Heretic (The Grail Quest, Book 3) and over 2 million other books are available for Amazon Kindle . Learn more


or
Sign in to turn on 1-Click ordering.
More Buying Choices
Have one to sell? Sell yours here
Sorry, this item is not available in
Image not available for
Colour:
Image not available

 
Share your own customer images
Search inside this book
Start reading Heretic (The Grail Quest, Book 3) on your Kindle in under a minute.

Don't have a Kindle? Get your Kindle here, or download a FREE Kindle Reading App.

Heretic (The Grail Quest, Book 3) [Paperback]

Bernard Cornwell (Author)
4.3 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (104 customer reviews)
RRP: �7.99
Price: �4.99 & this item Delivered FREE in the UK with Super Saver Delivery. See details and conditions
You Save: �3.00 (38%)
o o o o o o o o o o o o o o o o o o o o o o o o o o o o o o o o o o o o o o o o o o o o o o o o o o o o o o o o o o o o o o o o
In stock.
Dispatched from and sold by Amazon. Gift-wrap available.
Want it tomorrow, 24 Sept.? Details

Formats

 Amazon Price New from Used from
Kindle Edition �4.49   -- --
Hardcover --   -- --
Paperback �4.99   -- --
Audio, CD --   -- --
Unknown Binding --   -- --
Audio Download, Abridged �9.80 or Free with Audible.co.uk 30-day free trial
Books Trade-In
Amazon.co.uk Trade-In Store
Did you know you can trade in your unwanted old books for an Amazon.co.uk Gift Card? This offer is available on thousands of titles--visit the Books Trade-In Store for more details. Learn more.

Book Description

Publication Date: 25 April 2013 | Series: The Grail Quest (Book 3)

The eagerly anticipated follow-up to the number one bestseller Vagabond, this is the third instalment in Bernard Cornwell's GRAIL QUEST series, in a bright and bold repackage.

It is 1347. The Hundred Years War has been suspended. The truce releases English archer Thomas of Hookton to pursue his arch enemy and resume his quest for the most prized relic in Christendom: the Holy Grail. Heading south, Thomas and his men-at-arms begin lightning raids to draw out his enemy.

But fate takes an unexpected hand when the plague strikes. What had been a landscape of castles, monasteries, vineyards and villages becomes death’s kingdom and the need for the grail, as a sign of God’s favour, is more urgent than ever.

Frequently Bought Together

Heretic (The Grail Quest, Book 3) + Vagabond (The Grail Quest, Book 2) + Harlequin (The Grail Quest, Book 1)
Price For All Three: ï¿½16.33

Buy the selected items together

Product details

  • Paperback: 448 pages
  • Publisher: Harper (25 April 2013)
  • Language: English
  • ISBN-10: 0007310323
  • ISBN-13: 978-0007310326
  • Product Dimensions: 12.9 x 19.7 cm
  • Average Customer Review: 4.3 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (104 customer reviews)
  • Amazon Bestsellers Rank: 3,076 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

More About the Author

› Visit Amazon's Bernard Cornwell Page
Bernard Cornwell
Discover books, learn about writers, and more.

Product Description

Amazon Review

Heretic is the third book in Bernard Cornwell's much-acclaimed Grail Quest series, a series that many were initially cautious about because it represented something of a change of pace for the master historical novelist. But Cornwell quickly demonstrated that this period of history was well within his remit, and the sequence has proved to be among his most mesmerising work.

Heretic begins with a bloody battle outside Calais in 1347, a short time before the city fell to the English. The sympathetic Thomas of Hookton is bending every sinew at the service of his master, the Earl of Northampton; after risking his life time and again, Thomas finds himself commissioned to track down the most sacred relic in Christendom, the Holy Grail. He travels to Gascony, seat of power of his nemesis, Guy Vexille. Utilising his archers, Thomas conducts a fierce guerrilla war against Vexille, and yearns for a face-to-face encounter. But then Thomas is routed and finds his campaign in shreds, facing the twin enemies of the church and the plague.

In this third book, Bernard Cornwell ups the ante in every sense: along with the splendidly realised battle scenes (a Cornwell trademark), the evocation of the Middle Ages is more crowded and bustling than one might have thought possible without subsuming the protagonists. But most of all, it's the character of Thomas that powers the narrative; having his hero fall in love (sensitively handled here) sets off the ultimate conflict with his mortal enemy perfectly. Leave the 21st century behind and venture into a dark and foreign era--it's a journey you won't regret. --Barry Forshaw --This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.

