-
6 books with a mental health theme 03/02/25
Here Lies Arthur
Publisher: Scholastic
The Arthur striding through storyteller-magician Myrdinn's tales is noble, a high-minded warrior dedicated to uniting war-torn Britain against the Saxons.
But servant-girl, Gwyna, rescued by Myrdinn and woven into his stories, knows another Arthur, driven by greed, power and desire. Whether serving in Arthur's war-band disguised as a boy or at his court as a girl, Gwyna's life is inextricably linked with Arthur's in an age of random violence and superstition - not nobility.
In poetic, visceral language reverberating with alliteration and internal rhymes Reeve has woven his own electrifying version of the Arthur legend.
The violence is darkly terrifying, the sense of landscape immediate and haunting and Gwyna/Gwyn's shifting gender permits Reeve to cast a unique, strikingly vivid glimpse into dark-age Britain.
-
Our Favourite books for teens
Read our list of outstanding teenage books that either won or were shortlisted for the BookTrust Teenage Prize during its running from 2003-10. With fantasy, crime, horror and coming-of-age there is definitely something here for a book loving teen.