booksblabbering 's review for:

The Guinevere Deception by Kiersten White

3.25

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Everyone is pulling off a deception in this Arthurian retelling featuring a secret witch in the guise of Guinevere sent by Merlin to protect Arthur as his bride. 

This subverts a lot of troupes in a predictable manner, yet it is still satisfying and occasionally surprising. 

<b>He is like the sun. When he is focused on you, everything is bright and warm. Everything is possible. But the problem with knowing the warmth of the sun is how keenly you feel it's absence when it shines elsewhere. And a king must always shine elsewhere.

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What I liked and disliked was the relationship between Guinevere and Arthur. Most romance in books tends to be focused on the physical and attraction. 

Here, we have a more emotional longing. To be seen, understood, to stand by one’s side.  

The time period was not portrayed very well. I didn’t get the whole ‘Arthurian Camelot’ vibe I desired. Similarly, the dialogue is modern, perhaps to appeal to the YA audience. 

The first half is very slow as we are establishing Guinevere’s doubts, fears, and position as the wife of a King. However, I always appreciate White’s intimate character insights. 

I was low-key holding out hope for a sapphic romance between Guinevere and her maid.