The Arthurian Relic (Harry Fox #1) by Andrew Clawson

The Arthurian Relic (Harry Fox #1) Reviews

• 
  Dan Lutts

  Andrew Clawson's adventure book The Arthurian Relic is a fun read. The plot concerns a race between two sides to find an important relic that has been lost for centuries and, if found, could be devastating for humanity. One of the interesting features is that the characters on both sides are criminals, including Harry Fox, the main character. Of course, Harry keeps getting himself into trouble. The story contains a lot of violence, and in real life Harry would have been dead long before the story ended. But, hey, the book is fiction.
  
  The Arthurian Relic is just one book in the Harry Fox Adventure Series, and I might read another of the books.
  
  
• 
  Deborah

  This was a good story. I will definitely read more in this series. It's a nice escape from my reality. I also think this book proves that prolific swearing isn't necessary to tell a good story. He mentions that the main character uses profanity and leaves it up to the reader to fill in the blanks.
• 
  Steve

  In the realm of audiobooks, where the narrator's voice can transport listeners to worlds both known and unknown, "The Arthurian Relic" by Andrew Clawson, narrated by John Pirhalla, stands as a testament to the power of storytelling. This review delves into the heart of Clawson's work, exploring the intricate weaving of historical myth and modern-day adventure.
  
  **Narration: The Voice That Brings Legends to Life
  
  John Pirhalla's narration is nothing short of a performance. With a voice that commands attention, he brings the character of Harry Fox to life with a finesse that is both engaging and immersive. Pirhalla's range in vocal tones not only distinguishes characters but also enhances the narrative's emotional depth. His pacing is impeccable, knowing when to quicken to match the story's intensity and when to slow down, allowing listeners to ponder the unfolding mysteries.
  
  **Plot: A Tapestry of Intrigue and History
  
  "The Arthurian Relic" is a treasure hunt that spans the globe, rooted in the legend of King Arthur. Clawson's protagonist, Harry Fox, is an artifact hunter entangled with the Italian mob, a premise that promises—and delivers—thrills and danger. The plot is a labyrinthine journey through history, with a forgotten manuscript suggesting that the tales of King Arthur may be more than mere legend. Clawson skillfully balances the historical with the fictional, creating a narrative that is both believable and fantastical.
  
  **Character Development: A Hero for the Modern Age
  
  Harry Fox is a character caught between worlds, embodying the conflict between his heritage and his profession. Clawson's character development is meticulous, revealing Harry's motivations, fears, and strengths in layers. As the story progresses, Harry evolves from a mere artifact hunter to a man on a quest for truth, challenging the very organizations that seek to use history for their own ends.
  
  **Themes: The Quest for Truth and the Power of Myth
  
  At its core, "The Arthurian Relic" is about the search for truth in a world where history is often obscured by legend. Clawson taps into the universal fascination with King Arthur, using it as a backdrop for a modern adventure. The book raises questions about the nature of power, the corruption of institutions, and the enduring allure of myths. It's a story that encourages listeners to consider the past's impact on the present and the lengths to which individuals will go to protect secrets.
  
  **Writing Style: A Blend of Suspense and Scholarship
  
  Clawson's writing is a blend of suspenseful storytelling and historical scholarship. His prose is crisp, clear, and evocative, painting scenes that are vivid and memorable. The attention to detail in describing locations, artifacts, and historical context is commendable, providing a rich backdrop for the action.
  
  **Conclusion: A Riveting Audiobook Experience
  
  "The Arthurian Relic" is a compelling listen, offering a blend of action, history, and mystery that is sure to captivate. Andrew Clawson's storytelling, combined with John Pirhalla's narration, creates an audiobook experience that is both intellectually stimulating and thoroughly entertaining. For fans of archaeological adventures and historical thrillers, "The Arthurian Relic" is a journey worth taking.
• 
  Jacques Hollands

  "The Arthurian Relic" by Andrew Clawson offers a blend of mystique and suspense in the world of Arthurian and other legends. However, I had with mixed feelings throughout the journey, struggling to fully immerse in the narrative. The story, while not unenjoyable, failed to grasp my attention, leading to extended periods of disengagement. The narrative seemed to lack the gripping suspense needed to maintain my interest.
  
