Rank them all...

[Margim]

As much as you can, state your preferred order of the SRL books you have read. No ties, for the purpose of this excercise . You may, however justify your choices... for me, I enjoyed them all, but some naturally rank higher than others.

1) Empyrion
(I never knew this was actually ever two books... I recieved it in its entirity. Liked the first half the best. The fierrans were wimps )

2) Arthur
(the first SRL I ever read - absolutely awesome interpretation of Arthurian legend).

3) Hood
(just finished it, Lawhead back to his very best imho).

4) Merlin
(a very dark, very enjoyable read)

5) Byzantium
(yay Vikings!)

6) The Silver Hand
(My favorite of the Song of Albion series)

7) The Black Rood
(I liked Duncan... was the best protagonist of the Celtic Crusade series, I thought.)

8. Avalon
(was a very clever book... thought it captured the spirit of the Pendragon cycle well, despite being moved forward into modern times!!)

9) Taliesin
(Good start to the Pendragon Cycle)

10) The Iron Lance

11) The Mystic Rose
(An interesting and engaging series, the Celtic Crusades)

12) The Paradise War
(Enjoyed the read).

13) Pendragon
(Excellent job of filling in some of the gaps in Arthur)

14) Patrick
(Great read... but needed a couple more hundred pages. Felt like we only just learnt who the protagonist was... and then it finished).

15) Grail
(Pendragon cycle gone slightly psychadelic... but still one of my favorite series of books)

16) The Endless Knot
(basically didn't like the way the whole trilogy ended...)

17) Dream Thief
(Don't get me wrong, doesn't mean I don't enjoy the books down this end... but they sometimes lack the depth of characters and settings that I've come to love in SRLs work)

18) Dragon King Saga
(also picked up in a one volume copy - Most of SRLs books I've reread several times. Couldn't get through a second reading of these, for some reason, althought I'm sure I will one day. Was one of his earlier works, which probably has something to do with it.)

[kg00ds]

"for me, I enjoyed them all, but some naturally rank higher than others."

1) Taliesin
(the first SRL I ever read - absolutely awesome interpretation of Arthurian legend and a perfect start to the Pendragon Cycle)

2) Merlin
(the second SRL I ever read - absolutely awesome character development of Merlin

3) Arthur
(Although as a whole these first three together are my favorite due to Merlins development within them)

4), 5) and 6)Song of Albion Series in order-- absolutely loved them...they would probably be my favorite if I had read them first - didnt like ending either but thought it was a good one none the less

7)Patrick
(probably my second fav. Lawhead character) - I understand where you were coming from Margim, and I was sorry to hear it wouldn't be a trilogy, I just enjoyed seeing him grow as a person through the story.)

Byzantium
(although I have to say I liked this one most because I thought bishop Cadoc in it was the same druid Patrick was freinds with - I read Patrick first and didnt consider the time periods.)

9) Hood
(best telling of the tale to date)

10) the Iron Lance (havent read the other two in the set yet)

11) Avalon
(only started it ...so it's spot may change )

12) Pendragon
(Excellent job of filling in some of the gaps in Arthur) - agreed

13) Grail
(Pendragon cycle gone slightly psychadelic... but still one of my favorite series of books)- ha ha

Havent read the rest yet.

[Margim]

Interesting how the earliest books we read (Taliesin and Merlin in your case, Empyrion and Arthur in mine) are at the top of both our lists...

[CynanMachae]

Well, lessee here...

1. "Patrick" -- This is where SRL peaked, I think... the story is beautiful and descriptive, the characters intensly realistic, and the only flaws to be found are the typo's. That of course is imply my humble opinion, but on my list "Patrick" is far and away number one.

2. "The Silver Hand" -- Methinks this is the general favorite of the Albion Trilogy, and I must add my voice to the crowd. I particularly love the challenge between Cynan and Alun. My favorite chapter in the trilogy.

3. "The Paradise War" -- You've got to love the opening chapters with Lewis and Simon. Beautifully scripted.

4. "The Endless Knot" --

SPOILER: Click to show

Really, I loved the ending, honestly. Though I know it disappointed more than a few of SRL's readers, I enjoyed the whole process of the two worlds, and I love how, as SRL mentions in his latest interview, the third book ends as the first one begins, completing the 'endless knot'.

