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Daughter of Camelot
“Debut author Cooney offers up an intriguing coming-of-age adventure set in the waning days of Camelot, presented with an eye toward historical accuracy and gritty detail.” (Publishers Weekly)
Filled with terrific suspense and budding romance, Daughter of Camelot is a fast paced adventure set against the turmoil at the end of the Arthurian era.
Raised in the shadow of a fort dedicated to training Knights of the Round Table, Deirdre thirsts for adventure.
Instead, at 14, she is sent to court to learn the etiquette and talents of a young woman.
Court life, however, is more fraught with danger than she expected, and Deirdre finds herself entangled in a deadly conspiracy that stretches deep into the very heart of Camelot.
All Deirdre thought she knew and believed in—loyalty, love, bravery—is challenged when she embarks on a quest to defy Fate and save the King.
Filled with terrific suspense and budding romance, Daughter of Camelot is a fast paced adventure set against the turmoil at the end of the Arthurian era.
Raised in the shadow of a fort dedicated to training Knights of the Round Table, Deirdre thirsts for adventure.
Instead, at 14, she is sent to court to learn the etiquette and talents of a young woman.
Court life, however, is more fraught with danger than she expected, and Deirdre finds herself entangled in a deadly conspiracy that stretches deep into the very heart of Camelot.
All Deirdre thought she knew and believed in—loyalty, love, bravery—is challenged when she embarks on a quest to defy Fate and save the King.
421 pages, Paperback
First published September 19, 2013
3 people are currently reading
291 people want to read
About the author
Glynis Cooney
1 book10 followersGlynis Cooney grew up in Brooklyn, New York, infatuated with the Arthurian legends. After graduating from Sarah Lawrence College, she lived and worked in the British Isles, making her first trip to Wales where the seed for the Daughter of Camelot was planted. She is an English teacher in Massachusetts.
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Displaying 1 - 27 of 27 reviews
February 28, 2014
Originally posted on aurora lector.
In 6th century Wales, a Chieftain’s daughter longs to distinguish herself and serve the High King, Arthur of Camelot. She plays at fighting with her twin brother, Rhys, and their groom, Ronan. Her older sister Nia is a lady at the nearby castle of Deganwy and a constant reminder of what is expected of Deirdre. When a close friend of her father’s, Merrick, tells of trouble in Camelot, Lancelot and Guinevere having run away, Mordred, here Medrawd sees his chance to lead the rabble kings of Briton to fell Arthur, Deirdre thinks it is her chance to prove herself. (To read some dry stuff about trechery and name pronunciation, click this.) Dierdre, sent to Court while her brother begins knight’s training in the Fort, is sure all her chances to save Camelot will pass her by while her sister patiently tries to convince her that women are just as important. At Deganwy she makes friends and enemies in short order, among which are Sioned, a pagan lady, Hydd, a suspicious monk, Einion, a boastful knight, Dewey, a warrior dwarf and Caitlin, an eager servant. Deirdre soon is embroiled beyond her imagination in the intrigue and plotting of falling kingdoms, racing across the country on her devoted mare to do what must be done, only to meet her beloved King in his darkest hour.
Do you remember when you were young and you would play act at serious adult games, maybe with more intrigue than real life? You would hope that the people who mattered to you, the people whom you admired, would notice and you would save the day or at least get recognized for good deeds. This is who Deirdre is in a nutshell, but she was also often pretentious, playing at being a lady of nineteen like her sister. When attacked by bandits, and a member of her party is killed, instead of being heartened that a warrior like her is needed, deciding to keep the dead man’s dream alive, she doubts herself and her own lifelong dream, which I wasn’t sure fit with Deirdre.
This book was a struggle to read and review. It’s really good, and I ultimately enjoyed it, but it is clear that it could have used the kind of editing that debut authors can’t seem to get from publishing houses anymore. (When I began reading, I kept questioning the tenses that were used.) This book's flow stops and starts a lot, mostly it seems when Deirdre stops and starts. The books two central messages also seem to be as dichotomous as the genders were over a thousand five hundred years ago. While boring and falsified courting with Einion is glossed over, we are privy to the detailed discussions that Deirdre has with Sioned and Nia, intoning the glory and importance of a woman’s work, the value of religion and explanations of pagans. Since Deirdre is already aware of the glories of knights, we aren’t treated to many details in her training sessions, and some of the intrigue which may have been implicit to those involved is unexplained. (I’d like to know what happened to that spoiled princess who went to Pictavia, for example.) It seemed to plod along at times, we were expected to infer much, often shown things without being connected to the subject. Though the world was greatly detailed (and highly accurate, as far as I could tell) it began to fall slack after a few chapters, when we began to focus on the plot. This is as it should be, but I often felt left behind.
I was reminded of Will in Scarlet throughout, the same sort of legend soaked history story aimed at fourteen year olds. (Will and Deirdre both are fourteen.) Deirdre’s growth at Deganwy and subsequently at Din Arth in Rhos, is believable but because we do not see it, if feels abrupt and orchestrated. It felt a little more like a YA romp through Arthur’s court than a coming of age story typical of the genre. Dierdre was flat and really not faceted enough to be interesting. She’s a little too constructed — her flaws planned out. There seems to be a particular voice that all YA adventure-romances are written in, and at times this seemed to fall into the same pace as Divergent and Blood Red Road and The Testing. There was an occasional (and welcome) element of Gail Carson Levine herein, albeit with the threat of a heavy-handed moral looming every couple of chapters.
Speaking of which, the romance: keeping in mind that she’s a tomboy of fourteen, the fact that she becomes infatuated with the first eligible knight she meets, Einion, didn’t bother me. This was well handled — it really was good. (However, Einion’s self-introduction was out of place and as dry as the first paragraph on a Wikipedia page.) Though I did hope that Deirdre would run away with Ronan in the begining of the story, I was pleased with the progression of their friendship throughout their adventures.
What did bother me outright was the dorm-like atmosphere of the ladies rooms in the castles. The jealousy of Heledd and Deirdre’s subsequent capriciousness was unnecessary. One reviewer actually gave up on this book 40% in because of the constant finger pointing, people calling “Witch!” wherever Deirdre went. I was more concerned by the ultimate fate of Heledd, one of several loose ends. The aforementioned Princess who goes North, Caitlin’s story with the bracelet also needed finishing, as did the romances, Pictavia in general remained an important unexplained piece. Though I suspect these will be gone into in the next book, we’ve just been set up for more political intrigue in the final paragraphs of this book, not to mention all the new things that will be introduced. I kept thinking how good this book could have been as a mystery novel, and indeed kept expecting Deirdre to turn into Lady Georgia of Rannoch, but no such luck.
Despite my nit-picking, I made a note only a chapter or so in that I would forgive the book it’s smaller flaws if it ended well, and it did, spectacularly in fact. (I loved that when Deirdre found out about Lancelot and Guinevere's betrayal, she is appalled by Lancelot, feeling that the knight’s betrayal to his best friend was worse than Guinevere's betrayal to her husband.) I was pleased and feel that the story arcs were satisfactorily concluded, which is actually a momentous feat. And I’m certain that with Daughter of Camelot, Glynis Cooney has done something nearly impossible, constructing a historical world out of Geoffrey of Monmouth’s unreliable legends, forgoing outright magic for superstition, laying bare the greed and illusions that men and stories create, never crushing Deirdre’s vision of her King, but not treating her to the legendary spectacle of Morgan le Fey’s gift of immortality. This is the world that Arthur might have ruled over, where people speak of Merlin in hushed, suspicious tones, the same time devoutly believing in prophecies and providence — Deirdre is the perfect heroine to guide us through the swirling chaos. I look forward to continuing the adventure in the sequel, the as-yet-unnamed second book in The Empire of Shadows.
Note that there is a book with the same name in the Merlin Chronicles, book six.
I rated this book 4.5 stars on Leafmarks, rounding up to 5 on Goodreads.
This book was provided for free from NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.
410 pp. Mabon Publishing. 19 Sept. 2013.
(Read/Skim/Miss) (Buy/Borrow)
In 6th century Wales, a Chieftain’s daughter longs to distinguish herself and serve the High King, Arthur of Camelot. She plays at fighting with her twin brother, Rhys, and their groom, Ronan. Her older sister Nia is a lady at the nearby castle of Deganwy and a constant reminder of what is expected of Deirdre. When a close friend of her father’s, Merrick, tells of trouble in Camelot, Lancelot and Guinevere having run away, Mordred, here Medrawd sees his chance to lead the rabble kings of Briton to fell Arthur, Deirdre thinks it is her chance to prove herself. (To read some dry stuff about trechery and name pronunciation, click this.) Dierdre, sent to Court while her brother begins knight’s training in the Fort, is sure all her chances to save Camelot will pass her by while her sister patiently tries to convince her that women are just as important. At Deganwy she makes friends and enemies in short order, among which are Sioned, a pagan lady, Hydd, a suspicious monk, Einion, a boastful knight, Dewey, a warrior dwarf and Caitlin, an eager servant. Deirdre soon is embroiled beyond her imagination in the intrigue and plotting of falling kingdoms, racing across the country on her devoted mare to do what must be done, only to meet her beloved King in his darkest hour.
