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house_of_hannah's review
adventurous
mysterious
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.5
I am really surprised at how much I liked this book ! I really don't even understand what it is I enjoy so much ? I suppose I just have a thing for an Arthurian tale. I also just loved all the characters and their personalities. Everyone felt different and real, and I don't think I found anyone boring.
There were a few scenes that I thought were out of place or strange.Like King Arthur only being 18, but supposedly had a lover who died giving birth to his child years ago. Like how many years ago are we talking here !?!? It was just kind of a punch in the gut of wtf ?
I'm quite invested in the story though, so I'm definitely planning on continuing the series, and I am so happy to see that the second book is out, and the third one will be published at the end of this year.
There were a few scenes that I thought were out of place or strange.
I'm quite invested in the story though, so I'm definitely planning on continuing the series, and I am so happy to see that the second book is out, and the third one will be published at the end of this year.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Blood
Moderate: Animal death, Violence, and Kidnapping
Minor: Vomit
claudiamacpherson's review
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
typedtruths's review
lighthearted
mysterious
slow-paced
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
3.0
Content Warnings
Moderate: Kidnapping and Sexual assault
angelareads's review
adventurous
dark
mysterious
tense
fast-paced
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Animal death, Blood, and Kidnapping
Moderate: Rape, Sexual assault, Sexual violence, and Vomit
Minor: Death and Suicidal thoughts
There is some cutting in this book, not for the purposes of self harm but as part of the magic system. This could be triggering for some readers.gattolinos_nerdy_nook's review against another edition
adventurous
mysterious
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
5.0
Can confirm that this is still a 5 star read for me. It has some of my favourite tropes and plot points. I really hope that the series continues to follow through with these ideas.
The main characters we follow are fun and for the most part, very interesting and complex. You might be forgiven if you forget that these characters are meant to be 16-18 years old. I feel like this book was written with 20-30 year olds in mind, but targeted to a YA audience hence the age drop. This didn't really pull me out of the story as age is so rarely mentioned, so this was not a huge issue for me.
I also really enjoy the different ways that the lore was given to readers. There is a mixture of shown and told through discussion, which just made it a lot better than huge explanation dumps.
I recommend this book for those looking for a something little different with their YA fantasy and retellings. There isn't much out there with Arthurian retellings, and the ones that are are usually set in morden times.
Now onto the next book for another reread!
The main characters we follow are fun and for the most part, very interesting and complex. You might be forgiven if you forget that these characters are meant to be 16-18 years old. I feel like this book was written with 20-30 year olds in mind, but targeted to a YA audience hence the age drop. This didn't really pull me out of the story as age is so rarely mentioned, so this was not a huge issue for me.
I also really enjoy the different ways that the lore was given to readers. There is a mixture of shown and told through discussion, which just made it a lot better than huge explanation dumps.
I recommend this book for those looking for a something little different with their YA fantasy and retellings. There isn't much out there with Arthurian retellings, and the ones that are are usually set in morden times.
Now onto the next book for another reread!
Content Warnings
Moderate: Kidnapping
Minor: Death, Violence, War, and Sexual assault
heytherekaity's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
funny
mysterious
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? Yes
5.0
2nd Read: Okay. I have a solid theory on who Guinevere might be now. And I'm terrified that I'm right. Going to jump immediately into book two (thanks NetGalley!) and hopefully find out the answer..... and also hopefully get some good Guinevere/ Lancelot!!!
1st Read: I'm... so... confused???
I've never wanted to be wrong more than I did with this book. But at the same time I need to do a LOT more research because I WILL figure this out. Maybe. Full review to be published as soon as I wrap my head around everything at http://kaitplusbooks.com!
1st Read: I'm... so... confused???
I've never wanted to be wrong more than I did with this book. But at the same time I need to do a LOT more research because I WILL figure this out. Maybe. Full review to be published as soon as I wrap my head around everything at http://kaitplusbooks.com!
