...

Excerpt from Chapter One

He was ten and five years of age and, for the first time in his life, experiencing the exhilaration of the open sea and, for this short while, the novelty of leisure. The boy, with a grin fixed as wide as a new moon, folded his arms on the rail and leaned forward to watch the churn of foam boiling about the ship's bows. Salt spray spattered his face, tingling against skin that bore the faintest trace of manhood about the upper lip and chin. The sharp, sea-tang smell burst up his nostrils like a cast spear to his brain and hammered behind his eye sockets. He tossed his head high, back, bracing his body with his hands against the leap and plunge of the deck, and laughed with the pure energy of unequalled pleasure.

His eye sought the furl of the Dragon Banner flying proud from the masthead. He twisted his body to see it better—a snake-like tubular shape, curling and writhing with a life of its own. Streamers shrieked with the passing of the wind, and the head flashed gold in a display of fire sparked by the caught rays of the sun. Ah, but it was good to be out in the open! Out on the sea, heading for Britain with Uthr Pendragon's war host!

A sister ship, the same as this great war-beast, save that she flew no dragon, plunged into the cleft of a tossing wave, thrust herself forward, gallantly keeping pace. The boy waved to men on board, grinning the wider to receive a brief flung acknowledgement.

Then he saw Morgause watching him, standing as straight and stiff as the single mast.

A fine-bred lady, Morgause, with the figure of a goddess and the vanity of an empress. She held her cloak tight around her shoulders, her slender fingers clasping a rose-coloured silk veil that held her sun-gold hair in place against the ripping wind.

If the ship was the perfection of sail, then she, to look upon, was surely the perfection of woman. Venus, Uthr called her in the intimacy of their lovers' bed. Perfection to the naked eye, often marred when examined close by a flaw within—hers the arrogance and cruelty that came with high ambition.

The boy's pleasure faded as fast as a tossed stone sinks below the surface of a calm pond. Why did the Lord Uthr need bring her? Why her and not his wife— although she could be as bad, with her constant praying to God and perpetual muttered litanies. An invading army was no place for a woman, not even for the mistress of the man who considered himself to be Britain's rightful king.

Her eyes—cold, calculating, ice-blue eyes—bore into him; evil eyes that never smiled except at the indulgence of her own twisted pleasures. His right hand was behind his back; he made the protective sign against evil, knew she was aware he made that sign. Strange, from tales he had always assumed witches to be ugly, dark creatures, not having the beautiful fair skin of Morgause.

He tried again to feel the joy of the ship but the excitement had faded, lost under this shadow of her foreboding. Instead, the lad ducked below deck and made his way to where Uthr's soldiers squatted playing dice or board and counter games. He was safe from her down here—she would not come where the men lodged—although it was so much better to be out there, in the air and sunlight…

Lord Uthr, called the Pendragon, approached Morgause from behind and wrapped his great oak-branch arms around her slender waist. She stiffened and pulled away from him, not caring at this moment for intimacy.

"You ought not let the boy do as he pleases, Uthr," she said. "Give him leave to take holiday and he will be fit for nought when it comes to returning to duties."

Uthr laughed, a deep bear-growl rumble. "He's just a lad. Leave him."

Morgause made no answer. She had no intention of letting the boy run wild, unchecked and undisciplined. Why Uthr had brought him she had no idea. He was nurtured as foster son by Uthr's brother—but a war host was no place for a boy who, in truth, was no more than the bastard brat of a long-dead servant girl. Uthr found the boy to his liking, but to her mind he was a lazy, roughedged, insolent whelp who needed regular beating to remind him of his place. Common gossip favoured the foster father, Ectha, as the brat's unknown sire— although there had been some who had whispered of it being Uthr himself. He had the more likely reputation, would once have rutted with any whore available. A smile slithered across Morgause's lips, so carefully painted with vegetable dye. Not now. Now, he lay only with Morgause, youngest sister to his God-possessed wife.

"They say, below decks," Uthr said, nibbling at her ear—she attempted to brush him aside—"I have brought you with the intention of finding you a suitable husband." He ignored her flailing hand. "Shall I do that, my pretty one? When I have lopped the tyrant Vortigern's head from his noble shoulders and placed myself as King of all Britain, shall I wed you to some noble lord?" He swivelled her around, aimed a large wet kiss at her lips, smudging the red colouring. "Or shall I set aside my wife Ygrainne and wed you myself? Queen Morgause. It has a nice ring!"

She would have felt pleased had she known him to be serious. But Uthr was always jesting, always making fun of her aspirations. Curtly she answered, "My lord will do with me as he may please."

"Ha!" Uthr laughed again. "At this moment it pleases me to stand here on this swaying deck and kiss you." He glanced around. "It would please me even more had I a tankard of wine in my free hand! Where's the boy got to?"

Morgause said nothing, glanced instead at the wake foaming behind the speeding ship. Happen Providence would supply a discreet chance to tip the brat overboard before they reached Britain?

Instead, Fortuna followed the boy. Showing herself in the guise of squalling rain and a blustering westerly wind, she came stamping over the horizon with the dawn. Uthr's soldiers, landmen not seafarers, huddled below deck groaning as their stomachs heaved up to their throats. The Less Britain sailors scurried regardless, taking a reef into the square sail and jibing close to the wind. Thunder was brewing, would be upon them before mid-morning. For the boy, the storm was thrilling. To his delight, he found himself and Uthr the only passengers braving the deck.

Weather-seasoned sailors grinned at him as they scuttled about, great waves of spray soaking their clothes to the skin, the wind beating in their faces and snarling through the Dragon Banner overhead. Uthr ruffled the lad's hair, sharing his wild exhilaration.

"Is a battle like this?" the boy asked, eyes wide as a silver salver, salt-encrusted hands gripping the ropes along the rails. "Is it as exciting?"

Uthr laughed, making a hasty grab at his cloak that swirled in a gust of mauling wind. "Aye, lad. Danger breeds a sharpness that courses through your blood as hot as a man's lust for a beautiful woman." He watched fascinated as lightning lit the blue-black sky from horizon to horizon. "Always," he shouted through the following roar of thunder, "be aware. Keep your head, your sense. When you throw a spear, throw your soul with it. Let your sword be one with your arm." He made accompanying gestures, casting an imaginary spear, cleaving the air with a sword. "Keep tight control, boy. You will feel fear; fear pumps your blood the faster, but let not the fright touch your face. Keep it close, tucked well behind the shield of calm expression." He put his arm around the lad's shoulders and declared with a gusted laugh, "The same applies to handling women." He grinned. "The secret there, lad, is to let them think they hold control!"

