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delreese's review against another edition
adventurous
funny
mysterious
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
Content Warnings
Minor: Rape and Child abuse
gattolinos_nerdy_nook's review against another edition
adventurous
mysterious
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
Book 2 here we go!!!! This is exactly what I need after being sick for a week and a bit. I was (and still am) in such a reading slump, but this reread has me pumped for the third and final book in this trilogy. It also has me wanting to read more Arthurian romance retellings but maybe new adult and adult rather than YA.
I forgot how much traveling was in this book, it is by no means the hobbit or lord of the rings level, but it was nice to see more of the world than just Camelot. The final books also looks to be leaning towards traveling around the world as well.
I still very much adore these characters. I love how they are in this book and with each page turn my adoration for them grew. I found them compelling, complex, and morally grey which made for some really interesting scenes. I think if this was written for adults we could really look further into those scenes, but I known that is not the focus of the book.
I am so excited to finally get to the third book of this series.
I forgot how much traveling was in this book, it is by no means the hobbit or lord of the rings level, but it was nice to see more of the world than just Camelot. The final books also looks to be leaning towards traveling around the world as well.
I still very much adore these characters. I love how they are in this book and with each page turn my adoration for them grew. I found them compelling, complex, and morally grey which made for some really interesting scenes. I think if this was written for adults we could really look further into those scenes, but I known that is not the focus of the book.
I am so excited to finally get to the third book of this series.
Content Warnings
Moderate: Violence and Fire/Fire injury
Minor: War, Child abuse, Sexism, and Sexual assault
claudiamacpherson's review
adventurous
inspiring
mysterious
tense
medium-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
4.0
Guinevere is back in Camelot with Arthur, but threats approach from all sides: the Dark Queen has returned and her wild magic is encroaching on Camelot, and the first Guinevere's sister, Guinevach, has arrived in the city and could reveal Guinevere as a fraud. Again, Guinevere must navigate her forbidden magic, her role as queen, and her desire to be useful for Camelot and those she cares about.
It's always a different experience to read a book (as I did with this one) than to listen to it (as I did with The Guinevere Deception—great reader, by the way) so I'm not sure how that changed my experience with this sequel. I still loved the characters (though sometimes I wanted to shake Guinevere for doubting herself!), and the love triangle (square??) still made me frustrated because I like all of them, damn it, how am I supposed to choose? The plot felt a little irregular, though—not necessarily in a bad way, but there were several ups and downs and mini rising action-climax-falling action sequences rather than one big one at the ending. I still enjoyed it a lot and am now very frustrated that I have to wait for the third book to come out later this year!
Okay, more on the love triangle/square because I'm genuinely so conflicted!! First of all, I love Arthur, I really do. I fall for the king trope every time: the James Potters and Peter Pevensies and Richard Ganseys who are just so noble and loyal and good all. the. time. And I loved the scene between Arthur and Guinevere in the greenhouse room and how she contrasts Arthur with Mordred by saying that Arthur would never take what isn't his (we love a respectful man!). But White did a really good job writing Mordred because even after the betrayal at the end of The Guinevere Deception, I still loved the scenes with him and Guinevere! Granted, White gave him a pretty good redemption arc in this book, but I'm usually tough to please with those. As if those two weren't enough, I'm still waiting for a Lancelot/Guinevere romance because that's what's in the original myth! And I'm obsessed with White's Lancelot! There were a few moments in this book where I thought maybe White was preparing for that eventuality, but they were fairly subtle except for the final scene, and even those declarations of love could potentially be read as platonic. This is why I hate love triangles!! If it's not a clear choice I get stressed and feel bad for whoever ultimately doesn't get chosen. Hopefully book 3 will make the decision easier... we'll see!
Happy ending meter (no specific spoilers, just my judgement of how happy the ending is because I always wish someone would tell me that before I read books):Cliffhanger! Definitely not happy (but not sad either, just tense). I need the next book!!!
It's always a different experience to read a book (as I did with this one) than to listen to it (as I did with The Guinevere Deception—great reader, by the way) so I'm not sure how that changed my experience with this sequel. I still loved the characters (though sometimes I wanted to shake Guinevere for doubting herself!), and the love triangle (square??) still made me frustrated because I like all of them, damn it, how am I supposed to choose? The plot felt a little irregular, though—not necessarily in a bad way, but there were several ups and downs and mini rising action-climax-falling action sequences rather than one big one at the ending. I still enjoyed it a lot and am now very frustrated that I have to wait for the third book to come out later this year!
Happy ending meter (no specific spoilers, just my judgement of how happy the ending is because I always wish someone would tell me that before I read books):
Content Warnings
Moderate: Blood, Murder, Violence, and Death
Minor: Suicidal thoughts and Child abuse
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