Black Horses for the King

by Anne McCaffrey

Book Overview

Galwyn, the son of a bankrupt and dishonored aristocrat, has always had an ear for languages. So when Lord Artos--later known as King Arthur--needs an interpreter to help him buy large horses to breed... This description may be from another edition of this product.

• Format: Hardcover
• Language: English
• ISBN: 0152273220
• ISBN13: 9780152273224
• Release Date: April 1996
• Publisher: Houghton Mifflin
• Length: 240 Pages
• Weight: 1.15 lbs.
• Dimensions: 1.0" x 6.3" x 9.3"
• Age Range: 12 years and up
• Grade Range: Grade 7 and higher

Customer Reviews

Arthurian Lore

I collect every book I can find about Arthur and his universe. McCaffrey's book fits excellently into the collection. Although perhaps written for young adults, any reader will find this book will written, exciting and solid. McCaffrey's writing style, as always, carries the reader through the book in magnificent style.

Another Awesome McCaffrey Book

I really enjoyed this book. So much I have read it twice. It is great for the horse lover because it tells about where farriring may have begun. I really like the characters and it gave me another point of view of King Arthur! I was sad when it was over and wished we could have learned more about the lives of the characters and the great war horses.

Perfect for the Horse Lover

This book would make an excellent gift for a horseman (or woman) that you know. It is an incredible historical fiction about the development of farriership (blacksmithing) in the world. The characters and plot are well thought out and balance the technical aspect of the book. Even a person with no knowledge of horses would find this to be an interesting novel. The hero is both relatable and human; he makes mistakes but learns from his experiences working with the horses. Arthur, the future King Arthur and a supporting character in this book, has never been characterized in such a realistic way; the character seems to come alive in the pages of this book.

Black Horses is a refreshing, unique look at King Arthur

In a departure from her normal fare of Science Fiction and Fantasy, Anne McCaffrey gives us a hugely believable tale of King Arthur, and the true uniting of all the Britons. Told from the point of view of a young runaway, Galwyn Varianus, Black Horses traces Lord Artos', who is later thought to be King Arthur's, search for fast horses. These horses had to be big enough and strong enough for his knights to ride to give the Britons a fighting chance against the bigger armies of the Saxons. Historically accurate, Black Horses is a fast read, and an emminetly exciting story. Despite the lack of the mystical turn of the normal King Arthur tale, or perhaps because of it, Black Horses for the King takes the reader into a realm of fantasy both thrilling and moving. A highly satisfying story aimed at the young adult, Black Horses is a treat for all readers, young and old alike. King Arthur fans will enjoy this unique look at their favorite hero, and those who like more realism in their stories will like this likely view of a piece of history.

It was the best book I have ever read. It kept you going.

Black Horses for the King is an exciting book that everybody should read at least once. I had so much history in it and also a lot of parts that wanted you to know what happened next. I never put the book down until I finished it. I you are a big person on medievel times, king arthor, and horses you should read this book. You'll never forget the story of a young boy and these beautiful, aggresive horses that he loved so much.