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Queens of Fate #1
Queen of None
First in a sumptuous, female-led Arthurian Fantasy Romance trilogy
When Anna Pendragon was born, Merlin "Through all the ages, and in the hearts of men, you will be forgotten."
Married at twelve, and a mother soon after, Anna - the famed King Arthur's sister - did not live a young life full of promise, myth, and legend. She bore three strong sons and delivered the kingdom of Orkney to her brother by way of her marriage. She did as she was asked, invisible and useful for her name, her status, her dowry, and her womb.
Twenty years after she left her home, Anna returns to Carelon at Arthur's bidding, carrying the crown of her now-dead husband, Lot of Orkney. Past her prime and confined to the castle itself, she finds herself yet again a pawn in greater machinations and seemingly helpless to do anything about it.
Anna must once again face the demons of her her sister Morgen, Elaine, and Morgause; Merlin and his scheming Avillion priests; and Bedevere, the man she once loved. To say nothing of new court visitors, like Lanceloch, or the trouble concerning her own sons.
Carelon, and all of Braetan, is changing, though, and Anna must change along with it. New threats, inside and out, lurk in the shadows, and a strange power begins to awaken in her. As she learns to reconcile her dark gift, and struggles to keep the power to herself, she must bargain her own strength, and family, against her ambition and thirst for revenge.
When Anna Pendragon was born, Merlin "Through all the ages, and in the hearts of men, you will be forgotten."
Married at twelve, and a mother soon after, Anna - the famed King Arthur's sister - did not live a young life full of promise, myth, and legend. She bore three strong sons and delivered the kingdom of Orkney to her brother by way of her marriage. She did as she was asked, invisible and useful for her name, her status, her dowry, and her womb.
Twenty years after she left her home, Anna returns to Carelon at Arthur's bidding, carrying the crown of her now-dead husband, Lot of Orkney. Past her prime and confined to the castle itself, she finds herself yet again a pawn in greater machinations and seemingly helpless to do anything about it.
Anna must once again face the demons of her her sister Morgen, Elaine, and Morgause; Merlin and his scheming Avillion priests; and Bedevere, the man she once loved. To say nothing of new court visitors, like Lanceloch, or the trouble concerning her own sons.
Carelon, and all of Braetan, is changing, though, and Anna must change along with it. New threats, inside and out, lurk in the shadows, and a strange power begins to awaken in her. As she learns to reconcile her dark gift, and struggles to keep the power to herself, she must bargain her own strength, and family, against her ambition and thirst for revenge.
352 pages, Paperback
First published December 1, 2020
32 people are currently reading
2812 people want to read
About the author
Natania Barron
38 books198 followersNatania Barron is a writer with a penchant for the speculative; she is also an unrepentant geek. Her work has appeared in Weird Tales, EscapePod, The Gatehouse Gazette, Thaumatrope, Bull Spec, Crossed Genres, Steampunk Tales, Faerie Magazine, and in a number of anthologies. Her work often incorporates Victorian aesthetics with magic and science fiction, treading between genres whenever possible. Her first novel, Pilgrim of the Sky, debuted in 2011.
She has since published a music fiction novel (ROCK REVIVAL), a trilogy of novellas set in early 20th century high society with monster heroines (THESE MARVELOUS BEASTS), and her Arthurian retelling QUEEN OF NONE will be re-released by Solaris Books in May of 2024, along with its two sequels, QUEEN OF FURY and QUEEN OF MERCY.
Solaris Nova is also publishing her queer Regency romantasy trilogy, Love in Netherford, starting with NETHERFORD HALL in '24 and THE VISCOUNT ST. ALBANS and THE GAME OF HEARTS in '25.
Natania holds a BA in English/Writing from Loyola University Maryland and an MA in English with a concentration in medieval literature from the University of North Carolina at Greensboro. In her spare time she cooks, bakes, drinks wine, crochets, plays guitar and ukulele, and enjoys nature. She lives in North Carolina with her family.
She has since published a music fiction novel (ROCK REVIVAL), a trilogy of novellas set in early 20th century high society with monster heroines (THESE MARVELOUS BEASTS), and her Arthurian retelling QUEEN OF NONE will be re-released by Solaris Books in May of 2024, along with its two sequels, QUEEN OF FURY and QUEEN OF MERCY.
Solaris Nova is also publishing her queer Regency romantasy trilogy, Love in Netherford, starting with NETHERFORD HALL in '24 and THE VISCOUNT ST. ALBANS and THE GAME OF HEARTS in '25.