5. "The Warlords of Nin" -- Obviously SRL's earlier work, but the imagination is fierce.

6. "In the Hall of the Dragon King" -- See above.

7. "!Hero: City of Dreams" -- A good read, until the last chapter. Then it becomes ARL's most intense book ever.

8. "Hood" -- By placing Hood this far down on the list, I hope no one thinks that I didn't like this book. I did enjoy it, but I can't honestly put it any higher than this. I eagerly await book two, as the final two or three chapters were very gripping.

9. "The Sword and the Flame" -- A disappointing ending to the Dragon King trilogy, I think. But good enough to read more than once!

That's it, I think. My dad read me the Pendragon Cycle, but it was so long ago I decided to leave it off the list. I should read those again...

[Child of Immanuel]

1. Byzantium

2. Song of Albion

3. Pendragon Cycle

4. Empyrion

5. Hood

6. Celtic Crusades

7. Patrick

8. Dragon King

9. Dream Thief


That was very difficult!

[jontattz]

1. Byzantium - the journey that aiden goes on, physically and spiritually is the best story SRL has told.

2. Patrick

3. Iron Lance - loved this book, but it's also the one that most effected me.

4. Merlin

5. Taliesin

6.

7. Dragon King

8. Song of Albion - didn;t really get half of what was going on, but it was so inventive and exhilirating, it didn;t really matter...I need to go back and read this again.

[mcmojo]

Wow! I don't even know where to begin. I've read all of his books except Dream Thief. I'm not sure I could rank all of them, but I can at least try, right? I'm going to divide this into a few categories and then place each book in their respective spot: Good/Great/Excellent/Best

We will start with the Good:

The Celtic Crusade: I thought these books were well written and very interesting, but they didn't capture my attention like some of his other books.

The Dragon King trilogy: These were the first books of his that I read, back in 4th grade. I loved them then and they will always hold a special place in my mind and heart, but looking back on them, it is obvious that he has improved considerably as a writer.

Patrick: It's Byzantium lite.

City of Dreams: I really enjoyed this one but it is hard to gage it since it was meant to be the first part of a trilogy and it has no resolution.

Great:

Grail, Pendragon and Avalon: I love how they flesh out the story, but I didn't need these books to love the Pendragon Cycle any more. They are fascinating additions to the mythology he created.

Empyrion and The Siege of Dome: Great Sci-Fi stories. I've only read them twice, but I have enjoyed the experience tremendously.

Excellent:

The King Raven books: These might jump to the next category if Tuck proves to be a satisfying conclusion.

Best:

The Song of Albion trilogy: This is fantasy at it’s very best. The story has real power, real emotion, real heart. I love the bitter sweet ending. I love the characters. I love the world. I’ve read these books at least 5 times and plan on reading them many more times before I make my journey to a better world.

Byzantium I consider this his greatest single book. It has everything you would could want in a book; Intrigue, suspense, romance, action, moral and spiritual struggles. I love Aidan – in fact I named my firstborn son after him. I love his growth as a character. I love how real that felt. Plus, the Vikings are awesome!

The Pendragon Cycle – Taliesen, Merlin and Arthur: Hands down, my favorite Lawhead series. I love Merlin, the character. He is my all time favorite literary character. I love his intensity, his sense of humor, his humanity. The story is so powerful and epic, yet it rests squarely on the shoulders of real, flesh and blood people. I cry every time I get to the end of Arthur. That last image of Arthur and Merlin sailing to Avalon just rips my heart out.

[Paladin]

Well first of all, greetings and welcome to the forum This place moves a bit slower than you may be accustomed to but you'll get used to it after awhile.

Secondly, I'd have to admit that I think you did a pretty great job listing out SRL's work. My list, were I to make one, would be very close to yours except I would move Avalon into the Excellent category. I loved his imagination as to how Arthur could return to modern day England. I've read a couple different Arthurian authors, but nobody has tried to finish the legend like Lawhead. Loved it.

SOA was my first read and it will always be my favorite series, but Taliesin will forever be my favorite book. I mean come on, tying in Atlantis to the Arthurian legend? BRILLIANT!!!

[mcmojo]

Thanks for the kind words.

I really went back and forth with Avalon. I love that book, and I agree that Lawhead did a great job finishing the Arthur legend. I just couldn't put it in the same category as the other Excellent books.