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Excalibur

The Chronicles of Arthur, Book 1

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Excalibur

By: Peter Gibbons
Narrated by: Sean Barrett
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About this listen

 The bestselling action adventure series from Peter Gibbons! Must-listen for fans of Bernard Cornwell

Dark Age Britain. A legendary hero rises to unite a divided and threatened land...

A country left in ruins after the fall of the Roman Empire is plundered and broken. Saxon hordes have invaded and conquered the East coast of Britain in a blood-soaked Great War which tore the old kingdoms apart. From Bernicia to Kent, land and kingdoms are now under Saxon rule. But these new conquerors want more…

Britain's remaining kingdoms are jaded by the constant threat of war, their Kings old, alliances fickle and frayed. It seems Britain must fall enslaved to the brutal and marauding conquerors from across the sea.

But no one counted on a new and fearsome warlord. A warrior granted power by the druid Merlin through the mighty sword Excalibur. A man with no Kingdom but a quest to unite the country and fight back against the baying Saxon warriors? He is known as the legendary Arthur.

The sword has the power of Britain in its steel, men will follow and fight for whoever wields it...

The compelling, fast-paced start of a series from bestselling writer Peter Gibbons.©2024 Peter Gibbons (P)2024 Boldwood Books Ancient Epic Fantasy Historical Fiction Arthurian Royalty War

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All stars
Most relevant
Whilst I wait for Mancour to churn out a new book, I searched for something to listen to. Being a veteran Arthur enthusiast (Lawhead, Hollick, Cornwell etc) I accidentally happened upon Excalibur! I was hooked from the first 5 minutes. I was once again dropped into a Britain struggling with waves of foreign invaders and striving to retain their identity against all odds,repelling the foreigners .I love Sean’s performances from the other books he has bought life. I am going straight into the next book! Nice one Pete!

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I am a real fan of Bernard Cornwell's books, especially his "medieval" series, and after enjoying them (twice), for a long time I was looking for something similar. Unsuccessfully, until now.
I have bought and downloaded the next book in series even before I reached the half of this one.

Cornwell-like excellence.

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Arthur, Kay, Ector and Uther ride again. Merlin as mad and bad as ever. The legend goes on. A rip roaring read from the brilliant Sean. Thank you

Excellent

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This isn’t your typical King Arthur tale; no shimmering castles or noble knights prancing about in polished armour here. Instead, Gibbons delivers a raw, visceral reimagining of the legend, steeped in the muddy, bloody realism of a Dark Ages Britain that feels as real as the ground beneath your feet. I was utterly captivated, and I suspect anyone who loves historical fiction with an edge, will be too.
The narration because it’s nothing short of phenomenal. Sean Barrett is gripping in the truest sense; every word drips with intensity, pulling you into the clash of steel and the whispered conspiracies of a fractured land. The narrator doesn’t just read the story; they embody it, giving each character a distinct weight and texture. You can practically smell the smoke of the burning villages and feel the desperation of warriors facing impossible odds. It’s the kind of performance that makes you forget you’re listening to a book and tricks you into thinking you’re crouched by a fire in some war-torn Saxon camp.
Gibbons’ storytelling matches the narration’s ferocity. The plot is a relentless beast, weaving a tapestry of betrayal, loyalty, and survival that keeps you on edge. There’s no fluff here, just a lean, muscular narrative that drives forward with the inevitability of a charging warhorse. What sets Excalibur apart is its unflinching realism. This isn’t the romanticized Arthurian legend of Camelot and courtly love; it’s a gritty, grounded tale where power is won with sweat, blood and a lot of, erm, well sh*!, Gibbons paints a Britain teetering on the edge of chaos, where rival warlords carve out petty kingdoms amid the ruins of Rome’s retreat. The historical detail is staggering - every muddy trench, every crude wooden hall feels meticulously crafted, like you could reach out and touch the splinters.
What I loved most was how Gibbons strips away the mythic sheen to focus on the human core of the story. Arthur isn’t a golden king here; he’s a man forged by the brutal necessities of his time, surrounded by warriors who are as flawed as they are fierce. The result is a story that feels both ancient and immediate, a reminder that history’s heroes were often just people who refused to break. It’s not always pretty, but it’s always gripping.
If you’re looking for a historical epic that trades rose-tinted nostalgia for a blade-sharp edge, Excalibur is your next listen. Five stars without hesitation.

A Seriously Intense Ride

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I was unsure at the start, but by the gods this man was born to write historical sword and action! He sells it with absolute belief, if you loved Cornwells trilogy and are looking for a less mythical, more edge of the seat read this is it! Soooo good.

The new Bernard Cornwell!!!!

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