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The Paths to Camelot #3
Under Camelot's Banner
Under Camelot's Banner by Sarah Zettel released on Mar 28, 2006 is available now for purchase.
560 pages, Paperback
First published January 1, 2006
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429 people want to read
About the author
Sarah Zettel
60 books437 followersSarah Zettel is the critically acclaimed author of more than twenty novels, spanning the full range of genre fiction. Her debut novel, Reclamation, won the Locus Award for Best First Novel. Her second release, Fool’s War, was a 1997 New York Times Notable Book, and the American Library Association named Playing God one of the Best Books for Young Adults of 1999. Her novel Bitter Angels won the Philip K. Dick Award for best science fiction paperback in 2009. Her latest novel, Dust Girl, was named as one of the best young adult books of the year by both Kirkus Reviews and the American Library Association. Zettel lives in Michigan with her husband, her rapidly growing son, and her cat, Buffy the Vermin Slayer.
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Displaying 1 - 15 of 15 reviews
December 20, 2011
Another lightning-quick reread for my essay. This one contains a lot more Guinevere -- and the more direct opposition of Morgaine. It's very interesting what Sarah Zettel tries to do here: at times, the reader is almost swayed by Morgaine and her power, but I think the shifting of blame, a sort of slut-shaming, shows through for a moment right at the end. She seems to sleep with Lancelot for pure spite. It's as if the female-centric plot breaks open for a moment there, and you see something profoundly patriarchal, a disgust of women and female sexuality.
I do like what she's done with Morgaine, but that really stood out to me this time.
Lynet and Gareth are far from my favourite couple. Gareth's just a boy, and it shows. Everything he does is boyish and impetuous -- I don't buy him as a courtly lover. The twisting of the tale of Sir Gareth and Lynet is interesting, but I can't summon up much care for him as a character, and Lynet's guilt-ridden self-blame doesn't appeal either.
I do like what she's done with Morgaine, but that really stood out to me this time.
Lynet and Gareth are far from my favourite couple. Gareth's just a boy, and it shows. Everything he does is boyish and impetuous -- I don't buy him as a courtly lover. The twisting of the tale of Sir Gareth and Lynet is interesting, but I can't summon up much care for him as a character, and Lynet's guilt-ridden self-blame doesn't appeal either.
January 17, 2018
Camelot’s Sword isn’t my favourite book of the series, because the characters are definitely not my favourite and I think the way they eventually get together is a little too rushed. However, the way Zettel plays with the Arthurian mythos continues to be delightful, from her portrayal of Guinevere to the machinations of Morgaine to Kay’s surprising skill with a sword. Geez, I even love the fact that he’s actually ridiculously tall, because that’s a call-out to the Welsh versions where he was ‘as tall as the tallest tree in the forest’. (My MA dissertation was named after that descriptor, and referenced these books heavily. I think the final title was ‘As Tall as the Tallest Tree in the Forest: The Long Shadow of the Celtic Cai in the Ongoing Arthurian Tradition’ or something like that. Okay, I got the feedback that the title didn’t sound relevant, but I still like it.)
Even though this isn’t my favourite of the series, it has a lot of great moments and character set-pieces, from Kay’s interactions with Gareth to Agravain’s confrontation with Lancelot. Zettel does wonderfully at making me love and care for them all. I might not be convinced Gareth deserves Lynet, but by heck I am convinced he means to do his best by her — and that his brothers will grumble, shout at him, and back him up all the way.
Reviewed for The Bibliophibian.
Even though this isn’t my favourite of the series, it has a lot of great moments and character set-pieces, from Kay’s interactions with Gareth to Agravain’s confrontation with Lancelot. Zettel does wonderfully at making me love and care for them all. I might not be convinced Gareth deserves Lynet, but by heck I am convinced he means to do his best by her — and that his brothers will grumble, shout at him, and back him up all the way.
Reviewed for The Bibliophibian.
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May 18, 2024Better than the second one-her writing flowed like thought, swirling images, etc. Some of the best depictions of the lived experience of world-ending depression (“Her brittle mind began to break open yet again, and she forced herself into motion before the blurring of her vision could coalesce into some unnatural sight.”) and how we are embedded in history. I hope to be more merciful thinking of people as Lynet could see them:products of their history and loves.
