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3.72 AVERAGE
3.72 AVERAGE
2.5 stars. It took 50% for things to even get semi interesting. Ultimately, my library hold expired before I could completely finish. I queued up again, but I'm not sure if I will just return it once it pops into my library. It was creative, but honestly, just meh.
I loved this book! I was a little surprised at how much I enjoyed it. I mean I basically love everything Kiersten White writes, but I don't read a lot of Arthurian stories. I loved the way the magic was woven in, and the characters were so much fun. Guinevere's character development throughout felt natural, and was so strong. There were some excellent plot twists, some mad me a little sad. I'm really intrigued to see where book 2 goes. Part of me hopes for wild magic.
I love Arthurian tales so much. This fresh new take on a very old story took the elements I loved and added in new twists. Well done. I’m hoping for a sequel!
Will not be continuing the series but I’m a sucker for a pretty cover.
UHM EXCUSE ME.
I NEED THIS NOW. [2/16/19]
2.16.20 And just like that, a year later, I read it. And loved it.
The characters and the setting were vibrant.
I love the subtle Tristan & Isolde retelling looped into the King Arthur retelling. I love all of White’s feminist reimagined tales.
White really knows how to write a cliffhanger, huh? Can’t wait for the next one.
I NEED THIS NOW. [2/16/19]
2.16.20 And just like that, a year later, I read it. And loved it.
The characters and the setting were vibrant.
I love the subtle Tristan & Isolde retelling looped into the King Arthur retelling. I love all of White’s feminist reimagined tales.
White really knows how to write a cliffhanger, huh? Can’t wait for the next one.
I have somewhat mixed feelings about this book. I liked most of the characters, and I liked the world-building. Knot magic, in particular, I thought was really fun, and I really enjoyed the presence of strong female friendships. I did think Guinevere jumped to some weird conclusions that felt pretty baseless and then ran with them, but for the most part, I can look past that, especially considering she's sixteen and this is a YA.
I think the main thing with this book is that it makes really bold choices, which I sometimes loved and sometimes hated. There wasn't much in-between for me.
All that aside, this book landed more on the positive side than the negative, but it will probably be the only one in this series that I read. After skimming some reviews of book two, it looks like Ultimately, it's just not quite what I'm looking for, but I would definitely not try to turn other readers with different expectations away from an enjoyable read.
I think the main thing with this book is that it makes really bold choices, which I sometimes loved and sometimes hated.
Spoiler
Female Lancelot? Amazing. Incredible. I would die for her, just as she would for Guinevere. Love triangle with Mordred? Strange. Annoying. I liked him better as a friend.All that aside, this book landed more on the positive side than the negative, but it will probably be the only one in this series that I read. After skimming some reviews of book two, it looks like
Spoiler
Lancelot is destined to remain just a friend, which seems like such a missed opportunity. I absolutely cannot watch Guinevere be caught between the perfectly-decent-if not-terribly-interesting Arthur and the tortured-but-supposedly-sexy-or-whatever Mordred when Lancelot is right there pledging her undying loyalty and never once lying to or betraying Guinevere. Add onto that the fact that I can't find confirmation that the canonically queer and just generally awesome Brangien is not the "death of something precious" that the book two summary refers to, and I just can't do it. I'd rather quit while I'm ahead than risk ruining this one as well if I'm correct about the next one.
As an avid King Arthur nerd, this book was an absolute delight to read. I called a few of the twists, but they still managed to catch me off guard because they were executed so well.
All in all, an amazing read. Would definitely recommend this book to anyone who loves King Arthur or just YA fantasy in general.
All in all, an amazing read. Would definitely recommend this book to anyone who loves King Arthur or just YA fantasy in general.
If I was gonna be more specific, I would probably rate this more of a 4.5 star than just a plain 4 star. This book was more than a 4 star, but it didn't quite reach that 5 star point.
I think what I've learned, especially with brand new releases, is to go into them with an open mind. I hadn't really heard anyone's opinion on this book when I decided to read it so the fact that I went into this totally blank really helped me form my own opinion on it without any expectations to like it.
