Bernard Cornwell's WARLORD CHRONICLES || No Spoilers
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- Опубліковано 13 вер 2024
- Welcome to my spoiler-free review of Bernard Cornwell's Warlord Chronicles!
The live show discussion is happening on @TheLibraryofAllenxandria tonight (10/3/22) at 7:30 PM EST with @TheBookCure and @RekindledReader
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Don’t tell Allen, but I’m sure to pick up this series someday to check out Cornwell’s take on the Arthurian legend. 😁 The comparison with Martin’s characters is definitely a selling point. Fantastic to hear your thoughts here, Johanna!
Haha! Will do! I also won’t tell Allen if you stop by and chat something in the live show tonight 😂! It might be a little more dangerous that you told me! Philip, if Lord of the Rings is considered a standalone, this is now my favorite trilogy of all time! I am pretty certain you would love it and can’t wait to hear your thoughts if you pick it up! Plus, The Gwynne Brothers recommended it as their first choice “if you love The Faithful and the Fallen.” See, I’m going to be relentless now! 😄
I’m glad you loved this series! Although Cornwell himself calls this his finest work, I’ve read 12-13 of his books and find he’s very consistent and is probably my favorite author of historical fiction. I’m hoping to start his Saxon Tales next year. I hope to make the livestream!
I think we're now doing it on Friday evening, and then I heard that you all are doing a Malazan livestream with Philip then. So sad for the time conflict if that's the case!
I saw a review on Brian Lee Durfey's channel for the Saxon Tales recently. He said it keeps getting better and better with each book!
We're going to be recording to post later, so we might not go as long, so hopefully I can hop on your livestream! And I think Will Gwynne echoed Durfee's thoughts on the Saxon Tales, that it ends really well. Hopefully soon!
Saxon chronicles were amazing! You gotta read the sharpe series brotha, everything cornwell writes is gold.
@@ashfilip7813 Oh I will! Eventually!
@@RedFuryBooks Saxon Tales is my favorite book series I've been through all 13 books at least 3 times.
Merlin type books are a trope I never knew was missing in my life until now! Your description of the writing style has me really curious to see it for myself. I love foreshadowing too!
Thank you, Jak! He doesn’t even try to hide anything he’s going to do in the story, but when he delivered on those promises, I still found myself shocked with my jaw on the floor! 😂 My biggest criticism of book 1 is that I could’ve used more Merlin! He was so darkly entertaining!
What an incredible review! Now all I want is to buy the whole trilogy at once! 👏
Thank you so much! I think this a gem of a trilogy! Hope you enjoy it!
Oh, I'm so looking forward to this series. It's going to happen soon! I feel like I say this a lot! lol But these sound so good! Thanks for an awesome video.
Thank you, Jenn! I hope you enjoy it as much as I did!
Adding this to my TBR. Lots of people on booktube love this trilogy, and I'm in the mood for historical fiction, so I think it's time!
Perfect timing then! I hope you enjoy the trilogy!
What an enthusiastic review! I could feel the energy from this video grip me, Johanna! I love the Arthurian legends, so I'm sure I will pick it up. When I will actually get around to reading it, though, I have no idea. But thankfully you didn't ask that question.😁
It is so good! I’m still emotional over it! I now need to read more Arthurian legends. The first book feels a little slow at times with exposition-and I needed a little more Merlin in that book-but once the ball gets rolling, you just can’t off of it! The characters were so much fun, and there were so many crazy things that happened! Thank you so much for watching, Angela! 😁
I'm jealous that you beat me to this series -- I loved hearing your thoughts and I hope to read it soon!
You’re going to love it, Ben! Be patient with the first book because it does throw out a lot of names and locations. It will pay off!!! Immersion reading with the audiobooks is the way to go!
Great video!
Thank you so much!
Amazing review Johanna! This was one of my all time favorite trilogies, by one of my all time favorite authors for pretty much the reasons you covered. So dynamic, such unforgettable characters. The most believable rendition IMO.
Highly recommend The Sharpe Series. Cornwell is consistently a top tier author.
Thank you so much! It was such an incredible trilogy! I’m really looking forward to reading more from Bernard Cornwell and appreciate the recommendation!
I agree with you, Arthur retellings are so much fun! Glad to hear about this series from you.
Jeremy, it’s so good! It makes me want to read more Arthur retellings!
You summed up The Warlord Chronicles perfectly Johanna! Looking forward to the live discussion.
I’m honestly so relieved and super grateful to their that! Thank you, Christopher! Your praise for the trilogy also got me excited for it as well, and it’s now one of my favorite series!
@@Johanna_reads It is a wonderful feeling when a book or series meets or in this case exceeds the hype.