Especially chapter 24! “She wondered if anyone could see the shadows that followed her.”
Loved the good priest but did not like the hinted disbelief in Mary’s perpetual virginity. Also thank you for a faithful Guinevere!!!
Especially chapter 24! “She wondered if anyone could see the shadows that followed her.”
Loved the good priest but did not like the hinted disbelief in Mary’s perpetual virginity. Also thank you for a faithful Guinevere!!!
February 10, 2010
See the first book of this series, Camelot's Shadow, for my full review of this series.
Reread in February 2010.
I'm liking all of these books in my second reading. It's interesting to see all the different threads of Arthurian myth and Celtic myth brought together in this way -- this book especially weaves so many things together: Tristan and Iseult, Lyonesse (Laurel) and Lynet, Lancelot and Guinevere, Morgaine, the Celtic Otherworld... I think I'm focusing a lot more on that, in this reading, instead of on the romance -- which isn't actually as central as I thought. It could do with more time spent on it, actually, because Gareth's transformation from a womaniser into Lynet's faithful knight is very hasty and not really given the time and space it should be. Perhaps the scene on the moor could've been expanded -- another fifty pages would probably have made the love story much more engaging and satisfying. There were some parts of the relationship with Ryol that were glossed over a bit too much -- that was closer to the centre of the story, I think, and didn't suffer too much, but there were a few places where I wondered why the heck it was happening like that. For example, how did Guinevere figure out that the mirror was the problem? Whence came her sudden decision to confiscate it?
One thing that is becoming clear to me is that the relationships aren't as cookie-cutter as I thought, my first time through. The relationships between Gawain and Rhian, Geraint and Elen, Gareth and Lynet... they're much more distinct than I thought at first, and the brothers are less alike than they thought at first. I'm not sure why I thought them so cookie-cutter the first time through, actually. Possibly because all the romance is that bit hastier than I'd like. Possibly I'm a slightly more discerning reader. Possibly my taste has just changed!
I really wish this book had received a little more attention from a proofreader. The little nags I have about grammar and punctuation are really little. For the most part I like the writing. But it's so distracting to keep thinking, "But where is the comma?"
Reread in February 2010.
I'm liking all of these books in my second reading. It's interesting to see all the different threads of Arthurian myth and Celtic myth brought together in this way -- this book especially weaves so many things together: Tristan and Iseult, Lyonesse (Laurel) and Lynet, Lancelot and Guinevere, Morgaine, the Celtic Otherworld... I think I'm focusing a lot more on that, in this reading, instead of on the romance -- which isn't actually as central as I thought. It could do with more time spent on it, actually, because Gareth's transformation from a womaniser into Lynet's faithful knight is very hasty and not really given the time and space it should be. Perhaps the scene on the moor could've been expanded -- another fifty pages would probably have made the love story much more engaging and satisfying. There were some parts of the relationship with Ryol that were glossed over a bit too much -- that was closer to the centre of the story, I think, and didn't suffer too much, but there were a few places where I wondered why the heck it was happening like that. For example, how did Guinevere figure out that the mirror was the problem? Whence came her sudden decision to confiscate it?
One thing that is becoming clear to me is that the relationships aren't as cookie-cutter as I thought, my first time through. The relationships between Gawain and Rhian, Geraint and Elen, Gareth and Lynet... they're much more distinct than I thought at first, and the brothers are less alike than they thought at first. I'm not sure why I thought them so cookie-cutter the first time through, actually. Possibly because all the romance is that bit hastier than I'd like. Possibly I'm a slightly more discerning reader. Possibly my taste has just changed!
I really wish this book had received a little more attention from a proofreader. The little nags I have about grammar and punctuation are really little. For the most part I like the writing. But it's so distracting to keep thinking, "But where is the comma?"
August 8, 2023
4.5 stars
I think this really might be my favorite of the series so far, for all that I was slow getting to it. There's so much here, Tristan and Iseult and their tragedy, a little bit of the Lady of Shalott somehow as well. There is trouble brewing here about Guinevere and Lancelot, but in one of the more interesting takes on it I have seen. Having read so far I am really delighted by the plotting and story weaving that has gone into the whole series so far.
