Scan barcode
thewillowwood's review against another edition
adventurous
emotional
mysterious
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.75
This book was fun to read! I don’t think it took it in a completely revolutionary direction for the source material, as it fell into the expected beats of Arthurian legend, but a reader who likes Arthuriana and wants something a bit easier than middle english literature would enjoy this book.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Fire/Fire injury, Death, Blood, and Kidnapping
Moderate: Injury/Injury detail, Violence, Body horror, Animal death, and Self harm
Minor: Infidelity, Vomit, Rape, War, Excrement, and Sexism
enchantedelfie's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
funny
mysterious
tense
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? N/A
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
Content Warnings
Graphic: Self harm, Vomit, Blood, Death, Violence, Gore, Injury/Injury detail, and Kidnapping
Moderate: Toxic friendship, Suicidal thoughts, Torture, and Stalking
probablyelissa's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
mysterious
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
4.5
As a life long sucker for Arthurian myth I knew from the beginning I would love this story. And while any knowledge of Arthur and the people of his round table predispositions certain expectations White keeps the reader guessing. The original tale is twisted just enough to remain captivating without seeming disconnected from the original tale. Every character of the main cast manages to endear themseleves. Even minor characters get their backstories and personalities without seeming as if they are forced on you. As a lover of magic systems the various types of magic keep me reeling with possibilities. They mamage to have just enough detailed explanation that you wonder what could be done with it but are not bogged down with unnecessary semantics. I thoroughly enjoyed (not) Guinevere's adventures both with magic, her past, and her relationships.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Self harm
Moderate: Animal death, Murder, Violence, and Abandonment
claudiamacpherson's review against another edition
adventurous
funny
hopeful
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
Guinevere has come to Camelot to marry King Arthur. Merlin has been exiled along with all other forms of magic. But Guinevere is not Guinevere, and the marriage is a ruse so that not-Guinevere can protect Arthur from a magical attack Merlin warned them of. But magic lives on in secret in Camelot, and Guinevere must determine what—or who—is a threat to the kingdom without her own powers being exposed.
Wow, I loved this book! I initially picked it up because I have always loved myths and legends, and the Arthurian stories hold a special place in my heart because my grandmother (and favorite person!) is named Guinevere. White's writing style was engaging and the magical world-building was fascinating. I really loved the characters; Arthur reminded me of Gansey from The Raven Cycle, and we know I love that archetype, and don't even get me started on Lancelot!! I usually don't care for love triangles, and the one in this book was okay, but the one I foresee (based on what I know of Arthurian legends) coming up in the next book(s) is going to be a tough one (which is to say, not a clear superior choice)!
Happy ending meter (no specific spoilers, just my judgement of how happy the ending is because I always wish someone would tell me that before I read books):Happy-ish, but pretty cliffhanger-y too! I have to wait 3 weeks for the next book, pray that I don't go crazy (or cave and buy the book in the meantime)!
Wow, I loved this book! I initially picked it up because I have always loved myths and legends, and the Arthurian stories hold a special place in my heart because my grandmother (and favorite person!) is named Guinevere. White's writing style was engaging and the magical world-building was fascinating. I really loved the characters; Arthur reminded me of Gansey from The Raven Cycle, and we know I love that archetype, and don't even get me started on Lancelot!! I usually don't care for love triangles, and the one in this book was okay, but the one I foresee (based on what I know of Arthurian legends) coming up in the next book(s) is going to be a tough one (which is to say, not a clear superior choice)!
Happy ending meter (no specific spoilers, just my judgement of how happy the ending is because I always wish someone would tell me that before I read books):
Content Warnings
Moderate: Gaslighting, Self harm, Violence, and Kidnapping
Minor: Death, Alcohol, Injury/Injury detail, Vomit, Animal cruelty, Animal death, Blood, and Death of parent
sarahmreads's review against another edition
adventurous
funny
hopeful
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
My friend Haley keeps praising about this series and I was kind of unsure about picking it up. However, the impulse decision to pick this one up on my kindle was one I don't regret.
Guinevere is off to be married to King Arthur, ruler of the legendary Camelot and wielder of Excalibur. It's the medieval tale we all know and love. However, there's just one catch: Guinevere isn't the person she says she is.
