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If you’ve ever read a book based on the story of King Arthur, you probably have a pretty good idea on the story line. Perhaps you remember the sword in the stone, his love Guinevere, or the magical Merlin. Helen Hollick gives readers a fresh new look at a magnificent tale that has fascinated many for generations. The Kingmaking strips away everything you thought you knew about Arthur’s life.
The first part of a trilogy, The Kingmaking gives us a rather realistic look into what Arthur’s life may have been like before becoming a king (if indeed he did exist at all – no one’s sure!) Gone are such fantastical elements as a small boy pulling the Excalibur from a stone; but what Hollick has replaced these scenes with will leave readers wondering if she’s known something of the truth all along.
While The Kingmaking is a work of fiction, it reads as a well-researched historical dramatization. Most certainly much research has gone into adding credibility and an amazing amount of detail to the book. Anyone with the least bit of interest in such history (the book takes place in the mid 400′s AD) will thoroughly enjoy the rich and historical detail. I closed the book feeling I’d learned a great deal about the time period, and in fact felt I’d not only read about, but visited Britain’s Dark Ages.
Most impressive of all is Hollick’s ability to lose the reader in her craft of storytelling. Scenes come alive, jumping off the page and engaging the reader. Many was the time during this 600-page novel when a battle scene had me so drawn in I was sure I could physically hear it. I even remember one scene jumping and thinking, “I hope it doesn’t wake my son!” No, he slept peacefully as I sat in the living room engaged in battle from my couch. Fortunately I had a sword at the ready for protection.
Not once during The Kingmaking did I ever think, “My, what a long book! I’m ready for something else.” No, instead I finished with a sigh, wondering where the time went and hoping that Helen Hollick has that second of the Pendragon’s Banner Trilogy well underway. Because I don’t know how long I’ll be able to wait to get back to old Britain.
I am happily bestowing carp(e) libris reviews’ Goldfish Award on The Kingmaking. I dub it an award-winner most certainly!
Want to win your own copy of The Kingmaking? I thought you would…
Rules for Entry:
1.) Just Leave a Comment telling me why you’d be interested in reading The Kingmaking. (You may enter once a day – following entries don’t require you to answer the question.) Remember, leave an interesting comment. If I cannot contact the winner, you might be chosen instead based on your comment.
2.) Email subscribers get an extra entry for as long as their subscription is active.
Already a subscriber? Leave me a separate comment on this post to let me know you’re interested in this giveaway.
Want to subscribe? Just enter your email address in the “Subscribe” box on the left. (Please make sure to verify your Feedburner subscription by responding to the email they send you. If you do not receive it, check your junk mail. Only verified subscriptions are entered for all the giveaways.)
3.) Blog about this giveaway on your blog with a link back to this post. Come back and leave me a Comment with a link to your blog post. (If your comment doesn’t show up right away, don’t worry – I may have to approve it first. My blog might think it’s spam but gosh darn, I certainly don’t!)
4.) I’m feeling Twittery. If you Twitter a link to this giveaway, come back and comment here to let me know your Twitter name for another entry! (I’m dkmommy if you want to follow me.)
Feel free to do all four to gain several entries to win! You have until midnight EST on Tuesday, March 3, 2009, to enter.
Follow the booktour for The Kingmaking and find some great new book blogs:
http://harrietdevine.typepad.com/ 2/20
http://lazyhabits.wordpress.com/ 2/21 and interview 2/27
http://carpelibrisreviews.com/ 2/23
http://www.historicalnovels.info/BookReviews.html 2/23
http://www.bibliophilemusings.com/ 2/23
http://lilly-readingextravaganza.blogspot.com/ 2/23 and guest blog 2/25
http://booksaremyonlyfriends.blogspot.com/ 2/25
http://peekingbetweenthepages.blogspot.com/ 2/26 and guest blog 2/27
http://webereading.blogspot.com/ 2/26
http://www.caramellunacy.blogspot.com 2/26
http://www.chikune.com/blog/ 2/27
http://bookthoughtsbylisa.blogspot.com/ 3/1
http://www.skrishnasbooks.com/ 3/1
http://jennifersrandommusings.wordpress.com/ 3/1
http://rhireading.blogspot.com/ 3/1
http://passagestothepast.blogspot.com/ 3/2
http://thetometraveller.blogspot.com/ 3/2
http://savvyverseandwit.blogspot.com/ 3/2 and interview 3/3
http://astripedarmchair.wordpress.com/ 3/3
http://www.CarlaNayland.org 3/3
http://readersrespite.blogspot.com/ 3/3 and interview on 3/5
http://libraryqueue.blogspot.com/ 3/4
http://thebookworm07.blogspot.com/ 3/4
http://www.myfriendamysblog.com/ 3/5
http://samsbookblog.blogspot.com 3/5
http://goodbooksbrightside.blogspot.com/ 3/5
http://teddyrose.blogspot.com/ 3/6
http://sculpturepdx.blogspot.com 3/6
Check out all current giveaways for both my blogs here.