In 450 AD. the British are under the rule of Vortigern. He is a mean and cruel king. Uthr Pendragon was king before that but Vortigern took his kingdom from him and Urthr dies. It is believed that Urthr didn’t have an legitimate male heir, but he did. When Arthur was born he was switched to protect t his real identity, the rightful heir the Pendragon thrown.

As a child, Arthur meets Gwenhwyfar and know that she is the one he will marry but as adults, there are obstacles in the way of their union.

When Arthur is old enough to become a warrior he gets his training in Vortigern’s army. By then Vortigern knows his true identity be wants to keep his enemy close. Arthur brought some loyal friends with him who also served in the evil army. They learn the art or war together and vow to overthrow Vortigern eventually and make Arthur the rightful king.

Helen Hollick leaves out all the usual mystery and magic. There is no mention of Merlin and Lancelot, which in my opinion, makes her version more plausible than other versions of the story.


This book is over 550 pages but reads very fast. I had some late nights because I had trouble putting this book down and when I did, I couldn’t stop thinking of it! Hollick’s writing is smooth and beautiful. She seamlessly transports her readers back to the Dark Ages.


This is book one of a trilogy. I don’t usually finish trilogies due to the time commitment. There are so many books out there that I want to read and not enough time. However, I plan to read this complete trilogy. I can hardly wait to read what happens next!


Just like everyone else, I’m familiar with the stories about King Arthur, Guinevere and the knights of the round table. Are they true? Did all this really happen? Did Arthur and Guinevere really exist? The fact is, nobody really knows. The real question is, does it matter? No.

And author, Helen Hollick would agree.

I’ve seen the movies and read other books about Arthur, so when I was received Helen Hollick’s ‘The Kingmaking’, a 500 plus page paperback from Sourcebooks, I wondered if this would be another journey into myth and fantasy or an attempt at history. It’s a little of both.

A good book lets me explore new lands, experience life in the past, present or future, and get to know the hearts and minds of the characters. It’s an enriching experience that comforts and inspires me. I treasure my nightly reading time so, if I don’t like one book, I go onto the next. I have to say that I looked forward to picking up ’The Kingmaking’ every night. I savored every page.

Author, Helen Hollick created a more ‘real’ Arthur and Gwenhwyfar than I’ve ever encountered before. She creates a world that is believable and realistically detailed. I could tell that she’d actually seen some of the locations she describes. I liked the depiction of the characters daily lives in a down to earth way, the familiar family dramas such as sibling rivalry and the conflicts between paganism, Christianity and the monarchy. Even though it’s not historically accurate, it feels real.

Hollick says, “I am not expressing fact, merely what might have been. The dates are my own interpretation, gleaned from a hotch-potch of muddled theories and chronologies. They may not ally with those proposed by the professional historian, but as virtually no date of this period can be established as absolute fact, I feel I can justify my theories.”

With this in mind, Hollick sets out to tell her story of the Dark Ages of Britain around 450 AD. The Roman Empire is crumbling leaving tyrant, Vortigern, to rule the British until Arthur, the son of Uthr, can grow up and fight for his right to the throne.

There are battles and lovemaking, political marriages and mistresses, deaths and births, and squabbling heirs to the throne. The usual Arthur, Merlin and sword in the stone myths are missing here.

Hollick explains, “As for Arthur, no one knows if he was real. A few scattered poems and early Welsh bardic tales were adopted by the twelfth century Normans who were responsible for the stories we know so well today. The knights, chivalrous deeds and Round Table belong to this later period, as did the fictitious invention of Lancelot, his adultery with Gwenhwyfar, and Merlin the wizard. You will not find them in my tale.”

Although, I didn’t miss the myths because Hollick’s depiction of a more ‘real’ Arthur was much richer even if it’s not an accurate history, it’s still a great story.


I was admittedly slightly uncertain how I’d feel about this book. The history goes waaayyy back. And I’m not a huge Arthurian legend fan. From what I can remember, the story always annoys me when Lancelot comes along.

Hollick casts Lancelot aside and opts for a more realistic possibility of what might have happened. Lots of darkness, fighting, betrayal and war...all the great elements of historical fiction. For the most part, this book is engrossing. The story was all new to me, but there were times when it dragged on just a bit too much for me.

I do have another gripe, though, and that’s that Hollick bounces back and forth between points of view within a scene...it’s terribly distracting. It’s one of my pet peeves in books, and a good argument for first person point of view!!

Even having said that, I did enjoy the book and learning more about Arthur and Gwenhyfar.

Wow! What an amazing beginning to this trilogy and I am hooked. The Kingmaking is Hollick’s story of Arthur and the king that he might have been. It begins with our first introduction to Arthur as he meets Gwenhwyfar and finds that someday he might be king. The Kingmaking takes the reader on a journey, both Arthur and Gwenhwyfars’, and the struggles and triumphs that may lead to Arthur becoming king. It is a journey filled with blood and battles, love and redemption, and so many other things that make up a great novel.


Can I just say right now that I loved this novel? I mean this is historical fiction at its’ best and I was entranced. I fell in love with Arthur and Gwenhwyfar’s relationship right at the beginning of the story. I felt like Hollick portrayed Arthur realistically so that the reader could see all of his faults along with his strengths. This just helped me to like his character even more although there were times that I wished I could shake him when he was making the "wrong" choices. This was a gritty novel that brought to life the legend of Arthur and made it come across as realistically as possile.


Helen Hollick is a very talented writer and the writing flowed for me. For such a long novel (over 500 pages), I found myself knocking off huge chunks at a time as I couldn’t put the book down. I flew through this story and when I was finished I instantly wanted more. I’m so excited to read the next portion of this story and can’t wait to get my hands on the 2nd book. Here is a taste of Hollick’s writing:


"Gwenhwyfar smiled at him, her eyes crinkling. She remembered her hand, and shyly withdrew it. She liked him! He made her laugh. With mock sincerity Arthur said, ’I grant you are an exceptional girl, Gwenhwyfar, but a man needs other men.’

’A man needs a woman to comfort him through the night and to give him sons.’ Gwenhwyfar’s retort came with a knowing grin."


All in all, I absolutely enjoyed this book and am going to highly recommend it. Anyone who enjoys historical fiction should give this one a try as it is an epic tale that kept me on my toes.

The Kingmaking is Helen Hollick’s novel about Arthur Pendragon’s life. The story starts off in the year 450 AD, during the Dark Ages in Britain, Arthur is 15 years old when he comes to live with Uthr Pendragon. There he meets feisty and beautiful young Gwenhwyfar, and slowly falls in love with her. When Uthr dies in battle, Arthur rises to claim the throne. It was a little known secret that Arthur was Uthrs son.

