My book review of The Bright Sword by Lev Grossman. A familiar take on the fantasy genre, but unfortunately, it falls short.
Title: The Bright Sword
By: Lev Grossman
Genre: Historical Fantasy
Pages: 673
Release Date: July 16th, 2024
Publisher: Viking
Rating: ★★★☆☆
Summary from Goodreads:
A gifted young knight named Collum arrives at Camelot to compete for a spot on the Round Table, only to find he’s too late. The king died two weeks ago at the Battle of Camlann, leaving no heir, and only a handful of the knights of the Round Table survive.
They aren’t the heroes of legend, like Lancelot or Gawain. They’re the oddballs of the Round Tables, from the edges of the stories, like Sir Palomides; the Saracen Knight; and Sir Dagonet, Arthur’s fool, who was knighted as a joke. They’re joined by Nimue, who was Merlin’s apprentice until she turned on him and buried him under a hill. Together this ragtag fellowship will set out to rebuild Camelot in a world that has lost its balance.
But Arthur’s death has revealed Britain’s fault lines. God has abandoned it, and the fairies and monsters and old gods are returning, led by Arthur’s half-sister Morgan le Fay. Kingdoms are turning on each other, warlords are laying siege to Camelot, and rival factions are forming around the disgraced Lancelot and the fallen Queen Guinevere. It is up to Collum and his companions to reclaim Excalibur, solve the mysteries of this ruined world and make it whole again. But before they can restore Camelot they’ll have to learn the truth of why the lonely, brilliant King Arthur fell and lay to rest the ghosts of his troubled family and of Britain’s dark past.
Review:
Lev Grossman's The Bright Sword offers a familiar take on the fantasy genre, but unfortunately, it falls short in several key areas, making it a somewhat underwhelming read.
One of the most notable issues is the pacing. The plot unfolds at a sluggish pace, which can make it difficult to stay engaged. The story meanders through its various plot points, often feeling drawn out without much payoff. For a book that promises epic battles and high stakes, the slow progression makes it hard to feel the urgency or excitement that typically drives a fantasy narrative.
The world-building, a cornerstone of any good fantasy novel, is surprisingly thin. Grossman hints at a rich and complex world, but these glimpses are few and far between. The lack of detailed descriptions leaves much to be desired, as readers are left to fill in the gaps themselves. This minimalistic approach to world-building makes it challenging to fully immerse oneself in the setting, which is a disappointment for fans of the genre who expect to be transported to new and intriguing worlds.
Character development is another area where The Bright Sword falls flat. The characters, while functional, lack the depth and nuance that make them truly memorable. They often come across as bland, with motivations and personalities that feel underdeveloped. Without strong character arcs or compelling interactions, it’s difficult to form an emotional connection to the story.
In conclusion, The Bright Sword has its moments of intrigue, but its slow plot, lackluster world-building, and bland characters make it a middling entry in the fantasy genre. Fans of Lev Grossman’s previous works might find some enjoyment here, but those looking for a richly detailed and fast-paced adventure may want to look elsewhere.
Received an advance reader copy in exchange for a fair review.
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