The Guinevere Deception

September 23, 2019
In this fresh twist on an enduring tale, White (Slayer) introduces an intriguing new heroine. After the real Guinevere, a princess preparing for marriage in a convent, dies, Merlin (banished from Camelot along with all magic) replaces her with a 16-year-old forest witch who has magic at her fingertips and no clear memory of her early life. Drawn to King Arthur’s innate goodness and devotion to Camelot, she marries him to protect him from any threats. The new Guinevere is enraptured by Camelot’s sights and soon makes new friends, including her lady’s maid, Brangien; Arthur’s enigmatic nephew, Mordred; and the preternaturally skilled fighter dubbed the Patchwork Knight. When a long dormant threat awakens, Guinevere must choose her destiny: embrace the wild magic that beckons her, or fight for the hope and promise of Camelot. With immersive prose, White captures the spirit of Arthurian legend while adding diversity and a bit of powerful feminist flair in this appealing series opener, and while Guinevere is the focus, White doesn’t shortchange her supporting cast. Guinevere’s mysterious past, and her future, leaves much to be explored in future installments. Ages 12–up. Agent: Michelle Wolfson, Wolfson Literary Agency.

Narrator Elizabeth Knowelden's English accent makes her an excellent companion for this immersive King Arthur retelling. A mysterious changeling knows the only way to protect Arthur and Camelot from magical threats is to adopt the persona of Princess Guinevere, marry the king, and not reveal her own magical abilities. Knowelden's breathy narration adopts a touch of theatrics, bringing to life Guinevere's curiosity, Arthur's confidence, the Dark Queen's malevolence, and Merlin's insufferable and curmudgeonly nature. Knowelden varies her pitch and inflections to cover a wide cast of characters as she engages listeners with the setting and atmosphere of fifth-century Britain. An exceptional start to the Camelot Rising series, with more intrigue, mystery, and romance sure to come. A.K.R. � AudioFile 2019, Portland, Maine