DownloadThe Portobello Bookshop Gift Guide 2024

The Fourth Gwenevere

John James author John Matthews author Caitlin Matthews author

Format:Paperback

Publisher:Quercus Publishing

Published:7th May '15

Currently unavailable, and unfortunately no date known when it will be back

The Fourth Gwenevere cover

From the author of Votan - 'Probably the best book ever done about the Norse,' says Neil Gaiman - comes a gripping new retelling in the Arthurian cycle by a masterful storyteller.

Gwenevere, Arthur's Saxon wife, is a problem. As the dynastic cement between the British and the Saxons, her marriage to Arthur will result in a child that will unite both sides. At least, that would have been the plan, had the Great Duke Arthur not died (accidentally and not at all heroically) and left the petty kings of Britain to squabble over his title.

Only Morvran, Arthur's chief fixer, has the wit to see that the Fourth Gwenevere is the key to maintaining a crumbling peace. But when she is abducted, it seems that all hopes might disappear with her.

For, in a world where swords and horses have names of honour, where poets speak as oracles of a shifting truth and the raiding of Saxon warriors is set to ruin Britain, perhaps it's only the Fourth Gwenevere herself who has the real solution?

This edition contains bonus material!

A wonderful, different and unfamiliar take on Arthurian legend . . . a pretty awesome read that comes recommended. * FICTIONAL HANGOUT *

The greatest historical novelist of my time

* BYRON ROGERS, winner of the James Tait Black Memorial Prize *
Crackles with atmosphere and splendidly imaginative writing * GUARDIAN on Not for All the Gold in Ireland *
Probably the best book ever done about the Norse * NEIL GAIMAN on Votan *
A novel of stark imaginative fire * THE OBSERVER on Men went to Cattreath *
An imagination as rich as it is vivid * THE TIMES on Votan *

A first-rate historical novelist

* OXFORD TIMES *

Rich and fascinating and intense

* WESTERN MAIL on Men went to Cattreath *
Mr James writes with immense gusto * DAILY TELEGRAPH on Votan *
Full of exuberance and colourful fantasy * MANCHESTER EVENING NEWS on Not for All the Gold in Ireland *
A lovely book. Its story is suitably adventurous and exciting and for anyone with the slightest interest in the Matter of Britain this entertaining tale is recommended reading * A FANTASTICAL LIBRARIAN *
A gripping tale of treachery, bloodshed, and plague . . . Morvran is like a fantasy equivalent of Breq, the starship narrator of Ann Leckie's Ancillary Justice (this year's Hugo Award winner). Readers who enjoyed puzzling their way through that tale of slaughter will find much to enjoy here * AMAZING STORIES *

ISBN: 9781848664135

Dimensions: 196mm x 130mm x 24mm

Weight: 220g

304 pages