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angeld's review against another edition
adventurous
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.25
Giving this 4.25 stars because I genuinely had a good time despite minor flaws and an unsatisfying ending. While this may as well be due to a severe reading slump (that I hadn’t been able to get out of for months) I won’t discredit the book for being entertaining! Admittedly I am not at all familiar with the Arthurian legend and have only heard bits and pieces about the story, so I went into this book with 0 expectations and I guess that went in my favor. I loved the different characters and their personalities; I enjoyed their banter and reading about their relationships. The plot itself felt like a high-stake one that was super gripping to read about. Despite being confused about the alternating timelines I was able to get used to that rather quickly so that wasn’t a problem. Overall, this was one of the most entertaining books I’ve read this year!
Graphic: Death, Suicide, and Blood
lizziemarie01's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
inspiring
mysterious
reflective
tense
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.0
Minor: Violence, Death of parent, War, and Suicide
kelleyannelyse's review against another edition
adventurous
hopeful
inspiring
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
4.0
The legend is well known -- Arthur will be crowned King of Camelot, only to be abandoned by his sister, the sorceress Morgana, and betrayed by his wife Guinevere and his right-hand knight, Lancelot. As his oracle and adviser, Elaine Astolat, the Lady of Shalott, alone carries the burden of knowing that this is the future that awaits them, and how one day, they will all turn against each other. Through the past, present, and future tense, new life is breathed into Arthurian myth. In which, Guinevere, Morgana, and most of all Elaine, claim their agency and hold the power to reshape legends -- for the future is never set in stone until it becomes the past.
Moderate: Suicidal thoughts and Suicide
neverlandangel's review against another edition
adventurous
mysterious
tense
medium-paced
- 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
3.0
Graphic: Suicide
heather_freshparchment's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
emotional
mysterious
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
Graphic: Suicide
Moderate: Mental illness and Body shaming
sneakysquid's review against another edition
adventurous
emotional
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
Graphic: Suicide and Suicide attempt
lenny9987's review against another edition
dark
emotional
reflective
tense
medium-paced
- 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? It's complicated
4.5
Arthurian legend, like Greek mythology, is an area of literary history that I find myself going back to again and again lately. And with so many wonderful re-imaginings and alternate perspectives hitting bookstore shelves lately, I don’t see my fascination fading anytime soon. Laura Sebastian’s Half Sick of Shadows is one that a colleague recommended when we were discussing just how much Arthurian legend and Greek mythology were appearing (having just read Circe for book club). Though it took a while to work my way up the library waiting list, Half Sick of Shadows was worth the wait. I confess, all I really knew of the Lady of Shalott was the Tennyson poem… and that mostly from how it was used in my favorite adaptation of Anne of Green Gables rather than any great familiarity with the actual poem. But that’s one of the things that’s so great about Arthurian legend – it’s incredibly flexible, even with so many of its major characters and Laura Sebastian bends them into a shape that reveals the complexity of some of its most famous (and infamous) female figures.
Elaine has been a Seer all her life, though it is only after meeting the mysterious Morgana that she truly begins to understand what that means and just how strong her gift is – and how dangerous it is for her to stay at court in Camelot where magic is banned under Uther Pendragon. When Morgana invites Elaine to join her across the water in Avalon, Elaine takes a chance that changes the course of more than just her own life. Learning to hone her gift from Nimue herself, Elaine befriends Arthur, Guinevere, Morgana and Lancelot who are fated to help Arthur achieve his destiny by becoming King and uniting Albion and Avalon. But there are many ways that fate might unfold and Elaine sees them all… Many of them end badly. Elaine does everything she can to prevent the betrayals and broken friendships she has Seen, but in doing so she might just be ensuring that grim future. She must find a way to navigate the present while being haunted by the future.
For the rest of my review, please visit my blog: https://wp.me/pUEx4-1bY
Elaine has been a Seer all her life, though it is only after meeting the mysterious Morgana that she truly begins to understand what that means and just how strong her gift is – and how dangerous it is for her to stay at court in Camelot where magic is banned under Uther Pendragon. When Morgana invites Elaine to join her across the water in Avalon, Elaine takes a chance that changes the course of more than just her own life. Learning to hone her gift from Nimue herself, Elaine befriends Arthur, Guinevere, Morgana and Lancelot who are fated to help Arthur achieve his destiny by becoming King and uniting Albion and Avalon. But there are many ways that fate might unfold and Elaine sees them all… Many of them end badly. Elaine does everything she can to prevent the betrayals and broken friendships she has Seen, but in doing so she might just be ensuring that grim future. She must find a way to navigate the present while being haunted by the future.
For the rest of my review, please visit my blog: https://wp.me/pUEx4-1bY
Moderate: Suicide
kirajarrar's review against another edition
dark
emotional
reflective
sad
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
Moderate: Suicide and Mental illness
Minor: Death of parent
tmickey's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
emotional
reflective
sad
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
Moderate: Suicide, Bullying, Child abuse, Death of parent, Gaslighting, Suicide attempt, and War
hannahthelibrary's review against another edition
4.25
Moderate: Suicide