martin27's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.5
I’m hoping that the third book provides a satisfying conclusion for all of the different relationships Guinevere has. The interactions between the characters is definitely the highlight of the series.
Graphic: Misogyny, Injury/Injury detail, Fire/Fire injury, Death, and Blood
Minor: Domestic abuse
not_another_ana's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
2.0
How could she be a person when so much of who she was... was not? Not spoken. Not remembered. Not true.
Everything seems to have settled in Camelot after Mordred's betrayal and the Dark Queen rising once more. Guinevere is still conflicted about her place in court and in life in general, since it seems that existence might be a lie, a trick of magic. Things get even worse when the real Guinevere's little sister shows up, putting everything in danger.
This was ass. First one was okayish for me, but when I realized that this was a trilogy I immediately was concerned for book 2 and that's because the author has no idea what pacing is nor does she seem to have an editor who cares about it. This was all over the place, jumping from plot point to plot point with no end goal in sight but, worse of all, it was so fucking boring. Nothing happens in this book. The mysterious big bad Dark Queen? Mentioned maybe once in passing. Mordred's betrayal? Not really discussed that much. Merlin's disappearance and the Lady of the Lake's tie to Guinevere? Nope! And the big confrontation with actual Guinevere's sister who might be the undoing of her deception? MEANINGLESS. Instead they avoid that by leaving on a random side quest unrelated to the main plot that takes ages.
And the romance? At this point I don't care who ends up together because the author does the most to either keep Guinevere away from love interests (Arthur and Mordred) or for her to be completely oblivious to their affections (Lancelot). Is this even going to be queer in some way or did Kiersten White gender swap Lancelot for a laugh and representation points? Arthur comes across as dismissive, untrustworthy and even a tyrant. His reasons for denying Guinevere intimacy and communication had me rolling my eyes, plus he never gets any chance to grow or endear himself to the reader because the plot keeps sending him away. Lancelot is pathetically pining for a woman who has her head in the clouds and shows her no care
Spoiler
except for that moment at the end when Guinevere randomly says I love you??? Which came out of nowhere and made zero sense, what are you even talking about???And can we talk about the plot.
Spoiler
How are you going to build this whole book around the sister showing up and potentially blowing up the status quo only to barely feature her until the end and have it mean nothing. At no point did I believe that she was working with the Dark Queen nor that any of her actions mattered. That could have been very interesting to read about but no, let's go on a wild side quest to rescue this woman we have never met, only for it to go terribly wrong and then THEY DIDN'T EVEN CHANGE ISOLDE'S NAME OR TRIED TO IDK COLOR HER HAIR??? Instead of reading about the Dark Queen's incursions into their territory or plans we had to sit there and ponder Dindrane's wedding or Guinevere's anxious rants. What was the point. We could have skipped this book entirely. Don't get me started on the ending, it's so dumb I won't even be commenting on it.I will only be reading the third one cause I made it this far, but there's a high chance of DNFing it. Heed my words, read something else.
Moderate: Death and Fire/Fire injury
becca99's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
5.0
The female relationships and the clear love that Brangien, Dindrane, Guinevere, Lancelot have for each other is something that brought tears to my eyes.
I truly cannot recommend this series enough.
Moderate: Blood, Death, and Kidnapping
Minor: Alcohol and Suicidal thoughts
drlove2018's review
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.5
Moderate: Confinement, Blood, Death, Suicidal thoughts, and Violence
mpbookreviews's review
- 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
4.5
Moderate: Fire/Fire injury
Minor: Death and Blood
claudiamacpherson's review against another edition
- 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
It's always a different experience to read a book (as I did with this one) than to listen to it (as I did with The Guinevere Deception—great reader, by the way) so I'm not sure how that changed my experience with this sequel. I still loved the characters (though sometimes I wanted to shake Guinevere for doubting herself!), and the love triangle (square??) still made me frustrated because I like all of them, damn it, how am I supposed to choose? The plot felt a little irregular, though—not necessarily in a bad way, but there were several ups and downs and mini rising action-climax-falling action sequences rather than one big one at the ending. I still enjoyed it a lot and am now very frustrated that I have to wait for the third book to come out later this year!
Spoiler
Okay, more on the love triangle/square because I'm genuinely so conflicted!! First of all, I love Arthur, I really do. I fall for the king trope every time: the James Potters and Peter Pevensies and Richard Ganseys who are just so noble and loyal and good all. the. time. And I loved the scene between Arthur and Guinevere in the greenhouse room and how she contrasts Arthur with Mordred by saying that Arthur would never take what isn't his (we love a respectful man!). But White did a really good job writing Mordred because even after the betrayal at the end of The Guinevere Deception, I still loved the scenes with him and Guinevere! Granted, White gave him a pretty good redemption arc in this book, but I'm usually tough to please with those. As if those two weren't enough, I'm still waiting for a Lancelot/Guinevere romance because that's what's in the original myth! And I'm obsessed with White's Lancelot! There were a few moments in this book where I thought maybe White was preparing for that eventuality, but they were fairly subtle except for the final scene, and even those declarations of love could potentially be read as platonic. This is why I hate love triangles!! If it's not a clear choice I get stressed and feel bad for whoever ultimately doesn't get chosen. Hopefully book 3 will make the decision easier... we'll see!Happy ending meter (no specific spoilers, just my judgement of how happy the ending is because I always wish someone would tell me that before I read books):
Spoiler
Cliffhanger! Definitely not happy (but not sad either, just tense). I need the next book!!!Moderate: Blood, Murder, Violence, and Death
Minor: Suicidal thoughts and Child abuse
melaniereadsbooks's review
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.75
This book is such an epic sequel to The Guinevere Deception. There are even more twists and mysteries surrounding who Guinevere is and why Merlin messed with her memories! I love the new characters that were added and the new development of familiar characters.
Guinevere's love interests are a decently large part of the story and I diagnose Guinevere with: Chaotic Pansexual. I know it doesn't say anywhere, but that's my diagnosis. I know who I want her to end up with, but even so I can't help but feel an attachment to all the characters she loves.
That ending was brutal! I didn't expect it at all and now I'm so sad I have to wait so long for the next book. Oh well, guess in the meantime I'll just have to reread the rest of Kiersten White's books...
Graphic: Death, Domestic abuse, Murder, and Violence
Moderate: Blood, Sexism, and Toxic relationship
typedtruths's review against another edition
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
4.0
Moderate: Death and Domestic abuse
bodiesinbooks's review against another edition
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
Moderate: Blood, Death, Kidnapping, and Violence
Minor: Child death
kaitplusbooks's review
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
AMAZING
WONDERFUL
FANTASTIC
I LOVED IT
♥️♥️♥️
Second Read:
READY FOR THE EXCALIBUR CURSE!!!
Graphic: Abandonment, Blood, Death, Gaslighting, Kidnapping, and Violence
Moderate: Fire/Fire injury and Murder
Minor: Confinement, Domestic abuse, and Alcohol