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deeplyanchored 's review for:
The Guinevere Deception
by Kiersten White
The problem with knowing the warmth of the sun is how keenly you feel its absence when it shines elsewhere.
Like most children, I've always been fascinated by the Arthurian legend: knight and magician were all I aspired to become when I was younger. Obviously, the synopsis of The Guinevere Deception had me immediately hooked.
Had I noticed it was by the same author who wrote And I Darken (such a terrible disappointment), I wouldn't have been surprised by either the writing style or the poor characterisation in The Guinevere Deception.
What kills me is that this book had so much potential, yet failed in so many ways... To be quite honest, although I was so excited I read it overnight, I probably won't remember much about it in a few days.
THE PLOT
As I wrote in one of my updates, the beginning of this book was really good: a changeling witch trained by Merlin posing as queen to ensure King Arthur's protection, human-eating trees, mysterious knights... Definitely a big yes from me.
Guinevere was painfully indecisive (I had to keep reminding myself that she's supposed to be 16) and she spent most of the book uselessly wandering around Camelot, chatting with characters and not doing much of anything...
She wakes up, she does some cute magic tricks involving hair and knots (I'm so bitter about the lack of real magic), she goes to the market, she daydreams about Arthur and/or Mordred and then her day is over. What was the point?
THE CHARACTERS
Guinevere and Arthur were both awfully bland and I felt absolutely nothing reading about their growing romance.
It won't surprise anyone if I say that charming, brooding Mordred and fierce, mysterious Lancelot were undoubtedly the best parts of the story.
THE ENDING
That was the most dynamic and dramatic part of the book... and it lasted 20 pages.
This is not the retelling I've dreamt of and I'm severely disappointed, again. However, I guess I'll read the next installment when it comes out?
Like most children, I've always been fascinated by the Arthurian legend: knight and magician were all I aspired to become when I was younger. Obviously, the synopsis of The Guinevere Deception had me immediately hooked.
Had I noticed it was by the same author who wrote And I Darken (such a terrible disappointment), I wouldn't have been surprised by either the writing style or the poor characterisation in The Guinevere Deception.
What kills me is that this book had so much potential, yet failed in so many ways... To be quite honest, although I was so excited I read it overnight, I probably won't remember much about it in a few days.
THE PLOT
As I wrote in one of my updates, the beginning of this book was really good: a changeling witch trained by Merlin posing as queen to ensure King Arthur's protection, human-eating trees, mysterious knights... Definitely a big yes from me.
I am always the last defense between anyone and the king. And no one has ever gotten him through me.Sadly, Kiersten White kept us in the dark about what was really going on for so long that by the time it was all explained, I was completely bored and disinterested.
Guinevere was painfully indecisive (I had to keep reminding myself that she's supposed to be 16) and she spent most of the book uselessly wandering around Camelot, chatting with characters and not doing much of anything...
She wakes up, she does some cute magic tricks involving hair and knots (I'm so bitter about the lack of real magic), she goes to the market, she daydreams about Arthur and/or Mordred and then her day is over. What was the point?
Names that were titles gave power among men. True names gave power among the things that came before men.On top of that, the "plot-twists" were way too predictable:
Spoiler
1) Brangien being Isolde's lover instead of Sir Tristan. 2) Lancelot being a woman is great, but the way it's written, it doesn't add anything to the story? Like, she appears from nowhere and saves Guinevere, bringing her to a witches' village that they leave not even three pages later, without any explanation (I know it will probably be mentioned in the next two books, but that just felt rushed?). Also, the author just glossed over Lancelot becoming a knight even though it was a major issue just a few chapters earlier?THE CHARACTERS
Guinevere and Arthur were both awfully bland and I felt absolutely nothing reading about their growing romance.
Women are stronger when bearing one another's pain.Although I liked the way most women were portrayed in this book (both physically and mentally strong, as well as independent, smart and resourceful), it didn't feel like the story was taking place in the 5th-6th centuries. In addition, Guinevere being referred to as a "girl" while her romantic interests are respectively 18 and 19 years old irked me.
It won't surprise anyone if I say that charming, brooding Mordred and fierce, mysterious Lancelot were undoubtedly the best parts of the story
Spoiler
(to be honest, that cheek kiss Guinevere gave Lancelot had me squealing).Mordred sighed. "Do you know why I never lose? [...] Every moment touching iron, every breath taken in well-ordered, stifling Camelot, every minute near Arthur and Excalibur is pain. My life is pain. What have I to fear from you?"
THE ENDING
That was the most dynamic and dramatic part of the book
Spoiler
(Mordred knelt next to the hand [coming out of the ground]. "Guinevere, I am so pleased to introduce you to the Dark Queen. My grandmother." I GASPED.)This is not the retelling I've dreamt of and I'm severely disappointed, again. However, I guess I'll read the next installment when it comes out?