Here Lies Arthur, by Philip Reeve, is an alternative tale of the adventures of the legendary King Arthur, but not as we know him. Although there is some focus on Arthur, he is not the main character, and Reeve follows the tale of Gwyna, a young girl serving for the popular storyteller Myrddin.

Myrddin makes his living scattering heroic tales about Arthur’s adventures across the West Country, and it is from these brilliant stories that Reeve suggests we have been led to the false conclusion of Arthur’s adventures.

Reeve often offers an alternative description of Arthur, as an unreasonable, power-hungry brute of a man. He is not portrayed as a cold-hearted character, but he has a nasty temper and when faced with battle, he is utterly ruthless.

Arthur is not described as a king, but a sixth-century leader of a band of warriors, who seem merciless with the exception of his most faithful employee, the enchanting storyteller Myrddin.

Gwyna is taken into care by Myrddin, after having her previous master’s settlement burnt down, ironically by Arthur and his ransacking warriors. She is supposed to be of one single, short-term use, this being to be used to create a “magical” tale involving Arthur, again, compiled and dispersed across the country by the wizard himself.

However, while the two work together, a special relationship forms, and the two become almost psychologically connected, and Myrddin does not even consider simply casting away Gwyna and never thinking of her again. Instead, he retains her under the disguise of his young male apprentice.

Gwyna is immediately plunged into the male world, and even begins to forget every aspect of her previous female childhood, until adolescence forces her to reverse her disguise.

But her thorough enjoyment of boyhood is greatly challenged when she is required to go to war. The story continues during the battle, and the use of language to describe the bloody battle-scene is phenomenal.

One particular aspect of this story that I like is Gwyna’s realisation that people will believe anything Myrddin will say, and this is one of the main factors that the story teller uses to promote the apparently heroic King Arthur.

Throughout the story, I compared the majestically spun tales of Myrddin with their similar modern adaptations of today, and I find it particularly interesting how Reeve suggests that stories will be changed and elaborated as they are passed down from one generation top another.

I believe that this book would be suitable for ages twelve onwards, and would be a good read for both genders.

8.56 out of 10