Vagabond (Grail Quest) - Hardcover

Cornwell, Bernard

Hardcover

ISBN 10: 0066210801 ISBN 13: 9780066210803

Publisher: HarperCollins, 2002

Synopsis

In a sequel to The Archer's Tale, young Thomas of Hookton has his first experience of naval warfare during the Hundred Years War while pursuing his father's murderer, a man who also stole the Holy Grail from the Hookton family's ancient church. 75,000 first printing.

About this title

Review:

Vagabond, the second entry in the "Grail Quest" sequence, has been eagerly anticipated by those who read the first book, and it doesn't disappoint. Thomas has managed to survive the battle of Crécy. Still nursing his wounds, he is dispatched by the king on a mission to look into the matter of his father's inheritance, which is obscurely connected to the Holy Grail. This most precious relic of the Christian faith is a much sought-after object, offering the power of total victory in war to its owner. But Thomas finds himself in the middle of a battle against an army invading the North of England, and other shadowy forces pursuing the grail are prepared to slaughter anyone who stands in their way. In the ruins of his birthplace, Thomas discovers more about his father, and a dangerous voyage to France brings him up against his cousin and arch-enemy, Count of Astarc Guy Vexville. The stage is set for a merciless showdown.

Thomas is a protagonist drawn quite as pithily as his much-loved predecessor, and the sheer verve of Cornwell's storytelling here is irresistible. We are plunged into a distant age: bloody, colourful and dangerous. Roll on, volume three! --Barry Forshaw

Review:

‘Crackling with good deeds, fine characters and sparkling set pieces, it confirms yet again Cornwell’s reputation for masterly historical novels’ DAILY MAIL

‘It is all spectacular, rattling good stuff: war and torture; love, lust and loss’ THE TIMES

‘The battle scenes, as always, are masterful; and the vignettes of everyday living, in times of extreme hardship, have the ring of simple truth’ SUNDAY TELEGRAPH

‘A very fine writer’ ECONOMIST

About this edition

• Publisher: HarperCollins
• Publication date: 2002
• ISBN 10: 0066210801
• ISBN 13: 9780066210803
• Binding: Hardcover
• Edition number: 1
• Number of pages: 416