A review by just_one_more_paige
The Future King by Robyn Schneider

adventurous emotional 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? It's complicated

5.0

 
I read, and *loved* The Other Merlin earlier this year. But then I had to wait *months* for my library to get a copy of this second book! UGH. And now, just when I thought this was going to be a duology, I have read it and realized it is, in fact, a trilogy...and the final book doesn't come out until the end of August. That's like, 9 months away. I cannot wait that long. Woe is me. WOE. Anyways... 
 
So Arthur and Emry defeated Morgana at the end of the last book. And now that the jig is up with Emry pretending to be her brother, Emmett, she can train openly, as herself, as a court apprentice wizard. But of course, nothing can go smoothly as Arthur prepares for his foretold role of Camelot's future king and the hormones rage amongst this cast of characters. Arthur and Guinevere are betrothed, to unite their kingdoms, even though neither actually wants it to happen (the marriage, not the uniting; they're down for uniting). Meanwhile, Guin and Emmett are secretly seeing each other, leading to a situation that sets everyone up for a major scandal. And Arthur and Emry are head over heels for each other but trying to fight it, for everyone's good but their own...which is definitely going to come up, as they set off to France together to help seal alliances and find help so Emry can hopefully learn to control the new magic she picked up from her contact with Anwen. Back at the castle in Camelot, Lancelot is struggling with balancing being a squire with pursuing his own new romantic interest. And a group of young guards decide it's up to them to create a secret group dedicated to defending the castle, because no one in power seems to think the Duke of Cornwall amassing a personal army is a cause for concern. (You see where this is going, yea? The formation of Arthur's Knights of the Round Table are comingggggg!) When the royal wedding brings tragedy instead of celebration, the time is now for all these up-and-comers to step into the roles history knows them for. 
 
Y'all, this novel was almost entirely fluff. And I loved every second of it. It had the same spectacularly easy and escapist reading vibes as the first; lots of humor keeping the entertainment level high. I will say, the drama is growing, as the dangers become more international and political and throne related, as opposed to internal and relationship-y (though there very much still is a lot of that as well). But Schneider manages to balance that with hilarity (jokes and ridiculousness at soap opera style levels) in a way that kept the whole thing light. 
 
One of my favorite parts was the way the knights of the round table came together. The mix of those misfit, bumbling, too cool, best-intentioned guards/lords/squires is one of the most endearing "we're coming together to help our friend because he needs us, even if he isn't here and doesn't know it yet" things I've ever read. My sweet heart burst. France was hilarious. The fashion, the tennis, the gargoyle...OMG I laughed. (And I am so glad the gargoyle is sticking around!) I also was mostly annoyed by Guin and Emmett in the first book, but really liked what happened with their storylines here. And Gawain, who, while not supposed to be a fav in the first was one anyways, remained spectacularly, obnoxiously smooth and foppish here. Loved him. Arthur and Emry are perfect for each other and I love that, but oooof the pining is real and I'm for sure ready for them to just be together. And Morgana's story was creepy and totally separate, but has a lot of promise for the finale, so I can't wait for that conflict to happen. Especially because of Belliecent, as a foil for Nimue, is a new twist on this familiar story in a way that I am excited to see play out (not so much due to the elder Merlin, who I am annoyed with, but I'm willing to see what Schneider does with him). 
 
There was some real tragedy/death in the end, but because the entire premise of this is humorous, I wasn't overly emotional about it. And in one case, I was actively happy to be rid of the character, who had very few redeeming qualities, tbh. That being said, it did a smooth job setting up the final book, getting Arthur and Emry (at al) to the helm, so they can bring things to their conclusion and usher in the new rule in Camelot. I mean, we all know more or less what is going to happen, but this has been such a fun journey and I cannot wait to see all the specifics of this version, and, really, just spend a little more time with this diverting cast of characters.      
 
 mmmmmm that was so much fun, and funny once again; ;,- and I’m very excited for that finale; 
 
“I suppose that the problem with chasing your dreams [...] Whenever you get close, it turns out the target has been moved farther afield.” 
 
“Knowing what you want is a strength. And living your life takes courage.” 
 
“In my time, I have seen the world embrace many things that it shunned in my youth. But that is no excuse to be set in one's beliefs when the evidence in front of you disproves them.” 
 
“Sometimes, lies were a kindness, and the truth did more harm than any deception.” 
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