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CompleteMartialArts.com - Black Horses For the King


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Manufacturer: Del Rey
Average Customer Rating: Average rating of 4.0/5Average rating of 4.0/5Average rating of 4.0/5Average rating of 4.0/5Average rating of 4.0/5

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Binding: Mass Market Paperback
EAN: 9780345468635
ISBN: 0345468635
Label: Del Rey
Manufacturer: Del Rey
Number Of Items: 1
Number Of Pages: 192
Publication Date: 2004-04-27
Publisher: Del Rey
Reading Level: Young Adult
Release Date: 2004-04-27
Studio: Del Rey

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Editorial Reviews:

This fast-moving historical fantasy by bestselling author Anne McCaffrey traces the beginnings of the British cavalry, as recounted by a boy growing up in exciting and perilous times.

After his father’s death, young Galwyn Varianus is apprenticed to his uncle, who puts the boy to work on the high seas. But horses, not ships, are Galwyn’s passion. Luckily, a passenger aboard, Lord Artos (later to rule as the legendary King Arthur), is bound for the great horse fair at Septimania. Risking his life, Galwyn abandons his uncle to serve the gallant leader. Galywn’s calming way with horses quickly impresses Lord Artos and his men. But what no one expects is how crucial Galwyn will be to their upcoming battles—as he masters the secrets of the iron shoes that will protect the exotic horses’ delicate hooves. . . .


Spotlight customer reviews:

Customer Rating: Average rating of 4/5Average rating of 4/5Average rating of 4/5Average rating of 4/5Average rating of 4/5
Summary: A young boy helps King Arthur
Comment: Though this book is aimed at young adults, I quite enjoyed it. It was a fast read, and I am interested in anything that has to do with King Arthur. This story focuses mostly around the boy Galwyn and his love for horses. He eventually is able to help King Arthur, or Artos, with his knowledge of both horses and languages. I think all young adults will enjoy this story, and it is good for adults looking for a quick read. If you like horses, or stories related to King Arthur, check this one out.

Customer Rating: Average rating of 4/5Average rating of 4/5Average rating of 4/5Average rating of 4/5Average rating of 4/5
Summary: Anne McCafery's historical fiction book set in the time of the Briton and Saxon War ( by a 13 year old )
Comment: Anne McCafery is back but instead of a fantasy novel she's come out with a great historical fiction book, set in the time of the Briton and Saxon War, Black Horses for the King. Keeping Away from the stereotyped King Arthur and his knights in shining armor, she tries to make it as true and historically correct as possible and yet still make it her own and as fascinatingly unique as possible. This intriguing book is about Young Galwyn who escaped his slave-like life as a seaman under the whip of his cruel uncle. He joined up with the courageous and heroic Lord Artos (King Arthur) who is trying to eliminate the Saxons. Galwyn figured out his calling in life is being a blacksmith, courier and a horse handler. But his most important trade is horseshoeing Lord Artos's great Libyan Horses for the Great War of the Britons and the Saxons; but when someone has a tremendously important job---along comes envy. Like In most books, when there is a hero along comes the "bad guy." In this case it's another horse handler (Iswy) who was (literally) kicked out for trying to attack a horse; Iswy who despises and envies Galwyn tries to ruin and end Galwyn's life. At the end Galwyn and Lord Atoes are both victorious in defeating their own enemy.

Customer Rating: Average rating of 4/5Average rating of 4/5Average rating of 4/5Average rating of 4/5Average rating of 4/5
Summary: The Story of King Arthur without the round table
Comment: Best-selling fantasy author Anne McCaffrey has done it again and has written another fantastic book, Black Horses For The King. Black Horses For The King is a historical fiction book set in the time of the legendary King Arthur, who at this time was called Lord Artos. It is about Galwyn Varinus, a young man apprenticed to his cruel uncle, a sailor named Gralior, after his father dies. Galwyn runs away from his uncles ship to join with Lord Artos, who at that time was passing through the area trying to find Libyan mounts for his men to ride into battle on against the Saxons. Galwyn on his journey makes a blood enemy, a young Cornovian who treats Galwyn with minimal respect and more than once makes Galwyn's life awful. During his stay with the Companions of Lord Artos, Canyd, a horse doctor, and a smith finally invent horseshoes. Although the topic of the horseshoes was interesting, I think the author dragged it on a bit too long. Galwyn finally grows trustworthy enough in Lord Artos's mind to be allowed into Camelot (Artos's headquarters) where he becomes honorable, loyal, and grows into a man. While this book was easy to read and comprehend it might be unsuitable for little kids, as it has some sad and violent topics. There were a lot of characters but the author didn't introduce them all at once, which made the book more comprehensible. Overall this was an excellent story, which painted in your mind a clear picture of life in the time of King Arthur.

Customer Rating: Average rating of 4/5Average rating of 4/5Average rating of 4/5Average rating of 4/5Average rating of 4/5
Summary: Black Horses For the King Report by a 13 year old
Comment: Anne McCaffrey writes Black Horses For The King as her first historical fiction story, branching off from her popular fantasy Dragonriders of Pern series. The story goes as follows: A young Celtic boy, Galwyn Varianus, is forced to work on his no-good uncle's ship after Galwyn's father dies. Fortunately Galwyn becomes a favored one of Lord Artos, later to become King Arthur, for Galwyn is blessed with being able to speak many different tongues. Galwyn seizes his chance and runs away to join Lord Artos. To Galwyn's surprise, Artos is on his way to the famed horse fair in Septimania in hopes of buying pure black Libyan stallions and mares to ride into battle against the savage Saxons. Galwyn learns to overcome his weaknesses and fears to become one of the best hose masters that Briton has to offer. McCaffrey's love for horses and the art of farriery--horseshoeing--is much too evident in the story. She makes farriery seem very boring because she writes about it too much too often. Nevertheless, she makes up for it by adding beautifully developed characters and painting visions of the lush, breathtaking view of Briton and the jet-black stallions. This is a great book for horse-lovers and those who like historical fiction stories.

Customer Rating: Average rating of 3/5Average rating of 3/5Average rating of 3/5Average rating of 3/5Average rating of 3/5
Summary: Historical, but not well intertwined.
Comment: Throughout reading this book I had mixed feelings about it. At parts it seems to just be like reading a text book, at other parts it felt like I was reading more of a Lord of the Rings type adventure.

From my point of veiw the author was very careful to make all of his data historical. Lots of the events in this story are closely related to, or completly the same as many historical happenings. In some parts of the book this can be great, but in other parts it seemed like the author was trying a little to hard to get tons of facts in the book.

I give it 3 stars, mostly because it is a good read, but there are a few flaws in the book.


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