Camelot by Peter Gibbons
Series: Chronicles of Arthur #3
Genres: Fantasy, Historical
Can one-man unite Britain and secure its future?
Dark Age Britain
Britain slides into darkness. A splintered land ruled by brutal Kings in their hilltop fortresses and besieged by Saxon invaders.
Wielding Excalibur, Arthur Pendragon, king of kings is all that stands between Britain and Saxon conquest.
His call to arms to unite against the Saxon invasion as one army is rebuked. Ancient rivalries, jealousy, and bitterness prevent Arthur from uniting his countrymen in defiance of the savage Saxon warlords who have seized Britain’s east and south coast.
Arthur must face and defeat enemies within his own kingdom, and then unite the kingdoms of Britain in a war that will shake the country’s very foundations.
Can Arthur succeed with vicious enemies all around him? Merlin, Lancelot, Bors, Gawain and Kai join their swords to Arthur’s iron will as they do battle for Britain’s very existence.
The continuation of the compelling, fast-paced series from bestselling writer Peter Gibbons. Perfect for the fans of Bernard Cornwell.
I received this book for free from in exchange for an honest review. This does not affect my opinion of the book or the content of my review.
Review
Having already read books two and three in this series, I knew to expect intensity, depth, and heart—but Camelot exceeded all expectations. Arthur stands once again against the Saxon threat as Britain’s protector, Pendragon, but the greatest danger comes not across the sea—it’s at home. Rival kingdoms see him as a usurper, unwilling to band together even as Britain faces destruction. With Merlin’s counsel urging him on, Arthur must march his men across the land, torn between his desire to reason and the brutal necessity of forcing unity by the sword.
What makes this story so remarkable is Gibbons’ ability to balance the grandeur of history with the intimacy of Arthur’s inner turmoil. He doesn’t crave power, he doesn’t revel in battle, yet he is constantly pushed to unleash his savage strength. His struggles are compounded by personal pain: his longing for a child with Guinevere, her growing pull toward Christianity, and the shifting spiritual landscape that pits the Druids of the past against the rising power of the church. Everywhere Arthur turns, there is conflict—physical, political, and spiritual.
The battles themselves are visceral, beautifully brutal, and utterly immersive. You can feel the urgency, the exhaustion, the stench of death, and yet also the grim determination of men fighting for their home. The pacing keeps the tension tight while offering moments of reflection that highlight Arthur’s humanity. His reflections on his journey add richness to the story, making this a book that satisfies both longtime fans and newcomers to the series.
Simply put, Camelot is a masterpiece of historical fiction. It’s rich in detail, heavy with emotion, and packed with both brutality and compassion. Peter Gibbons proves once again that he is a master of the genre, and this book is as close to perfect as it gets.
Meet the Author
About Peter Gibbons
Peter Gibbons is a financial advisor and author of the highly acclaimed Viking Blood and Blade trilogy. He comes to Boldwood with his new Saxon Warrior series, set around the 900 AD Viking invasion during the reign of King Athelred the Unready. The first title of the new series, Warrior and Protector, will be published in October 2022. He originates from Liverpool and now lives with his family in County Kildare.
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