Yessssssss Cornwell hype! Cornwell has been one of top three favorite authors for years, I'm excited for booktube to have caught up on the hype. Warlord Chronicles is incredible...Enemy of God is one of my favorite books ever, for sure. Such a great review, Johanna! I agree that it reminded me of Martin. Derfal is also such a great central character that lulls you into feeling a lot for him. Cornwell also does my favorite battles, bar none.
Thank you, Kyle! I now need to read more Cornwell! Enemy of God was one of the best sequels-if not the best sequel-I’ve ever read. I’m also glad that there’s more hype for this trilogy and glad to contribute to it 😁.
I’m kicking this trilogy off in December - felt like an appropriate time of year. 😂
Patience needed for the many names and places in the front half of the first book, but then it is a ride you will not regret! It is so awesome, and I cannot wait to hear your thoughts!
So glad you enjoyed this Johanna! I really did too. Great video! I especially loved the sprinkles of Merlin’s wisdom. Such a quirky fellow.
He was absolutely hilarious! I loved how wise he thought himself! Haha! Thanks, Chas!
@@Johanna_reads you’re welcome Johanna.
I haven't heard about the "Warlord Chronicles" yet but I'm extremely intrigued now. 🥰 You had me at "druids". XD
Thank you! The druids were so humorous to me in this trilogy! Loved it so much! 😁
Ah, this sounds really good. Great review. This might join the group of series planned for the first quarter of 2023 for me
Yes! The battle scenes are some of the best I've ever read, and the character work and story is incredible! I think you would fly through it!
You've sold me on getting back to Cornwell. I'm a big fan of his Saxon Tales series, and I know he's been influential to me as a writer--perhaps foremost in regard to my battle/action scenes (there's nothing glorious about battle itself, and nobody illustrates that better than Cornwell). He's always sort of leaned his historical fiction toward the legendary feel of epic fantasy, IMO.
Arthurian legend has been formative for me, as well. One of my favorite books as a teen was The Mists of Avalon (although I know now what a horrible person the author was, unfortunately). I loved getting the feminine perspective on the tale! In fact, our tiny, 100 y.o. getaway cottage is named Avalon, as it's a respite built on a dune, and frequently seems to rise from the morning mists. Wonderful, thorough review, with great comparisons which are well-explained. Thanks for a great recommendation!
Thank you so much for your kind words and background with Cornwell and Arthurian legend! I was very impressed with Cornwell’s writing. The battle scenes were some of the best I’ve ever read, and I’m usually someone who prefers a lot of magic and weird atmospheric energy in battle scenes.
I’ve heard of The Mists of Avalon and sad to hear about the author. I’m looking forward to reading more Arthurian tales as well as your book, The Severing Son! Philip’s review has me excited to get a copy. Congratulations on that!
Would love to send you an ARC of TSS once I have them, Johanna. If you’re open to receiving one (no pressure, and no need to promise anything about reviewing). Was planning on reaching out to you anyway.
@@vaughnroycroft999 Absolutely! I would love one! My TBR pile is getting packed, but I’ll do the best I can to fit it in as soon as I can. Should I reach out to you on Twitter? Thank you so much!
Cool! Twitter will work. Thanks for any opportunity you might have to read, whenever-totally understand about the TBR. 😊
Yes my guy Cornwell getting love!
He's an excellent writer!
You've convinced me!
YAY!!!! I really think you'll love it.
Hi Johanna! The way you described this series in the September wrap up video made it sound like the perfect fit for me. Funny enough, book 1 and 3 are 4.99 on iTunes Audiobooks. I decided to spring for the whole series and can’t wait to get to it! On a side note, I am in the last few hours of “Gardens of the Moon”, which is amazing. It is sometimes confusing but re-reading sections helps. Honestly, I just love being in that setting and how Erikson hints at this whole world just off the sight of the reader. Thanks again for the final push to buy the Malazan Series and this one too!
I don't know why I thought I replied to this comment, and I'm so sorry for the delayed response! That is fantastic that you were able to get the audiobooks! I hope you enjoy the trilogy as much as I did. I still think book 1 could've been a little more focused (and had more Merlin), but I fell completely in love with this trilogy.
So excited to hear you're enjoying (maybe enjoyed at this point) Gardens of the Moon! I hope that thrill continues throughout your Malazan journey as it did for me. Thank you so much, Scotty!
@@Johanna_reads No worries, Johanna! We all are so busy and I can imagine dealing with all the comments is a bit much. Thanks for your reply and hope all the reading is going well!
I agree that Durfel's character is really well-written. I went from waiting anxiously in the first book for the "interesting" people to show up, to caring far more for Durfel and Cynwyn (sorry if I butchered the spellings, I listened to the books on audio) than I did for the main characters of the legend. Great review as always!
