The House of Pendragon: Book 1
Mostly Orkney, Scotland, early 6th Century
Arthur again, but this time, the next generation, and quite different, but I loved it.
The book opens with Camlann (Camlaun), Arthur's last great tragic battle, and not even with Camlann, but the aftermath of Camlann: Modred is dead, Arthur too has been carried away to die.
Among the survivors is Arthur's daughter, his only legitimate child, Lin. She should inherit Arthur's mantle, for that had been Arthur's wish, but she fails to claim it, using the excuse that there will be a civil war if she does so to mask her lack of self-confidence.
But this is simply the introduction. In fact, the book - the first in a new Pendragon series - is the story of Lin's childhood as a slave on the Island of Orkney. Her parents, Arthur and Gwenhwyfar, believe her dead. Only Morgause, Arthur's half-sister, and her son Modred, Lin's "owners", know the truth. Even Lin herself does not know who she is.
An wonderful first from a new historical novelist who has the makings of a great story-teller. This gripped me right to the last pages - and Arthur's daughter Lin and her story are engraved in my mind for ever. I can't wait for the sequel!
KB
