This series really grew on me. At the beginning, I wasn't sure about it, but I deliberately slowed down for awhile when I was reading this because I didn't want it to end. This is a very enthralling, more grounded take on Arthurian legend. The author works hard to make the world feel real, from the descriptions of characters' appearances, clothing, food to the inner workings of each kingdom and how the political system works. It was all very realistic, which is a quality at which the author excels. But he also included otherworldly incidents involving Druidic magic, that may or may not have been real, it all depends on whether we believe the narrator's interpretation and memory. I really loved these books, despite some of the disturbing content. If you're looking for a realistic, sometimes brutal depiction of what Arthur would have been like as a real person, then look no further. This is the series for you. ( )

i LOVE this trilogy. Couldn't cry at the end because i'm at work, but my soul ir crying so much right now. May the gods bless derfel and arthur in the other world. ( )

Slow and full of backfill. Love Cornwell but not his best for me I'm afraid. ( )

Excellent conclusion to the trilogy. And an end that I didn't quite expect but does fit with the legend. ( )

Part three and the final of the trilogy. A rundown of the content:

Part 1: The Fires of Mai Dun = basically about Merlin trying to call upon the gods of old through a ritual that involves big fires and offering of young souls. This gets prevented largely by Arthur & co. as his son is involved. Nimue is furious, vows to avenge this preventing.

Part 2: Mynyd Baddon = battle of Aelle/Cerdic/Lancelot vs Arthur/Derfel/Culwch/... where only late in the story Arthur comes to the rescue. But at what cost? It's an awfully bloody battle, horrific and you can almost see the people fighting, fleeing, screaming.

Part 3: Nimue's curse. Battle at Mynyd Baddon: Cuneglas gets killed by Liofa. Derfel, Arthur & co. defeat the Saxons, but to what cost? Arthur retires in Gwent (King Meurig), but can't get out, Meurig won't let him, wants peace in his land. King Mordred spreads rumour of his death, but assembles new army to slay the unfaithful (Arthur's gang). Derfel & Sansum are captured, can escape. Nimue wants to bring the old gods back, abuses Merlin (so he's just a toy anymore, once she has sucked all knowledge from him), puts a curse on Ceinwyn (Derfel's wife), all to have Gwydre (Arthur's son) & Excalibur to perform the final rites. Derfel must execute those orders. No one can lift the curse, except Morgan (Merlin's former assistant). But for that Derfel has to be converted to christianity... and give up his left hand (which binds him to Nimue by a scar). Creepy stuff these final pages.

Part 4: The Last Enchantment. Derfel, Arthur & co. flee, try to go into Dumnonia by boat. Everyone gets killed by the storm, save for their little boat, while Merlin's dead body continues to float behind them. Merlin's last gift to them (his friends) is the ship (with a friend) that will save them from Mordred's/Nimue's harm. But they have to wait until that boat is ready and the tide is right. Mordred's army has found them. In the meantime Sagramor managed to join Arthur with some warriors and horses. Nimue's army is closeby as well. Mordred & Arthur get into a fight, all remain aside as these two fight to the death. Arthur is badly wounded, but manages with a final blow to kill Mordred. Derfel stays behind to defend the last piece of land & return Excalibur to the sea (Nimue can't do anything about that), wives & children are saved, as is Arthur & his son, Gwydre. Galahad & Culwch are killed.

Strange ending, though, as bishop Sansum summons Derfel. What happened to Nimue? She was still alive and kicking as Derfel threw the sword into the sea. What happened to Ceinwyn, Guinever, Gwydre, ... afterwards?

The book itself is another nice piece of work, but at times it's tedious, doesn't advance and you feel like you have to struggle to turn a page. Hence the 3 stars instead of 4. But overall, the trilogy is certainly worth reading, no doubt about that. ( )