I really liked Lynet and Gareth both, and though their romance took much more of a backseat to everything else than those in the previous two books there was still just enough, and all the other things going on were so very interesting I didn't have time to miss it. I've really enjoyed this series and now am off very curiously to read the last to see what comes next.
I think this really might be my favorite of the series so far, for all that I was slow getting to it. There's so much here, Tristan and Iseult and their tragedy, a little bit of the Lady of Shalott somehow as well. There is trouble brewing here about Guinevere and Lancelot, but in one of the more interesting takes on it I have seen. Having read so far I am really delighted by the plotting and story weaving that has gone into the whole series so far.
I really liked Lynet and Gareth both, and though their romance took much more of a backseat to everything else than those in the previous two books there was still just enough, and all the other things going on were so very interesting I didn't have time to miss it. I've really enjoyed this series and now am off very curiously to read the last to see what comes next.
April 23, 2020
Lynet Carnbrea, orphaned former lady-in-waiting to Queen Iseult, riding to the defense of Queen Guinevere's kingdom of Cambryn, discovers her magical heritage from her selkie mother and falls in love with Sir Gareth, son of King Lot of Orkney, and brother to Gawaine, Agravaine, Gaheris and Modred. Prequel to IN CAMELOT'S SHADOW.
August 14, 2025
Queen Genevieve takes center stage!
June 21, 2012
Wow, this book was really disappointing considering how long I waited to find it.
First, the book quality: This book went out of print, hence why it was so difficult to find - then I found it on Amazon published by Wildside press - apparently a PoD (or some kind of vanity press) company based on the fact that it was dated as created the week I purchased it. The typos and formatting errors were horrible - sometimes as many as 3-4 a page. For $15, I would expect someone would have proofed this thing better before firing up the old LaserJet.
So, why talk about book quality in a review? Because it really affected how I enjoyed the book. The plot was rather plodding anyway, but add to that getting jolted out of the story by a glaring typo or formatting error and I just could never really get immersed into the story. Everything about the story seemed sort of half-baked, there is so much build up to everything; Morgaine's plot, Laurel's powers, Gareth's struggles as a squire, Lancelot/Guinevere and then suddenly we're a few chapters from the end and it's as if the author realized she had to wrap it all up and bang. I'm not even sure I really get just what the heck happened with Lynet at the end -
There is also a teaser in the epilogue that hints at Laurel's story is next but if the only way I can find it is through this horrid publisher, I'll pass.
First, the book quality: This book went out of print, hence why it was so difficult to find - then I found it on Amazon published by Wildside press - apparently a PoD (or some kind of vanity press) company based on the fact that it was dated as created the week I purchased it. The typos and formatting errors were horrible - sometimes as many as 3-4 a page. For $15, I would expect someone would have proofed this thing better before firing up the old LaserJet.
So, why talk about book quality in a review? Because it really affected how I enjoyed the book. The plot was rather plodding anyway, but add to that getting jolted out of the story by a glaring typo or formatting error and I just could never really get immersed into the story. Everything about the story seemed sort of half-baked, there is so much build up to everything; Morgaine's plot, Laurel's powers, Gareth's struggles as a squire, Lancelot/Guinevere and then suddenly we're a few chapters from the end and it's as if the author realized she had to wrap it all up and bang. I'm not even sure I really get just what the heck happened with Lynet at the end -
There is also a teaser in the epilogue that hints at Laurel's story is next but if the only way I can find it is through this horrid publisher, I'll pass.
January 20, 2021
Under Camelot’s Banner (also published as Camelot’s Sword) brings the reader to the birthplace of Guinevere, Cambryn and Tintagel, where intrigue by the hands of Morgaine, is again stirring. Against the backdrop of Queen Iseult and Sir Tristan’s tragic love and betrayal, another tangled web of sorcery, treachery and war is spun out when Lady Lynet’s brother murdered her father in a bid to seize power and bring an uprising against High King Arthur, in a land where his absence has brewed quiet resentment.
While her sister Laurel remains as hostage watched over by two chieftains, Lynet must journey to Camelot to bring the High Queen Guinevere back to restore peace to their lands. Eager to redeem himself from the mistakes and folly of his recent past, Squire Gareth, Gawain’s youngest brother, pledged himself to Lynet’s quest in a bid to achieve knighthood and fame by his own hand. Lynet, still remembering the shame of her part in Iseult and Tristam’s adultery, however, is wary of the glib-tongued and courtly squire and dare not place any hope in him.
