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3.72 AVERAGE
3.72 AVERAGE
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️/5. This one surprised me (in a good way). Guinevere has assumed another girl’s identity. Raised by the wizard Merlin, she has been sent to Camelot to wed King Arthur. What she really is, though, is his protector. As she learns more about the king and Camelot, she realizes that she doesn’t know her father figure as well as she thought she did, and that more danger lurks than anyone knows. Highly recommended for grades 7+, especially historical fantasy fans.
What a beginning to a series!! I am so, so hungry for more. The final 100 pages of this book were like 'yeah let's give you everything your wildest dreams could imagine' and I'm like, WELL THANKS! I LOVE IT! I'LL ACCEPT IT!
Kiersten White is a fucking genius, as ever.
Kiersten White is a fucking genius, as ever.
adventurous
reflective
relaxing
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:
Yes
I picked this book up on a whim and didn't expect to love it (or the sequel) as much as I did. I've been rereading parts of it and finding it the perfect comfort reading during the pandemic--fantasy books right now are an amazing form of escapism and this book was no exception. Some found the plot/pacing slow, but I really enjoyed the depth of characters. I felt I knew each character well and that everyone had clear stakes and a story arc. The premise is awesome! So unique. My favorite part is the magic system and the gender bent part, which I won't spoil but is pretty obvious. I read this book so fast, and I almost wish the series were longer than a trilogy. I would happily read more books in this same world. It's hard to do an original retelling, and this one set the bar high. Good, descriptive writing, lovable characters, and plenty of high-stakes conflict.
Disclaimer: I received a copy of this for review in exchange for an honest opinion. All opinions are my own.
I have been so excited for this one! I've only been passingly familiar with the legend of king Arthur but the idea of seeing the events from Guinevere's perspective was too good to pass up. The writing style of this was just as good as Kiersten's other books and it was easy to fall in and to pick back up. Admittedly, I read this one almost painstakingly slow because I didn't want the book to end. Even when I would read just a few pages at a time, I fell into the world and it was so much fun to imagine it. Even though I wasn't familiar with the details of the Arthur legends, I didn't feel like I was missing anything. I felt like everything was explained but not in a way that would have bored someone more familiar.
The pacing of this is slower than traditional YA fantasy. While I really enjoyed this, because I loved taking the time getting to know Camelot and Arthur and Guinevere and the side characters, I know it may bother some people. I feel like this ends on a note that will make it such an exciting trilogy to read and I can't wait to read it!
I also LOVED some of the changes she made to the traditional story and I can't wait to see where she takes them.
I have been so excited for this one! I've only been passingly familiar with the legend of king Arthur but the idea of seeing the events from Guinevere's perspective was too good to pass up. The writing style of this was just as good as Kiersten's other books and it was easy to fall in and to pick back up. Admittedly, I read this one almost painstakingly slow because I didn't want the book to end. Even when I would read just a few pages at a time, I fell into the world and it was so much fun to imagine it. Even though I wasn't familiar with the details of the Arthur legends, I didn't feel like I was missing anything. I felt like everything was explained but not in a way that would have bored someone more familiar.
The pacing of this is slower than traditional YA fantasy. While I really enjoyed this, because I loved taking the time getting to know Camelot and Arthur and Guinevere and the side characters, I know it may bother some people. I feel like this ends on a note that will make it such an exciting trilogy to read and I can't wait to read it!
I also LOVED some of the changes she made to the traditional story and I can't wait to see where she takes them.
This was quite boring. On the one hand, for how much Guinevere did in the story she still felt like a spectator to whom things happened and not an actual player on the field. On the second hand, and this is a personal taste, I'm in a point when I like my fantasy with a bit of spicy romance and this was too much on the younger side of young-adult for my taste so the barely there romance was too tame.
adventurous
slow-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
N/A
Loveable characters:
No
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
dark
emotional
mysterious
tense
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:
Yes
This boon frustrated me with its cliffhanger ending and unfulfilled plot. While there is a second book in the series, I’m unsure if I will read it.