The King's Name by Jo Walton - Fantasy - SFBookcase.com - Reference of Science Fiction and Fantasy Novels/Authors.

Series: Sulien
Volume: 2
Genre: Fantasy
ISBN: 0765343401
Publisher: TOR
Reader Rating: 7 out of 10
Votes: 1

The King's Name by Jo Walton

Description: The sequel to The King's Peace (2000) seems to conclude Walton's variation on the Matter of Britain-the tale of King Arthur and his knights. After a decisive victory over warring petty kings and foreign invaders, King Urdo has made peace with them. Now he seeks to bring the motley realm of Tir Tanagiri under the rule of one law, with justice for as many as possible. Some, however, inevitably see a king powerful enough to enforce such a law as a tyrant, and so the realm faces civil war. The narrator, Sulien ap Gwien, a female warrior who plays the role of Lancelot as the king's champion, must gather her forces and ride to battle again. It is a particularly heartbreaking battle this time, as it is fought against friends and kin. The pacing is brisk, the emotional impact great, and the concluding farewell to Sulien doesn't absolutely preclude a third volume about Tir Tanagiri. Not a bad proposition, if and when, for Walton is making page-turners of her take on Arthur's Britain.