Do you remember when you were young and you would play act at serious adult games, maybe with more intrigue than real life? You would hope that the people who mattered to you, the people whom you admired, would notice and you would save the day or at least get recognized for good deeds. This is who Deirdre is in a nutshell, but she was also often pretentious, playing at being a lady of nineteen like her sister. When attacked by bandits, and a member of her party is killed, instead of being heartened that a warrior like her is needed, deciding to keep the dead man’s dream alive, she doubts herself and her own lifelong dream, which I wasn’t sure fit with Deirdre.
This book was a struggle to read and review. It’s really good, and I ultimately enjoyed it, but it is clear that it could have used the kind of editing that debut authors can’t seem to get from publishing houses anymore. (When I began reading, I kept questioning the tenses that were used.) This book's flow stops and starts a lot, mostly it seems when Deirdre stops and starts. The books two central messages also seem to be as dichotomous as the genders were over a thousand five hundred years ago. While boring and falsified courting with Einion is glossed over, we are privy to the detailed discussions that Deirdre has with Sioned and Nia, intoning the glory and importance of a woman’s work, the value of religion and explanations of pagans. Since Deirdre is already aware of the glories of knights, we aren’t treated to many details in her training sessions, and some of the intrigue which may have been implicit to those involved is unexplained. (I’d like to know what happened to that spoiled princess who went to Pictavia, for example.) It seemed to plod along at times, we were expected to infer much, often shown things without being connected to the subject. Though the world was greatly detailed (and highly accurate, as far as I could tell) it began to fall slack after a few chapters, when we began to focus on the plot. This is as it should be, but I often felt left behind.
I was reminded of Will in Scarlet throughout, the same sort of legend soaked history story aimed at fourteen year olds. (Will and Deirdre both are fourteen.) Deirdre’s growth at Deganwy and subsequently at Din Arth in Rhos, is believable but because we do not see it, if feels abrupt and orchestrated. It felt a little more like a YA romp through Arthur’s court than a coming of age story typical of the genre. Dierdre was flat and really not faceted enough to be interesting. She’s a little too constructed — her flaws planned out. There seems to be a particular voice that all YA adventure-romances are written in, and at times this seemed to fall into the same pace as Divergent and Blood Red Road and The Testing. There was an occasional (and welcome) element of Gail Carson Levine herein, albeit with the threat of a heavy-handed moral looming every couple of chapters.
Speaking of which, the romance: keeping in mind that she’s a tomboy of fourteen, the fact that she becomes infatuated with the first eligible knight she meets, Einion, didn’t bother me. This was well handled — it really was good. (However, Einion’s self-introduction was out of place and as dry as the first paragraph on a Wikipedia page.) Though I did hope that Deirdre would run away with Ronan in the begining of the story, I was pleased with the progression of their friendship throughout their adventures.
What did bother me outright was the dorm-like atmosphere of the ladies rooms in the castles. The jealousy of Heledd and Deirdre’s subsequent capriciousness was unnecessary. One reviewer actually gave up on this book 40% in because of the constant finger pointing, people calling “Witch!” wherever Deirdre went. I was more concerned by the ultimate fate of Heledd, one of several loose ends. The aforementioned Princess who goes North, Caitlin’s story with the bracelet also needed finishing, as did the romances, Pictavia in general remained an important unexplained piece. Though I suspect these will be gone into in the next book, we’ve just been set up for more political intrigue in the final paragraphs of this book, not to mention all the new things that will be introduced. I kept thinking how good this book could have been as a mystery novel, and indeed kept expecting Deirdre to turn into Lady Georgia of Rannoch, but no such luck.
Despite my nit-picking, I made a note only a chapter or so in that I would forgive the book it’s smaller flaws if it ended well, and it did, spectacularly in fact. (I loved that when Deirdre found out about Lancelot and Guinevere's betrayal, she is appalled by Lancelot, feeling that the knight’s betrayal to his best friend was worse than Guinevere's betrayal to her husband.) I was pleased and feel that the story arcs were satisfactorily concluded, which is actually a momentous feat. And I’m certain that with Daughter of Camelot, Glynis Cooney has done something nearly impossible, constructing a historical world out of Geoffrey of Monmouth’s unreliable legends, forgoing outright magic for superstition, laying bare the greed and illusions that men and stories create, never crushing Deirdre’s vision of her King, but not treating her to the legendary spectacle of Morgan le Fey’s gift of immortality. This is the world that Arthur might have ruled over, where people speak of Merlin in hushed, suspicious tones, the same time devoutly believing in prophecies and providence — Deirdre is the perfect heroine to guide us through the swirling chaos. I look forward to continuing the adventure in the sequel, the as-yet-unnamed second book in The Empire of Shadows.
Note that there is a book with the same name in the Merlin Chronicles, book six.
I rated this book 4.5 stars on Leafmarks, rounding up to 5 on Goodreads.
This book was provided for free from NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.
410 pp. Mabon Publishing. 19 Sept. 2013.
(Read/Skim/Miss) (Buy/Borrow)
September 19, 2013
Filled with terrific suspense and budding romance, Daughter of Camelot is a fast paced adventure set against the turmoil at the end of the Arthurian era.
Raised in the shadow of a fort dedicated to training Knights of the Round Table, Deirdre thirsts for adventure.
Instead, at 14, she is sent to court to learn the etiquette and talents of a young woman.
Court life, however, is more fraught with danger than she expected, and Deirdre finds herself entangled in a deadly conspiracy that stretches deep into the very heart of Camelot.
All Deirdre thought she knew and believed in—loyalty, love, bravery—is challenged when she embarks on a quest to defy Fate and save the King.
I'd actually say that Daughter of Camelot is quite a gentle-paced book but I don't mean that in a bad way. I was never bored. I read most of this on Sunday afternoon and it was a perfect read for a lazy day. I loved it.
Deirdre is everything I like in a protagonist. She's bored and down-right aggravated by the limitations of being a girl in those times. She has little interest in being just a wife or mother and her ambition knows no bounds. She seeks a life of excitement and meaning and growing up surrounded by boys in training to be knights at a nearby fort only makes her desire for adventure stronger.
I was also pleasantly surprised by the darker elements of the story. For one, I wasn't expecting Deirdre's new life at court to be so intense. Just like Deirdre herself, I imagined she would go there as a guest to the king & queen and flit around in pretty dresses wooing noble knights and attending parties but that was far from the truth!
With growing worries about the allegiances of the court - For King Arthur or against him- the obsessive practices of Christianity imposed by the unsavory King Maelgwyn, and sexually aggressive knights hoping to sully Deirdre's reputation, her new life was far from simple. And just one mistake gets her banished from the castle, leading her to take up Sir Einion's invitation to join him at Din Arth.
I quite liked Einion as a love interest, but after seeing how awful all of the other knight's behaved it was definitely hard to trust him. I think it's clear from the start that Deirdre's best friend Ronan would be a better pick for her and I enjoyed seeing how the relationships developed.
As Daughter of Camelot neared its end I did think that perhaps it was unnecessarily long, especially for its target audience, but then it did had a lot of scope. My one issue with it though, was that I felt the final battle was a bit of an anti-climax. But it certainly wouldn't put me off reading the next in the series, quite the opposite in fact.
I'm a fan of Arthurian Literature and obvs a fan of YA Lit so it didn't take much for me to love this book but I think anyone who enjoys being swept along on a medieval action-adventure will find a lot to like here.Details: Paperback, 421 pages.
Expected publication: September 24th 2013 by Mabon Publishing
Unicorn Rating: 4/5
Is it a keeper? Yes!
If you like this try: The Seeing Stone - Kevin Crossley-Holland
Raised in the shadow of a fort dedicated to training Knights of the Round Table, Deirdre thirsts for adventure.
Instead, at 14, she is sent to court to learn the etiquette and talents of a young woman.
Court life, however, is more fraught with danger than she expected, and Deirdre finds herself entangled in a deadly conspiracy that stretches deep into the very heart of Camelot.
All Deirdre thought she knew and believed in—loyalty, love, bravery—is challenged when she embarks on a quest to defy Fate and save the King.
I'd actually say that Daughter of Camelot is quite a gentle-paced book but I don't mean that in a bad way. I was never bored. I read most of this on Sunday afternoon and it was a perfect read for a lazy day. I loved it.
Deirdre is everything I like in a protagonist. She's bored and down-right aggravated by the limitations of being a girl in those times. She has little interest in being just a wife or mother and her ambition knows no bounds. She seeks a life of excitement and meaning and growing up surrounded by boys in training to be knights at a nearby fort only makes her desire for adventure stronger.
I was also pleasantly surprised by the darker elements of the story. For one, I wasn't expecting Deirdre's new life at court to be so intense. Just like Deirdre herself, I imagined she would go there as a guest to the king & queen and flit around in pretty dresses wooing noble knights and attending parties but that was far from the truth!
With growing worries about the allegiances of the court - For King Arthur or against him- the obsessive practices of Christianity imposed by the unsavory King Maelgwyn, and sexually aggressive knights hoping to sully Deirdre's reputation, her new life was far from simple. And just one mistake gets her banished from the castle, leading her to take up Sir Einion's invitation to join him at Din Arth.
I quite liked Einion as a love interest, but after seeing how awful all of the other knight's behaved it was definitely hard to trust him. I think it's clear from the start that Deirdre's best friend Ronan would be a better pick for her and I enjoyed seeing how the relationships developed.
