This is another review I’ve started several times, each time at a loss for how to even begin to talk about what I just read. The Camelot Betrayal is a phenomenal read. You don’t even realise the subtle impact this story has until you get to the end and question how in the world you got there. I was blown away by the worldbuilding that took place as well as the deeper exploration of Guinevere as Queen and not Queen of Camelot. Most importantly, it was great seeing all of the relationships that were developing on the page. If you’re a hopeless romantic like me, you’ll definitely see ships everywhere you look. I might have mentioned this in my review of The Guinevere Deception, but this is definitely a series where you don’t know what is going to happen next, or who will actually get together in the end. I adore stories that leave me on the edge of my seat and I can’t wait for more people to read it, because I’d love to speculate with everyone what is possibly going to happen next. Make sure you add it to your TBR, because you won’t want to miss this book.
Before you continue on, this is the review of a sequel. If you’re interested in reading this, go and pick up The Guinevere Deception first! I promise you’ll love it, especially if you’re wanting to read the Arthurian legend through the eyes of Guinevere.
Everything is fine in Camelot, King Arthur is expanding his influence with Guinevere at his side, but she keeps having dreams of dark and dreadful things. While she’s accepted her place, she’s still trying to figure out her place in all of it. As her friendship with Branigen, Lancelot, and Arthur grows and changes, she realises she feels empty, and with no true conception of who she was before all of it. The longer she tries to claim her place as queen though, she realises Mordred assessment was true after all…she doesn’t belong. When a rescue goes awry and results in the death of something precious, Guinevere returns to Camelot to confront the threat that has arrived at the doorstep. However, it doesn’t come in the form of what Guinevere expected, but rather in the form of her sister. Will her deception finally be revealed?
This story continues to have this powerful subtlety to it that is addicting and evocative, with the added bonus of romance and betrayal. As much of a mystery that Guinevere was in the last book, in this one, there’s this added depth to her character as she begins to experience a broader range of emotions as well as relationships with people. She’s beginning to change, little by little, and each new thing is exciting because it teases to the person she might have been or might become. The female friendships she has are also just the best. The closeness she shares with Lancelot is honest and fierce, while she shares a caring bond with Branigen. Of course, we can’t forget the loving patience she has with Dindrane…
Not going to lie, the romance in this book felt a little spicier than the previous one. With that being said, it’s still subtle and well done, and I genuinely love the way that Guinevere’s romantic feelings are explored. She’s starting to have a little more defined clarity on who she wants to be with, but there’s still a question of who will actually win her heart. There’s quite a lot more romance happening between other characters as well, which I enjoyed because it explores branches of the Arthurian legend (Tristan and Isolde). Readers will get treated to intense romance as well as tender romance that will make your heart just squee in delight.
While the mystery surrounding Guinevere is slowly being solved, there is still the question of Merlin. I genuinely enjoyed seeing the questions that are happening here, and how it puts some of the antagonists’ action into question. This is one area I’d love to say more but the spoilers won’t let me! You’ll definitely want to pick this one up and read it for yourself.
What I love the most about this book is that the world is growing and expanding into something quite stunning. I genuinely can’t wait to find out what’s going to happen in the next book, especially after the way that it ends. It’s getting ready to get hot! Put it on your list! Get it read, because you won’t want to miss out on the next book!
The Camelot Betrayal is available from Amazon, Book Depository, and other good book retailers, like your local bookstore, as of November 10th 2020.
Will you be picking up The Camelot Betrayal? Tell us in the comments below!
Synopsis | Goodreads
The second book in a new fantasy trilogy from New York Times bestselling author Kiersten White, exploring the nature of self, the inevitable cost of progress, and, of course, magic and romance and betrayal so epic Queen Guinevere remains the most famous queen who never lived.
EVERYTHING IS AS IT SHOULD BE IN CAMELOT: King Arthur is expanding his kingdom’s influence with Queen Guinevere at his side. Yet every night, dreams of darkness and unknowable power plague her.
Guinevere might have accepted her role, but she still cannot find a place for herself in all of it. The closer she gets to Brangien, pining for her lost love Isolde, Lancelot, fighting to prove her worth as Queen’s knight, and Arthur, everything to everyone and thus never quite enough for Guinevere–the more she realizes how empty she is. She has no sense of who she truly was before she was Guinevere. The more she tries to claim herself as queen, the more she wonders if Mordred was right: she doesn’t belong. She never will.
When a rescue goes awry and results in the death of something precious, a devastated Guinevere returns to Camelot to find the greatest threat yet has arrived. Not in the form of the Dark Queen or an invading army, but in the form of the real Guinevere’s younger sister. Is her deception at an end? And who is she really deceiving–Camelot, or herself?