This book is not quite a retelling of the King Arthur myth. I would think of it more as a reimagining because while a lot is the same, there are many elements in this story that are new and completely different than the original story which make it special. This story starts out with Guinevere traveling in order to marry her new husband, King Arthur of Camelot. Although this Guinevere isn't really her. The real Guinevere is dead and she is here to replace her. Not to cause Arthur harm, no. But to protect him from something coming. Something dark building in the forest.
I really enjoyed the characters that Kiersten White created for this story. She took characters that people have known for hundreds of years and made them her own. Guinevere especially, we dive deep into her character and really get to know who she is and what she wants. And I think one of the best parts of this book is that by the end we truly get a glimpse of who Guinevere is, but there's still more to see. There are more facets to her character than usual. The characters that surround her are interesting and fantastically entertaining.
I love the relationships that the author wrote for our main character. There was a very obvious opportunity for girl hate in this novel and none of it was there. I was unexpectedly surprised and pleased by the friendships that were written for her. I also liked that while there was a vague notion of romance in this book, it wasn't the main focus at all which I appreciated. I envision that there will be more of it in the later books in the series, but until then I will be thankful for my vagueness.
The plot was something I had never heard of before and was absolutely fascinating. It was really interesting to read a story about a Queen sent to protect her King instead of the other way around. While the book had its obvious flaws (repetition of various plot points, caricature villains, etc.) it was very well-rounded and created suspense and kept you reading to figure out the rest of the plot. Here's one of my favorite quotes from the book and it's from the beginning when discussing Guinevere's role in the kingdom:
"' Only Guinevere? Nothing else? I know the power of true names.' His word hit her with two meanings. Names that were titles gave power among men. True names gave power among the things that came before men. She focused on the torch to make her voice cheery, like it. 'Guinevere, when spoken by you, has power enough.'"
There were also a couple of LGBT elements in the story. The diversity in this novel really made it special and is something that should be noted.
Overall, I really liked this story. I love the story of King Arthur and this really brought it to another level. Happy Reading everyone!!
I think what I've learned, especially with brand new releases, is to go into them with an open mind. I hadn't really heard anyone's opinion on this book when I decided to read it so the fact that I went into this totally blank really helped me form my own opinion on it without any expectations to like it.
This book is not quite a retelling of the King Arthur myth. I would think of it more as a reimagining because while a lot is the same, there are many elements in this story that are new and completely different than the original story which make it special. This story starts out with Guinevere traveling in order to marry her new husband, King Arthur of Camelot. Although this Guinevere isn't really her. The real Guinevere is dead and she is here to replace her. Not to cause Arthur harm, no. But to protect him from something coming. Something dark building in the forest.
I really enjoyed the characters that Kiersten White created for this story. She took characters that people have known for hundreds of years and made them her own. Guinevere especially, we dive deep into her character and really get to know who she is and what she wants. And I think one of the best parts of this book is that by the end we truly get a glimpse of who Guinevere is, but there's still more to see. There are more facets to her character than usual. The characters that surround her are interesting and fantastically entertaining.
I love the relationships that the author wrote for our main character. There was a very obvious opportunity for girl hate in this novel and none of it was there. I was unexpectedly surprised and pleased by the friendships that were written for her. I also liked that while there was a vague notion of romance in this book, it wasn't the main focus at all which I appreciated. I envision that there will be more of it in the later books in the series, but until then I will be thankful for my vagueness.
The plot was something I had never heard of before and was absolutely fascinating. It was really interesting to read a story about a Queen sent to protect her King instead of the other way around. While the book had its obvious flaws (repetition of various plot points, caricature villains, etc.) it was very well-rounded and created suspense and kept you reading to figure out the rest of the plot. Here's one of my favorite quotes from the book and it's from the beginning when discussing Guinevere's role in the kingdom:
"' Only Guinevere? Nothing else? I know the power of true names.' His word hit her with two meanings. Names that were titles gave power among men. True names gave power among the things that came before men. She focused on the torch to make her voice cheery, like it. 'Guinevere, when spoken by you, has power enough.'"
There were also a couple of LGBT elements in the story. The diversity in this novel really made it special and is something that should be noted.
Overall, I really liked this story. I love the story of King Arthur and this really brought it to another level. Happy Reading everyone!!
adventurous
emotional
funny
inspiring
mysterious
tense
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:
Complicated