As Daughter of Camelot neared its end I did think that perhaps it was unnecessarily long, especially for its target audience, but then it did had a lot of scope. My one issue with it though, was that I felt the final battle was a bit of an anti-climax. But it certainly wouldn't put me off reading the next in the series, quite the opposite in fact.
I'm a fan of Arthurian Literature and obvs a fan of YA Lit so it didn't take much for me to love this book but I think anyone who enjoys being swept along on a medieval action-adventure will find a lot to like here.Details: Paperback, 421 pages.
Expected publication: September 24th 2013 by Mabon Publishing
Unicorn Rating: 4/5
Is it a keeper? Yes!
If you like this try: The Seeing Stone - Kevin Crossley-Holland
October 29, 2013
Actual rating is probably around a 3.5, but I'm happy to round up. I was expecting a standard King Arthur tale (which is perfectly fine with me), but I was pleasantly surprised to find instead an original story set in Arthur's time, with the High King himself making only peripheral appearance. Dierdre is a headstrong girl on the cusp of womanhood, unable to accept the standard female role and longing for adventure like the knights trained at her home. As Arthur's and Mordred's forces join up, she ends up having that adventure, partly intentionally and partly by accident, and finds out that the heroic tales aren't all they're cracked up to be.
While inwardly focused as teens of that age tend to be, Dierdre was still endearing in her whole-hearted embrace of honor and loyalty to the king, even as her clumsy attempts at intrigue landed her in trouble. Following the more traditional path that Dierdre scorns, her sister, Nia, served as a good example of how strong and necessary women are, even if their parts are not sung about in the ballads. I will admit to finding myself perplexed at the romantic entanglements of Dierdre and her twin brother, Ryhs. It was presented as though marriage to one of the village peasants was actually a possibility, which I found a bit hard to swallow--as children of a high-placed regional lord, I didn't find that believable in the least, no matter how indulgent their father might be.
I received this ARC from NetGalley. The edition I read was in need of a good copy editor, with a number of incorrect homonyms that were prevalent enough to catch my eye, but not pull me completely out of the story. It did have a definite self-pub feel, so hopefully those have been corrected, but I wouldn't be surprised if they weren't. That said, though it lacked the polish of a publishing house release, it was still a well-told story.
While inwardly focused as teens of that age tend to be, Dierdre was still endearing in her whole-hearted embrace of honor and loyalty to the king, even as her clumsy attempts at intrigue landed her in trouble. Following the more traditional path that Dierdre scorns, her sister, Nia, served as a good example of how strong and necessary women are, even if their parts are not sung about in the ballads. I will admit to finding myself perplexed at the romantic entanglements of Dierdre and her twin brother, Ryhs. It was presented as though marriage to one of the village peasants was actually a possibility, which I found a bit hard to swallow--as children of a high-placed regional lord, I didn't find that believable in the least, no matter how indulgent their father might be.
I received this ARC from NetGalley. The edition I read was in need of a good copy editor, with a number of incorrect homonyms that were prevalent enough to catch my eye, but not pull me completely out of the story. It did have a definite self-pub feel, so hopefully those have been corrected, but I wouldn't be surprised if they weren't. That said, though it lacked the polish of a publishing house release, it was still a well-told story.
August 4, 2016
At first I was worried everything was going to be too transparent in this book where a girl thirsts for the adventure boys have... No, please no breeches and a haircut!
I was pleasantly surprised as the author took the main character, Deirdre, through several stages of growing up. Her life simply demands it, in the shadows of impending war. The kind of war that might just end the reign of peace King Arthur, King of Kings, has established. Deirdre's family is loyal to King Arthur, but there is a schism forming with Lancelot's compatriots.
Only then does Deirdre realize the kind of adventures a young lady can have at the courts of lesser kings. Learning about alliances -- who sides with her King -- and of course, she is always seeking after the whispers of the kitchen staff and stable boys, who overhear much.
And yet, Deirdre is so unaware of the customs of being at court, that she finds herself banished. She has made a few friends, though, and readers we can count ourselves lucky in that!
Any further words would just ruin the story! Good plot!
I was pleasantly surprised as the author took the main character, Deirdre, through several stages of growing up. Her life simply demands it, in the shadows of impending war. The kind of war that might just end the reign of peace King Arthur, King of Kings, has established. Deirdre's family is loyal to King Arthur, but there is a schism forming with Lancelot's compatriots.
Only then does Deirdre realize the kind of adventures a young lady can have at the courts of lesser kings. Learning about alliances -- who sides with her King -- and of course, she is always seeking after the whispers of the kitchen staff and stable boys, who overhear much.
And yet, Deirdre is so unaware of the customs of being at court, that she finds herself banished. She has made a few friends, though, and readers we can count ourselves lucky in that!
Any further words would just ruin the story! Good plot!
September 30, 2013
This book was given to me free in exchange for review
Great book! Fast pace and plenty of action!
This is a girl who so much wants to help her king, but as you can guess that is just not ok for a girl! She sets off on the adventure of her life, meets new people and grows up quite a lot!
She finds she must make a choice and not sure if she should follow her heart or what's best for her country!
This was a great read and I look forward to the next book!
Lots of characters to keep your interest each with there own story. It was written well so you could get caught up in the story yourself!
Great book! Fast pace and plenty of action!
This is a girl who so much wants to help her king, but as you can guess that is just not ok for a girl! She sets off on the adventure of her life, meets new people and grows up quite a lot!
She finds she must make a choice and not sure if she should follow her heart or what's best for her country!
This was a great read and I look forward to the next book!
Lots of characters to keep your interest each with there own story. It was written well so you could get caught up in the story yourself!
November 4, 2013
This book was very good, it had a few problems withwhat seems to me the start of a side story and then the author would drop it without much explanation such as talks of prophecies and secrets held by little princesses. I'm assuming these things will be explained further in future books. All in all VERY enjoyable and I would recommend this book!
December 24, 2014
Uncorrected Arc provided by Netgalley
DNF at 40%
This seems to be turning into a habit. But here it is, another netgalley book that I just couldn't convince myself to finish.
As it is, the beginning turned out to be the "best" part of this story. We are given some vague glimpses into middle age (Arthurian time frame) life. Costumes, ideas, prejudices... like twins being seen as a bad omen. And normally drowned.
Let's say the word "witch" was thrown around a little too casually.
The twins are Deirdre (our main character) and Rhys. Now Deirdre has a "curse" attached to her name.
Apparently she will be a mother of many... but since she starts out as a tomboy, someone more interested in fighting against her twin, and envying his luck in being born a man, let's say that predicament scares her to death.
The story starts on the eve of the twins' birthday. They will be turning fourteen.
As it turns out, it will be decided that Deirdre will accompany her older sister to Court where she will be acquainted with the ways of Court as befits someone of the nobility. Even those of the smaller nobility, as is Deirdre's case.
There, in Court, and through Deirdre's eyes, we will be shown the customary plot of Christianity against the old ways (obsessed crazy monks... and all of that).
Nothing new in this.
Also, she's the victim of an attempted rape... because what would be of an historical romance without rape attempts?
Oh, but there's this dwarf that saves her with his brilliant wit...
Right...
Also, there's this girl who will hate Deirdre's guts, and vice versa. But later on, Deirdre will definitely get even, in a way that was just unbelievable.
Then, the thing that made me completely lose the will to continue reading this:
A fourteen year old girl, a tomboy of a girl, wouldn't be smitten by some pretty boy's face and tales... (okay, by his war tales maybe), but by him? At first sight!
NO.
And then he's a real rake, who just wants to take advantage of her!
And she thinks she can play him... (I would be laughing, if this wasn't actually sad)
It's like those High School plots... but in the Middle Ages.
It was just absurd, and ridiculous, the way she decided to go all by herself to another realm, as some of sort of Mata Hari... (I've mentioned absurd right?) in order to help the High King Arthur, who has just been abandoned by the two people he loved the most:
_Guinevere and Lancelot.
Look if she were older...
If she had her sister's Nia court training, fine, I could "see" that happening. Far fetched, sure, but Nia has a brain, and she's not afraid to use it.
As it was, it was just too convoluted. Do you really expect me to believe that a sheltered girl will uncover anything of worth that will help Arthur's position?
For me, it was just too much.
I won't even say this is more appropriate to younger readers, because the way these fourteen year old girls talk about taking lovers, or trading favors, is just... absurd.
Another case in which the plot was taken over by hormones and YA drama fest.
April 13, 2017
Note: This was a Netgalley. I received this free for an honest review.
So, the cover on this is pretty boring, but the story isn't. It starts off slowly. The main character, Deirdre, is very young, sheltered and naive. As a result, she comes across a little bratty to begin with. But, as she faces the real world and struggles with what it means to be a lady in a world ripping apart at the seams, she is forced to grow up very quickly. In the end, she has grown ad developed enormously.
Her sister, Nia, has good intentions for her, but while she tries to protect Deirdre, she ends up doing more harm than good by not telling her things she should know.
Deirdre makes friends with another young lady, Sioned, who becomes her traveling companion. Sioned is the perfect friend for Deirdre as she wants to look out for her, but she's open to teaching her a guiding her. I think without Sioned Deirdre would have failed ad probably would have ended up dead. Sioned's gentle hand and spirit make her incredibly strong.
