Book of the Day

Our Review:

I wanted The Bright Sword to live up to the lofty expectations I had after reading Lev Grossman's Magicians trilogy, and I am happy to say that it did more than that. By skillfully reconstructing the world after Camelot, Grossman has given fresh life to forgotten figures from Arthurian mythology.

The protagonist, a youthful chivalry named Collum, is a young man who, upon his untimely arrival at Camelot, discovers King Arthur dead and a small group of the "misfits" from the Round Table surviving. Together with Nimue, Merlin's former student, and the remaining knights (including the fool-turned-knight Sir Dagonet), they must restore a broken country. Grossman's brilliance is on display in the way he gives these supporting characters flesh and soul, making them fight their personal problems while trying to save a planet on the verge of anarchy.

Grossman's prose strikes the ideal balance between lyricism and realism, giving the tried-and-true elements of Arthurian legend—such as quests, tournaments, and magic swords—a shocking amount of emotional depth and relevance to the present day. The author expertly interweaves myth, history, and imagination to create a complex tapestry that is at once evocative of bygone times and profoundly pertinent to the present.

The examination of sin and atonement is the central theme of The Bright Sword. Rather than the exemplary heroes of myth, we have broken, imperfect people who are fighting to make the world a better place. Grossman brilliantly explored this issue in the Magicians trilogy, and now he elevates it to new levels, creating a novel that is both captivating and thought-provoking.

The lengthy novel may put off some readers, but those who stick with it will be rewarded handsomely. Storytelling triumphs abound in The Bright Sword, an engaging new spin on Arthurian legend that further establishes Grossman as a leading figure in modern fantasy. This novel is a must-read for everyone who loves well-crafted worlds and incredibly relatable people, whether they are obsessed with Arthurian legends or not.