  One notable aspect is the book's pacing and the execution of action scenes, which left me somewhat unsatisfied. The perceived deficiency in these elements might have contributed to the struggle in maintaining my engagement. Nevertheless, I acknowledge the book's potential, considering it is the first installment in a series. While "The Arthurian Relic" may not have hit the mark for me, I remain open to reading another book in the series, hoping for a more captivating storyline. 2.5 stars rounded up to 3.
• 
  KK from KY

  What a wonderful listening/reading experience. I thoroughly enjoyed every minute. Anyone who enjoys books by Dan Brown or the movie National Treasure will surely enjoy this book too. Well written and well researched, this story blends enough fact with fiction to make me wish it was reality. I was thrilled to discover that it was not riddled with foul language. No gore or overly expressed sexual scenes. Pretty good considering a crime family is very central to the storyline. Looking forward to more Harry Fox adventures.
• 
  Eliel Lopez

  LolAn interesting read with a good plot and lots of twists and turns.
  I really appreciated author Andrew Clawson's writing style. It was relatively clean and descriptive. This was my first book from this author. The title and cover art had my attention from the start and the synopsis drew me in.
  I found the story more intrigueing as it developed and came away thinking that
  it would make a great movie !
• 
  Jamie

  The Authurian Relic starts off as a slow burn for at least two-thirds of the book. There is a few tantalizing scenes and good atmosphere throughout. Clawson is right to mix in a lot of history, giving the story depth and capturing the imagination of the reader. The ending is strong, but Clawson stumbles by only giving the reader a vague and general account of the secret. No, you need to give the reader something tangible and specific for their efforts. A final criticism is the three forces, which seem too much like Dan Brown's, Origins. Instead of the general idea of three religions, conspiring to cover up an old secret, the author could have made the three forces something more specific based on history such as three Christian-hating cults. There are other possibilities, of course. It should have gone into more specifics of how these others learned of the secret and how and why they formed a bond, vowing to keep it concealed. The author is on the right track for these kind of mysterious adventure tales.
  
  Three and-a-half stars.
• 
  Ben

  This is the first and last Harry Fox book I read. For me, there was way too much repetitive fluff. Every encounter our protagonist has with an advisory, we are given a meticulously detailed description of his fighting stance and how he uses sleight of hand to equip his knuckle dusters (brass knuckles). Meanwhile, the actual quest for artifacts seems to be almost a footnote. This is unfortunate because the other books have plots that intrigue me just as this one did, but simply cannot suffer through any more of "As 'insert antagonist name here' shouted orders over Harry's shoulder, Harry pivoted his left foot and put most of his weight on the ball of his right foot. While doing this, Harry also slid the knuckle dusters from his hidden inside pocket to the palm of his hand, and obscured it from view by making sure his hand was palm-side down..." You get the idea.
• 
  Mahesh

  3.5 stars
  
  The Arthurian Relic by Andrew Clawson takes readers on an exhilarating journey with Harry Fox, an intrepid historian, as he unravels the mystery surrounding a legendary artifact linked to King Arthur. Set against the backdrop of ancient lore and modern-day intrigue, the narrative weaves together a tale of danger, discovery, and deception. Harry's quest leads him through a labyrinth of secrets, with each twist and turn heightening the stakes and deepening the mystery.
  
  Andrew Clawson has crafted a compelling narrative in The Arthurian Relic, masterfully blending historical intrigue with contemporary suspense. The protagonist, Harry Fox, is a standout character who breathes life into the story. Clawson’s portrayal of Harry is nuanced and relatable; he’s not just a hero but a well-rounded individual with strengths, flaws, and a palpable sense of curiosity. Harry's intellectual prowess and relentless determination drive the plot forward, making him a character readers can root for.
  
  Clawson excels in maintaining suspense throughout the novel. The pacing is expertly managed, with cliffhangers and revelations strategically placed to keep readers on the edge of their seats. The author’s meticulous attention to historical detail enriches the narrative, lending authenticity to the quest for the Arthurian relic. Each chapter builds anticipation, drawing readers deeper into the enigma that Harry is desperate to solve.
  