Deirdre's twin, Rhys you don't see all that much of, but he is important not only because of the love she holds for him, but because she wants to prove herself as capable as he is.
My favorite characters are by far Dewey and Ronan. Both are brave and, although unconventional, they are the truest knights in the story.
All in all, a good read for anyone who enjoys Arthurian tales. It follows the legend, but gives it a new angle, from a "normal" person's perspective. As I said, it starts off a little slow, but once it's rolling, it snowballs. I'd be happy to follow on with the rest of this series.
So, the cover on this is pretty boring, but the story isn't. It starts off slowly. The main character, Deirdre, is very young, sheltered and naive. As a result, she comes across a little bratty to begin with. But, as she faces the real world and struggles with what it means to be a lady in a world ripping apart at the seams, she is forced to grow up very quickly. In the end, she has grown ad developed enormously.
Her sister, Nia, has good intentions for her, but while she tries to protect Deirdre, she ends up doing more harm than good by not telling her things she should know.
Deirdre makes friends with another young lady, Sioned, who becomes her traveling companion. Sioned is the perfect friend for Deirdre as she wants to look out for her, but she's open to teaching her a guiding her. I think without Sioned Deirdre would have failed ad probably would have ended up dead. Sioned's gentle hand and spirit make her incredibly strong.
Deirdre's twin, Rhys you don't see all that much of, but he is important not only because of the love she holds for him, but because she wants to prove herself as capable as he is.
My favorite characters are by far Dewey and Ronan. Both are brave and, although unconventional, they are the truest knights in the story.
All in all, a good read for anyone who enjoys Arthurian tales. It follows the legend, but gives it a new angle, from a "normal" person's perspective. As I said, it starts off a little slow, but once it's rolling, it snowballs. I'd be happy to follow on with the rest of this series.
September 14, 2013
This is a story about a girl named Deirdre who is swept up in the happenings of Arthurian times. Against her will Deirdre is sent to court by her father and it soon turns out that court is not the kind of place Deirdre thought it was.
Dangers lurk everywhere and Deirdre has to find her way in a difficult world without losing sight of who she is. There is a love triangle involved so be prepared. I personally could not feel one of the possible relationships at all, but the other one was very sweet and I genuinely enjoyed (I won't tell you which one though, you'll have to find out yourself!)
This book is for all those who like epics, romances and historical fiction that revolves around a strong female character.
3.5 out of 5 stars to the first part in the Empire of Shadows series!
(ARC provided for review by NetGalley)
Dangers lurk everywhere and Deirdre has to find her way in a difficult world without losing sight of who she is. There is a love triangle involved so be prepared. I personally could not feel one of the possible relationships at all, but the other one was very sweet and I genuinely enjoyed (I won't tell you which one though, you'll have to find out yourself!)
This book is for all those who like epics, romances and historical fiction that revolves around a strong female character.
3.5 out of 5 stars to the first part in the Empire of Shadows series!
(ARC provided for review by NetGalley)
March 23, 2014
highly enjoyable read, kept me engaged to the very end and feverishly awaiting part 2.
I thought this book was truly fun to read. A different spin on other Arthurian books, with the main character being a girl, who wants nothing more than to be a knight and save the world.
Her adventures develop in a way she never anticipated and at the end she realizes that her desire has been fulfilled but in a way completely different than what she imagined.
I thought this book was truly fun to read. A different spin on other Arthurian books, with the main character being a girl, who wants nothing more than to be a knight and save the world.
Her adventures develop in a way she never anticipated and at the end she realizes that her desire has been fulfilled but in a way completely different than what she imagined.
January 30, 2014
A very nice book. I love how they fight. The plots are interesting. I was so into the book that I finished it in two days!
January 29, 2015
I very much wanted to like this book. The plot premise was good, and I wanted to get to know the characters better, as they were quite compelling. However, numerous issues with tense, switching from past to present and back again over and over made it such an uneven read that I have to set it aside.
*** Update on this review: publisher is providing me with an updated version of the book, which might have been provided for review before editing was complete. I am happy to give this one another shot.
Re reading a more fully edited version proving to be a wonderful experience. Finishing soon.
Really, this is quite a good read. I still have a quibble or two with tense, but it must be a standard I'm not familiar with. I finally decided that it must be thoughts that changed tense.
As i said in my earlier comments, the plot premise is good, and twists keep us glued to our seats. The characterizations shine, each person drawn well and with unique traits that compel.
I was taken by the premise of a young woman in King Arthur's time who wants to serve the long as a knight would. Her culture and family make that impossible, but Deirdre manages to find ways to use the skills she's learned alongside her brother to fight for her kingdom nonetheless.
Not your typical Arthurian fare, this work features a heroine anyone would cheer to victory.
*** Update on this review: publisher is providing me with an updated version of the book, which might have been provided for review before editing was complete. I am happy to give this one another shot.
Re reading a more fully edited version proving to be a wonderful experience. Finishing soon.
Really, this is quite a good read. I still have a quibble or two with tense, but it must be a standard I'm not familiar with. I finally decided that it must be thoughts that changed tense.
As i said in my earlier comments, the plot premise is good, and twists keep us glued to our seats. The characterizations shine, each person drawn well and with unique traits that compel.
I was taken by the premise of a young woman in King Arthur's time who wants to serve the long as a knight would. Her culture and family make that impossible, but Deirdre manages to find ways to use the skills she's learned alongside her brother to fight for her kingdom nonetheless.
Not your typical Arthurian fare, this work features a heroine anyone would cheer to victory.
October 10, 2013
Got this from NetGalley. The writing was easy to read and made me smile a couple times, but when the first chapter ended with no sign of a plot, I had no interest in continuing. I think part of the problem is that I don't read a lot of slow-moving fantasy. That, and I can't think of a more overdone/tedious opening than a sword fight.
April 13, 2025
3.5 stars.
A spin on the lady Dindraine, who is a favorite of mine! Deirdre, as she is called here, is trained by Sir Merrick (another favorite of mine) to be a knight but is then shipped off to the court of King Maelgwyn to be a lady to the queen From their she embarkes on a quest to save King Arthur as his final battle with Mordred approaches.
Read if you like:
Good use of Welsh history and Pelagian Christanity.
- a good overview of women's roles in the Middle Ages
- bad ass female charicters who then break all those rules
- horses! They are major charicters here.
- some very cute male side charicters
- armor swords and female knights
- warrior dwarf stolen right out of BBC Merlin and game of thrones
A spin on the lady Dindraine, who is a favorite of mine! Deirdre, as she is called here, is trained by Sir Merrick (another favorite of mine) to be a knight but is then shipped off to the court of King Maelgwyn to be a lady to the queen From their she embarkes on a quest to save King Arthur as his final battle with Mordred approaches.
Read if you like:
Good use of Welsh history and Pelagian Christanity.
- a good overview of women's roles in the Middle Ages
- bad ass female charicters who then break all those rules
- horses! They are major charicters here.
- some very cute male side charicters
- armor swords and female knights
- warrior dwarf stolen right out of BBC Merlin and game of thrones
August 13, 2016
(I got this ebook through NetGalley, in exchange for an honest review.)
I usually like stories revolving around Arthurian legends, and there were good elements in this book, but I had a hard time getting into this one. I think it was a combination of weird happening and incoherences regarding the main character, with some editing problems in the middle. (NB: I'm not sure if the copy I got was an ARC or the finished product, considering when I got it and the officiel publishing date. If it wasn't an ARC, then there are definitely quite a few time shifts to get rid of—the narrative is mostly in the past tense, so whenever present tense pops up, it's jarring. It also seemed to me that the story was first written in 3rd person, then turned to 1st person, and that a couple of sentences from the previous version remained.)
The main idea, that of a twin sister deciding to fight Fate and help King Arthuer, was in itself interesting—especially considering her reputation as a "witch", because twins are considered as bad omens in such a world, and she indeed displays a few features reminiscent of druidism rather than the "new" Christian religion. Besides, I like my girl characters strong and willing to live their lives on their own terms. Unfortunately, I'm not sure this is what really happened here.
I found several things to be too incoherent to my liking. The historical mish-mash, for starters. Arthurian literature being what it is, of course I don't expect exact history, but I have a hard time seeing "Druidism vs. Christian beliefs" and "knights in shiny armour" put in the same time period. Most of the Arthurian retellings I read and liked settled on one or the other (Chrétien de Troyes's French stories, for instance, place Arthurian chivalry against a backdrop of 13th century Middle Ages and Christian times; while other books place Arthur as a chief in older times, with people and customs also fitting such times). It's probably a silly argument on my part, and I'll file it as something being really specific to me here.
What I couldn't wrap my mind around, though, was how Deirdre was portrayed. On the one hand, we have a fiery girl who's learnt to fight with swords and bows, can ride like men do, doesn't hesitate to wear breeches, wants to lead her own fights... and this is all very well. On the other hand, though, she regularly displays childsh attitudes and naive behaviours that clash with that image that I felt the author wanted to convey, and made her character inconsistent. For instance, the first time she's at court, she falls way too easily for "the knight". All right, she's "only" 14, but in such a time of turmoil, and in such societies, this just wasn't the equivalent of 14 in our world: girls would likely have been more savvy in many things at that age. I was surprised that nobody actually prepared Deirdre to life at court, except for a few pieces of advice from Nia (who basically had to get out of her way to apologise for her younger sister's blunders... every day or so). I also couldn't help but question some decisions Deirdre made, like accepting an invitation when she knew it would've reflected wrongly on her.
