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3.58 AVERAGE
3.58 AVERAGE
If you like the various re-tellings of the Arthurian legend, this is an interesting take on it.
Ms. Lackey apparently found period poetry that implies Guinevere was, in fact, 3 different women. This is the story of the 3rd Guinevere (Gwenhwyfar) from childhood to warriorhood to bride.
Caution: there is not a lot of story re: Arthur and his Round Table in here. The jacket sleeve gives homage to Marion Zimmer Bradley. I would disagree. Just b/c it's about women, doesn't make it a feminist take or even the rather magical mystical spin that Bradley put on the legend. However, it is the usual wonderful worlds, history, and action that makes Ms. Lackey great, just encompassing a new angle of a familiar tale.
Ms. Lackey apparently found period poetry that implies Guinevere was, in fact, 3 different women. This is the story of the 3rd Guinevere (Gwenhwyfar) from childhood to warriorhood to bride.
Caution: there is not a lot of story re: Arthur and his Round Table in here. The jacket sleeve gives homage to Marion Zimmer Bradley. I would disagree. Just b/c it's about women, doesn't make it a feminist take or even the rather magical mystical spin that Bradley put on the legend. However, it is the usual wonderful worlds, history, and action that makes Ms. Lackey great, just encompassing a new angle of a familiar tale.
What a fun peak into Aurthuriana, told from the perspective of one of the many Gwenwyfar's that play a role in the story of the Knights of the Round Table. It reads as "historically" accurate, well researched, and it's own tale of chivalric deeds and courtly love. Plus, I always love an audiobook filled with Welsh names. It's not exactly Le Morte d'Arthur, but that just means it's readable.
adventurous
emotional
mysterious
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:
No
3.5 stars - This was a good retelling of the Arthurian legend, based on historical documents. I liked that Arthur was really a side character, and that the story delved into Gwenhwyfar and the various experiences of women.
I wavered between 3 and 4 stars on this one, bumped it up to 4 because it was a new take on the Arthur legend that I haven't encountered before. Lackey didn't make it up completely out of thin air - in her afterword she explains that her imagination was caught by a few sources that seemed to imply there were three different Guineveres - but aside from that she did take quite a few liberties with the legend (and is very honest about it). I always enjoy Lackey's writing.
I loved this book. It was a very interesting retelling of the King Arthur story from the point of view of Gwenhwyfar.
This is Mercedes Lackey's take on Camelot, and it's about as trashy as her other books. There are three Gwenhwyfar's in this book - Arthur's first two wives, and our Gwenhwyfar, who also has an evil little sister called Little Gwen. Cue ominous music. Everyone evil in this book is thoroughly evil, our Gwenhwyfar is a pure and noble warrier queen, and Arthur is a bit of a dimwit. Lackey's own stories are much more interesting. Silly, but interesting.
adventurous
dark
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
Listened to the audiobook; the narrator brought you right to Wales with a fantastic performance polished with great accents.
A standalone historical fiction tale of King Arthur's queen, Guinevere.
My Take
Another variation on King Arthur and his knights. This time from the third Guinevere's perspective. Yes, third. Lackey has a theory that with all the tales of Arthur's wife having no children, one child, two children that quite possibly he had three wives, each named Gwenhwyfar.
For the most part, it follows the Arthurian legend with different details. An interesting tale which truly is good for those imaginative details. I do love how Gwen comes up with the fright to use against the Saxon invaders! I just get so depressed over the Arthurian ending.
The Story
This Gwen was the third of four daughters of a subject king of Arthur's while the mother was magic. Gwen had been blessed by Epona and the Ladies meaning she could perform well as a warrior or be taught to use her magic by the Ladies. Choosing the warrior's role, Gwen advanced to the role of war chief for her father. Intelligent, canny in the way of war, Gwen was happy in her life.
Oh, yes, there were stumbles along the way. Her youngest sister, Gwynhwyfach, was a spoiled brat eager to have anything that anyone else admired, owned, or desired. Willing to hurt anyone to take from them. She found a suitable partner when she married Medraut, a cousin and son to King Lot.
Lancelin, a Champion of King Arthur's and his envoy and adviser, was the first to cause Gwen to regret her chosen role as a warrior. Then loyalty and honor required that Gwen marry. Another.
The Cover and Title
The cover is very classy with its thin raised borders of embossed brown and leathery black star-studded in the corners with a dark center and sword shield poised in its center. The White Spirit is a bit empty as it refers to such a small part of the book…even if it is one of my favorite bits.
My Take
Another variation on King Arthur and his knights. This time from the third Guinevere's perspective. Yes, third. Lackey has a theory that with all the tales of Arthur's wife having no children, one child, two children that quite possibly he had three wives, each named Gwenhwyfar.
For the most part, it follows the Arthurian legend with different details. An interesting tale which truly is good for those imaginative details. I do love how Gwen comes up with the fright to use against the Saxon invaders! I just get so depressed over the Arthurian ending.
The Story
This Gwen was the third of four daughters of a subject king of Arthur's while the mother was magic. Gwen had been blessed by Epona and the Ladies meaning she could perform well as a warrior or be taught to use her magic by the Ladies. Choosing the warrior's role, Gwen advanced to the role of war chief for her father. Intelligent, canny in the way of war, Gwen was happy in her life.
Oh, yes, there were stumbles along the way. Her youngest sister, Gwynhwyfach, was a spoiled brat eager to have anything that anyone else admired, owned, or desired. Willing to hurt anyone to take from them. She found a suitable partner when she married Medraut, a cousin and son to King Lot.
Lancelin, a Champion of King Arthur's and his envoy and adviser, was the first to cause Gwen to regret her chosen role as a warrior. Then loyalty and honor required that Gwen marry. Another.
The Cover and Title
The cover is very classy with its thin raised borders of embossed brown and leathery black star-studded in the corners with a dark center and sword shield poised in its center. The White Spirit is a bit empty as it refers to such a small part of the book…even if it is one of my favorite bits.
adventurous
dark
sad
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Complicated
Loveable characters:
No
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Complicated
I wanted to like this more than I did.