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

See all Product Description
Inside This Book (Learn More)
Browse Sample Pages
Front Cover | Copyright | Table of Contents | Excerpt
Search inside this book:

What Other Items Do Customers Buy After Viewing This Item?

› Explore similar items

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews
11 of 11 people found the following review helpful
3.0 out of 5 stars New Bernard Cornwell fan 10 Feb 2005
By penny
Format:Paperback
I am new to Bernard Cornwell, although I have always enjoyed historical novels, the 'Sharpe' series did not appeal to me. However, the 'Grail' trilogy was lent to me so I thought I had better read them.

I must admit I was greatly surprised, and found them very enjoyable. The descriptions of the battles were superb, and I am disappointed that this last book did not contain anything but what seemed to be small skirmishes. I enjoyed the battles so much in the previous two books that I really didn't care if Thomas found the Grail or not. This last book really does concentrate on Thomas' search for the most valuable relic of Jesus that could ever exist. And that seems to be the question. Could the Holy Grail really still exist, and if it does, would it be a good thing to find it.

I do not feel this book was as good as the first two, but I don't think it was as dire as some people have made out. This series can't be that bad, as it has encouraged me to read more Bernard Cornwell.

Comment | 
Was this review helpful to you?
Yes
No
17 of 19 people found the following review helpful
4.0 out of 5 stars More quality from consistent Cornwell 15 Oct 2003
By ssghayes
Format:Hardcover
If there's a better writer of historical adventure fiction currently active, then I'm clearly missing out. Heretic brings the Grail Quest to completion in compelling fashion. Readers of the Sharpe series will need no reminding of the quality of Cornwell's accounts of military action; similarly the authentic feel given to descriptions of medieval life. The new (and central) character of the Heretic is one of Cornwell's best. My only slight quibble (hence 4 stars) is over the development of Thomas himself; I'm sure Cornwell wants to show him "warts and all" but at times his characterisation/motivation seems a little weak. From a personal point of view the Grail Series does not match the Warlord Arthurian trilogy, but will anybody buying The Heretic be disappointed ? No chance.
1 Comment | 
Was this review helpful to you?
Yes
No
32 of 37 people found the following review helpful
4.0 out of 5 stars A fitting end 17 Oct 2003
By A Customer
Format:Hardcover
As a fan of Bernard Cornwall, and a follower of this trilogy I was looking forward to this book immensely. Unlike the Sharpe books which have unfortunately run out of steam somewhat, the charaters in the Grail series are strong throughout. Thomas of Hookton is a strong lead and this tale provides a fitting end to the trilogy.

As exciting as the other two books, this has all of the elements that Cornwall's book thrive on, realistically realised fights and battles, characters to follow and hate, and a love story entwined within everything else. Oh and they are looking for the Holy Grail as well, do they find it...... you'll just have to read the book.

Comment | 
Was this review helpful to you?
Yes
No
2 of 2 people found the following review helpful
4.0 out of 5 stars Muddy fields and empty halls 12 Mar 2004
By Paul Wade
Format:Hardcover
Eagerly awaited and certainly not disappointed. The trilogy came to an ending which from my point of view was unforeseen. The strength, depth and realism of all the characters is something I enjoy most with Cornwalls books. Even to the point where poor Thomas falls in love (or was it lust?) his character was solid as a rock throughout. I was again transported back to those muddy, cold fields and empty halls. To carry the time line so well, a talent the author has in bucket loads.
I love trilogies, as it is easier to retain the story and what's going on from one book to the next, without having to wait for more than three years from "go to whoa".
Another victory for Bernard Cornwall and Thomas too, of course.
Comment | 
Was this review helpful to you?
Yes
No
17 of 20 people found the following review helpful
4.0 out of 5 stars A good end to a good series 7 Nov 2003
By "jannerbennett"
Format:Hardcover
Despite not scaling the heights of some of Cornwell's best works such as the Warlord Trilogy, the Grail Quest series has been consistently entertaining if a little bit predictable.

Heretic follows much the same trend with the quest for the Grail reaching its conclusion. Again we see many of the same Cornwellian elements, hero falls in love, hero abandoned by his friends, hero confronts his nemesis; however it's all told with such style that you hardly care.

The battles here are on a smaller scale than Crecy or Waterloo but still have the intensity that we have come to expect from Cornwell, and we see the development of Thomas, as with Sharpe from a follower to a leader of men.

According to Cornwell, although this is the end of the Grail Quest series it is not the end of Thomas of Hookton who will apparently be returning in a new novel.