Now, it wasn't a bad story. It still kept me interested enough to finish it, and I liked some of the other characters, like Dewey and Sioned, who each have their own story, their own views on the world, and try to do what they can to better their situations. But I'll still leave it in my "just OK" rather than in the "I liked it" section.
I usually like stories revolving around Arthurian legends, and there were good elements in this book, but I had a hard time getting into this one. I think it was a combination of weird happening and incoherences regarding the main character, with some editing problems in the middle. (NB: I'm not sure if the copy I got was an ARC or the finished product, considering when I got it and the officiel publishing date. If it wasn't an ARC, then there are definitely quite a few time shifts to get rid of—the narrative is mostly in the past tense, so whenever present tense pops up, it's jarring. It also seemed to me that the story was first written in 3rd person, then turned to 1st person, and that a couple of sentences from the previous version remained.)
The main idea, that of a twin sister deciding to fight Fate and help King Arthuer, was in itself interesting—especially considering her reputation as a "witch", because twins are considered as bad omens in such a world, and she indeed displays a few features reminiscent of druidism rather than the "new" Christian religion. Besides, I like my girl characters strong and willing to live their lives on their own terms. Unfortunately, I'm not sure this is what really happened here.
I found several things to be too incoherent to my liking. The historical mish-mash, for starters. Arthurian literature being what it is, of course I don't expect exact history, but I have a hard time seeing "Druidism vs. Christian beliefs" and "knights in shiny armour" put in the same time period. Most of the Arthurian retellings I read and liked settled on one or the other (Chrétien de Troyes's French stories, for instance, place Arthurian chivalry against a backdrop of 13th century Middle Ages and Christian times; while other books place Arthur as a chief in older times, with people and customs also fitting such times). It's probably a silly argument on my part, and I'll file it as something being really specific to me here.
What I couldn't wrap my mind around, though, was how Deirdre was portrayed. On the one hand, we have a fiery girl who's learnt to fight with swords and bows, can ride like men do, doesn't hesitate to wear breeches, wants to lead her own fights... and this is all very well. On the other hand, though, she regularly displays childsh attitudes and naive behaviours that clash with that image that I felt the author wanted to convey, and made her character inconsistent. For instance, the first time she's at court, she falls way too easily for "the knight". All right, she's "only" 14, but in such a time of turmoil, and in such societies, this just wasn't the equivalent of 14 in our world: girls would likely have been more savvy in many things at that age. I was surprised that nobody actually prepared Deirdre to life at court, except for a few pieces of advice from Nia (who basically had to get out of her way to apologise for her younger sister's blunders... every day or so). I also couldn't help but question some decisions Deirdre made, like accepting an invitation when she knew it would've reflected wrongly on her.
Now, it wasn't a bad story. It still kept me interested enough to finish it, and I liked some of the other characters, like Dewey and Sioned, who each have their own story, their own views on the world, and try to do what they can to better their situations. But I'll still leave it in my "just OK" rather than in the "I liked it" section.
February 7, 2014
Thank you to the publisher for providing me with a copy of Daughter of Camelot via NetGalley in exchange for a fair and honest review.
My Review of Daughter of Camelot:
Daughter of Camelot was pretty good, falling squarely in the middle of my ratings scale. The characters were pretty likeable, didn’t irritate me, and the plot and developments were entertaining.
Deirdre was a good heroine, a 14-year-old girl living in Arthurian times who prefers horses and swordplay to embroidery and etiquette lessons. Her mother died when she was very young, and her stepmother is uninvolved in her development as a woman, being taken up with her own daughters and knowing that Deirdre doesn’t like her. (That aspect was a bit overblown, in my opinion, since the only thing her stepmother ever did was marry her father and try to be nice to her. This doesn’t impact the book very much except to present one of the ways in which Deirdre is very much a 14-year-old girl who can occasionally be quite immature and selfish.) Once Deirdre goes to court, she doesn’t really read like a 14-year-old. She flirts with an older knight and there are (false) rumors about them being “involved,” which to me as a 21st century reader is HORRIFYING because she is 14. Deirdre’s time at court changes her a lot; she doesn’t have time or freedom to practice with her sword, and being separated from her twin Rhys takes away her opportunities, but oddly enough she never complains about it. She sinks into the world of gossip and embroidery and court politics awkwardly without really missing the life she used to lead. I thought it strange, but not impossible or even unlikely.
The plot was pretty good, although Daughter fell prey to “meandering plot syndrome.” There’s no central conflict, but rather a series of smaller conflicts that portray Deirdre’s journey to and in court, leaving court, adventuring, and taking a stance in political conflict. Surprisingly, it held together well, and Cooney’s development of all these “small adventures” woven into one longer journey was well written. I say “surprisingly” because usually meandering plot syndrome really bothers me, but in this instance, Deirdre’s journey felt authentic and necessary for her character’s development. tend to prefer a central plot or problem which all the action or development seeks to solve or react to. In Daughter of Camelot, if that exists, it’s the overall tension of the nation with Arthur becoming bitter about Lancelot and Gwen’s betrayal and growing division between those who are loyal to Arthur versus Lancelot. It’s the kind of story you can imagine going on in the background of an episode of Merlin, everyone having their own life and story to tell but not affecting the really important people. Cooney enriches the world of Camelot by taking the focus off the characters you’d expect to see and reminding you that it was full of every day peasants and lesser courts, not just the Round Table.
Daughter of Camelot was a fun, well paced and plotted adventure that puts a fresh twist on the Arthurian setting.
This review for "Daughter of Camelot" appeared first at StarlightBookReviews.com.
My Review of Daughter of Camelot:
Daughter of Camelot was pretty good, falling squarely in the middle of my ratings scale. The characters were pretty likeable, didn’t irritate me, and the plot and developments were entertaining.
Deirdre was a good heroine, a 14-year-old girl living in Arthurian times who prefers horses and swordplay to embroidery and etiquette lessons. Her mother died when she was very young, and her stepmother is uninvolved in her development as a woman, being taken up with her own daughters and knowing that Deirdre doesn’t like her. (That aspect was a bit overblown, in my opinion, since the only thing her stepmother ever did was marry her father and try to be nice to her. This doesn’t impact the book very much except to present one of the ways in which Deirdre is very much a 14-year-old girl who can occasionally be quite immature and selfish.) Once Deirdre goes to court, she doesn’t really read like a 14-year-old. She flirts with an older knight and there are (false) rumors about them being “involved,” which to me as a 21st century reader is HORRIFYING because she is 14. Deirdre’s time at court changes her a lot; she doesn’t have time or freedom to practice with her sword, and being separated from her twin Rhys takes away her opportunities, but oddly enough she never complains about it. She sinks into the world of gossip and embroidery and court politics awkwardly without really missing the life she used to lead. I thought it strange, but not impossible or even unlikely.
The plot was pretty good, although Daughter fell prey to “meandering plot syndrome.” There’s no central conflict, but rather a series of smaller conflicts that portray Deirdre’s journey to and in court, leaving court, adventuring, and taking a stance in political conflict. Surprisingly, it held together well, and Cooney’s development of all these “small adventures” woven into one longer journey was well written. I say “surprisingly” because usually meandering plot syndrome really bothers me, but in this instance, Deirdre’s journey felt authentic and necessary for her character’s development. tend to prefer a central plot or problem which all the action or development seeks to solve or react to. In Daughter of Camelot, if that exists, it’s the overall tension of the nation with Arthur becoming bitter about Lancelot and Gwen’s betrayal and growing division between those who are loyal to Arthur versus Lancelot. It’s the kind of story you can imagine going on in the background of an episode of Merlin, everyone having their own life and story to tell but not affecting the really important people. Cooney enriches the world of Camelot by taking the focus off the characters you’d expect to see and reminding you that it was full of every day peasants and lesser courts, not just the Round Table.
Daughter of Camelot was a fun, well paced and plotted adventure that puts a fresh twist on the Arthurian setting.
This review for "Daughter of Camelot" appeared first at StarlightBookReviews.com.
September 25, 2013
a slow start but clarity emerges
Wales at the waning of Camelot. The High King's star is failing. Guinevere has been unfaithful, Lancelot has killed Gareth, Merlin has disappeared from court and the land is on the edge of breaking up into smaller kingdoms Arthur had bound together. Darkness is about to descend. The tide is turning against the High King. The threat of minor kingdoms devouring each looms.
The opening scene of Deirdre practicing sword play with her brother Rhys gave evidence that here was a somewhat unusual sort of girl for the times. Indeed she is. Deirdre has ambitions beyond being a wife and mother and yearns to go to Camelot. However dreams are not always answered in the way we would wish.
When Deirdre is sent to the court at Degannwy with her sister Nia she is the butt of unkind comments. Reviled by the superstitious for being a twin, and all but accused of being a witch she is spurned by the devout and the jealous. Deirdre's actions are more often than not foolish and wayward. But then she is fourteen, a twin, and always on the outer. Mind you she discovers the attraction of men but her choices don't always seem wise.
