Couple’s Review: The Once and Future King

I had been wanting to read Arthurian stories for a long time. When I found out that The Once and Future King was basically a novel (and therefore more digestible) version of the Arthurian legends, I knew this was where I had to start. My husband also wanted to read the book, so we both did, and now you have yourself another couple’s review!

Once upon a time, a young boy called “Wart” was tutored by a magician named Merlyn in preparation for a future he couldn’t possibly imagine. A future in which he would ally himself with the greatest knights, love a legendary queen and unite a country dedicated to chivalrous values. A future that would see him crowned and known for all time as Arthur, King of the Britons.

During Arthur’s reign, the kingdom of Camelot was founded to cast enlightenment on the Dark Ages, while the knights of the Round Table embarked on many a noble quest. But Merlyn foresaw the treachery that awaited his liege: the forbidden love between Queen Guinevere and Lancelot, the wicked plots of Arthur’s half-sister Morgause, and the hatred she fostered in Mordred that would bring an end to the king’s dreams for Britain--and to the king himself.

The Plot

Ali: The  novel is separated into “books” (ex: The Sword in the Stone). Each book has a loose plot, but overall, there isn’t a strong plot that pulls the book together and makes it a page turner.

Cole: Like Ali said, there isn’t a super strong plot beyond the life and times of King Arthur and his knights of the round table. The events throughout the novel build on one another, so that it results in a conclusion that makes sense. The plot doesn’t make it a page turner, but it is super fun to get into and the micro-plots are compelling.

The Characters

Ali: This book is all about the characters. I found myself quite invested in Arthur, Guinevere, and Lancelot. I really wasn’t a fan of Merlin that much (too wacky for me), and all of the little characters held little of my interest.

Cole: The characters are great. I disagree with Ali, I thought Merlin was hilarious. The Wart, King Arthur, Guinevere, and Lancelot are the main cast. They can be infuriating in the manner real people can be infuriating. You feel a strong connection with them by the end. The villains are villainous, and the good guys sometimes too good. This keeps the tension high at times, particularly toward the latter half. Also, King Pellinore and the Questing Beast are the greatest comic duo in literature.

The Writing

Ali: I’m going to comment on how this is written rather than the writing itself. It’s narrated by a modern narrator who is telling you the story of Arthur as he would tell you today. Although sometimes the anachronisms confused me, when I finally accepted the narration style, I actually kind of liked it. I also appreciated that the narrator knew how everything was going to end and would warn the reader of those upcoming crises.

Cole: A lot of fourth wall breaking by the narrator, which I enjoy. Ali covered the anachronisms which I enjoyed but I could see others not enjoying. They break the suspension of disbelief – you are reading a telling of the King Arthur story, not something pretending to be history. This was published at a time when authors were given artistic license to indulge in words. If you don’t enjoy the actual act of reading words on a page you’ll find a lot of the language superfluous. There are digressions that don’t move the story forward, and explanations that go on too long. But if you enjoy ‘living’ in the novel, as I did, then you won’t mind. The writing is often hilarious, particularly in the early half, and sometimes beautiful. 

The Ending

Ali: Eh. This story definitely doesn’t have an epic ending by any means. I found much of the ending to be a bit boring, since Merlin was involved in that, and Lancelot and Guinevere (my two favorite characters) didn’t have a significant role. That being said, I did enjoy the last chapter or so. It felt complete when all was said and done.

Cole: I agree, the ending wasn’t epic. Like I said earlier, everything builds to a logical conclusion. Having finished this very, very long novel, however, I’m glad I read it. I will whole heartedly recommend it to any fans of fantasy who enjoy humor and history. 

Ali: and Cole: 
Ali’s final thoughts: I REALLY enjoyed the parts about Lancelot and Guinevere and was less interested in the other parts, so my rating falls somewhere in the middle. I would definitely recommend this novel to anyone who wanted to become acquinted with Arthurian legends without having to digest Thomas Mallory.

 
Have you read The Once and Future King, or any Arthurian story? What were your thoughts about it? 

A.S. Thornton

A.S. Thornton has evolved from book blogger to author with a particular fondness for writing forbidden love in ancient deserts. When not writing, she’s caring for dogs and cats as a veterinarian. You’ll never find animals at the center of her writing, though, because those fictional worlds don’t have veterinarians and her literal brain can’t accept that the poor critters would be without parasite prevention. Thornton’s debut, DAUGHTER OF THE SALT KING is available wherever books are sold.