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The BookViral Review:
The term epic has become too freely used in respect of Arthurian Fantasy Fiction but in the case of Godfrey’s Crusade it’s more than warranted with Mark Howard delivering the kind of rousing, large-scale adventure that marks the best sword and sorcery epics.
An ambitious debut that’s big on grandiose emotions like heroism, patriotism, treachery and love Howard comfortably avoids the prescriptive travelogue style of narrative that’s sadly come to populate the Arthurian Fantasy Fiction genre. Spinning a narrative that is enthralling and moving, with a host of dynamic characters that will quickly find their place in the hearts and minds of his readers.
Not least of all is Howard’s young protagonist Godfrey, who makes a wonderful lead. Faced with the harsh realities of the changing world about him, he’s level-headed, courageous and intelligent, and Howard gives him room to grow with the evolution of his character making him highly appealing.
The most loved devices of fantasy are to be found within Howard’s tale, but it’s his ability to create an evocatively imagined and immersive fantasy world that makes Godfrey’s Crusade particularly enjoyable. There is rich detail when the plot demands it, but never at the expense of pace, whilst an overarching air of awe prevails throughout.
With all the elements of a genre-pleaser, there are epic battles, fantastical magic, betrayal and enigmatic foes with Howard finding just the right balance of action and emotion while managing to deliver enough suspense and bloodletting to appease gore fans.
Godfrey is the one upon whom destiny calls but characters like Walaric, Madeline, Alvir, and Nera coalesce into a host of powerful auxiliary players who together create a rich tapestry of events that are hard to forget.
As good as the Arthurian Fantasy Fiction genre gets Godfrey’s Crusade proves a powerful start to Howards Griffin Legends series and is a highly recommended five-star read!
Barr’s narrative is sophisticated. Treating his story’s religious overtones with the utmost sincerity whilst exploiting the best-loved tropes of the Occult Horror and Thriller genres to deliver a novel that is by turns dark, mysterious, and chilling.
‘Sherlock Mendelson and the missing Afikomen’ both promises and delivers an immersive and fascinating reading experience, impressively blending culture, religion and family ties in a beautifully and hilariously illustrated story.
Readers love tropes and publishers know they sell books but there is always room for something new.
Whilst the issues of prejudice and discrimination are multi-faceted and complicated beyond belief, a key moment for me was the day I picked up ‘To Kill a Mockingbird’. Harper Lee implicitly drilled down the relative unfairness of human existence into my 12-year-old brain, creating a sense of outrage that has stayed with me throughout my life.
At their best, they stun you with their visions of ultimate endings both small and catastrophic with hauntingly bleak futures.
Why should we care about these personal experiences, of the reminiscing of an individual with whom we have no obvious connection?
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