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shivvyslibrary's review against another edition
adventurous
challenging
dark
hopeful
sad
tense
fast-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
4.0
books4susie's review
3.0
This is the book in which we finally find out who exactly Guinevere is and who she will choose. She questions everything and everyone in her circle. Unfortunately, this story just dragged on for me. And the ending, I am not really sure about it. Guinevere decides who she wants to be but everyone’s future is left dangling.
juliam02's review
dark
emotional
inspiring
fast-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
3.75
marindeveth's review
adventurous
funny
lighthearted
fast-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
3.5
maddly_peculiar's review
adventurous
dark
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.0
the real magic was the friends we made along the way
hannahellen's review
2.0
My hunger for anything Arthurian sometimes leads me to very meh places.
This was so tiresome to read. I read the first 2 books 3 years ago and I remember feeling disappointed and that the characters and the whole story was very forgettable. This book did not change that. I finished it out of spite more than anything lol.
None of the characters felt real. Way too many things felt too easy and convenient. Guinevere was SO annoying. Sometimes a character is so “good” that it makes them DULL. We have to read their self-deprecation and guilt every other page and it just ends up feeling much more narcissistic than wholesome and kind. The love triangle made it worse. I wasn’t rooting for any “ships” because I just couldn’t care. Lancelot’s blind devotion to Guinevere felt forced and way too intense. Arthur had no personality at all beyond the whole, "I will do whatever is best for Camelot and also I am compassionate and strong and The Chosen One" trope. The whining and waffling from Guinevere was boring. All the ruminating was exhausting. I just wanted it to end so badly. I could see the ending from the beginning and the stakes and danger were way too high for the end to be so happy and tidy.
Sometimes I think maybe I should stop reading about teenagers now that it’s been nearly 10 years since I was one. I mean, I was also whiny and inconstant and self-centered as a teenager. But then I remember that there are so many fictional teenagers that I absolutely love and connect with. This trilogy was just not great and the protagonist was the worst part.
I appreciate the attempt at a feminist spin, but it fell extremely flat for me.
This was so tiresome to read. I read the first 2 books 3 years ago and I remember feeling disappointed and that the characters and the whole story was very forgettable. This book did not change that. I finished it out of spite more than anything lol.
None of the characters felt real. Way too many things felt too easy and convenient. Guinevere was SO annoying. Sometimes a character is so “good” that it makes them DULL. We have to read their self-deprecation and guilt every other page and it just ends up feeling much more narcissistic than wholesome and kind. The love triangle made it worse. I wasn’t rooting for any “ships” because I just couldn’t care. Lancelot’s blind devotion to Guinevere felt forced and way too intense. Arthur had no personality at all beyond the whole, "I will do whatever is best for Camelot and also I am compassionate and strong and The Chosen One" trope. The whining and waffling from Guinevere was boring. All the ruminating was exhausting. I just wanted it to end so badly. I could see the ending from the beginning and the stakes and danger were way too high for the end to be so happy and tidy.
Sometimes I think maybe I should stop reading about teenagers now that it’s been nearly 10 years since I was one. I mean, I was also whiny and inconstant and self-centered as a teenager. But then I remember that there are so many fictional teenagers that I absolutely love and connect with. This trilogy was just not great and the protagonist was the worst part.
I appreciate the attempt at a feminist spin, but it fell extremely flat for me.
laura_keoski's review against another edition
adventurous
emotional
mysterious
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.75
kristinecanwrite's review against another edition
4.0
A good end to the trilogy, though the girl-power message of the end felt a bit flat considering that the story isn't really over, as we know. I found the main internal conflict, which takes up most of the middle of the story, far more compelling than the last book. I actually felt like it and the quieter parts of the ending more engaging than the big battle, and it's what's stuck with me since finishing the story.
ameserole's review against another edition
4.0
I have received this ARC from NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.
The Camelot Rising series has a special place in my heart. From getting to know all the characters to going on their adventures. I honestly had the time of my life diving into these retellings of King Arthur. It also doesn't hurt that I got each and every book within this series as an ARC and loved every single page.
I was never fully prepared for The Excalibur Curse mentally. Mostly because I didn't want to say goodbye to anyone but I really wanted answers when it came to Merlin and the Dark Queen. Seriously - these two were on my mind since the very first page in the first book. So, when I got more clues, information, and then some huge reveals. Well, my mind was prepared one freaking bit.
It was a lot to take in and I devoured this all within one sitting. The romance, the betrayals, and everything in between kept me on the edge of my seat. I'm still not a fan of little love shapes that took place but I also had no idea who to ship who with. Of course, I enjoyed Arthur and Guinevere from the very beginning but I know some people wanted her with Mordred. Those people are wrong but details.
In the end, I'm loved every second I spent on these books and I'm just in awe of Kiersten's writing. Not sure what's her next book idea will be but I can't wait to dive into it. Seriously, go read this series people. Fall in love with every little thing.
The Camelot Rising series has a special place in my heart. From getting to know all the characters to going on their adventures. I honestly had the time of my life diving into these retellings of King Arthur. It also doesn't hurt that I got each and every book within this series as an ARC and loved every single page.
I was never fully prepared for The Excalibur Curse mentally. Mostly because I didn't want to say goodbye to anyone but I really wanted answers when it came to Merlin and the Dark Queen. Seriously - these two were on my mind since the very first page in the first book. So, when I got more clues, information, and then some huge reveals. Well, my mind was prepared one freaking bit.
It was a lot to take in and I devoured this all within one sitting. The romance, the betrayals, and everything in between kept me on the edge of my seat. I'm still not a fan of little love shapes that took place but I also had no idea who to ship who with. Of course, I enjoyed Arthur and Guinevere from the very beginning but I know some people wanted her with Mordred. Those people are wrong but details.
In the end, I'm loved every second I spent on these books and I'm just in awe of Kiersten's writing. Not sure what's her next book idea will be but I can't wait to dive into it. Seriously, go read this series people. Fall in love with every little thing.
peachypygmypuff's review
adventurous
dark
emotional
mysterious
tense
fast-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
5.0