Guinevere Deception Almost Fills a Void

 

Unfortunately, I could only do part of this review Spoiler-free as I cannot be vague when it comes to what I didn't find great. I had too much to say about characters, the plot, and messages. Read ahead at your own risk. I will let you know when the SPOILER section comes up. 

I had picked up this book last year when I went to Barnes and Noble to use my gift card I had gotten for Christmas. I am finally just now getting around to it. I picked it up to fill the void of BBC's Merlin. I had just finished a re-watch of it with a friend and wanted something similar. I wanted magic, friendship, and Camelot. I knew it wouldn't be anything like the show, but I was wanting a Camelot-like feeling. Reading the description, I decided to give it a try, even though I was disappointed in Slayer. 

This was an unusual case of me liking the book up until the last third or so. Reading the first part, I had the same feeling of watching Merlin almost. Arthur still felt like a golden retriever in human form (in the best way), Merlin wanted to save his life at all costs (even though in this book he is old and in the show he is young.) Although in the book, Merlin was banished from Camelot because Arthur wanted to banish all magic. Also, Guinevere is dead. That was a bit of a setback. I knew she was a changeling but I didn't know Guinevere was dead dead. Again, it's in the very beginning of the book so it's not a real spoiler. I don't remember if it said so on the front cover flap or not. Those are all the comparisons I will make to Merlin because I don't want to spoil it for anyone who has not watched it. 

SPOILERS AHEAD

There was a really beautiful scene, my favorite in the book, when Guinevere helps a dragon and it talks about the ancient magic dying and being replaced with the new. I don't know why but I felt all the feels and I almost cried. Plus, I'm a sucker for dragons. 

The book turned disappointing for me, however, after we find out that Guinevere was NOT sent to Camelot to protect Arthur, but rather it's the other way around. Ugh. I so dug the aspect of her being the one protecting him but no; It's just another case of valiant guy protecting helpless damsel. Even though she can do magic and clearly protect herself. Whatever. 

Also, the so-called plot twist isn't really a plot twist if you're an Arthurian nerd like me. I was so hoping for something different, but if she wanted to stick true to the legend and Mordred being his biggest betrayer, then it is fitting. The part that failed for me was that I didn't find Arthur compelling enough for Guinevere to choose him. There was so much more chemistry between her and Mordred. And really, he just wants to be who he truly is, he doesn't want to kill anyone. He even said he wouldn't join his grandmother aka the Dark Queen in her revenge quest. 

There are also some awesome lines like this one, 

"women truly were the stronger gender. All the subtle games they had to play, the way they teased power from those around them," (142). 

And of course the dragon scene I mentioned earlier, and who could forget about Pissway and Arthur's "little shits"? I admit that part made me laugh. 

Overall, I think I would have found this book much more enjoyable if a) I hadn't seen BBC's Merlin and b.) I had no background on the Arthurian legend. Oh and I'm calling it right now. At the time of this writing, I have not read the second book in the series, and I don't know if I will. But I think that Guinevere is actually Nimue.