The Call of Destiny - Reviews
A vivid – and curiously timely – retelling of the 1200 year old ‘Arthurian’ myth. A worthy successor to Mallory, Fenton’s Return of Arthur is a deliciously fulfilling read. In part a modern redemptive, it also encompasses morality tale, cautionary fable and a warts- and-all analysis of contemporary ‘realpolitik’. I urge you to read it, and read it now, and then savour the exquisite agony of waiting for the sequel!
Paul Blezard, Oneword Radio
A very well written book. Takes the story of Arthur into the 21st Century and beyond. An unexpected slant on the story. Full of intrigue, politics and terrorism. Would make a great film.
Chris Jennings
"A The Return of Arthur is unashamedly political, posing incisive and challenging questions to the liberal democracies of the West. Despite being a fantasy, it is also a zeitgeist novel, drawing on the current world climate to open a window into the future. Based on Mallory's Morte d'Arthur, the reader closely follows the magic and intrigue which surrounds the character of Arthur. From his childhood with the loving couple, Hector and Elizabeth, to his university days at Oxford, we see Arthur develop into a dashing and chivalrous young man, under Merlin's careful tutelage. Fulfilling Merlin's prophecy that he would usurp his real father's position as British Prime Minister, Arthur stands alone against a ruthless terrorist group, known as the Angels of Mercy. Faced with an impossible choice, Arthur knows how to act. Alan Fenton's second novel moves with relentless pace, making it eminently readable. A gripping yarn, The Return of Arthur, continually tantalises the reader as to how Arthur will fulfil his destiny. Fenton manages to combine a nail-biting political thriller with Mallory's Arthurian fantasy, providing the reader with an allegory for our times.
Anthony Felsenstein
"A fantastically enjoyable book, easy to read and absorbing. Alan Fenton certainly has the facility to engage the reader's interest. The whole concept of applying the Arthurian legend to the modern fight against terrorism is very original and imaginative and makes the novel very diferent from most you read. The main characterisations are well developed and the unfolding of that of Arthur himself is particularly effective. I definitely recommend this book"
Denis Rayner
Extremely imaginative, well written, suspenseful and entertaining. Hard reality combined with magical intervention. Human frailties and weakness strikingly portrayed in his characters. The worst scenarios posed by terrorist threats laid out in brutal detail. Cometh the hour cometh the man it is said, and indeed there is a dire need for statesmen who can look beyond national interest. Just where a Merlin is coming from I cannot say, but perhaps all will be revealed in the sequel!
Ted Sutton
An excellent novel. The Return of Arthur moves with relentless pace, making it a great read. A gripping yarn, it continually tantalises the reader as to how Arthur will fulfil his destiny. The author manages to combine Mallory's Arthurian fantasy with an up-to-date political setting, providing the reader with an allegory for our times.
Frankie Samuels
It's amazing that someone hasn't done this before. Just as well probably - they would never have done it as well as Alan Fenton. This is absolutely my best read this year. It has everything - sex, drama, incest, murder, political intrigue, fighting terrorism . The lot! And all very firmly based on the Arthurian legend.
Bill McLaren
What's more it's a great story. Surely it has to be a movie? I'm already working on the stars to play the lead roles of Arthur, Merlin, Guinevere and Lancelot. And how about Uther! What an attractive villain! Loved it.
Meg Andersen
I really enjoyed this book. Arthur lives again to fight the terrorists. He certainly shows our feeble political leaders how to do it. Pretty relevant I'd say! It's a great idea and a great story. The author uses the characters of the myth that everybody knows - Arthur, Merlin, Lancelot and Guinevere and the rest, but they are as modern as you or me. I might just read it again on holiday in Spain!
Jeff Alderton
You don't need to be an Arthur buff to enjoy it. The author has used the mythological Arthurian characters and incidents, and in a most ingenious way re-interpreted them for our times. I don't think anyone has done this before. It's original, it works, it's a hellova story, and it raises all sorts of interesting questions about the fight against terrorism. I'd have to say this is definitely my most enjoyable and stimulating read for ages! Thoroughly recommend it.
Lydia
Great! I especially loved Arthur, Merlin, Lancelot and Guinevere and Uther, Arthur's father. But all the characters are strong. The story grips from the first page and never let's go. Fascinating to see how an incident like Arthur withdrawing the Sword from the Stone can be made to live in a 21st Century context. The terrorist attack at the end is incredibly exciting and all too real. This is the best book I've read for as long as I can remember. Five stars!
R. Davies