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Black Horses for the King (Magic Carpet Books) | 
| Author: Anne Mccaffrey
Publisher: Magic Carpet Books
Category: Book
List Price: $6.95
Buy New: $5.80
You Save: $1.15 (17%)
New (7) from $5.80
Avg. Customer Rating:  24 reviews
Sales Rank: 318805
Media: Paperback
Edition: 1
Reading Level: Young Adult
Number Of Items: 1
Pages: 240
Shipping Weight (lbs): 0.3
Dimensions (in): 6.7 x 4.2 x 0.8
ISBN: 0152063781
EAN: 9780152063788
ASIN: 0152063781
Publication Date: August 1, 2008
Availability: Usually ships in 1-2 business days
Shipping: Expedited shipping available
Condition: All items are BRAND NEW from the manufacturer! Tracking provided.
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Amazon.com
Anne McCaffrey is back with this precious, well-researched yarn that follows a Celtic lad in service to King Arthur. Set in fifth-century Britain, McCaffrey's first historical novel for young adults rejects a fantastical, Hollywood treatment of King Arthur in favor of realism and solid storytelling. Take away the Round Table and the usual knights-in-shining-armor hoo-hah, and you're left with an engaging, endearing chapter from the life of Artos, Comes Britannorum, a young war leader in search of horses strong enough to carry his armored warriors into battle against the savage Saxons. The story is told through the eyes of polite, earnest young do-gooder Galwyn Varianus, who has fled the service of his cruel, brutish, seafaring uncle to take up with the charismatic Artos. Galwyn quickly proves his value with his affinity for languages and horses, and he accompanies Artos and the Companions (proto-Knights of the Round Table) as they execute their plan: acquiring and then breeding a handful of fabled Libyans, the horses of the book's title, and then mastering and disseminating the knowledge of horseshoe-making. The action revolves around Galwyn's role in this plan and never rises above the pace of, say, an after-school special. But rich details, McCaffrey's obvious love of the subject matter, and involving characters go a long way to make up for the story's slow trot. (In particular, you'll find yourself waiting eagerly for the comeuppance of one character, a sneering rider named Iswy, Goofus to Galwyn's Gallant.) --Paul Hughes
Product Description
Galwyn, the son of a bankrupt and dishonored aristocrat, has always had an ear for languages. So when Lord Artos—later known as King Arthur—needs an interpreter to help him buy large horses to breed a troop strong enough to carry armed warriors against the Saxon invaders, Galwyn gets a chance to redeem his father’s honor and make a name for himself. Includes an author’s note..
Download Description
Lord Artos -- later to rule as the legendary King Arthur -- knew he could defeat the Saxon invaders if only he could find a race of horses swift and strong enough to carry warriors in full regalia fast and far. And so he set out for the Continent, in search of the famed horses of the desert.The key to Lord Artos' plan was the young runaway Galwyn Varianus, whose gift for horse-trading was second only to his skill with horses. What no one expected was how crucial Galwyn would be to the upcoming battles -- as he mastered the secrets of the iron shoes that would protect the desert horses' delicate hooves... This fast-moving historical fantasy by bestselling author Anne McCaffrey -- the story of King Arthur as it has never been told before -- is about the beginnings of the British cavalry, as recounted by a boy growing up in exciting and perilous times.
"The Arthurian flavor is well maintained throughout, and both characterizations and events are totally convincing."
BOOKLIST"McCaffrey's unromanticized portrait of the times is full of muck and grit, and horse lovers and fans of historical fiction will find much to enjoy in the details."
LIBRARY JOURNAL
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| Customer Reviews: Read 19 more reviews...
A young boy helps King Arthur June 27, 2007
1 out of 1 found this review helpful
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.
Anne McCafery's historical fiction book set in the time of the Briton and Saxon War ( by a 13 year old ) February 6, 2007
1 out of 1 found this review helpful
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.
The Story of King Arthur without the round table February 6, 2007
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.
Black Horses For the King Report by a 13 year old February 6, 2007
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.
 Historical, but not well intertwined. November 6, 2006
1 out of 2 found this review helpful
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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