Certainly by her unthinking actions she sets herself in peril. Perhaps her father should have had her schooled in acceptable behaviour for young women earlier in order to know the traps she could likely fall into, how innocent actions can be misinterpreted and ruin be a likelihood.
Politics interfere and Deirdre is to return home. Enroute back home to Dinas Emrys she detours to the castle of Din Arth where her knightly infatuation, Einion is. She is attracted to Einion but I must confess there's something about him sets my teeth on edge.
Here her treatment of another young woman, Heledd left a bad taste in my mouth. Her act of vengeance was beneath her--although readily understandable. I guessI don't want my heroines to be spiteful. Even though Deirdre feels sorry about her act--it is too late for Heledd. Sorrow doesn't change what she has orchestrated. Her action is more evidence of her immaturity and thoughtlessness.
Drawn to the horse goddess Rhiannon through an amulet given to her by a crone at the horse fair, Deirdre struggles to hold her Christianity alongside older faiths, especially
in the face of the rise of fanatics. Further discoveries about her mother are unsettling.
Queen Awel requests her help and Deirdre's path is set. 'It was a quest. I could prove myself to all who doubted me and perhaps through this I could find my deliverance.'
Politics and religions clash, myths and love are interwoven, and all entangled in this story of Wales at the fall of Arthur, the High King, with Deirdre in the thick of the action -- from espionage to battles, to thwarting kidnapping plots aided by her friends; Sioned, the dwarf Dewey and the companion of her youth Ronan.
I keep hoping Deirdre will grow into a more considerate and considering person. She seems to tumble from one situation to another and is hard on friendships, although contrite when her temper has cooled.
A NetGalley ARC
Wales at the waning of Camelot. The High King's star is failing. Guinevere has been unfaithful, Lancelot has killed Gareth, Merlin has disappeared from court and the land is on the edge of breaking up into smaller kingdoms Arthur had bound together. Darkness is about to descend. The tide is turning against the High King. The threat of minor kingdoms devouring each looms.
The opening scene of Deirdre practicing sword play with her brother Rhys gave evidence that here was a somewhat unusual sort of girl for the times. Indeed she is. Deirdre has ambitions beyond being a wife and mother and yearns to go to Camelot. However dreams are not always answered in the way we would wish.
When Deirdre is sent to the court at Degannwy with her sister Nia she is the butt of unkind comments. Reviled by the superstitious for being a twin, and all but accused of being a witch she is spurned by the devout and the jealous. Deirdre's actions are more often than not foolish and wayward. But then she is fourteen, a twin, and always on the outer. Mind you she discovers the attraction of men but her choices don't always seem wise.
Certainly by her unthinking actions she sets herself in peril. Perhaps her father should have had her schooled in acceptable behaviour for young women earlier in order to know the traps she could likely fall into, how innocent actions can be misinterpreted and ruin be a likelihood.
Politics interfere and Deirdre is to return home. Enroute back home to Dinas Emrys she detours to the castle of Din Arth where her knightly infatuation, Einion is. She is attracted to Einion but I must confess there's something about him sets my teeth on edge.
Here her treatment of another young woman, Heledd left a bad taste in my mouth. Her act of vengeance was beneath her--although readily understandable. I guessI don't want my heroines to be spiteful. Even though Deirdre feels sorry about her act--it is too late for Heledd. Sorrow doesn't change what she has orchestrated. Her action is more evidence of her immaturity and thoughtlessness.
Drawn to the horse goddess Rhiannon through an amulet given to her by a crone at the horse fair, Deirdre struggles to hold her Christianity alongside older faiths, especially
in the face of the rise of fanatics. Further discoveries about her mother are unsettling.
Queen Awel requests her help and Deirdre's path is set. 'It was a quest. I could prove myself to all who doubted me and perhaps through this I could find my deliverance.'
Politics and religions clash, myths and love are interwoven, and all entangled in this story of Wales at the fall of Arthur, the High King, with Deirdre in the thick of the action -- from espionage to battles, to thwarting kidnapping plots aided by her friends; Sioned, the dwarf Dewey and the companion of her youth Ronan.
I keep hoping Deirdre will grow into a more considerate and considering person. She seems to tumble from one situation to another and is hard on friendships, although contrite when her temper has cooled.
A NetGalley ARC
September 7, 2014
This novel is a fictional story whose plot surrounds the mythical tale of the fall of King Arthur. The protagonist is Deirdre, a spoiled daughter of a chieftain who has grown up on the glorious conquest and adventures of the Knights of the Round Table. However, when the fatal prophecy of King Arthur is starting to unravel Deirdre fears that not only does it involve King Arthur’s death, but the death of her world. In an effort to prevent King Arthur’s prophecy, Deirdre embarks on a quest to save the king and her world.
The setting of the story shows a vulnerable, broken, and divided kingdom. Across the northern borders of Britain are their enemies of Pictavia. Yet within Britain, after the fall of Lancelot, most of the chieftains begin to doubt King Arthur. The realm is torn apart, with some being loyal to King Arthur and others plotting to depose him and put his nephew on the throne. Not only are the political factions divided, but also religion is too. Some are for the old pagan religions, while others are for the new Christian religion. Because of these divisions, the kingdom of Britain was weakening, and may be creating their country’s downfall.
Deirdre’s character is spirited, bold, and romantic. She is a tomboy and dreams that she will also have a romantic adventure as the Knights of the Round Table. However, she is quick to anger; she sometimes does mean actions and says hurtful things, and she is prone to jealousy. Sometimes she is naive and can act childish. However, she does grow up and tend to make smart decisions.
Overall, this book is filled with suspense, adventure, humor, love and loyalty. It is also about friendship and family. However, what I don’t like about the book is that the author needs to work on character development. It is unclear what Deirdre’s gifts are, and most of the characters’ actions are based on telling rather than showing. For instance, Deirdre’s female companion is given a spear and has some training sessions, yet she does not use any of her skills. The romance in the book is forced, for we see none of their actions of their love, but are instead told that they love each other. There are details that are mentioned but never explained. For instance, we learn that a mad monk has killed a dwarf’s father, but we are never told how or why he killed him. The subject is never brought up again, and the reader can just as well forget that it was ever mentioned. Most of the characters are one-dimensional. However, this is a fun novel and is good for light reading. I recommend this book to fans of King Arthur legends.
(Note: I read an ARC copy of this book in courtesy of NetGalley.)
The setting of the story shows a vulnerable, broken, and divided kingdom. Across the northern borders of Britain are their enemies of Pictavia. Yet within Britain, after the fall of Lancelot, most of the chieftains begin to doubt King Arthur. The realm is torn apart, with some being loyal to King Arthur and others plotting to depose him and put his nephew on the throne. Not only are the political factions divided, but also religion is too. Some are for the old pagan religions, while others are for the new Christian religion. Because of these divisions, the kingdom of Britain was weakening, and may be creating their country’s downfall.
Deirdre’s character is spirited, bold, and romantic. She is a tomboy and dreams that she will also have a romantic adventure as the Knights of the Round Table. However, she is quick to anger; she sometimes does mean actions and says hurtful things, and she is prone to jealousy. Sometimes she is naive and can act childish. However, she does grow up and tend to make smart decisions.
Overall, this book is filled with suspense, adventure, humor, love and loyalty. It is also about friendship and family. However, what I don’t like about the book is that the author needs to work on character development. It is unclear what Deirdre’s gifts are, and most of the characters’ actions are based on telling rather than showing. For instance, Deirdre’s female companion is given a spear and has some training sessions, yet she does not use any of her skills. The romance in the book is forced, for we see none of their actions of their love, but are instead told that they love each other. There are details that are mentioned but never explained. For instance, we learn that a mad monk has killed a dwarf’s father, but we are never told how or why he killed him. The subject is never brought up again, and the reader can just as well forget that it was ever mentioned. Most of the characters are one-dimensional. However, this is a fun novel and is good for light reading. I recommend this book to fans of King Arthur legends.
(Note: I read an ARC copy of this book in courtesy of NetGalley.)
December 18, 2013
3.5 Stars. This was an entertaining adventure. I love reading about kings and their courts. This story captured my interest right from the start. However, the middle of the book was a bit slow for me. The plot was centered on Deirdre, who was determined to not be a lady. I understand that completely, especially for the times. Women’s lives back then seem rather dull. Nia’s character changed that perception slightly for me. I think the mystery and intrigue would have been fun for a while but court life would grow tiresome, for sure.
Sadly, I felt some of the scenes were a little longwinded and others were rushed. For example, the journey (made on horseback & lasted a few days) was very lengthy in the book, going on for several chapters, but the battle scenes lasted mere paragraphs. I am totally content with that but if you’re looking for more knights fighting, more swords clashing; you might be disappointed.
I especially liked that we never get to meet King Arthur. That was such a strange twist, I never saw it coming. I was actually waiting for the moment when Deirdre and her twin would meet their king. Throughout the whole story, Deirdre keeps the king close to her heart, feeling like everything she was doing was for his benefit. And yet, we never learn of her actually meeting him. It shows that this journey was not about King Arthur, but about Deirdre. However, I never really felt it in her. I heard what she said but didn’t fully believe it. I wasn’t invested in her quest as much as I wanted. There could have been more character development. I felt like I was barely skimming the surface of most of the characters.
