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bickleyhouse's review against another edition
adventurous
mysterious
tense
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
4.5
Yet another book I discovered while shelving at my library, The Guinevere Deception is a retelling of a portion of the Arthurian legends. We begin with Guinevere being escorted from the convent where she has been living, to Camelot, where she will be married to King Arthur. Included in her escort is Mordred, nephew to the King.
Note the word "deception" in the title. At the outset, it becomes quickly apparent that the deception has to do with the fact that Guinevere isn't who she appears to be. In fact, the real Guinevere is dead and this girl is a replacement. This is not really a "spoiler," as this piece of the plot is revealed in the early stages and is even included in the cover flap information.
While the book was a little slow getting started, the pace picks up, as well as the excitement and intensity, as the book progresses. I really enjoyed Ms. White's writing and character development. What I also enjoyed were at least two different plot twists along the way, and the revelation, at one point, that the replacement Guinevere wasn't the only deception involved in this story. Later in the book, there is a "double deception," and then, close to the end, even another plot twist.
I really like a book where the buildup toward the end keeps me reading. The last third of the book was "unputdownable," and I couldn't wait to finish it last night. Oh, and there is yet another twist regarding the character of Lancelot. I really, really like what the author did with Lancelot's character. That was great fun!
She also puts mystery into the tale almost immediately. On page three, as Guinevere and company are making their way to Camelot, the ride through a forest. The problem is, that forest wasn't there when they came that way the first time. We get an early indication of the mystery surrounding "Guinevere," as well, on page 13 when a line says, "If only it were actually her name." And then, two pages later, it says, "She had never seen a child before," when Guinevere sees children in Camelot. This speaks even more of her "upbringing." Who, or what, is Guinevere? Part of that mystery will be revealed as the reader continues in the story.
Ms. White brings mystery and unique imagination to the Arthurian legends, and I love it. I recommend this to anyone who is a fan of all things Arthur, as long as you aren't afraid of some imaginative shifts.
Note the word "deception" in the title. At the outset, it becomes quickly apparent that the deception has to do with the fact that Guinevere isn't who she appears to be. In fact, the real Guinevere is dead and this girl is a replacement. This is not really a "spoiler," as this piece of the plot is revealed in the early stages and is even included in the cover flap information.
While the book was a little slow getting started, the pace picks up, as well as the excitement and intensity, as the book progresses. I really enjoyed Ms. White's writing and character development. What I also enjoyed were at least two different plot twists along the way, and the revelation, at one point, that the replacement Guinevere wasn't the only deception involved in this story. Later in the book, there is a "double deception," and then, close to the end, even another plot twist.
I really like a book where the buildup toward the end keeps me reading. The last third of the book was "unputdownable," and I couldn't wait to finish it last night. Oh, and there is yet another twist regarding the character of Lancelot. I really, really like what the author did with Lancelot's character. That was great fun!
She also puts mystery into the tale almost immediately. On page three, as Guinevere and company are making their way to Camelot, the ride through a forest. The problem is, that forest wasn't there when they came that way the first time. We get an early indication of the mystery surrounding "Guinevere," as well, on page 13 when a line says, "If only it were actually her name." And then, two pages later, it says, "She had never seen a child before," when Guinevere sees children in Camelot. This speaks even more of her "upbringing." Who, or what, is Guinevere? Part of that mystery will be revealed as the reader continues in the story.
Ms. White brings mystery and unique imagination to the Arthurian legends, and I love it. I recommend this to anyone who is a fan of all things Arthur, as long as you aren't afraid of some imaginative shifts.
bookworm2828's review against another edition
adventurous
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
3.5
dembury's review against another edition
4.0
Full review on my blog here: https://thedeborahembury.wordpress.com/2019/06/27/the-guinevere-deception-by-kiersten-white-book-review/
This is definitely a series I'm going to be continuing!
This is definitely a series I'm going to be continuing!
daughteroffantasy's review against another edition
adventurous
lighthearted
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
3.5
marvelruinedmyspirit's review against another edition
It feels weird to quit after only 39 pages but I was already on the fence (it being a YA retelling) and I'm not really a fan of the writing or of the audiobook narrator.
starcrossedstacks's review against another edition
4.0
Short Review: I enjoyed this! 3.75/5, this feels like one I'm going to need to read the whole series for to have a serious opinion, and a lot of the things I liked about it would be spoiler-y, so I'm going to leave it at that for this one until I finish the series!
With that being said, I had a fun time, I was intrigued, and I'm really gay for woman knights
With that being said, I had a fun time, I was intrigued, and I'm really gay for woman knights
kat_sanford's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
mysterious
slow-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
3.25