The world-building is simple in the sense that a lot of people already know about the King Arthur stories, so it was really quick to pick up on. Another minor caveat of the King Arthur stories is that we already know a lot of it, so it has to be done in a way that is still nice and refreshing for the readers. And honestly I thought it was done really well! There were twists I wasn't expecting that had me gasping at the end of chapters. One of them I did guess but I'm here for it regardless. All I will say is that I shipped Guinevere with everyone and I will stick with that statement.
Also the magic was so good! I liked that it had a cost with everything you wanted to do. Want to do blindness and confusion? Cool, but prepare to be confused and be blind yourself. It's stuff like that that limits our main character and makes the author find other ways to make her powerful in her own right.
I'm a sucker for King Arthur stories and this book is no exception. The Guinevere Deception is an underrated, decently paced novel and I cannot wait for the next installment!
Guinevere is off to be married to King Arthur, ruler of the legendary Camelot and wielder of Excalibur. It's the medieval tale we all know and love. However, there's just one catch: Guinevere isn't the person she says she is.
The world-building is simple in the sense that a lot of people already know about the King Arthur stories, so it was really quick to pick up on. Another minor caveat of the King Arthur stories is that we already know a lot of it, so it has to be done in a way that is still nice and refreshing for the readers. And honestly I thought it was done really well! There were twists I wasn't expecting that had me gasping at the end of chapters. One of them I did guess but I'm here for it regardless. All I will say is that I shipped Guinevere with everyone and I will stick with that statement.
Also the magic was so good! I liked that it had a cost with everything you wanted to do. Want to do blindness and confusion? Cool, but prepare to be confused and be blind yourself. It's stuff like that that limits our main character and makes the author find other ways to make her powerful in her own right.
I'm a sucker for King Arthur stories and this book is no exception. The Guinevere Deception is an underrated, decently paced novel and I cannot wait for the next installment!
Content Warnings
Moderate: Animal death, Death, Blood, Fire/Fire injury, Physical abuse, Self harm, Sexual assault, and Sexism
claudiamacpherson's review against another edition
adventurous
inspiring
mysterious
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
5.0
Guinevere has come to Camelot to marry King Arthur. Merlin has been exiled along with all other forms of magic. But Guinevere is not Guinevere, and the marriage is a ruse so that not-Guinevere can protect Arthur from a magical attack Merlin warned them of. But magic lives on in secret in Camelot, and Guinevere must determine what—or who—is a threat to the kingdom without her own powers being exposed.
Wow, I loved this book! I initially picked it up because I have always loved myths and legends, and the Arthurian stories hold a special place in my heart because my grandmother (and favorite person!) is named Guinevere. White's writing style was engaging and the magical world-building was fascinating. I really loved the characters; Arthur reminded me of Gansey from The Raven Cycle, and we know I love that archetype, and don't even get me started on Lancelot!! I usually don't care for love triangles, and the one in this book was okay, but the one I foresee (based on what I know of Arthurian legends) coming up in the next book(s) is going to be a tough one (which is to say, not a clear superior choice)!
Happy ending meter (no specific spoilers, just my judgement of how happy the ending is because I always wish someone would tell me that before I read books):Happy-ish, but pretty cliffhanger-y too! I have to wait 3 weeks for the next book, pray that I don't go crazy (or cave and buy the book in the meantime)!
Wow, I loved this book! I initially picked it up because I have always loved myths and legends, and the Arthurian stories hold a special place in my heart because my grandmother (and favorite person!) is named Guinevere. White's writing style was engaging and the magical world-building was fascinating. I really loved the characters; Arthur reminded me of Gansey from The Raven Cycle, and we know I love that archetype, and don't even get me started on Lancelot!! I usually don't care for love triangles, and the one in this book was okay, but the one I foresee (based on what I know of Arthurian legends) coming up in the next book(s) is going to be a tough one (which is to say, not a clear superior choice)!
Happy ending meter (no specific spoilers, just my judgement of how happy the ending is because I always wish someone would tell me that before I read books):
Content Warnings
Moderate: Blood, Animal death, Kidnapping, and Violence
Minor: Self harm and Suicidal thoughts
More...