Guinevere's Gift

January 21, 2008
Mining the same vein as Marion Zimmer Bradley's genre classic The Mists of Avalon
, Arthurian aficionado McKenzie focuses on the feminine and the pagan in this prequel to The Child Queen
. Initially, 12-year-old Guinevere is the dutiful ward of her wily Aunt Alyse and a timid companion to her cousin Princess Elaine. Guinevere is fearful of the prophecy hanging over her since birth—that she will wed a great king, but betray him and then be betrayed, and that her name would be remembered for a thousand years. She shows her fiery spirit only when riding alone. She learns her solitude is illusory when she is confronted by a pagan hill man—one of the “Old Ones”—sworn to protect her because of the prophecy. When the hill men are implicated in a treacherous plot, Elaine kidnapped and Alyse's throne endangered, Guinevere discovers her own courage and finds a “gift for doing the right thing.” McKenzie uses excellent period details (Guinevere feels overwhelmed by a gift of lace, “costlier than jewels, being so rare”). Her female characters are strong and give advice relevant to contemporary readers; as Alyse says, “Beauty is a fleeting weapon. It's the use of your wits that will carve you a place in life.” Ages 10-14.

April 1, 2008
Gr 6-10-Who was Guinevere before she was Queen of Camelot? Though a prophecy foretells that she will be queen of the land, 13-year-old Guinevere would rather be out riding her horse and escaping the confining walls of the castle where she lives with her aunt, Queen Alyse, and uncle, King Pellinore. Arthur, the new High King of Britain, has called Pellinore and his troops away to battle. Taking advantage of the men's absence, dastardly Sir Darric tries to weasel his way into the Queen's good graces so that he can be betrothed to her daughter, Elaine, and take over Pellinore's lands and treasures. He nearly succeeds, but Gwen is skeptical of his intentions and finds out that he has been stealing Pellinore's cattle. Queen Alyse is a sharp woman, and when she realizes that Sir Darric intends to lay siege to her castle and overthrow her, she puts a plan in action that helps save them all. While out riding, Gwen stumbles onto the fact that she is being protected by the Old Ones, who have been watching over her to ensure that the prophecy is fulfilled, and the Old Ones come to the castle's rescue as well. Subtle details of Arthurian legends are woven into the story, but Arthur is a very minor player. Gwen and Queen Alyse are strong and feisty and take care of business while the men are away, making this a good "girl power" story."Cheri Dobbs, Detroit Country Day Middle School, Beverly Hills, MI"

Copyright 2008 School Library Journal, LLC Used with permission.

June 1, 2008
Twelve-year-old orphan Guinevere lives with her Aunt Alyse while Uncle Pellinore fightsalongside youthful King Arthur. When riding her beloved horse on a difficult training course, Gwen meets a member of the Old Ones, an almost forgotten Welsh tribe that believes in the prophecy of greatness made atherbirth. Gwen, however, is more concerned aboutthe marital aspirationsof hercousin Elaine, who seems blind to suitor Sir Darrics suspicious, disconcerting behavior. When Sir Darric vows to annihilate the Old Ones, claiming they must be to blame for losses to local herds and flocks, even more diabolical plans arent far behind. Its old-fashioned girl power, in the form of Gwens intuition, riding skill, and the allies she has forged, that will save the day, even as the suggestion ofportentous forcesat workadd momentum.As inTheresaTomlinsons Robin Hood-inspired The Forestwife (1995), this glimpse ofa legendary ladyslife prior to her destined role puts a feminine spin on a tale more typically focused on men.(Reprinted with permission of Booklist, copyright 2008, American Library Association.)