I found this book challenging to get into at first, but really enjoyed it once I let myself become immersed. (I can't quite put my finger on what it was that I found difficult at first, but it could be that it was a bit slower than books I've read recently.) Oddly, I liked the "tales of" chapters — characters' backstories — a lot more than the plot chapters. Grossman's take on those arthurian legends is fresh and new, but still feels old and grounded in the old myths. Overall, a good book (if a bit slow), and definitely make sure to read the author's note! It re-framed some of the anachronisms I found confusing and made them make sense.