Each held an idea as they assembled beside the men of Gwynedd before the hallowed Stone, the symbol of a warrior’s strength and the cheiftan’s right to leadership. The whetstone, with its spiral carvings and score marks from many a warriors blade had come with Cunedda from the North. An ancient thing this Stone, given, it was said, by the gods to the first of the Votadini. It was here, with a hand upon this scared, carved rock that loyalty was vowed, promises exchanged and oaths sworn; here that Cunedda had proclaimed Gwynedd as his own. It was before such stones, in the time before and before the coming of the Romans, that kings were made.


Arthur wants Gwenhwyfar for his own, he vows to marry her one day. But that is not in the plans for them. Gwenhwyfar winds up being bethrothed to another and Arthur ends up having to marry Princess Winifred in order to keep the peace.

This was a great read with plenty of twists and turns. It was a bit different from what I usually think of when I think of King Arthur. There was no magic involved, no Merlin, or Lancelot. I won’t give away any more of the plot, so as not to spoil the book for those who haven’t read it yet, but there’s plenty of drama to this story. I really enjoyed reading this one. A few times I found myself shocked at the twists and turns the plot was taking. This book takes off and keeps on going until the very last page.

Funny enough, I disliked Arthur in this version of his story. I didn’t like that he was spoiled and arrogant. He sleeps around with several women, and doesn’t even know how many illegitimate children he might have as a result of his infidelities. But it also seems that in that day and age that was the norm. He even hits his wife and forces himself on her. Despite Arthur’s unlikeable traits, this story was very well told. You can see that Helen Hollick has a great knowledge of Arthurian history and did her research for this book. I loved how she set the mood in several scenes, like this:


The purple malevolence of storm darkness was gathering in the northern sky, louring down into the western night-cluster of violent red sunset-tinged cloud. Sitting alone in her chamber, Gwenhwyfar aimlessly combed out the tangles in her hair, watching fascinated as the storm loomed closer above the reds and greys of Londinium’s jumbled rooftops. A streak of lightning ripped across the blackness, followed by the boom of thunder. She sighed: there would be not much sleep if that was going to be trumpeting all night.


I did like Gwenhwyfar’s character. She was a tough, smart heroine. You want her to be alright and overcome the many obstacles she faces. When I interviewed Helen Hollick she said:

I am passionate about bringing my characters to life. To me, they are real people.

An this is exactly what she does in this book, she makes these characters seem like they were real people at one time, as if this story was something that really happened. Reading this book, you really want to know what happens to these people.

This is the book I was staying up late into the night reading. The storyline was interesting and the characters well written. If you are interested in Arthurian fiction, I recommend this book. Of if you are looking for an engaging read with great characters and plot, plenty of backstabbing and a dash of romance, you will enjoy this book. I definitely want to read the rest of the books in the series.

I read and enjoyed The Kingmaking when it was first published, and am pleased to see it back in print. It is the first in the Pendragon’s Banner trilogy, a retelling of the King Arthur story from Arthur’s boyhood to his death. Arthur and his wife Gwenhwyfar (Guinevere is the later medieval spelling of the same name) are the central characters. The Kingmaking covers the period 450–457 AD, and Arthur is aged 15 at the beginning of the novel. Many of the characters, such as Arthur, Gwenhwyfar, Uthr, Ygrainne, Morgause, Cei and Bedwyr, are familiar from Arthurian legend. Others, such as Hengest, Vortigern and his wife Rowena, Ambrosius and Cunedda are known from historical sources although not always associated with Arthur.

Uthr Pendragon, exiled from Britain many years earlier after being defeated in battle by Vortigern, returns to try to reclaim his throne with the help of his old friend and ally, Cunedda of Gwynedd. Cunedda’s feisty daughter Gwenhwyfar takes an immediate dislike to Uthr’s companion, a boy of unknown parentage called Arthur, until a shared dislike of Uthr’s evil mistress Morgause brings the two together. When Uthr’s bid for power ends in his death and Arthur’s true parentage is revealed, it seems that the fates of Arthur and Gwenhwyfar will be woven together. But Vortigern and his malicious daughter Winifred have other ideas, and soon Arthur and Gwenwhyfar find themselves entangled in a web of politics, war and ambition that threatens to divide them for ever.

The first thing to say about The Kingmaking is that it is a story of human love, hatred, loyalty, betrayal, war and politics without any of the supernatural elements that have come to be associated with the Arthur legends. There is no Merlin, no magic and no enchanted sword in a stone. This is no loss in my view, quite the reverse, and some of the author’s suggestions for incidents that could have led to the supernatural parts of the legend are highly ingenious and great fun to spot. But readers who like magic and enchantments should look elsewhere.

The Kingmaking places Arthur in the middle of the fifth century as a contemporary of Vortigern and predecessor of Ambrosius Aurelianus, whereas it is more usual to place Arthur after Ambrosius. Given that there isn’t an uncontested date in the two centuries of British history between the Rescript of Honorius in 410 AD and the arrival of St Augustine in 597 AD, the dates for Arthur’s life are fair game for the novelist’s imagination.

What I found most memorable about The Kingmaking was the characterisation of Arthur and Gwenhwyfar. Both are fully rounded individuals with a mix of good and bad qualities, and both do admirable and not-so-admirable things. Arthur is dynamic, enthusiastic and brave, but also ruthless, ambitious, not above lying and cheating to gain his ends, and often fails to control his appetites for drink and women, with consequences that range from awkward to disastrous. Gwenhwyfar is bold and passionate, as brave as Arthur, but wilful and hasty to rush to judgment. Both are proud, hot-tempered and inclined to speak before thinking, leading them to inflict pain on each other and those around them. Their relationship is an emotional rollercoaster even without the obstacles thrown in their way by the political manoeuvrings. Life for them and for those around them, must be exhausting and exciting in about equal measure. Gwenhwyfar is a little too much of the warrior heroine for my liking, and as far as I know not one legend even hints at Gwenhwyfar as a warrior. Though as so little is known of the period, who’s to say it’s impossible?

Of the secondary characters, I found the men more varied and convincing than the women. Gwenhwyfar’s brothers include the cheerful Etern, the quietly competent Enniaun, and the henpecked Osmail, Cei is upright and honest, and the pedantic Emrys (Ambrosius Aurelianus) has potential though he hardly appears in The Kingmaking. Even Vortigern and Hengest are rational men who deal in realpolitik, however unpleasant. In contrast, Morgause is pure evil and Winifred (Vortigern’s fictional daughter) is pure spite, and I found both somewhat tedious. I had the impression of a sharp fault line between the good guys (Arthur, Gwenhwyfar and their friends and allies) and the bad guys. Vortigern, Hengest, Rowena, Winifred, Melwas and Morgause, all Arthur’s enemies, are deceitful, cruel, vindictive, cunning, spiteful and/or selfish. Hengest is brave, but apart from that they hardly have a redeeming feature between them.