  However, while the protagonist is well-developed, the writing of the antagonists could have been stronger. The villains in the story sometimes lack the depth and complexity that make for truly memorable adversaries. Their motivations and backstories are not as fleshed out as those of the protagonist, which occasionally diminishes the impact of the conflict.
  
  Despite this minor shortcoming, The Arthurian Relic is a thoroughly engaging read. Clawson’s ability to weave suspense with historical intrigue makes for a page-turner that is difficult to put down. For fans of adventure, mystery, and history, this novel offers a thrilling escape into a world where ancient secrets collide with modern challenges.
• 
  Rob Samborn

  A rip-roaring read that hits all the quintessential marks of great historical thrillers: action, suspense, mystery, great protagonists and antagonists, and of course, history. Andrew Clawson has an uncanny ability to suck a reader in through character and then propel that character on a rollercoaster adventure. With a piece of history purportedly tied to King Arthur, a group that has been protecting a secret for 2000 years, and multiple parties after the same thing, Harry Fox is squarely in the middle. And the stakes are high. If you’re a fan of Indiana Jones or Dan Brown, do yourself a favor and read Andrew Clawson.
• 
  Megan (lost among the stacks)

  How many times does one person need to be told not trust anyone for him to take the advice? I’m more surprised Harry’s inability to take that advice didn’t come back to bite him in the ass more harshly.
  
  I thoroughly enjoyed this story, despite Harry continuing to disregard the warning to not trust anyone. I have always loved the legend of King Arthur and the people of Camelot and will always pick up anything that even hints at it. This book took me on a complete adventure and ended with a twist I was not expecting.
  
  I cannot wait to grab the second, I want to see more of Harry’s amulet and hopefully the female Egyptologist professor!
• 
  Zachary Creasman

  This book was okay it was just lacking in several key areas. First Harry Fox makes several very literal translations from clues left behind centuries ago that don't make any sense to take literally. For example one of the clues says to be aware of a hooded threat and Harry interprets that to mean that he needs to watch out for people in hoods. Also there are times when he is very knowledgeable about a topic but then has no knowledge of a related topic which seems odd. Also without spoiling the end the reveal of Harry's final find is very underwhelming.
• 
  Alice

  National Treasure meets Indiana Jones meets The DaVinci Code. Since I love all of those, this should have been a slam dunk 5 star book. It is a page-turner for sure! The plot is good. I like Harry’s character, but I find it hard to root for anyone working for the Mob. Things just happen too coincidentally to be believable. Harry’s knowledge seems to come from nowhere. The amulet got to be overdone and was really just a tease for the next book. The repetition of parts of the story got a bit annoying.
• 
  Colleen Grier

  Bam Pow wow…from the start you get Harry Fox working for the mob to find treasured antiquities for mob profit. It is a James Bond, Indiana Jones, Angels and Demons and DaVinci Code fairy tale kinda ride…. Looking for Arthur and ending with Roman struggles during the start of Christianity and that impact On other major religions….I will read more Harry Fox. Takes one away from the current world problems.
• 
  Joe Stevens

  A fun romp with an absurd payoff that isn't adequately explained. Well written with interesting situations. At points, the plot seemed somewhat strained and seemed to exist as the outline for a book. This seems odd to say, but the best books flow smoothly and you never think, oh look the author is kicking in the next plot point. Still I wanted to read it to the end which is more than I can say for a number of my other Kindle Unlimited reads.
• 
  Diane Dubois

  A delightful read. When I read the description I had no intention to read this book. Wanted to read the 2nd book in series. Therefore, I read this book to get to the next book. A twist from the archeology stories I've been reading. Just the right amount of details describing events. Exciting and well written.
• 
  Chad Mitchell

  a solid start
  
  I thought this first book was pretty good. The pace was good. The action was plentiful. My only issue was how everything was wrapped up.
  
  More time was spent on the action than on the ending. I would have liked the focus to be a little more on the relic than the men looking for it.
  
  It’s still worth a read. I will probably give the second one a shot.
• 
  Sandy foerster

  Harry Fox, my new obsession
  
  Harry is my newest hero. Even though he works for a bad guy, he is a good guy. His adventures are educational,exciting, and fascinating. Wonderful characters and great mysteries abound. A real page turner. Absolutely loved it. Can't wait to start book 2.