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3.58 AVERAGE
3.58 AVERAGE
The story of the third wife of King Arthur, Gwenhwyfar follows the story of a woman by the same name through childhood to adulthood, a journey from a princess, a warrior and then to a queen. In constant tension of her upbringing and the role of most women is Gwen's desire to be a true warrior.
Equal parts adventure, some fantastical elements, and a blurred history, Gwenhyfar was a light and enjoyable read.
Equal parts adventure, some fantastical elements, and a blurred history, Gwenhyfar was a light and enjoyable read.
A captivating tale that took me back to the days of King Arthur. This story was told from the point of view and was largely about Gwenhwyfar, (who we know as Guinevere). I enjoyed a different perspective on the Arthurian legend. It's nice to see life from a different perspective. Gwenhwyfar was well developed as a character and as a story. My only struggle was figuring out how to pronounce the names in the story.
I've actually never read an Arthurian legend, I've only picked it up in pop culture and summaries. I've also never read Mercedes Lackey, but I was looking for a tale of a woman warrior, and she obliged. I liked Gwen. I liked the rough hewn world she lived in. Thinking back on it, I wish that more time had been spent with the other characters of legend, but the disconnect was caused by the character's own isolation having chosen the warrior's path, and I was never bored following Gwen. Her story was her own.
adventurous
emotional
inspiring
sad
tense
medium-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
I've read only Lackey's Five Hundred Kingdoms books; this is the first book outside that series.
I enjoy Arthurian fiction -- I've read a number of Arthur books, and still love Mary Stewart's trilogy as well as Mists of Avalon. I've found some I didn't love so much, and it had been a while since I tried any -- the last one was "Guenevere, Queen of the Summer Country" and I didn't particularly care for that.
I really enjoyed the character of Gwenhwyfar Lackey portrays -- a woman, blessed by Epona, becoming a woman warrior. Her character is so very well developed, as well as the world she's growing up in.
My difficulty came when she was married to Arthur. Two thirds of the book had passed, and I was beginning to wonder how this marriage could possibly happen. The Gwenhwyfar that was present could never have been made a queen -- she was too highly thought of as her father's warchief, a valued scout and leader of his forces, keeping his kingdom safe. Arthur was clearly a Roman, disdaining military contributions by women, seeing only their role as breeders of heirs which he desperately needed.
I could not buy the logic that wedded Gwenhwyfar to Arthur -- it seemed too much of a stretch for her father to have given her up for a trade of horses. I felt let down, that Gwen was betrayed by the people who knew her value the most keenly.
Once I could get past that, the book again picked up the roaring pace, and came to a swift and bitter end, as all Arthurian tales eventually do. Her worth is finally recognized, yet it is too late. Had Arthur wanted her for what she was, there might have been happiness, but happiness is fleeting for her -- only seven stolen days with a man who comes to count those days as a betrayal of his dearest loyalty to his king.
If you can get past the weakly supported bargain that brings Gwenhwyfar to be crowned Queen, then this is a great book. That the book's only real weakness is a bit of "deus ex machina" seeming plot point is overall a great credit to the story.
I enjoy Arthurian fiction -- I've read a number of Arthur books, and still love Mary Stewart's trilogy as well as Mists of Avalon. I've found some I didn't love so much, and it had been a while since I tried any -- the last one was "Guenevere, Queen of the Summer Country" and I didn't particularly care for that.
I really enjoyed the character of Gwenhwyfar Lackey portrays -- a woman, blessed by Epona, becoming a woman warrior. Her character is so very well developed, as well as the world she's growing up in.
My difficulty came when she was married to Arthur. Two thirds of the book had passed, and I was beginning to wonder how this marriage could possibly happen. The Gwenhwyfar that was present could never have been made a queen -- she was too highly thought of as her father's warchief, a valued scout and leader of his forces, keeping his kingdom safe. Arthur was clearly a Roman, disdaining military contributions by women, seeing only their role as breeders of heirs which he desperately needed.
I could not buy the logic that wedded Gwenhwyfar to Arthur -- it seemed too much of a stretch for her father to have given her up for a trade of horses. I felt let down, that Gwen was betrayed by the people who knew her value the most keenly.
Once I could get past that, the book again picked up the roaring pace, and came to a swift and bitter end, as all Arthurian tales eventually do. Her worth is finally recognized, yet it is too late. Had Arthur wanted her for what she was, there might have been happiness, but happiness is fleeting for her -- only seven stolen days with a man who comes to count those days as a betrayal of his dearest loyalty to his king.
If you can get past the weakly supported bargain that brings Gwenhwyfar to be crowned Queen, then this is a great book. That the book's only real weakness is a bit of "deus ex machina" seeming plot point is overall a great credit to the story.
Great twist on the original! I like how she fit in aspects of the classic stories to this rendition.
This was a different but interesting twist on the King Arthur/Guenevere/Lancelot story. Arthur is actually married to three different Gwenhwyfar's, and it does explain how she was able to fit into so many tales and have so many different 'personalities'.
That being said, it was entertaining and you couldn't help but root for Gwen (the main one) who was a warrior and fought for her freedom. The audio was great-I would have struggled with the names otherwise.
That being said, it was entertaining and you couldn't help but root for Gwen (the main one) who was a warrior and fought for her freedom. The audio was great-I would have struggled with the names otherwise.
The story of how Guinevere is raised in a pagan house and delivered to a wise woman has a slow build, but is sure to appeal to fans of Marion Zimmer Bradley's AMAZING Mists of Avalon
This was a wonderful retelling of Guinevere from King Arthur's tale. It begins when Gwen is around 9 years old and tells her story of becoming a warrior. I have to admit: I love books when women (no matter their background) becoming warriors - it makes me giddy :) Tamora Pierce's books often have this theme.
Anyway, it was a REALLY good book and I recommend it like whoa. The only "bad" thing (even though I should have known it was coming) was the end. That's all I'll say. But other than that, it was awesome.
Anyway, it was a REALLY good book and I recommend it like whoa. The only "bad" thing (even though I should have known it was coming) was the end. That's all I'll say. But other than that, it was awesome.