Comment | 
Was this review helpful to you?
Yes
No
6 of 7 people found the following review helpful
4.0 out of 5 stars Good stuff 3 Aug 2005
By A Customer
Format:Paperback
I picked this up in a bargain book shop for a couple of quid for reading on holiday. I didn't realise at the time is was the third in a trilogy but even without reading the first 2 books I found it very enjoyable. It's not going to win any prizes but it is a good page turner and I'll be buying the other books in the series. Nice and gory in parts.
Comment | 
Was this review helpful to you?
Yes
No
10 of 12 people found the following review helpful
3.0 out of 5 stars A disappointing end to an excellent trilogy 10 April 2004
By Mr A J Wallace
Format:Hardcover
Having anticipated Thomas of Hookton's final adventure in the grail quest series I must say despite its merits it was the most disappointing of the series.
No major battles are described in this instalement, but Cornwell makes up for this with a colourful plot set in the south of France, however I did feel there was no real focus to the plot, compared with all his other adventure books with Sharpe and Starbuck that usually describe a major engagement.
My personal criticism is that the final confrontation with Guy Vexille was a little disappointing and Thomas's love Jeanette from the previous two books is completely ignored.
However Cornwell does know how to write a book at high pace, superbly describing the characters and allowing you to smell the fear and slaughter of the hand-to-hand fighting.
Cornwell has hinted at more adventures with Thomas and I do hope so, as the stories are my personal favourites of all his work and there are many more tales to be told set in the Hundred Years War.
Read this if you have enjoyed the grail quest series, but i would suggest avoiding if you are new to Bernard Cornwell.
Comment | 
Was this review helpful to you?
Yes
No
Would you like to see more reviews about this item?
Were these reviews helpful?   Let us know
Most Recent Customer Reviews
5.0 out of 5 stars Thankyou for Kindle
As soon as I finished one book of this series it was so easy to download the next one of this series. Another cracking, fast paced story from the pen of Bernard Cornwell.
Published 5 days ago by Mr. W. J. Pritchard
5.0 out of 5 stars Heretic The Grail Quest book 3
Free supersaver delivery well within estimate, Price excellent, A good read if you like historical novels with an element of real history rolled in and explained in historical... Read more
Published 5 days ago by JJ
5.0 out of 5 stars Thomas Of Hookton
I love this character- when is the next book due out after 1356? I want more of this wonderful character.
Published 8 days ago by David Hart
5.0 out of 5 stars Heretic
Book 3 of the Grail Quest concludes the story in fine fashion with come uppances a plenty. A fitting end to a fabulous trilogy. Can't wait to start the Warlord Chronicles :)
Published 9 days ago by Nigel King
4.0 out of 5 stars Okay
This was another book that was just okay, his books are a bit predictable now, just set in different eras. Read more
Published 15 days ago by A. Lowe
4.0 out of 5 stars Another great story
As ever, a great tale rich with historical detail, intrigue, politics and a great punch up or 2. Some great characters and hero's.
Published 16 days ago by Andrew Palmer
5.0 out of 5 stars Happy with purchase
I am very happy with this purchase it was a great read with a historical background. Enjoying the whole series
Published 20 days ago by John
5.0 out of 5 stars An excellent read...
.....as you would expect from Bernard Cornwell.

It's just a pity it is the last book in the Grail trilogy.
Published 22 days ago by Steve
5.0 out of 5 stars Historical thrillers
I love Cornwells books as he brings the historical facts to life for his readers. Through his players we picture just how awful and dangerous life was like in the 13 and 14th... Read more
Published 22 days ago by Mary Jones
5.0 out of 5 stars Heretic (the grail quest, Book 3)
Another absorbing and totally enjoyable Cornwell. The sense of historical accuracy is all pervading and the readers experience one of breathtaking excitement.
Published 27 days ago by Audrey Joan Egarr
Search Customer Reviews
Only search this product's reviews

There's a problem loading this menu at the moment.

Learn more about Amazon Prime.

    Your Shopping Basket is empty.

    Give it purpose -- fill it with books, DVDs, clothes, electronics and more.

    If you already have an account, sign in.

    There's a problem previewing your shopping basket at the moment.

    Check your Internet connection and go to your cart, or try again.

    View Shopping Basket (0 items)

      Customer Discussions

      This product's forum
      Discussion Replies Latest Post
      No discussions yet

      Ask questions, Share opinions, Gain insight
      Start a new discussion
      Topic:
      First post:
      Prompts for sign-in
       

      Search Customer Discussions
      Search all Amazon discussions
         

      Listmania!

      Create a Listmania! list

      Look for similar items by category

      Feedback


      Amazon.co.uk Privacy Statement Amazon.co.uk Delivery Information Amazon.co.uk Returns & Exchanges