shaipanda's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
emotional
medium-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? Yes
5.0
I absolutely loved this and desperately need to read the other books in Lex Croucher's backlist. The characters and story were incredibly well crafted, the character development was really well done and I felt the chemistry between the characters. As I go into more in the spoiler section, the only issue I had with this book was that there were some plot threads that didn't seem to really come to fruition which was a bit frustrating but overall this was an amazing read and definitely still a 5 star read for me :)
Spoiler
The only issue I had with this book is that there were a few details that were mentioned (especially regarding Merlin and Morgana which were never explained or really brought into the story. With the way they were being written about, I thought they were going to end up being shapeshifters or some significant part of the story but then that never really came to fruition.
Content Warnings
Graphic: War, Violence, and Death of parent
Moderate: Child abuse, Alcoholism, Alcohol, Homophobia, Blood, and Sexism
Minor: Vomit, Suicidal thoughts, and Grief
refrejarator's review against another edition
adventurous
emotional
funny
hopeful
lighthearted
sad
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? Yes
5.0
Aww. I laughed, I cried, I relieved my Merthur shipping days. This is the most beautiful, sweet, and tragically romantic book, and i can't wait to read from this author again!
Content Warnings
Graphic: Blood, Biphobia, Child abuse, Death, Death of parent, Emotional abuse, Gore, Grief, Homophobia, Hate crime, Injury/Injury detail, Lesbophobia, Medical content, Mental illness, Misogyny, Murder, Outing, Violence, and War
hanna's review against another edition
adventurous
emotional
funny
lighthearted
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.0
This was an absolutely adorable medieval-esque romance and I really had a lot of fun with it!
Still, sometimes it did feel like Chroucher themself wasn't really sure what they wanted this book to be — we've got the Monty Python/Shrek humor but also so many serious plot points about child abuse, war or questions on how to run a country and all mushed together it is a bit messy.
A main characters gets majorly injured in the third act and especially that made the pacing for that act really weird.
While I felt like Gwen and thus her relationship with Bridget got much more attention than Arthur and Gabriel, all the different relationships were still really enjoyable and I really liked how Croucher really leaned into the positive aspects of YA and made Gwen and Arthur's friendship equally as important as the romantic relationships.
Overall, nothing life-changing but still a really enjoyable read!
Still, sometimes it did feel like Chroucher themself wasn't really sure what they wanted this book to be — we've got the Monty Python/Shrek humor but also so many serious plot points about child abuse, war or questions on how to run a country and all mushed together it is a bit messy.
A main characters gets majorly injured in the third act and especially that made the pacing for that act really weird.
While I felt like Gwen and thus her relationship with Bridget got much more attention than Arthur and Gabriel, all the different relationships were still really enjoyable and I really liked how Croucher really leaned into the positive aspects of YA and made Gwen and Arthur's friendship equally as important as the romantic relationships.
Overall, nothing life-changing but still a really enjoyable read!
Content Warnings
Graphic: Violence, War, Sexism, Death, Death of parent, Homophobia, and Injury/Injury detail
Moderate: Child abuse and Emotional abuse
Minor: Blood and Animal cruelty
betweentheshelves's review against another edition
adventurous
funny
lighthearted
medium-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? Yes
4.0
Arthur and Gwendoline have been betrothed since their birth, but unfortunately, they can’t stand each other. As they get closer to their impending wedding, they are forced to spend a summer together at Camelot. But it’s not the summer either one of them anticipated.
On the first day, Gwen catches Arthur kissing another book. So Arthur does some digging and finds out about Gwen’s crush on the lady knight, Bridget Leclair. The two make a pact to cover for each other as they’re both swept up in different romances. Until a threat to the kingdom puts their new alliance in danger.
Thanks to Wednesday books and NetGalley for an advanced copy of Gwen & Art Are Not in Love by Lex Croucher to review! Being pitched as Heartstopper meets A Knight’s Tale, I knew that I absolutely had to read this. And what a delight it ended up being! I’d say that description is actually a pretty accurate description of this book.
First of all, the whole cast of characters in this is just a riot. They get themselves into ridiculous situations, especially as Gwen and Arthur are both falling in love with different people. Arthur in particular is just so entertaining. With the banter and the setting and everything that’s happening at court, you’ll just have a great time reading this book.