My favorite characters were Dewey and Sioned, hands down. Dewey, I just loved for being Dewey. It’s fun to see his character be slowly revealed, to think you know what kind of person he is only to be proven wrong. Sioned is such a sweet friend for Deirdre. Her encouragement to Deirdre is so enchanting. I loved some of the things Sioned said to Deirdre – “You already have grace…. You just need to uncover it.” And “Deirdre, when I look in your eyes, I can see your spirit, so brave and true. I believe in you.” I think I would feel invincible if my friend was giving me that kind of confidence.
I’m hoping the hints of the secrets a certain princess possesses will be explained further in future books and that the story about the twin’s prophecy continues. I look forward to continuing this journey with Deirdre.
I received a digital copy of this book from Mabon Publishing via NetGalley in exchange for my honest review.
Sadly, I felt some of the scenes were a little longwinded and others were rushed. For example, the journey (made on horseback & lasted a few days) was very lengthy in the book, going on for several chapters, but the battle scenes lasted mere paragraphs. I am totally content with that but if you’re looking for more knights fighting, more swords clashing; you might be disappointed.
I especially liked that we never get to meet King Arthur. That was such a strange twist, I never saw it coming. I was actually waiting for the moment when Deirdre and her twin would meet their king. Throughout the whole story, Deirdre keeps the king close to her heart, feeling like everything she was doing was for his benefit. And yet, we never learn of her actually meeting him. It shows that this journey was not about King Arthur, but about Deirdre. However, I never really felt it in her. I heard what she said but didn’t fully believe it. I wasn’t invested in her quest as much as I wanted. There could have been more character development. I felt like I was barely skimming the surface of most of the characters.
My favorite characters were Dewey and Sioned, hands down. Dewey, I just loved for being Dewey. It’s fun to see his character be slowly revealed, to think you know what kind of person he is only to be proven wrong. Sioned is such a sweet friend for Deirdre. Her encouragement to Deirdre is so enchanting. I loved some of the things Sioned said to Deirdre – “You already have grace…. You just need to uncover it.” And “Deirdre, when I look in your eyes, I can see your spirit, so brave and true. I believe in you.” I think I would feel invincible if my friend was giving me that kind of confidence.
I’m hoping the hints of the secrets a certain princess possesses will be explained further in future books and that the story about the twin’s prophecy continues. I look forward to continuing this journey with Deirdre.
I received a digital copy of this book from Mabon Publishing via NetGalley in exchange for my honest review.
November 17, 2013
I received this book free from the publisher via NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.
Having just finished watching Merlin on Netflix, I was ready to jump into more stories about King Arthur and his knights. Glynis Cooney's Daughter of Camelot provided an opportunity to read a different kind of Arthurian story. The book follows Deirdre, a teenaged girl who'd rather be a knight than a lady, through her adventures and misadventures in Camelot and the surrounding region at the time of the fall of Arthur.
Whisked off to castle life to learn to be a lady, Deirdre isn't exactly happy, but she, of course, gets the opportunity to have adventures and glory of her own as she deals with knights, dwarves, witches, kings, queens, and some not-quite-so-ladylike ladies of the court. Through a bit of luck, perseverance, and an adventurous spirit, Deirdre becomes the star of her own Arthurian adventure.
I won't reveal anymore details of the plot, but suffice it to say that it was an interesting concept. I enjoyed it.
Still, I thought that some things were a bit clunky and unbelievable. First of all, at her age, Deirdre would probably not be entrusted with the responsibilities she has, and the creepy knights who hit on her are probably twice her age or more. I know it's true to the period, but it's a little weird. Second, I'm pretty sure that these kids who are running around the countryside alone could have been found by some responsible adults, even if most of the men were off at war. I don't buy that Ronan would have been sent back without some kind of strong-arming escorts to drag Deirdre home.
I also had trouble getting interested in the story, even though the premise was unique and something I thought I'd love. I think it took a little too long for Deirdre to see some real excitement. I'd hoped she would get into the valorous duties of a wannabe knight much earlier, but the bits at court dragged on. I also could have done without the "But I don't want to be a lady" bits at the beginning.
I did like the book, though, and I thought it was a good effort to add something new to Camelot and Arthurian mythology. It isn't a bad book, and I'd recommend it with only a little hesitation to anyone who enjoys Arthurian fiction who also enjoys YA writing.
Having just finished watching Merlin on Netflix, I was ready to jump into more stories about King Arthur and his knights. Glynis Cooney's Daughter of Camelot provided an opportunity to read a different kind of Arthurian story. The book follows Deirdre, a teenaged girl who'd rather be a knight than a lady, through her adventures and misadventures in Camelot and the surrounding region at the time of the fall of Arthur.
Whisked off to castle life to learn to be a lady, Deirdre isn't exactly happy, but she, of course, gets the opportunity to have adventures and glory of her own as she deals with knights, dwarves, witches, kings, queens, and some not-quite-so-ladylike ladies of the court. Through a bit of luck, perseverance, and an adventurous spirit, Deirdre becomes the star of her own Arthurian adventure.
I won't reveal anymore details of the plot, but suffice it to say that it was an interesting concept. I enjoyed it.
Still, I thought that some things were a bit clunky and unbelievable. First of all, at her age, Deirdre would probably not be entrusted with the responsibilities she has, and the creepy knights who hit on her are probably twice her age or more. I know it's true to the period, but it's a little weird. Second, I'm pretty sure that these kids who are running around the countryside alone could have been found by some responsible adults, even if most of the men were off at war. I don't buy that Ronan would have been sent back without some kind of strong-arming escorts to drag Deirdre home.
I also had trouble getting interested in the story, even though the premise was unique and something I thought I'd love. I think it took a little too long for Deirdre to see some real excitement. I'd hoped she would get into the valorous duties of a wannabe knight much earlier, but the bits at court dragged on. I also could have done without the "But I don't want to be a lady" bits at the beginning.
I did like the book, though, and I thought it was a good effort to add something new to Camelot and Arthurian mythology. It isn't a bad book, and I'd recommend it with only a little hesitation to anyone who enjoys Arthurian fiction who also enjoys YA writing.
October 15, 2013
My initial impression of Daughter of Camelot was one of interest. I have always been a lover of Arthurian tales, and often find myself entangled within the pages of novels that are a spin off of these tales. And in the terms of Arthurian time era, this book was one that particularly filled that thirst.
Generally, I enjoyed the plot of the book, though parts were awkward to read and sometimes a bit unbelievable. Deirdre, the lovely narrator of the tale, is on the verge of her fourteenth birthday when our story starts. Immediately, she points out that she is already an oddity due to being a twin, an ill omen in the time period. With the knowledge of being sent to court, she is both resentful and resistant to fitting into the mold the world has set for her. The story continues from court, sending her off on her own journey against fate and time to rescue her world that is quickly falling apart. While I like the fact that Deirdre is a strong female character, and she does undergo character development, there were sections of the book that she felt flat and almost boring in comparison to her companions, Lady Sioned and Dewey the Dwarf.
The story is hindered further by a lack of editing on the author's part. Many times, the story shifts from the first person narrative into a third person observation. There were places that dialogue went unmarked, and some things, such as the religious practices of druids and the 'old' ways felt disjointed from the story. As Deirdre's story continues with her struggle to prove her worth in the world and defy fate by helping High King Arthur, she struggles with her love of a knight. The love, I felt, was slightly forced in places and more than a bit unrealistic in some of the interactions. Deirdre accepts an invitation from the knight that fancies her to visit his kingdom, despite the fact that she is on her way home in shame from court. Still, unsurprisingly, she accepts the offer and finds herself in a second court, trying to integrate into the court, and ultimately almost having the quest of her dreams dropped right into her lap.
I won't spoil the ending for you, and if you enjoy stories set in the Arthurian era or are looking for a quick read, I would definitely recommend this book. Enjoy!
Generally, I enjoyed the plot of the book, though parts were awkward to read and sometimes a bit unbelievable. Deirdre, the lovely narrator of the tale, is on the verge of her fourteenth birthday when our story starts. Immediately, she points out that she is already an oddity due to being a twin, an ill omen in the time period. With the knowledge of being sent to court, she is both resentful and resistant to fitting into the mold the world has set for her. The story continues from court, sending her off on her own journey against fate and time to rescue her world that is quickly falling apart. While I like the fact that Deirdre is a strong female character, and she does undergo character development, there were sections of the book that she felt flat and almost boring in comparison to her companions, Lady Sioned and Dewey the Dwarf.
The story is hindered further by a lack of editing on the author's part. Many times, the story shifts from the first person narrative into a third person observation. There were places that dialogue went unmarked, and some things, such as the religious practices of druids and the 'old' ways felt disjointed from the story. As Deirdre's story continues with her struggle to prove her worth in the world and defy fate by helping High King Arthur, she struggles with her love of a knight. The love, I felt, was slightly forced in places and more than a bit unrealistic in some of the interactions. Deirdre accepts an invitation from the knight that fancies her to visit his kingdom, despite the fact that she is on her way home in shame from court. Still, unsurprisingly, she accepts the offer and finds herself in a second court, trying to integrate into the court, and ultimately almost having the quest of her dreams dropped right into her lap.
I won't spoil the ending for you, and if you enjoy stories set in the Arthurian era or are looking for a quick read, I would definitely recommend this book. Enjoy!