This is again a well-wrought tale with political intrigue and treachery, and plot twists that keep you turning the pages to the very end. My only grouse is Lynet’s over dependence on her sister’s gift – a scrying mirror – which landed her in trouble even though it also helped her avert a potentially disastrous end for herself and her Queen. I felt Gareth’s and Lynet’s relationship could have been given more airplay. The scene in the moors was brilliant though … eerie yet symbolic.
First reviewed here.
While her sister Laurel remains as hostage watched over by two chieftains, Lynet must journey to Camelot to bring the High Queen Guinevere back to restore peace to their lands. Eager to redeem himself from the mistakes and folly of his recent past, Squire Gareth, Gawain’s youngest brother, pledged himself to Lynet’s quest in a bid to achieve knighthood and fame by his own hand. Lynet, still remembering the shame of her part in Iseult and Tristam’s adultery, however, is wary of the glib-tongued and courtly squire and dare not place any hope in him.
This is again a well-wrought tale with political intrigue and treachery, and plot twists that keep you turning the pages to the very end. My only grouse is Lynet’s over dependence on her sister’s gift – a scrying mirror – which landed her in trouble even though it also helped her avert a potentially disastrous end for herself and her Queen. I felt Gareth’s and Lynet’s relationship could have been given more airplay. The scene in the moors was brilliant though … eerie yet symbolic.
First reviewed here.
April 7, 2015
Camelot's Sword follows the premise of the first two books in the series: One of the sons of Lot (in this case Gareth) meets a fair maiden (Lynet Carnbrea) as a result of some sort of evil plotting (Morgaine's magical hijinks) and together they defeat said evil plot.
As usual the writing is very good and the characterisation is also on a par with the second in the series (which is to say, infinitely better than the first book was). The story was very entertaining, complex and innovative enough to keep me reading.
My major gripe with this one was that I found the love between Gareth and Lynet to be completely unbelievable - as well as totally unnecessary for the plot. Gareth's sudden turnaround from his womanising ways I can maybe get on board with. But Lynet, who for at least half of the book seems to have nothing but contempt for Gareth, suddenly and without warning (not to mention no real interaction with him) finding herself so deeply in love with him that nothing else could bring her soul back to the world? Yeah, not buying it.
If you can ignore that (which I mostly did, with much sighing and shaking of the head), the rest of the plot is quite good.
I particularly enjoyed all the parallels in the book. Tristan and Iseult and Guinevere and Lancelot, fathers and sons and betrayals, etc.
As usual the writing is very good and the characterisation is also on a par with the second in the series (which is to say, infinitely better than the first book was). The story was very entertaining, complex and innovative enough to keep me reading.
My major gripe with this one was that I found the love between Gareth and Lynet to be completely unbelievable - as well as totally unnecessary for the plot. Gareth's sudden turnaround from his womanising ways I can maybe get on board with. But Lynet, who for at least half of the book seems to have nothing but contempt for Gareth, suddenly and without warning (not to mention no real interaction with him) finding herself so deeply in love with him that nothing else could bring her soul back to the world? Yeah, not buying it.
If you can ignore that (which I mostly did, with much sighing and shaking of the head), the rest of the plot is quite good.
I particularly enjoyed all the parallels in the book. Tristan and Iseult and Guinevere and Lancelot, fathers and sons and betrayals, etc.
August 10, 2016
This is Zettel's third book in her Camelot series in which we learn the stories of some of the more peripheral characters in Arthurian legend. After her father's murder by her own brother, Lynet journeys to Camelot to beg the queen's assistance in restoring order to her homeland. I didn't enjoy this story as much as the first two, but it's still worth a read, especially if you enjoy retellings of ancient tales.
June 30, 2010
Somewhat entertaining but I don't feel the need to seek out the sequel. It did get better towards the end, but the ending was rather abrupt and everything resolved a little too easily.
May 16, 2014
It took me quite a while to get into this book. I preferred the first two books over this one. Still worth reading though.
December 15, 2008
I love her books. I can't wait to read the next one.
Displaying 1 - 15 of 15 reviews