Content Warnings
Graphic: Abandonment, Animal death, Blood, Death, Kidnapping, Misogyny, Murder, and Violence
caidyn's review against another edition
adventurous
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
CW: kidnapping, physical assault, and (well) deception
The reason I decided to request this one is because I love Arthurian mythology. While I don't always love the retellings, I'm a sucker for at least trying them. And I was pleasantly surprised by this one!
Arthur is king. Merlin is gone. Guinevere is coming to marry Arthur. Except she's not who she says she is. She's there to protect him, to keep him safe now that Merlin's left the scene. And, she's magical. Camelot isn't having magic, though, banishing it. Guinevere's risking her life by being there, both for her magical abilities and by trying to make sure Arthur lives up to the prophecy.
I did enjoy the characters in this. I liked Guinevere a lot. Arthur was interesting and my ace heart is holding out hope that he could be ace as well. (Holding out hope but not really believing it'll actually happen.) Then, there's Mordred, Arthur's nephew. The typical Lancelot is also on the scene, but not exactly how you'd picture that character.
One thing I wasn't a fan of was how there were so many possible romances. I was almost expecting a love rectangle between Arthur, Mordred, and Lancelot. I'm very happy that it didn't happen like that, but, still, the love triangle wasn't what I wanted. I liked how it played into the plot in the end -- like, the actual end-game of the book rather than we're focusing a plot around a love triangle -- but it took so long to get there.
Because the book is slow. There's not a lot that happens in this book due to it just trying to lay the scene for the twist on Arthurian legend, getting all the characters down, and moving towards the end of the book. There was so much that had to be established and set down. I did kinda guess the ending/twist, but that's because I've read the actual legends and I'm familiar with how characters are usually presented. So if you're familiar, you won't be shocked by it.
I thought that this was a fun book. This was my third chance for White -- I read And I Darken and thought it was mediocre; then I DNFed The Dark Descent of Elizabeth Frankenstein -- so I'm very happy that this was a win for me. I'm definitely going to continue with the series so I can see where it's going!
The reason I decided to request this one is because I love Arthurian mythology. While I don't always love the retellings, I'm a sucker for at least trying them. And I was pleasantly surprised by this one!
Arthur is king. Merlin is gone. Guinevere is coming to marry Arthur. Except she's not who she says she is. She's there to protect him, to keep him safe now that Merlin's left the scene. And, she's magical. Camelot isn't having magic, though, banishing it. Guinevere's risking her life by being there, both for her magical abilities and by trying to make sure Arthur lives up to the prophecy.
I did enjoy the characters in this. I liked Guinevere a lot. Arthur was interesting and my ace heart is holding out hope that he could be ace as well. (Holding out hope but not really believing it'll actually happen.) Then, there's Mordred, Arthur's nephew. The typical Lancelot is also on the scene, but not exactly how you'd picture that character.
One thing I wasn't a fan of was how there were so many possible romances. I was almost expecting a love rectangle between Arthur, Mordred, and Lancelot. I'm very happy that it didn't happen like that, but, still, the love triangle wasn't what I wanted. I liked how it played into the plot in the end -- like, the actual end-game of the book rather than we're focusing a plot around a love triangle -- but it took so long to get there.
Because the book is slow. There's not a lot that happens in this book due to it just trying to lay the scene for the twist on Arthurian legend, getting all the characters down, and moving towards the end of the book. There was so much that had to be established and set down. I did kinda guess the ending/twist, but that's because I've read the actual legends and I'm familiar with how characters are usually presented. So if you're familiar, you won't be shocked by it.
I thought that this was a fun book. This was my third chance for White -- I read And I Darken and thought it was mediocre; then I DNFed The Dark Descent of Elizabeth Frankenstein -- so I'm very happy that this was a win for me. I'm definitely going to continue with the series so I can see where it's going!
Content Warnings
Graphic: Kidnapping and Sexism
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