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sialia95's review against another edition
3.0
I obviously wanted to love this book the way I loved the others, but I'm left feeling underwhelmed. My favourite apsect of the first two books in particular was the way Stewart wrote a "realistic" version of the Arthurian legends, creating a surprising and engaging story despite more or less knowing how it will end. This book felt like it would do that, giving Mordred a chance to become a good person despite what he was always told about himself, and asking interesting questions about the nature of fate. The story is politically intriguing as well, foreshadowing drastic changes poised to take swift effect upon Arthur's death. Despite being mad at most of the characters most of the time, I was looking forward to finding out how it would all resolve. I was engaged with how Stewart moved the pieces on the board towards an undefined but certain doom. It felt like there were still many versions of how Arthur's fall could play out. But I started to get suspicious around the last 30 pages when it seemed like there was still too much to wrap up. [Mild spoilers henceforth.] And where is Nimuë to warn Arthur of all the stupid stuff his men are doing? Isn't she supposed to be his chief advisor? Sure enough...the ending was a BONKERS culmination of disasterous miscommunications. In a disappointing departure from her usual creativity with the legends, Stewart ended the story very true to the absurd 12th century tale. My prevailing feeling for the last chapter was "are you kidding me??" Anyway, I still liked getting different viewpoints of Arthur's Britain and it was interesting to see Arthur slowly coming down from the apex of his glory.
ladyethyme's review against another edition
1.0
Eh. First 3 books were SO much better.
Though I like the idea of a book from Mordred’s point of view-the characters are flat and generally unlikable. There is no character growth, arcs, or progression.
The baddies are evil ‘because’. There are no good guys unless you’re referring to Arthur alone, who barely is in the book at all. Merlin is rarely mentioned but not actually in it either.
Women are either stupid, evil, or irrelevant-and besides Morgeuse, there aren’t any given any decent screen time anyway.
The whole book is ‘hey, this person is a liar, murderer and manipulator. Let’s believe them on this new point”. It’s beyond frustrating.
I loathe Morgeuse. Why ppl let her manipulate them I don’t understand at all.
She’s a faker, a poor actress, an arrogant, lazy, and hateful poisoner and murderess.
But apparently ‘she’s hot’ sooooo…that’s how she overpowers people?
Though I like the idea of a book from Mordred’s point of view-the characters are flat and generally unlikable. There is no character growth, arcs, or progression.
The baddies are evil ‘because’. There are no good guys unless you’re referring to Arthur alone, who barely is in the book at all. Merlin is rarely mentioned but not actually in it either.
Women are either stupid, evil, or irrelevant-and besides Morgeuse, there aren’t any given any decent screen time anyway.
The whole book is ‘hey, this person is a liar, murderer and manipulator. Let’s believe them on this new point”. It’s beyond frustrating.
I loathe Morgeuse. Why ppl let her manipulate them I don’t understand at all.
She’s a faker, a poor actress, an arrogant, lazy, and hateful poisoner and murderess.
But apparently ‘she’s hot’ sooooo…that’s how she overpowers people?
macnificence's review against another edition
adventurous
tense
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
2.0
oliviakateamerica's review against another edition
adventurous
challenging
dark
emotional
hopeful
mysterious
reflective
sad
tense
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? N/A
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.5
shanellewrites's review against another edition
4.0
Love this series. I didn't find the ending particularly satisfying, but there was closure and it was well done.
My favorite thing about this series is the characters. They're so real, believable, flawed, and just some of the best I have read in a while.
Love it!
My favorite thing about this series is the characters. They're so real, believable, flawed, and just some of the best I have read in a while.
Love it!
girlofsteel377's review against another edition
4.0
the legend of mordred in the light of inescapable fate. as arthurian legend states, mordred is the legendary king's downfall, but as mary stewart researches, the "facts" are somewhat contradictory. so the reading is an interesting portrait of a conflicted man who hears just enough to trouble his basic goodness, and not enough to escape the foreboding. an interesting interpretation.
chmila's review against another edition
5.0
Mordred's story is amazing. His depth of character is fantastic. After reading this, how can one not help understanding and liking Mordred? He is a relatable character whose personality and control/will/strength of mind are awing.
kylearnzen's review against another edition
4.0
I had been looking forward to reading this for a while. Just from general familiarity with Arthurian legend, I knew what the end result of the story would be, so the fun part was seeing how the author chose to play it out. It wasn't exactly what I was expecting, which made the read all the better.
colorcrystals's review against another edition
4.0
Where the previous three books focused on Merlin, this one focused more on Mordred. While I loved the books from Merlin's point of view, I found it interesting to see the world from Mordred. I thought this book was wonderful.