At least, for the first half to ¾ of the book. For the most part, this book has a very lighthearted tone, leaning heavily into the romances and the somewhat complex web they are weaving for themselves. Towards the end, the book takes a slightly odd turn toward a more violent storyline that feels like it comes a bit out of left field. Not that it doesn’t necessarily fit with the overall time period, but it did feel out of place with the tone of the rest of the book.
Nonetheless, this didn’t take away my enjoyment from the story. I still very much enjoyed the characters and the plot/setting. Teens will definitely enjoy it, especially those that love stories set during the King Arthur times.
If you’re looking for a book that will (mostly) be a good time while you’re reading it, I definitely recommend this one when it comes out in November.
Content Warnings
Graphic: War, Violence, and Death of parent
Moderate: Homophobia, Sexism, and Blood
Minor: Child abuse and Vomit
lena_and_her_books's review against another edition
emotional
funny
lighthearted
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
4.0
I liked the book but I HATED that it wasn't longer. It ended way to abruptly in my opinion... I would have loved to stay with the characters a bit longer... maybe we get a second book..
Spoiler
also the book could have been gayer
Content Warnings
Moderate: Blood, Child abuse, Injury/Injury detail, Violence, Suicidal thoughts, War, Mental illness, Vomit, Alcoholism, Death of parent, Domestic abuse, and Homophobia
janneke2302's review against another edition
funny
lighthearted
relaxing
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
4.0
This was a great book. I loved the romances in it, but my favorite parts were the friendship that grew between Gwen and Art. I also really like the humor in this book
Content Warnings
Graphic: Misogyny, Sexism, and Homophobia
Moderate: Child abuse, Religious bigotry, Violence, and Emotional abuse
Minor: Death of parent, Murder, Islamophobia, and Racism
booksbeyondthebinary's review against another edition
emotional
funny
inspiring
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
5.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Death of parent, Violence, and War
Moderate: Homophobia, Blood, and Sexism
Minor: Child abuse, Vomit, and Suicidal thoughts
astoryofpages's review
adventurous
funny
inspiring
lighthearted
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
i’ve bought this book after my friend Anna, who hadn’t read it yet at that moment, convinced me to take it as we were browsing in one of our favourite bookstores. the promise of a very gay arthurian retelling was here and i’m so glad i read this book because it was all i needed!
we follow Gwendoline - the princess of Camelot - and her betrothed Arthur - son of an opponent to Gwen’s father. they are promised to each other as the sign of an alliance between their two fathers. but the problem is: they are not interested in each other at all, if you know what i mean 👀
i absolutely loved this book. the story is about friendship, love, first experiences and coming-out. the characters are all incredible, from Art and Gwen, Bridget and Gabriel, Sid and Agnes. i won’t call it a romance book because for me, it’s more about discovering, accepting and loving yourself. every character is different, with their own background, fears and experiences. but they are also a unique group of friends, and i loved how Art was like « you’re gay. you too. and you as well. because everybody is secretly gay ». by the way, we love the mlm/wlw solidarity!
this book warmed my heart and i can't really explain why. but to read the story of these young queer teenagers, who overcome assumptions to love whoever they want, without fear of the gaze of others, it's just incredible. i think this book healed something in me. i couldn't stop smiling reading these lines, laughing at some sour and sarcastic responses from Gwen and Art, and being happy watching them find their soul mates and do everything to make their love possible. i think that if i had been able to read this book when i was younger, i would have asked myself a lot fewer questions and i would not have tried to bottle up what i was feeling. it just felt safe to read this book ❤️🩹
Content Warnings
Graphic: Homophobia, Child abuse, Death of parent, Alcoholism, Violence, Toxic relationship, Blood, Vomit, Emotional abuse, Injury/Injury detail, Misogyny, Outing, Religious bigotry, Sexism, and War
pm_corbett's review against another edition
adventurous
emotional
funny
hopeful
lighthearted
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Homophobia
Moderate: Death of parent, War, Vomit, Violence, Addiction, and Alcohol
Minor: Child abuse and Physical abuse
tea_coffee_sam's review
emotional
funny
lighthearted
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: War, Injury/Injury detail, Death, and Violence
Moderate: Blood, Sexism, and Death of parent
Minor: Alcoholism, Child abuse, Homophobia, and Medical content