Here lies Arthur is a witty book, full of highs and lows. Written in the time between the Romans leaving and the Normans raiding Great Britain, it provides some insightful views into human psychology. It starts with Gwyna, escaping from her manor house, after some knights come pillaging the place because the laird didn’t pay his taxes. She escapes, and finds herself on the edge of a wood. Exhausted and ready to drop on her feet, she is rescued by Myrddin, the magician of King Arthur, and he reveals to her the real secret behind magic.

Here lies Arthur is set in myth or perhaps a parallel universe. England is split up into many different parts, each with its own king, or ruler. Myrddin is determined that Arthur will unite all the regions, and once England is unified, they will be able to drive out the Saxons. Myrddin uses magic, not fairytale style, but a far more subtle and interesting style: he plays to people's hopes and fears, telling them what they want to hear – how great Arthur is and how there will peace and prosperity .

When riding through the country Gywna hears the stories Myrddin tells, and describes them thus: “And what words! To people who had never left the valley they were born in, Myrddin brought news of the wide world, and tales of the wonders of Britain. There was a lake in Brechiniog where Arthur had been where the islands never rested in the same place twice. Arthur had stolen a magic cauldron that was always full of the food that you most wanted to eat.” This is the magic of Myrddin that gave the people hope.

In this same way, because he does not want to abandon Gwyna, he casts another ‘magic’ spell playing to people’s expectations. He cuts her hair, gives her a new jerkin, and at once she is accepted in to the society of the boys tagging along with Arthur and his war band. Boys notice nothing, because they don’t expect a girl. A very clever concept.

Gwyna finds herself in the company of King Arthur, with opportunities she would never have dreamed of before. She has the chance to be squire to knights and wait on royal ladies, all of this by the grace of Myrddin’s magic. But as time goes on things seem to slow up, owners of lands are not paying tribute, and even the near-mythical Arthur seems to be more interested in raiding other nearby provinces. It will be up to Gwyna to restore the picture of the great, noble Arthur, but England has been divided against itself, and the challenge may be too much for her. Read on to find out. 

Here lies Arthur is a great book for all ages, as you can read it on different levels. You can read it literally but also it has many psychological lessons you can usefully learn from. It is written by an excellent writer, and is usually nicely paced, but sometimes it can drag somewhat. Overall, it made a strong case for the competition. And it deserves to do well as it is an original idea.

8 out of 10