November 12, 2013
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Against a backdrop of the Dark Ages and the end of the Arthurian era, author Glynis Cooney introduces fourteen year old Deirdre, who longs for adventure, despite her gender. All Deirdre wants to do is to live a life of glory, comparable to the lives of the knights who serve King Arthur, and when she is sent to a neighboring kingdom to learn how to be a lady, Deirdre is extremely disappointed. When news of Lancelot’s betrayal of King Arthur spreads throughout the kingdom, it becomes clear that the kings are willing to take advantage of Arthur’s weakness. Determined to provide the king with vital information, Deirdre sets off on a quest that will change her life.
DAUGHTER OF CAMELOT is a fantasy based on Arthurian legends, and the tale is written in a manner that expects the reader to have some understanding of the Arthurian legends themselves, as well as the unrest of the time period. The rise of the Christian church and the persecution of the Druids, the treatment of women and vassals, in addition to political intrigue are embedded through this complex young adult novel. As the first in the series, the book establishes characters, setting, and a few different mysteries, some of which are deliberately left unanswered at the end of the tale. I really liked the authentic “feel” of this book, the banter of the characters, and Deirdre’s naïve nature that slowly matures over the course of events. If you enjoy Julia Golding’s DRAGONFLY or Kristin Cashore’s GRACELING, then DAUGHTER OF CAMELOT is going to be right up your alley – this entertaining fantasy has all the right elements of its genre: a strong heroine, epic travels, unusual companions, and hints of magic. Highly enjoyable!
Rating: 3
Against a backdrop of the Dark Ages and the end of the Arthurian era, author Glynis Cooney introduces fourteen year old Deirdre, who longs for adventure, despite her gender. All Deirdre wants to do is to live a life of glory, comparable to the lives of the knights who serve King Arthur, and when she is sent to a neighboring kingdom to learn how to be a lady, Deirdre is extremely disappointed. When news of Lancelot’s betrayal of King Arthur spreads throughout the kingdom, it becomes clear that the kings are willing to take advantage of Arthur’s weakness. Determined to provide the king with vital information, Deirdre sets off on a quest that will change her life.
DAUGHTER OF CAMELOT is a fantasy based on Arthurian legends, and the tale is written in a manner that expects the reader to have some understanding of the Arthurian legends themselves, as well as the unrest of the time period. The rise of the Christian church and the persecution of the Druids, the treatment of women and vassals, in addition to political intrigue are embedded through this complex young adult novel. As the first in the series, the book establishes characters, setting, and a few different mysteries, some of which are deliberately left unanswered at the end of the tale. I really liked the authentic “feel” of this book, the banter of the characters, and Deirdre’s naïve nature that slowly matures over the course of events. If you enjoy Julia Golding’s DRAGONFLY or Kristin Cashore’s GRACELING, then DAUGHTER OF CAMELOT is going to be right up your alley – this entertaining fantasy has all the right elements of its genre: a strong heroine, epic travels, unusual companions, and hints of magic. Highly enjoyable!
Rating: 3
April 22, 2015
Deirdre is ready to change her fate. As the daughter of a Lord in King Arthur’s court she is expected to head to court and learn the ways of a proper lady so she can find a husband. Deirdre hopes for so much more, adventure and glory, stories to share around the fire like the knights that visit her home. More than anything she wants people to look at her as more than a “simple girl.”
When I started this book I was expecting Camelot and Arthur to take center stage. I was surprised to see that Arthur only makes a brief appearance and Camelot is a far off place most people only dream of visiting. Despite that I still loved the book and the characters.
Deirdre is probably one of my favorite female characters in recent memory. She is smart and funny and wants to be able to chart her own course; despite not knowing what that means or how exactly to do it. One of the things that annoys me a lot in YA literature is a lead character who shows up and knows exactly what to do and when to do it. Deirdre is not that girl; in fact she screws up quite a few situations. When she screws up she tries to fix it to the best of her ability. She listens, most of the time, to the people around her who know more than she does and learns from her mistakes. She is a pain in the butt but she is likeable.
Verdict: Good fantasy. Slow moving at times so I wouldn’t give to someone who is just starting out with fantasy or Arthurian novels. For fans of the genre a solid entry and the first in a series.
When I started this book I was expecting Camelot and Arthur to take center stage. I was surprised to see that Arthur only makes a brief appearance and Camelot is a far off place most people only dream of visiting. Despite that I still loved the book and the characters.
Deirdre is probably one of my favorite female characters in recent memory. She is smart and funny and wants to be able to chart her own course; despite not knowing what that means or how exactly to do it. One of the things that annoys me a lot in YA literature is a lead character who shows up and knows exactly what to do and when to do it. Deirdre is not that girl; in fact she screws up quite a few situations. When she screws up she tries to fix it to the best of her ability. She listens, most of the time, to the people around her who know more than she does and learns from her mistakes. She is a pain in the butt but she is likeable.
Verdict: Good fantasy. Slow moving at times so I wouldn’t give to someone who is just starting out with fantasy or Arthurian novels. For fans of the genre a solid entry and the first in a series.
January 10, 2015
I was pretty iffy about this book when I started. It immediately separates Deirdre from all the other female characters by putting them down, which I strongly dislike. Throughout the book though, it's clear that Deirdre grows up - so her opinions on the role of women in society changes as the book progresses. She starts respecting what they do and the different sort of courage it takes to be a healer or to find out important gossip instead of charging into battle. There's also a dwarf character introduced who I LOVE and who I think has a really interesting story (even if I can't remember much of it now). The book appeared pretty well researched (even if our main character had that modern feeling we often get when we want a character to have our "more cultured" values than what was believed at the time), but I give the same disclaimer I make anytime I say this - I don't know anything about medieval history, so I could be ridiculously wrong on that front.
Overall, this book wasn't for me. There were parts that I really loved - like when the dwarf becomes involved, and when Deirdre begins to respect her older sister, but there were lots of parts that weren't really for me either (and sadly I don't remember the specifics of why, or I'd tell you in case said things don't bother you). I'd recommend it to the avid Arthurian fantasy readers.
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Overall, this book wasn't for me. There were parts that I really loved - like when the dwarf becomes involved, and when Deirdre begins to respect her older sister, but there were lots of parts that weren't really for me either (and sadly I don't remember the specifics of why, or I'd tell you in case said things don't bother you). I'd recommend it to the avid Arthurian fantasy readers.
If you liked this review, head to
March 19, 2014
I received this book from NetGalley for an honest review.
There was talk of war against Arthur and discord within Camelot. Deirdre wanted to do everything in her power to help her country. Instead she was sent to court to learn to be a lady.
There were mystical aspects to parts that were interesting, but they were few and far between with no real explanation. The scenes would happen and then they would not be explored. Deirdre was a twin and because of that she was thought to be a witch. There was no explanation beyond that. There was no background mythology why the characters believed that. It was an odd fact to bring up more than once. It would have been interesting to learn back story behind it. Most of the scenes in the story would happen and when they were over it was over. There was very little thought given to consequences of actions taken.
At one point something happens to the main character. The event along with the fallout would have been traumatic for Deirdre, but she had no real emotional or psychological reaction to it. Then a few chapters later she arranged for another character to go through something similar. There was no remorse. In fact it was barley mentioned. Deirdre just continued on living her life.
The intrigue could have been potentially exciting, but in the end it was long and repetitive.
There was talk of war against Arthur and discord within Camelot. Deirdre wanted to do everything in her power to help her country. Instead she was sent to court to learn to be a lady.
There were mystical aspects to parts that were interesting, but they were few and far between with no real explanation. The scenes would happen and then they would not be explored. Deirdre was a twin and because of that she was thought to be a witch. There was no explanation beyond that. There was no background mythology why the characters believed that. It was an odd fact to bring up more than once. It would have been interesting to learn back story behind it. Most of the scenes in the story would happen and when they were over it was over. There was very little thought given to consequences of actions taken.
At one point something happens to the main character. The event along with the fallout would have been traumatic for Deirdre, but she had no real emotional or psychological reaction to it. Then a few chapters later she arranged for another character to go through something similar. There was no remorse. In fact it was barley mentioned. Deirdre just continued on living her life.
The intrigue could have been potentially exciting, but in the end it was long and repetitive.
March 5, 2014
The concept of Daughter of Camelot is truly excellent-- featuring a strong young female fighting against the constraints of society, a narrative that takes time to point out the flaws of knightly courtship/tales of derring-do, and of course, Camelot. The execution was just not there. The love interests were half-formed, the plot jumped abruptly between scenes, and there were jarring religious/philosophical asides interspersed amongst witch attacks and fears of dragons.
As I was reading, I kept trying to remember the advertized age range for this book. It seemed too young and unsophisticated for young adults, and weirdly paced for a children's book. The writing style of my Advanced Reader's Copy was not as polished as I expect from a quality YA entry; it's possible the final published version addressed this, but it would have been with heavy editorial involvement.
As I was reading, I kept trying to remember the advertized age range for this book. It seemed too young and unsophisticated for young adults, and weirdly paced for a children's book. The writing style of my Advanced Reader's Copy was not as polished as I expect from a quality YA entry; it's possible the final published version addressed this, but it would have been with heavy editorial involvement.
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