One notable feature is that the horses are almost secondary characters in their own right. I have the impression that the author knows a lot about horses and their ways, which adds an extra dimension to a novel in which cavalry warfare plays such a large part.

The complex politics of a power struggle in a dying empire are convincingly portrayed. Vortigern and Uthr are rivals for the position of supreme ruler of Britain; Vortigern’s sons and Arthur are similar rivals; Hengest and his followers are Vortigern’s paid allies, but have an eye to their own advantage; Cunedda is an independent power in Gwynedd, inclined to side with Uthr and then Arthur against Vortigern but no man’s lapdog; Rowena, Winifred and Gwenhwyfar are all rivals for the position of Queen to the current king and mother of the next one. Add in local kings and chieftains, and there are enough plot threads to weave a tangled tale. The narrative skilfully cuts back and forth between the threads so that none of them is left for too long, but you do have to pay attention. The Kingmaking is a long book (550+ pages) and a complicated one; it’s not a quick read.

A delightful feature is the ingenious take on the legend of the sword in the stone (no, I’m not going to tell you what it is). So much so that I thought it a great shame that it only appeared at the end. The marvellous sword is such a central component of the legend that I’d have liked to see it play an integral role in the plot from much earlier on.

A down-to-earth retelling of the King Arthur story as that of a ruthless fifth-century soldier and his feisty queen.




Many talented writers have spun the tale of Arthur and his knights of the Round Table (Mary Stewart notably comes to mind here), but it took author Helen Hollick to strip away the trappings of myth and magic and write what possibly might be the most compelling account of all.

Little is known of England during that murky time period between the abandonment of Rome and the invasion of the Normans in 1066. Hollick takes advantage of this and drawing from what little is known about the Angle, Jute and Saxon warlords that vied for control of England, she paints a vivid portrait of a divided land populated by a widely diverse population caught between their pagan past and the introduction of Christianity .

Here we are presented with an Arthur who is a product of these dark times, a complex man who is, in turn, both a brilliant strategist with touching compassion for his people and a

Hollick acknowledges the guidance of renowned historical fiction author Sharon Kay Penman in her forward - indeed the book is dedicated to her - and the influence shows. A comprehensive afterword to the novel reveals her meticulous attention to historical detail and provides a most satisfying end to this first novel of the trilogy.

But perhaps her most impressive strength as an author lies in her development of character, specifically the Pendragon himself. If you are looking for a saint-like Arthur, hoodwinked by his golden Guinivere (Gwenhwyfar), you won’t find that here. Arthur is a red-blooded man of his times who takes women at his pleasure, lies and cheats as necessary to take what he feels rightfully belongs to him, yet still manages to remain - by and large - a sympathetic character you will cheer for.

Fans of Sharon Kay Penman will appreciate Hollick’s complex character development, plot pacing, and attention to historical details while any afficianado of Athurian legend should appreciate this original vision of the myth. This is first-rate writing, indeed.

Historical fiction lovers, meet Helen Hollick. Enjoy!

This is a different type of King Arthur book. There is no Lancelot, Merlin, or magic. But, Helen Hollick has obviously done an extraordinary amount of research to create a tale that presents King Arthur as he might actually have been. It was fascinating to imagine what life might have really been like for the people in Britain during that period of history.


The book begins in 450 AD when Arthur and Gwenhwyfar are on the cusp of adulthood. Arthur does not yet know he is destined to be king, but he and Gwenhwyfar form a bond that cannot be broken. Through the almost 600 pages of this book, the reader is immersed in the history of the land, the people, the politics, and the scandals and intrigue during Arthur’s rise to power. I enjoyed being transported to a different place and time as I read.


I found that even with all the rich details and history included, the story clipped along at a good pace. However, I should warn that this book is much more violent than what I am used to reading. In addition, those looking for the typical Camelot story might be a little disappointed. (Arthur is certainly more of a womanizing drunk than I would have liked.) But I found Helen Hollick’s more realistic approach to this beloved legend refreshing and eye-opening.



A novel of Arthur as he really was.
In the first book of this exciting trilogy, author Helen Hollick brings to life Arthur Pendragon as he really might have been. Leaving behind the fairy-tale element of Merlin’s magic and the improbable existence of Lancelot, Hollick instead transports the reader to the early years of Britain circa 455 AD and tells the Arthurian legend in a solid and believable way.
For one, Arthur does not pull a sword from a stone using superhuman strength; rather, he is named heir to Britain (if he can win it from the tyrant Vortigern) while standing near a "hallowed stone, the symbol of a warrior’s strength and the chieftain’s right of leadership." Later, a sword won in battle signals his place as Britain’s King.


This is a story of harsh battles, secret treasonous plots, and the life-threatening politics of the dark ages of early Britain. Intertwined through it all is the often-tested love of Arthur and Gwenhwyfar (Guinevere in Welsh - her name as it really would have been) as they struggle to survive and conquer to see Pendragon become King.
Helen Hollick’s novels have been on my wishlist since my obsession with historical fiction began. Until now, I haven’t had any luck getting my hands on one, but that was before Sourcebooks Publishing came along and started re-publishing some excellent historical novels, including the Arthur Pendragon series.


Hollick’s Arthur is not the usual halo-crowned, knight in shining armour. No rose-colored version here! He has flaws, fears, a roving eye and is stubborn as a mule! But, he has the heart, strength, cunning and courage necessary to excel as King. And you can’t help but have a little crush on him!


Gwenhwyfar (or Gwen as I called her throughout the novel for sanity purposes - I just could not figure out how to pronounce!) is a girl after my own heart. A tomboy all the way - she is also strong-willed, tenacious and intelligent.


Arthur and Gwen are first bonded through a mutual suffering of abuse at the hands of evil, female caretakers. Both have a chance to save each other from these witches! Arthur & Gwen were a joy to read, these two have some great exchanges of words and make quite a pair!


The Kingmaking has everything without having too much. I much prefer this "real" Arthur to the "fairy tale" Arthur. What I like about historical fiction is that the people you read about were actually living, breathing human beings and that makes it so much easier to relate to their shortcomings or concerns or emotions. The Kingmaking was a fabulous novel, hard to put down and now on my list of all-time favorites! Helen Hollick’s writing is fantastic and I am very much looking forward to reading the next two in the series!


The fifth century in Britain was a time of upheaval and change. The Romans had abandoned the island and a power vacuum was created with their going. The native tribes, never unified except for one single, shining moment under Queen Boudicca, immediately returned to warring against each other. Cunedda, Lord of the Votodini, lost his lands north of Hadrian’s Wall and was exiled to the mountains of Gwynedd in Wales. Uthr the Pendragon, great war leader and Cunedda’s ally, fled the island. The victor, Vortigern, declared himself King of Britain and, to keep his throne, hired vast numbers of hated Saxon mercenaries and took a Saxon wife.

