Harlequin Audiobook By Bernard Cornwell cover art

Harlequin

The Grail Quest, Book 1

Preview
Get this deal Try for $0.00
Offer ends April 30, 2025 at 11:59PM PT.
Prime logo Prime members: New to Audible? Get 2 free audiobooks during trial.
Pick 1 audiobook a month from our unmatched collection.
Listen all you want to thousands of included audiobooks, Originals, and podcasts.
Access exclusive sales and deals.
Premium Plus auto-renews for $14.95/mo after 3 months. Cancel anytime.
Pick 1 audiobook a month from our unmatched collection.
Listen all you want to thousands of included audiobooks, Originals, and podcasts.
Access exclusive sales and deals.
Premium Plus auto-renews for $14.95/mo after 30 days. Cancel anytime.

Harlequin

By: Bernard Cornwell
Narrated by: Andrew Cullum
Get this deal Try for $0.00

$14.95/mo. after 3 months. Offer ends April 30, 2025 11:59PM PT. Cancel anytime.

$14.95/month after 30 days. Cancel anytime.

Buy for $26.99

Buy for $26.99

Confirm purchase
Pay using card ending in
By confirming your purchase, you agree to Audible's Conditions of Use and Amazon's Privacy Notice. Taxes where applicable.
Cancel

About this listen

The first book in Bernard Cornwell's best-selling Grail Quest series, in a bright and bold repackage.

The year is 1342. The English, led by Edward III, are laying waste to the French countryside. The army may be led by the King, but it is the archers, the common men, who are England's secret weapon. The French know them as Harlequins.

Thomas of Hookton is one of these archers. But he is also on a personal mission: To avenge his father's death and retrieve a stolen relic. Thomas begins a quest that will lead him through fields smeared with the smoke of fires set by the rampaging English, until at last the two armies face each other on a hillside near the village of Crécy.

©2008 Bernard Cornwell (P)2014 HarperCollins Publishers
Action & Adventure Fiction Genre Fiction Historical Fiction War & Military Revenge England
adbl_web_global_use_to_activate_webcro768_stickypopup

What listeners say about Harlequin

Highly rated for:

The Reviews Highlight Bernard Cornwell's Skill In Weaving A Gripping Historical Fiction Narrative Around The Events Of The Hundred Years' War, Particularly The Battle Of Crécy. Many Praise The Vivid Historical Details, Compelling Character Development Of The Protagonist Thomas Of Hookton, And The Engaging Descriptions Of Medieval Battles And Archery. However, Some Criticize The Slow Pacing At Times, Lack Of Focus On The Central Plot, Thinly Developed Supporting Characters, Excessive Violence, And Unconvincing Romantic Elements. Overall, The Book Is Lauded For Its Intriguing Blend Of Adventure, Coming-of-age Themes, And Exploration Of Historical Myths Like The Quest For The Holy Grail Against The Backdrop Of One Of The Most Famous Conflicts In European History.
Average customer ratings
Overall
  • 4.5 out of 5 stars
  • 5 Stars
    1,258
  • 4 Stars
    396
  • 3 Stars
    75
  • 2 Stars
    21
  • 1 Stars
    11
Performance
  • 4.5 out of 5 stars
  • 5 Stars
    1,162
  • 4 Stars
    328
  • 3 Stars
    55
  • 2 Stars
    23
  • 1 Stars
    11
Story
  • 4.5 out of 5 stars
  • 5 Stars
    1,140
  • 4 Stars
    333
  • 3 Stars
    72
  • 2 Stars
    19
  • 1 Stars
    10

Reviews - Please select the tabs below to change the source of reviews.

Sort by:
Filter by:
  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Performance
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Story
    5 out of 5 stars

Historical fiction at its finest.

Another excellent novel from Bernard Cornwell. A joy to listen to. This recording has a great narrator and story.

Something went wrong. Please try again in a few minutes.

You voted on this review!

You reported this review!

1 person found this helpful

  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Performance
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Story
    5 out of 5 stars

Outstanding Historical Fiction

This is Bernard Cornwell at his very best blending history with fiction and telling a believable story about one of histories greatest myth's...the Holy Grail!! I cannot wait to complete Book 2!

Something went wrong. Please try again in a few minutes.

You voted on this review!

You reported this review!

  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Performance
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Story
    5 out of 5 stars

outstanding!

As always Bernard Cornwall brings the period to vibrant life. I truly enjoyed this fine book as well as being educated by it. CJA

Something went wrong. Please try again in a few minutes.

You voted on this review!

You reported this review!

  • Overall
    4 out of 5 stars
  • Performance
    4 out of 5 stars
  • Story
    4 out of 5 stars

Not quite like other Conwell sagas

Andrew Cullum brings a sprite attitude to one of Bernard Cornwell's Hundred Years War stories. Admittedly, I loved Agincourt, narrated by Charles Keating, despite the repetitive vulgarity. If you listened to Agincourt, don't expect quite the same, but a worthy tale nonetheless. It's an adventure.

Something went wrong. Please try again in a few minutes.

You voted on this review!

You reported this review!

  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Performance
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Story
    5 out of 5 stars

Excited to continue the series

I went into this book not knowing what to except, and I typically don’t listen to books of this genre but after 2 hours of listening I was hooked. I would catch myself constantly thinking about this book when I wasn’t listening to it!
This book really makes you think about how terrible of a place it was to live for some back in those times and really makes you feel what some of these characters go through. I can’t wait to get to the next 3 books in the series!

Something went wrong. Please try again in a few minutes.

You voted on this review!

You reported this review!

  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Performance
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Story
    5 out of 5 stars

Great story

Battles were very scary. Quite violent. Liked The characters - Thomas. And Eleanor and the priest.

Something went wrong. Please try again in a few minutes.

You voted on this review!

You reported this review!

  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Performance
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Story
    5 out of 5 stars

Well researched

Cornwell does his research like the best. You get a great story and know a little more history. Highly recommend all 4 books in this series!

Something went wrong. Please try again in a few minutes.

You voted on this review!

You reported this review!

2 people found this helpful

  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Performance
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Story
    5 out of 5 stars

Amazing

Read this series 13 years ago loved it then, but had forgotten most of what was in the book. Absolutely loved listening to this book, amazing author. If you love history this is a great series.

Something went wrong. Please try again in a few minutes.

You voted on this review!

You reported this review!

1 person found this helpful

  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars

Excellent another great book from a great author.

Bernard does fantastic historical fiction. this particular book focuses on an English archer and his questing. The narrator was great, the range of his voice brought an additional level of immersion.

Something went wrong. Please try again in a few minutes.

You voted on this review!

You reported this review!

  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Performance
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Story
    5 out of 5 stars

The. Quest Begins! I can't wait for the next book.

Many storylines were set up in this Book 1 of the Grail Quest series. The best of all was Thomas and his growth from boy to man with the rigors of war. Bernard Cornwell presents historic scenes in such a way you feel like you are there and Andrew Cullum narrates with such talent that you are almost breathless and exhausted by battles end. No one does historic battles better than Bernard Cornwell.

Something went wrong. Please try again in a few minutes.

You voted on this review!

You reported this review!