it was a good 150 pages too long (it was close to 600+ pages), it was a fun, exciting Arthurian retelling that asks “What happens AFTER Arthur died?” It follows the “loser” knights that are left and tells their backstories while also introducing 17-year-old Collum, a kid who wants to be a knight but arrived at Camelot after its glory days.

Epic!

I'm a real sucker for an Arthurian tale, and I finally got this from the library, the waiting list was quite long! I bailed on the Magician books by this author, they just weren't for me, I think, but so far I am loving this one!

✨Welcome to the Official August 2024 Aardvark Selection✨

#aardvarkbookclub #thebrightsword #buryyourgays #lookinthemirror #catalina #mistressoflies #thetruthaccordingtoember

I was so excited about the Sylvia Plath book that came out last week I forgot to mention that this one was also just published! 💙🩵💙🩵 I think this is Lev Grossman's first book since the Magicians Trilogy, so I'm very excited to see how his writing has changed/improved since then! Plus, it's a King Arthur book, so that's exciting in and of itself! 🥰 And lastly, LOOK HOW CHONKY IT IS! 💕📖

A fabulous spine!

This epic, ambitious, yet tenderly human Arthurian retelling begins with an aspiring knight who arrives at Camelot only to find the legendary King dead, Merlin buried alive by his protégée, and a mere handful of Round Table heroes hanging on—and they need to save a Britain torn between fated past and changing future, old gods and new. I loved the rich exploration of religion, self-acceptance, and found family across the diverse cast of characters.