The Kingmaking begins with Arthur’s arrival, at the age of fifteen, in Gwynedd. He comes as a serving boy to Uthr, but despite his low status he dreams of becoming a leader of men. A rebellion is planned to reclaim Britain from Vortigern. The war party departs, leaving Arthur behind with Cunedda’s young sons and only daughter, Gwenhwyfar. In the short peaceful time they are together, Arthur and Gwenhwyfar forge a strong bond. But the harmony is shattered when the war party returns, defeated, with the news that Uthr is dead.

The demoralized troops feel that all hope has been lost with their leader. But Cunedda has a surprise announcement for all assembled. Uthr had a son, declared dead at birth but actually hidden away, in plain sight, to keep Vortigern from killing the Pendragon heir. Arthur, humble servant, is actually Uthr’s son.

Arthur now has the chance that he dreamed of, and he grabs it. Unfortunately, he is young and untried, has little skill with sword or spear. He must learn and the only way to do that is to pledge his sword to the one in power, his enemy Vortigern. To cement his loyalty Vortigern exacts a terrible price, Arthur must marry Vortigern’s daughter: greedy, scheming Winifred.

Gwenhwyfar is heartbroken, then horrified when she learns that she is to be forced to marry Vortigern’s nephew and right hand man, Melwas. To prevent the marriage to a cruel and violent man, her family helps her escape to Less Britain, Arthur’s childhood home, beyond the reach of Melwas.

The coming years will test the strength and determination of the Pendragon and his followers. They will learn lessons well, bide their time and overcome seemingly impossible obstacles on the way to their goal....giving Britain an honorable King and the hope of a peaceful future.

This is Historical Fiction at its best. The author has taken the story of Arthur and deftly shaken off the myth and fantasy that cling to it. Gone are Merlin and his sprinklings of magic, instead we have Arthur as he might have really been. A man, a leader, a soldier who drank and used women, who loved and was loyal but also cheated and lied. A warrior who adopted tactics that worked, no matter the cost. A man trying to find footing in a rapidly changing world, a complex world that included those that clung to Roman ways, followers of the Goddess and the druids, and the vast, spreading tide of Christianity.

Here you will find rich, multi-layered characters, breathtaking drama and aching sadness. Crumbling Roman cities and soaring Welsh mountains. Brilliant battles and horrible losses. A complex, compelling story and a refreshing look at the origins of a legend.

I have long been a fan of Helen Hollick’s writing and The Pendragon’s Banner trilogy is at the top of my list of favorite Historical Fiction. The other two books in the series are Pendragon’s Banner and Shadow of the King. I can’t recommend them highly enough, they are all fantastic historical novels!



It is the time of post-Roman Britain. The Roman armies have fled from the island, leaving England alone in a power vaccum to decide its own fate. Rivalries compete for the throne, British against British, and with the strength of the Roman armies gone, the most powerful British ruler, Vortigern, looks to the Anglo-Saxons to help him secure his kingdom. Vortigern has a large backing among the contigent of other British nobles and Anglo-Saxons, made possible by his marriage to the daughter of the powerful Saxon warlord Hengest. Many accept this new alliance, willing to usher in new age Britain, while others still cling to the old ways, wishing to return the island to its pure British state and rid it of all foreigners. They see the mixing of British and Saxon blood as a threat, while others still long for the days of the return of the Roman empire, a dream that was never fulfilled.

Among Vortigern’s chief rivals is Uthr Pendragon, the man many still hold to as the true heir to the island kingdom. Uthr’s most powerful ally is Cunedda, ruler of the lands of Gwynedd (or a large area of modern day Wales). Though Uthr is a powerful and strong character in the early part of this novel, he is not the main focus of the story. His son, Arthur, rises up to become the actual hero to those born of pure British blood.

This is the story of Arthur. Though not the traditional Arthur of legend and myth: the knights of the round table, Lancelot, chivalry, and romance. The Kingmaking depicts Arthur as he truly was, or how he might have been. The factual history of the real King Arthur — if he was a king at all — is still shrouded in obscurity, but Helen Hollick does a good job of portraying him in a realistic light, as a man of war, ruthless and cunning yet mortal, and also caring and kind toward Gwenhwyfar, his true love.

Hollick’s characters are one of her strong points. They are well-developed in both strengths and weaknesses. There are times where it is difficult to defend Arthur regarding some of his decisons and actions, but regardless, you still pull for him. Gwenhwyfar is one of the most likeable characters, but there are moments when you might not agree with how she handles certain situations, and even though Winifred (Arthur’s wife) is deceitful and harsh, you still feel sorry for her at times. Adding to that, Arthur and Winifred have an interesting relationship that provides for some entertaining dialogue and interaction. Even Hollick’s secondary characters lend vital support to the story line.

Overall, the novel moves at a fluid pace, never bogging down or losing your interest. As mentioned before, her characters are well thought out – Hollick has a deep understanding and love of her characters — and one of the most exciting parts about reading the novel is that you can never guess what’s going to happen next. Hollick does a tremendous job of keeping the story unpredictable.

There were only a couple of things that bothered me, but nothing of signifcance to cause me to put the novel down. The first was the death of one of the main characters. I felt this person’s death deserved more attention and that the author moved past it too quickly. The second was the jumping around from one character’s perspective to another. The story would move in and out of characters’ thoughts, making it somewhat difficult to determine whose perspective you were in at times without going back and reading a certain passage a second time. The internal thought and dialogue helped in developing the characters, and Hollick handled this part nicely, but it was the quick switching between characters that made it a bit jarring. Also, I felt that some of the secondary characters’ perspectives could have been eliminated altogether.

The Kingmaking is an historical fiction novel set in post-Roman Britain. Through all the myth and legend, there is believed to be some truth behind the person Arthur. Hollick attempts to uncover this real-world Arthur, based on some real places and real people that existed during this time, but the author also draws on her own imagination and interpretation where events become muddled, blending legend and truth into a fascinating story of Arthur the man. You can read her historical note at the end of the novel to learn more.


This first part in the trilogy begins in 450 AD in the midst of the Middle Ages while Britain remained in a tumultous period politically. Arthur is merely a bastard son at the beginning of this novel, and his foster father is kin to Uthr Pendragon. In the first chapters of the novel, Arthur grows into a man while visiting Gwynedd with Uthr and his abusive and cantankerous mistress Morgause. He meets Gwenhwyfar, daughter to Uthr’s faithful friend Cunedda, and begins to have deeper feelings than friendship for her. The relationship between Arthur and Gwenhwyfar is rocky in the beginning, but blossoms through understanding and mutual respect. However, there are circumstances surrounding the death of Uthr and a failed attempt to regain control of Britain that hinder the ability of their relationship to grow.

