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drlove2018's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.5
Content Warnings
Moderate: Confinement, Blood, Death, Suicidal thoughts, and Violence
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
melaniereadsbooks's review against another edition
adventurous
mysterious
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.75
I could seriously read nothing but King Arthur retellings for the rest of my days and would probably be content.
This book is such an epic sequel to The Guinevere Deception. There are even more twists and mysteries surrounding who Guinevere is and why Merlin messed with her memories! I love the new characters that were added and the new development of familiar characters.
Guinevere's love interests are a decently large part of the story and I diagnose Guinevere with: Chaotic Pansexual. I know it doesn't say anywhere, but that's my diagnosis. I know who I want her to end up with, but even so I can't help but feel an attachment to all the characters she loves.
That ending was brutal! I didn't expect it at all and now I'm so sad I have to wait so long for the next book. Oh well, guess in the meantime I'll just have to reread the rest of Kiersten White's books...
This book is such an epic sequel to The Guinevere Deception. There are even more twists and mysteries surrounding who Guinevere is and why Merlin messed with her memories! I love the new characters that were added and the new development of familiar characters.
Guinevere's love interests are a decently large part of the story and I diagnose Guinevere with: Chaotic Pansexual. I know it doesn't say anywhere, but that's my diagnosis. I know who I want her to end up with, but even so I can't help but feel an attachment to all the characters she loves.
That ending was brutal! I didn't expect it at all and now I'm so sad I have to wait so long for the next book. Oh well, guess in the meantime I'll just have to reread the rest of Kiersten White's books...
Content Warnings
Graphic: Death, Domestic abuse, Murder, and Violence
Moderate: Blood, Sexism, and Toxic relationship
bodiesinbooks's review
adventurous
mysterious
tense
slow-paced
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
Content Warnings
Moderate: Blood, Death, Kidnapping, and Violence
Minor: Child death
kypn's review
adventurous
lighthearted
mysterious
relaxing
medium-paced
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.25
Content Warnings
Moderate: Violence
Minor: Rape
angelareads's review
adventurous
mysterious
sad
tense
medium-paced
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.5
Content Warnings
Graphic: Violence
Moderate: Kidnapping, Self harm, and Suicidal thoughts
Minor: Emotional abuse, Confinement, Rape, Sexual assault, and Sexual violence
Self harm for the purpose of the magic system.heytherekaity's review against another edition
adventurous
funny
hopeful
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
First Read:
AMAZING
WONDERFUL
FANTASTIC
I LOVED IT
♥️♥️♥️
Second Read:
READY FOR THE EXCALIBUR CURSE!!!
AMAZING
WONDERFUL
FANTASTIC
I LOVED IT
♥️♥️♥️
Second Read:
READY FOR THE EXCALIBUR CURSE!!!
Content Warnings
Graphic: Abandonment, Blood, Death, Gaslighting, Kidnapping, and Violence
Moderate: Fire/Fire injury and Murder
Minor: Confinement, Domestic abuse, and Alcohol
rorikae's review against another edition
adventurous
mysterious
medium-paced
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? N/A
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.5
'The Camelot Betrayal' by Kiersten White is the second installment in a fun rework of the Arthurian legend from Guinevere's perspective.
Though I can't go into too many specifics since this is the second book in the series, I can say that this book does continue following Guinevere as Queen of Camelot as she comes up against new and old enemies. There are a number of questions that have been woven from the first book that White continues to unravel and build upon in this book with the further explanation of familiar characters and introducing some new ones.
White does a really great job of creating something new out of a classic story. The way that she casts characters and weaves magic into the story makes it feel new and fresh. Knowing some about the original legend, I found myself trying to piece out how closely she was going to follow it and where she was going to include new characters and plot points to flesh it out further. There is a new character introduced in this installment (though they are a part of the classic legend) that I think White did a great job with. The way that she discusses this character and Guinevere's reaction to them helps uncover more about Guinevere and the world around here. One of my biggest disappointments with this book is that there is a number of potential love interests for Guinevere but the one I think has the potential to be the strongest (and that I think groundwork has been laid for) is not being explored. I hope this will change in book 3 as I think it would elevate the story and White has crafted her characters so that it could definitely be a possibility. I'll be interested to see what happens next, particularly because the ending leaves open lots of potential directions that it could take.
Though I can't go into too many specifics since this is the second book in the series, I can say that this book does continue following Guinevere as Queen of Camelot as she comes up against new and old enemies. There are a number of questions that have been woven from the first book that White continues to unravel and build upon in this book with the further explanation of familiar characters and introducing some new ones.
White does a really great job of creating something new out of a classic story. The way that she casts characters and weaves magic into the story makes it feel new and fresh. Knowing some about the original legend, I found myself trying to piece out how closely she was going to follow it and where she was going to include new characters and plot points to flesh it out further. There is a new character introduced in this installment (though they are a part of the classic legend) that I think White did a great job with. The way that she discusses this character and Guinevere's reaction to them helps uncover more about Guinevere and the world around here. One of my biggest disappointments with this book is that there is a number of potential love interests for Guinevere but the one I think has the potential to be the strongest (and that I think groundwork has been laid for) is not being explored. I hope this will change in book 3 as I think it would elevate the story and White has crafted her characters so that it could definitely be a possibility. I'll be interested to see what happens next, particularly because the ending leaves open lots of potential directions that it could take.
Content Warnings
Moderate: Death and Violence
caidyn's review against another edition
challenging
dark
tense
medium-paced
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
I received an ARC through Netgalley in exchange for an honest review!
CW: physical abuse, emotional abuse, violence, and misogyny
What a great sequel! I've been anticipating it since I finished reading the first book and I'm so grateful for the ARC! I didn't want to wait until November for it to come out.
The story picks up where it left off with the fallout of the first book. As usual, I'm dancing around things for sequels because I don't want to spoil anyone's enjoyment of the first book. What I really loved was Guinevere having to still make peace with her past and the present, Lancelot getting built up more and the relationship she has with Guinevere, and the inclusion of a f/f relationship that was on the page and just accepted by people.
Overall, this was a solid sequel and I'm definitely excited to order a copy so I can have that finished product in my hands!
CW: physical abuse, emotional abuse, violence, and misogyny
What a great sequel! I've been anticipating it since I finished reading the first book and I'm so grateful for the ARC! I didn't want to wait until November for it to come out.
The story picks up where it left off with the fallout of the first book. As usual, I'm dancing around things for sequels because I don't want to spoil anyone's enjoyment of the first book. What I really loved was Guinevere having to still make peace with her past and the present, Lancelot getting built up more and the relationship she has with Guinevere, and the inclusion of a f/f relationship that was on the page and just accepted by people.
Overall, this was a solid sequel and I'm definitely excited to order a copy so I can have that finished product in my hands!
Content Warnings
Graphic: Physical abuse, Emotional abuse, Violence, and Misogyny
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