Vagabond

The Grail Quest, Book 2

By: Bernard Cornwell

Narrated by: Andrew Cullum

Length: 16 hrs and 7 mins

Publisher's summary

It is 1347 - a year of war and unrest. England’s army is fighting in France, and the Scots are invading from the North. Thomas of Hookton, sent back to England to follow an ancient trail to the Holy Grail, becomes embroiled in the fighting at Durham. Here, he meets a new and sinister enemy, a Dominican Inquisitor, who, like all of Europe, is searching for Christendom’s most holy relic. It is not certain the grail even exists, but no one wants to let it fall into someone else’s hands. And though Thomas may have an advantage in the search - an old notebook left to him by his father seems to offer clues to the whereabouts of the relic - his rivals, inspired by a fanatical religious fervor, have their own ways: the torture chamber of the Inquisition.

Barely alive, Thomas is able to escapes their clutches, but fate will not let him rest. He is thrust into one of the bloodiest fights of the Hundred Years War, the battle of la Roche-Derrien, and amidst the flames, arrows, and butchery of that night, he faces his enemies once again.

©2002 Bernard Cornwell (P)2014 HarperCollins Publishers

Great team

This is a stellar series and I think the pairing of author and narrator is what makes this a classic. On to the next!

Phenomenally written and narrated

Great characters and a story portrayed in a way that makes you feel like you were in the thick of the battle.

Medieval warfare at its finest!

As with the Saxon Tales, Cornwell spins an historically accurate tale of medieval warfare, complete with graphic descriptions of battle wounds and injuries, tactical maneuvers and strategy, whilst highlighting the importance of English archers and their lethal proficiency with the Welsh yew bow.

Coupled with being set during the French Inquisition with Dominican inquisitors, one realizes that Church history is as bathed in blood as that of medieval history, and man’s inhumanity towards his fellow man is the historical norm rather than the exception.

One begins to understand how Christendom paved the way for Western Civilisation that brought peace and prosperity to countless millions, worldwide, though often at the expense of the indigenous peoples who endured colonisation.

Don’t become comfortable with favourite characters as many don’t last for the next book. While sad, each fulfilled a crucial part in the story and enriched the plot by their brief inclusion.

Nothing ever turns out as you may expect, which makes the book an intensely satisfying one upon completion.

Great book by Mr Cornwell

Starts right where the last one left off. Facing ting story with great history involved.

great story

another cornwell home run. everything he writes is awesome. this is another series that I will be listening to over and over.

enjoyable listen, even for the third time

I enjoy this series and look forward to completing my relisten to the entire series.

awesome sequel

Cornwell captures the chaos of battle better than anyone! historically accurate but never dull. the characters are human--they come alive in the story

Solid again

Always solid when these two team up vvvvvvvvv b b b b b b b

Awesome

Great way to get acquainted with distant historical events. Very entertaining as well - makes you feel like you’re there living the adventure yourself!

Bernard Cornwell Never Fails To Deliver!

Another great series. Love it. Can't wait to start the next book. I ended up binge listening because it just got really good and I didn't want to stop listening.

Well narrated too. Great job.