"The oars lifted then dipped to kiss the white foam. The sail dropped and the ship, tossing her prow like a mare held over-long curbed and kicking high her heels, leapt for the harbour sheltering beneath the imposing fortress that was Caer Arfon." (Page 20)

The description in this book helps to set the scene of Britain in the Middle Ages, with its dark and ominous feel, but also its wild beauty. There is more to Britain during this time than readers may remember from their school days. My favorite passage in the book uses description to show Arthur coming into his manhood, along with the other adolescents of Gwynedd.

"The boys, stripped to the waist, were turning new scythed hay, making idle, breathless conversation as they tossed the sweet smelling, drying grass. Arthur’s bruising was a faint memory of shaded yellow against suntanned bronze skin; gone was that weary look of watchfulness and unease, replaced by relaxed laughter and happy contentment. His hair was longer, the close-cropped Roman style beginning to grow, with a slight curl, down his neck and flop across his forehead." (Page 89)

Although there is great potential in the descriptive writing, some of the scenes fall flat as the narrative lists actions of the characters rather than showing the characters in action. Unlike the Arthurian legends of old which have mysticism and Merlin at the center of Arthur’s rise to power, Hollick’s retelling focuses on the realities and abilities of the "real" Arthur and his determination to regain control of Britain after the death of his true father.

Readers looking for mysticism and magic will be disappointed with this retelling. However, if readers are easily engaged by books with intrigue, battles, and strategy, this novel will not disappoint.

At nearly 600 pages, you can believe Hollick extensively researched her subject and it shows, from her use of place names connected to the regions at the time to the spellings of her main characters. Although portions of the book were a little dry and long, creating nicknames for some of the characters—Gwenhwyfar as Gwen or her brother Osmail as Ozzy—made it easier to become absorbed in the story.

Unfortunately, after 200 pages I stopped reading as certain scenes made me wonder what their purpose was, like when Gwen is aloft in a tree in the prime location to overhear Uthr and Morgause in intimate conversation. Considering the conversation that follows is not integral to the storyline, it makes the reader wonder why Gwen is in the tree in the first place to overhear the conversation.


The Kingmaking is the first book in the Pendragon’s Banner Trilogy, written by Helen Hollick. The book purports to show the Arthur of reality instead of legend. The mythical elements—such as Merlin and magic—are taken away from the story, as are the well known legends of Arthur many of us have become familiar with. Instead the author has spent ten years delving into the history of Wales, and archaeological discoveries, to come up with as historically accurate a novel of the times as is possible with the limited information available. The research put into the writing of this book is very evident, and I felt myself transported to a time long, long ago. A time of violence, war, and chaos.


The book opens in 450 A.D., not long after the Romans have left Britain to its own defenses. The Saex (Saxons) are beginning to make their way into the country, and there is not a united kingdom. Uthr, who is viewed—by himself and his people, at least—as the rightful king of the British, has been banished to the isles. After years away he has finally decided it is time for him to fight the present King, Vortigern, and win back his kingdom. He comes to seek the aid of Cunneda, King of Gwyneth. Together the face Vortigern, but are defeated, and Uthr is killed in the battle.


At this time the boy, Arthur, known as the bastard child of one of Uthr’s servants, is revealed to be the actual son of Uthr and his wife. His identity hidden in order to protect him from Vortigern. And so begins the long and political battle of Arthur to work every possible advantage, to do whatever it takes, including joining the army of the hated Vortigern, in order to eventually gain what rightfully belongs to him. Arthur is painted as a very strong, passionate, charismatic, and easily angered man. A man of his time. This passion goes beyond battle to drink and women. A much different picture than the sainted Arthur of legend, but probably more closely in line with history.


And what of Guinevere? Yes, she is there, in her Welsh name of Gwenhwyfar. The daughter of the Pendragon’s ally, Cunneda. A strong, daring and passionate girl and woman. Full of fire and defiance, she is not about to take the roll of women and let her life be decided by others. Early on she pledges herself and her love to Arthur, and she holds on to this promise and love through much adversity and many setbacks.


Overall, a very well written and researched book. Of course a 500+ page novel written at a time with few historical records has to be largely speculation, but Hollick’s view of the story is very entrancing, and feels very realistic (At times, for me personally, a bit too realistic, as some very horrible war related atrocities were related). This book was both educational and entertaining.



In the first book of this exciting trilogy, author Helen Hollick brings to life Arthur Pendragon as he really might have been. Leaving behind the fairy-tale element of Merlin’s magic and the improbable existence of Lancelot, Hollick instead transports the reader to the early years of Britain circa 455 AD and tells the Arthurian legend in a solid and believable way.

For one, Arthur does not pull a sword from a stone using superhuman strength; rather, he is named heir to Britain (if he can win it from the tyrant Vortigern) while standing near a "hallowed stone, the symbol of a warrior’s strength and the chieftain’s right of leadership." Later, a sword won in battle signals his place as Britain’s King.

This is a story of harsh battles, secret treasonous plots, and the life-threatening politics of the dark ages of early Britain. Intertwined through it all is the often-tested love of Arthur and Gwenhwyfar (Guinevere in Welsh - her name as it really would have been) as they struggle to survive and conquer to see Pendragon become King.

I have always been a big fan of the Arthur legend. It started when I was very young, but my reading has tapered off in recent years because I haven’t been able to find any King Arthur novels that really speak to me. All that changed when I picked up Helen Hollick’s The Kingmaking.

The first in a planned trilogy, The Kingmaking is about Arthur’s rise to power. Hollick incorporates some of the Arthurian myths and legends but treats Arthur as a historical figure rather than a pure and mystical king shrouded in Merlin’s magic. In fact, there is no character of Merlin in this novel - the book is entirely historical fiction, rather than the usual added fantasy elements. This gives Hollick a unique viewpoint from which to write; it also gives her more leeway to stray from the Arthur legend in order to make him a real man.

And make him a man she does - some Arthurian enthusiasts may actually be uncomfortable with how real Hollick makes Arthur. Gone is the perfect and pure ideal of a king that Tennyson idolized in his poem Idylls of the King. Instead, Arthur is rough around the edges and somewhat brutal. He has his own weaknesses, one of which is women; in the book, he whores around enough for ten men. But that is one of the best parts of The Kingmaking; for one of the first times, he seems like a real, flesh and blood man who makes mistakes and doesn’t automatically become a wise ruler. He is quite young in the novel; he makes the errors of a youth and he learns from them. It’s very appealing; too often Arthur is portrated as a perfect king that made one tragic mistake that was his downfall.

