November 1, 2021
Gr 9 Up-This epic conclusion to the fantasy-based "Camelot Rising Trilogy" picks up right where the previous book left off. Guinevere, surrounded by various enemies of Arthur, makes the decision to go with Morgana and Mordred; she mistakenly believes they were going after Camelot and realizes too late they wanted her. Despite Mordred's warnings not to trust his mother, Morgana, Guinevere takes the opportunity to have Morgana sift through her memories and connections to the people in her life to figure out who she is. This leads to Guinevere feeling more confused than ever as her love, passion, and other connections to people aren't tied to whom she expected. Additionally, Morgana has learned powerful and dangerous magic from Guinevere's memories. Female warriors, referred to as Picts, are introduced, giving Guinevere a look at what freedom to make her own choices might be like, as they are not forced to listen to husbands or dress modestly. Previously Guinevere was trying to survive and help Camelot thrive, but for the first time she starts thinking about what she wants and needs. More plot-driven than the previous books, this story becomes more introspective as it looks to the future instead of the past. An enchanting end to this female-led Arthurian tale, it will leave readers satisfied, yet sad to leave these vibrant characters behind. VERDICT Thought-provoking inspiration behind the lives of the women of Camelot, a must purchase where the series is popular.-Rebecca Greer, Hillsborough County P.L. Coop., FL
Copyright 2021 School Library Journal, LLC Used with permission.
November 15, 2021
Lines between good and evil blur as loyalties are tested in this trilogy conclusion. Following the cliffhanger ending of The Camelot Betrayal (2020), Guinevere may have successfully sealed Camelot against its enemies in Arthur's absence, but that wasn't enough to save her. Held by Picts (who prefer to be called northern people) and familiar faces--Mordred and Morgana--she's being taken by King Nechtan's army to see the Dark Queen. Along with her complicated relationship with silver-tongued Mordred, Guinevere quickly forms a rapport with one of her captors, finding Nechtan's bold, witty daughter Fina impossible not to like. Taking advantage of her proximity to Morgana--who assures Guinevere that they share a true enemy in Merlin--Guinevere asks her to help untangle the truth of Guinevere's identity. The hard-fought answers she eventually finds cause her even worse existential angst. Tangled up with Guinevere's identity issues is her web of relationships involving passion, duty, love--especially love, numerous kinds of love--and the broken trusts that weigh on her heart. Guinevere's internal war of identity and individuality ends up informing the physical action of the climactic battle in a dramatic, high-stakes way. The conclusion of the story closes the curtain on the mythical elements in a gratifying manner and gives closure to the characters, though not without some bittersweet losses. Readers will be ensorcelled by the redemptions, revelations, and reconciliations. (Fantasy. 12-18)
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