It's so validating to hear you had a similar experience! I did want more Merlin in The Winter King. Thank you so much!
I loved your review on this series so much, Johanna. I have seen this book series all around booktube recently but watching your review has convinced me that I need to prioritise them. I definitely need to try and read the Winter King by the end of the year or at the latest early next year.
Thank you, Lauren! I think the first half of the Winter King takes time to get into with all the names and places, but the payoff for the rest of the trilogy is incredible! Hope you enjoy it!
What an excellent review, Johanna! I agree that the audiobook narration is incredible for this one, though I do have to admit that I struggled a lot with the name dumping in the beginning. I should probably reread The Winter King before continuing on with book 2, because it's been 10 months and I can't say that it has stuck with me, oops.
I do remember all the strengths of Cornwell's writing that you pointed out though! This video definitely rekindled my interest in this series. Thanks for sharing your lovely thoughts!! 🤩
Thank you so much! 😊 I can completely understand that with all the names and places. I wanted that book to be a bit more focused and am afraid that may turn away many readers. Enemy of God, however, was one of the best sequels I've ever read. Even the female characters got so much more complex and interesting! I hope you enjoy it if you continue, Esmay! ♥️
@@Johanna_reads That sounds super promising!! You definitely made me more eager to return to the series again, so thanks for that!! 🥰
I have the first book in this series but haven’t read it yet. You have convinced me that I need to get to it.
Michael, I’d love to hear your thoughts if you read it! It just kept getting better and better. Thank you for watching!
I loved these books when they came out and your video has made me think about reading them again. A very real-world take on Dark-Ages Britain. I live about 25 miles from Glastonbury so it all takes place in my back-yard :)
There are also rumours of a BBC adaptation in the works as well - hope they can do it justice.
Wow, that is so cool that you live near there! I heard about that adaptation and really hope it’s a success. Thank you so much!
I did hear about an adaptation but didn't know it was by the BBC.
@@nd4146 Casting for Merlin is terrible.
I am reading a novel called Outlaw by Angus Donald which reminds of the Warlord Chronicles. Just like Warlord tells the story of Arthur through Derfel, this novel tells the story if Robin Hood through a young man . I am only 3 chapters in but it is so amazing. Another commentator on booktube recommended it. I think you will love it!
That sounds fantastic! I will have to check that out. Thank you so much for the recommendation!!
I’m a big Arthur fan, I own about 5 different versions of the legend, and somehow I’d never heard if this until I found booktube a couple months ago. Since then it seems _everyone_ I watch has talked about it. 😆 So it was on ny TBR, but your enthusiasm has moved it up a bit. 😉
I hadn’t heard about this trilogy until last year, and I don’t know why. It’s absolutely brilliant: the prose, characters, setting, world-building, and battle scenes! I know a lot of people struggle through the front half of the first book with all the names and places, but I can’t begin to describe how rewarding it becomes. Enemy of God is easily one of the best sequels I’ve ever read. Please read it, Matt! 😁
@@Johanna_reads so am I hearing that you, uh, liked it?
@@MattonBooks Are you telling me you didn’t watch the video 😭? Didn’t like it a bit. 😛😂
@@Johanna_reads Sorry, that was some Australian sarcasm. 😉 OF COURSE I watched the video, I wouldn’t have commented otherwise. I was just joking about your 100% gush video, followed by a gushing comment. 😆
@@MattonBooks Of course! Of course! 😁
Fantastic review, Johanna! I will definitely read this trilogy. But I will pick up Cornwell's Sharpe India campaign books first. Both are on my tbr for this year but I didn't start yet. I will definitely get to them next year.
Thank you, Anitha! I’d be curious to hear your thoughts on any Cornwell books you pick up. I think he’s an incredible writer!
Warlord Trilogy is probably my favorite contemporary take on King Arthur. The pagan vs Christian politicking was really interesting. I liked Guinevere's arc a lot. Merlin and Nimue were great characters. The ambiguity about magic was really well done. The audiobook is really well narrated
Agree with everything you said! I was impressed with the female characters in this series, especially in Enemy of God and Excalibur. The mystery of magic was so compelling!
Warlord Chronicles is likely to be my next new, meaningful, read.
YAY!!!! So excited to hear your thoughts, Derri!
Hello 👋 very intriguing book review video! Happy October Fall reading to you!! 🎃🍂🍁☠️👻⚔️
Thank you, Safina! Happy fall and happy October reading to you! 🎃🍁
I found this trilogy to be very interesting. Great overview.
Thank you, Paromita!
I'm 33% in and just really having to make myself keep reading. Does it get better? The first book?
The first book has a very slow start with tons of names and places thrown at you. I thought it all came into greater focus and faster pacing in the second half. Hope that helps!