I'm a fan of Lavie Tidhar and I'm a fan of Arthurian sagas and these factors made this book one of my must read in 2020.
I had high expectations and I can say I wasn't disappointed.
I inhaled this book as it's powerful with its retelling of well known story and making it fresh and enthralling.
It's dark, gritty and violent and I loved every moment.
Arthur, Merlin and all the characters in this saga are perfect for the dark age as they are stripped of all the Middle Age chivalry ideas and made more adapted to the age when they are supposed to live.
The historical background is fascinating and vivid, a perfect depiction of what it should have been at the end of the 5th century BC. Christianity is not a central topic as in the classic telling but something in the background, new ideas that will be accepted in the future.
This story went up to top my list of best Arthurian saga retelling as it's one the most powerful and original retelling.
I think this is one of those book you can say "Go, buy it, and be ready for a fascinating reading experience".
Strongly recommended.
Many thanks to the publisher and Netgalley for this ARC, all opinions are mine.