I also enjoyed reading about Gwenhwyfar; she was a strong woman who deserved to rule in her own right. Hollick makes her a believable flesh and blood character as well. The other major Arthurian novel that presented strong women was Marion Zimmer Bradley’s The Mists of Avalon; however, in that novel, Arthur was portrayed as a tool of the women around him. That is most definitely not the case in The Kingmaking; Hollick proves that both a king and a queen can be well-defined, strong characters that are appealing even when they have their own faults and weaknesses.

I really appreciated Hollick’s discussion of the Arthur legend in the conclusion of the novel. It’s always nice to know what history supports and what it doesn’t - it’s clear that Hollick put time and energy into informing her readers of this divide.


The Kingmaking was an amazing read that any fan of historical fiction will enjoy, even those unfamiliar with Arthurian lore. Despite its size, readers will race through the novel, eager to discover what happens to Arthur and Gwenhwyfar. The only disappointment comes in the fact that it ends - I can’t wait until the sequel is released!



The Kingmaking is a fascinating tale about the life of King Arthur. The first in a series of books about this legendary figure, this historical fiction novel focuses on the early years of Arthur rise as he becomes a warrior and the King of legends. A complex story full of intrigue, drama, emotion, and more, I was swept away by the story as Ms. Hollick brought this legendary figure to life.



I’ll admit that prior to this book, what little I knew about the legend of King Arthur came from films that romanticize the legend (both live action and animated…one of my fave movies as a kid was The Sword in the Stone if that tells you anything about my prior knowledge) and this book is definitely not a fairy tale version. This story is at times very dark, violent, and gritty, but I truly enjoyed Ms. Hollick’s take on the legend as she skillfully wove a story that enthralls the reader. Through her words we come to see Arthur as a man rather than a legend complete with flaws and fears and I was fascinated by him as well as by many of the other characters. Her attention to detail and her well-crafted characters and story made me believe in the legend of King Arthur.



There are many differing legends and ideas of who King Arthur was both as a man and as a ruler. Scholars can debate and those who love a good sword and sorcery story can dream but the truth is we will never know the truth. We are thus left with hundreds of interpretations and imaginings of who this legendary figure might have been. Hollick’s version of events drops the knights and wizards elements common in Arthurian legend and treads upon a more it-could-have-been road.

With the Roman Empire leaving Britain to its own devices, the tribes have been left under the rule of Votigern a man who betrays them by taking a Saxon wife. Much of the book centers on the differences between the Saxon and the Briton peoples, their mutual dislike of one another. Thinking himself merely a bastard taken under the wing of a man who may or may not be his father young Arthur travels to the Gwynedd with Uthr Pendragon in preparation for war. Uthr will reclaim his throne from Votigern through strength of arms and the loyalty of his friend Cunedda, father of the wild lass Gwenhwyfar.

When Uthr falls in battle there is no one left who can take up the banner of the Pendragon and reclaim the throne. Until Cunedda reveals a secret he has kept for many years. But it will be years before the Pendragon is ready to rise again and with that time much can happen. Arthur will have to bow to the man he has sworn to rise against and give up his beloved Gwenhwyfar to reclaim Uthr’s stolen throne.

Such a tough book to summarize, truly. I left so much out because I don’t want to spoil anything! This story spans several years and thus a lot of story has to be told. I often struggle with a book this long as they tend to always reach a slow point where it feels as if the action will never pick up. Fortunately, Hollick knows how to fill these slower times with intrigue and the scandalous sort of stuff one might not expect in a book about Arthur and Gwenhwyfar. From Gwenhwyfar’s cruel sister-in-law to Votigern’s treacherous daughter Winifred the ladies of this story are just as violent and potentially evil as the men. If you enjoy a book that can mix that sort of thing with sword battles, cavalry strategy and a well explored world The Kingmaking really delivers.

Hollick makes few apologies for the artistic liberties she has taken but if you’re not immediately sold on it she does offer an author’s note I found very helpful as this particular historical era was not one I had ever explored in fiction. Those who are looking for familiar characters of Arthurian legend such as Lancelot or Merlin won’t find them here but strangely, I didn’t feel that this was a loss. I very much enjoyed that the characters were all believable, especially the villainous ones. It wasn’t hard to imagine the lengths they could be driven to by the times and the world they lived in. The chemistry between this version of Arthur and Gwenhwyfar was also not unlikely and though it wasn’t particularly courtly there was a realistic passion there.

I enjoyed The Kingmaking from cover to cover. Originally I had set out to read five chapters a night so I wouldn’t get overwhelmed but quickly began cheating and reading just a few more. If you’re looking for an engrossing Dark Ages tale with action and romance or you’d simply like to take another look at the legend of Arthur I highly recommend this book!

The Kingmaking by Helen Hollick is Book One of The Pendragon’s Banner Trilogy and what a fascinating account it is of who King Arthur might have been. Now I’ve not read any Arthurian stories before this one but from what I gather the majority of those are like fairy tales-very rosy views of Arthur. I can say in all honesty that I would and do prefer this down to earth, real-life type epic tale any day. This novel took me on a sweeping adventure into the Dark Ages in the history of Britain and I loved it!

This book spans from 450 AD to 457 AD. It’s a hefty book at 563 pages and yet you don’t notice that it’s that long as you are so caught up in the story itself. Helen Hollick’s storytelling ability is amazing. So many times I felt that I was right there in this story, experiencing someone’s pain or happiness, feeling as though I was right in the middle of a medieval battle. It’s fast paced and exciting and very well researched and told.

We start off with Uthr Pendragon coming to Gwynedd to see the Lion Lord Cunneda, ruler of the land. Gwenhwyfar, Cunneda’s only daughter among nine sons, and her brother are watching for the ship to come in. Years past Cunneda and Uthr had fought and lost to King Vortigern. Now they want to change that and give the title back to the rightful King, Uthr. Unfortunately after a bloody battle things don’t come to light as they had planned and Uthr is killed.

This is also the time that Arthur, who after Uthr is killed, finds that he is the rightful heir to Uthr. It is also when we are first introduced to the romance that is to build between Arthur and Gwenhwyfar. At first she thinks he is insolent boy when she finds him staring at her from across the room. They experience a few run ins but later because of both of them being mistreated by female caregivers, they find a common bond and that is when Gwenhwyfar realizes that she loves this boy even though she is only twelve. Before Arthur is to leave Gwynedd, Gwenhwyfar pledges herself to him saying, ’When I am woman-grown I shall have a greater gift to pledge. I offer you, my Lord, Arthur Pendragon, to use how you choose, my unborn sons!’ (pg. 109, uncorrected advance copy, published copy may be different) This is the start of an epic romance that spans the years and never dies.