Would love an entry
Sure, I’d like to read this book.
Please accept this as my entry for February 28, 2009… Thank you!
happy saturday
Valerie Ms last blog post..MomOf2Boys Ear Check Giveaway 3/8/09
Saturday’s entry.
Another entry, please!
entering for Saturday
I’m a subscriber. When you have read The Kingmaking, you might be interested in the Merlyn books by Douglas Monroe. These are more the mystical side of King Arthur.
I blogged about it here: http://athomewithbooks.blogspot.com/2009/02/links-of-week-and-giveaway-roundup.html
Alyces last blog post..Links of the Week and Giveaway Roundup
I remember well growing up with the story of Disney’s “Sorcerer and The Stone”. Later adult versions here and there of the same story captivated me. Who could ever forget the love story of Author and Genevieve? I would love to be able to read the history after the already known versions out there. Please enter me for this drawing. Thanks! Indigo
Indigos last blog post..The Wind Torn Grass
I’m an email subscriber. Thank you for this opportunity! Indigo
Indigos last blog post..The Wind Torn Grass
I would love to read this book because I love historical fiction. I have a degree in history because I am so passionate about it, and historical fiction gives me a chance to experience history, but in a more entertaining and dramatic way. I like that this book will strip away the fantastical elements of Arthurian legend and instead give me a more true to life, realistic story. Plus, I love the Middle Ages! I know they call it the Dark Ages (a cruel name given by people of the Renaissance), but sooo much happened it was hardly dark.
Valorie
morbidromantic@gmail.com
I subscribe under the email sanctus@baptism-of-blood.net.
Valorie
morbidromantic@gmail.com
Blogged your contest here:
http://www.morbid-romantic.net/2009/02/24/book-giveaways-0223-0301/
Valorie
morbidromantic@gmail.com
Gave a Tweet. Username is morbidromantic.
Valorie
morbidromantic@gmail.com
Here is my Saturday night entry. Have a great weekend all.
Saturday’s smile. Have a good weekend.
I would love to win this. Anybook with King Arthur is a great read.
SATURDAYS ENTRY
My entry 03/01/09
I am now a subscriber.
I’m in.
I hope I win!
This IS a book i can lose myself in. A perfect book for laying in bed with the world locked outside.
Please add me to this giveaway. I would love to win this!
Thanks
happy sunday
Valerie Ms last blog post..Secular Homeschooling Magazine Giveaway 3/17/09
My daily entry!
Have a great Sunday!
I’m a subscriber. It’s Sunday, kick back and relax!
I subscribe
Another day, another entry
Please accept this as my March 1, 2009 entry… Thank you!
I love reading historical fiction that tries to be very true to the history. It’s not always popular, but I find it fasinating! Thanks so much!
Twittered: asketcher1
I enjoy novels inspired by historical events – and i like that it is part of a trilogy.
I am also a subscriber
Sunday entry, please.
I loved this book as well! My part of the tour is on March 6th and I will have an interview with Hollick and a giveaway.
Teddys last blog post..Proximidade Award
sunday entry
happy march everyone
Here is my Sunday entry.
Back for another entry. Happy March! Spring will be here soon!
Pingback: Contest Giveaway Hot Links #10 at All Things Bloggy
I love a good story.
This interest is based on the review. Thanks.
happy monday
Valerie Ms last blog post..LivingAsMom Gift Card Giveaway 3/10/09
Monday morning. Rise and shine!
Man, this book really does seems like an interesting read!
I’m a subscriber. Start of a new week, hope it’s a good one for you!
This looks like an excellent book. Cant wait to read it
count me in!
I have worked for the MN renaissance Festival for about 15 years and have always loved that style of writing and time