Arthur is a character you really want to dislike, yet you find you can’t or at least I couldn’t. Oh my goodness, he’s a wine guzzling drunk at times and definitely a womanizer and yet there is the other side to him~the loyal side. The side that will give his life for Gwenhwyfar or his men. The thing that irritated me the most about him was the political side of the battles between the men. I know Arthur had to do what he could to advance himself in order to take over as King but when he marries Winnifred, Vortigern’s daughter, in a drunken stupor I was really ticked at him. She is the epitomy of evil~scheming and betrayal being her number one priorities. He eventually divorces her to marry Gwenhwyfar but she nevers acknowledges the divorce and in the meantime he has lain with her again and produced a son with her. He refuses to acknowledge this son. He will only ackowledge Gwenhwyfar’s and his own son. If he had learned to keep it in his pants, a lot of the tribulations he had would have been prevented but then the story wouldn’t have been the same either.

Gwenhwyfar was my favorite character. She’s a strong, independent woman in what would have been a man’s world back then. I loved her spirit and quick wit. Many times she had me laughing with her antics. When something bad happened to her I cried with her and when things were good, I was elated for her. I was rooting for her and Arthur all the way. They seem a couple destined to be together and when she even goes to war with him, you again see her strength.

There’s so much one could say about this book. It is very well worth the read. Helen Hollick’s writing is fantastic and the story is enthralling. A few quotes from the book that show off Helen’s wonderful way with words are...


A fascinating look at how King Arthur might truly have been. No magic, no fantasy, but real-life people with flaws and scars.


Thanks to Sourcebooks for the opportunity to read and review The Kingmaking.


This is not a story that focuses on the Holy Grail, the love triangle with Lancelot or chivalrous notions of the Round Table. You won’t find any of these here. Instead this is a gritty look at the betrayals, battles, and affections of a warlord seeking to unify Britain after the Romans left.


The Kingmaking begins in Arthur’s youth when the boy accompanies Uthr Pendragon to Gwynedd (Wales) to meet with the powerful warlord Cunedda in order to bring down the tyrannous king Vortigern. While there, Arthur strikes up a (sometimes shaky) friendship with Cunedda’s youngest child, the strong-willed hoyden (!) Gwenhwyfar. And the story follows him as he grows into a strong military leader, how he learns to hide his hatred for Vortigern in order to gain experience, and his tumultuous love for Gwenhwyfar.


Hollick’s Arthur is not a chivalrous knight. He’s a warlord - ruthless, cunning, brash and tactless. He’s restless if he’s not fighting. His personality and his charisma are larger than life, but he also carries a lot of emotional baggage. He sulks and rages, he wenches and drinks, but he also leads and inspires his men. It’s easy to see why this Arthur would command men’s loyalty. It’s also easy to see how he makes it difficult to love him - but why Gwenhwyfar refuses to give up on him.


I loved Gwen as a character. It was lovely to see her headstrong and capable in a fight, but also vulnerable and hot-headed. Although her relationship with Arthur has a large bearing on the plot, I disagree with those who characterize this as a romance, or even as historical fiction with a romantic focus. First and foremost, this is a historical novel - the emphasis is on the battles, the manipulations at court, and shifting alliances. The focus of the novel is how Arthur grows to be king - and a large part of him becoming that kind of leader is his relationship with Gwenhwyfar because she’s one of the very few people who has gained his trust.


Hollick’s Kingmaking is quite the story. It sweeps you up and carries you along the hills of Gwynedd, across the stormy Channel, into battlefields, bedchambers, and castle keeps. It’s not always easy to read - the characters’ treatment of women can be difficult to stomach at times, though to be fair, it is always very much in keeping with the historical times and culture. Rape and sex as a weapon is a part of Middle Age life and warfare. The story isn’t always easy, but it is worthwhile. I found myself drawn back to the text anytime I put it down, anxious to read further, to discover what happened. And I’ll be just as interested in the sequels.


The Kingmaking, the first book in Helen Hollick’s The Pendragon’s Banner Trilogy, is one author’s vision of the life of young Arthur Pendragon and his rise to power as King of the future British Isles. As is told in the title of this novel, this book covers the period from AD 450 to 457, when Arthur rises from being a young man of fifteen to his victory over the Saxon warlord Hengest to become a young king.

As you may know, there is much debate as to whether Arthur was a real man or simply one of legend. Tales of this great warrior king are part of Celtic mythology but there is little to no historical documentation of his existence or his story due to the fact that his rule was supposed to have happened during Britain’s "Dark Ages". Therefore, Hollick was free to create a trilogy based on the various legends and suppositions that exist today. What she imagined was a man as passionate as he was intelligent. Although I liked her presentation of Arthur, the character that I really enjoyed was Gwenhwyfar. Though her true history is not known, Hollick made her into a strong horsewoman, a trained warrior and a loyal friend and lover.

The writing in these books is engaging and occasionally funny. I am really looking forward to the remaining two volumes of the story. Conflicts have been set up that have yet to be resolved and some relationships have only just begun.



In modern genre terms, the Arthur stories straddle two categories. With the magic, the Grail Quest and the Lady in the Lake, there are clearly elements of fantasy. With the semi-historical roots, there is also a basis in historical fiction. In her soon to be re-released Kingmaking, Helen Hollick shifts the story squarely into the realm of historical fiction. Not only has she dispensed with magic, she has also moved the story out of the chivalric age and into the original basis in the Dark Ages following the decline of Rome and the rise of the Anglo-Saxons.

The book is the first of a trilogy and tells the story of Arthur’s rise to power. His Britain is beset by numerous conflicts including the encroachment of Teutonic invaders on British lands and the conversion, resisted by Arthur and many others, of Britain to Christianity. Early in the story, Arthur is forced by circumstance to offer his allegiance to his enemy, the King of Britain. The King is willing to accept his help on the doctrine that it best to keep your friends close and your enemies closer. As such the story is driven by political intrigue as Arthur and the King seek to undermine one another. As part of the political game, Arthur weds the Kings’s daughter Winifred which of course causes problems for his relationship with the one he loves Gwenhwyfar.

The realistic treatment of the subject matter is what sets this book apart. For fantasy fans, Arthur is less Jordan’s Rand al Thor than he is a lost cousin from GRRM’s Lannister family. He is capable, ambitious, brave in battle and given to casual cruelty. He is what you would expect a Dark Ages aristocrat to be. The settings are also realistic, the battles are brutal and sad and Hollick’s depiction of the sack of London by Saxons is appalling. Fans of historical fiction will certainly want to add this to their reading list.

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!