Natania holds a BA in English/Writing from Loyola University Maryland and an MA in English with a concentration in medieval literature from the University of North Carolina at Greensboro. In her spare time she cooks, bakes, drinks wine, crochets, plays guitar and ukulele, and enjoys nature. She lives in North Carolina with her family.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 203 reviews
March 22, 2024
Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for providing an arc in exchange for an honest review!
I went into this with zero expectations and ended up absolutely loving it. I literally devoured this book in two days.
Not a typical story by any means, so unique with an amazing cast of characters, beautiful writing and an engaging plot. I loved it so much so that I will definitely be buying a physical copy once it’s officially releases.
I went into this with zero expectations and ended up absolutely loving it. I literally devoured this book in two days.
Not a typical story by any means, so unique with an amazing cast of characters, beautiful writing and an engaging plot. I loved it so much so that I will definitely be buying a physical copy once it’s officially releases.
dnf
February 24, 2025DNF @ 15%
No rating because I have a rule of not rating a book unless I’ve read at least 20-30% of it. Sadly this one did not hold my attention despite me persevering through it for longer than I’d liked.
My issue was mainly with the writing - it’s very ‘tell’ no ‘show’. We jump into the story, written from Anna’s perspective, just after her husband’s death. But there is no atmosphere, the scene is poorly set and therefore the book reads like a textbook on Arthurian lore. I could tell from the first two pages that this will be an issue, and it didn’t improve. We are told ‘this person is strong’ or ‘that person doesn’t like me’ etc etc but, like I said none of this is shown!
The premise was nice, but the writing unfortunately meant the character building and scene setting was weak and so doesn’t draw the reader to carry on with the story.
Thank you NetGalley and publishers for this book in exchange for an honest review
okay I love an Arthurian retelling & also this seems like the perfect read to pass the time waiting for the sequel of Morgan Is My Name (*nudge nudge* Sophie Keetch )
No rating because I have a rule of not rating a book unless I’ve read at least 20-30% of it. Sadly this one did not hold my attention despite me persevering through it for longer than I’d liked.
My issue was mainly with the writing - it’s very ‘tell’ no ‘show’. We jump into the story, written from Anna’s perspective, just after her husband’s death. But there is no atmosphere, the scene is poorly set and therefore the book reads like a textbook on Arthurian lore. I could tell from the first two pages that this will be an issue, and it didn’t improve. We are told ‘this person is strong’ or ‘that person doesn’t like me’ etc etc but, like I said none of this is shown!
The premise was nice, but the writing unfortunately meant the character building and scene setting was weak and so doesn’t draw the reader to carry on with the story.
Thank you NetGalley and publishers for this book in exchange for an honest review
okay I love an Arthurian retelling & also this seems like the perfect read to pass the time waiting for the sequel of Morgan Is My Name (*nudge nudge* Sophie Keetch )
December 6, 2020
I really liked the concept of this book. I've always been interested in what is happening behind the scenes. Like watching a movie and seeing an extra in the background and wondering what brought that person here. What happens with that character after this scene ends? This book has this in spades. This was a very fun read.
Disclaimer. I did receive an ARC of the book, but this is no way influenced my review of the book. If it was crap I would've let you know it was crap.
Disclaimer. I did receive an ARC of the book, but this is no way influenced my review of the book. If it was crap I would've let you know it was crap.
July 13, 2021
I just finished "Queen of None" by the author Natania Barron. As a huge Arthurian legend fan, I must say, it was a true delight.
Barron, in her novel, elects to tell the story of a relatively anonymous and seemingly inconsequential figure in the folklore of the Once and Future King: the sister of Arthur, called Anna. Anna faces the tribulation of being - while the only full-blooded sister of the king - little more than a pawn in dynastic marriages for her brother.
Anna suffers through loveless, cruel wedlock to King Lot of Orkney, which has been strategically arranged by Arthur, so that Arthur can inherit the land of Orkney upon Lot's death, assuming Anna outlives her husband. During the course of the marriage, Anna bears the famous Gawain, her oldest son, and two twins, Gaheris and Gareth.
But Anna harbours a deep love and passion for the knight Bevedere, one of Arthur's most trusted advisors. Meanwhile, Arthur's greatest counsellor, the omnipresent Merlin, casts a Machiavellian shadow over the king's court, controlling all, including Arthur, and ultimately Anna.
Upon the death of Lot, Anna is hoping to finally find happiness as wife to Bevedere. But thanks to Merlin's scheming, Arthur has other plans. He proceeds to betroth Anna to his favourite champion, Sir Lancelot. But Arthur has additional designs on Lancelot, and Anna finds herself once more, ignominious, and at the mercy of seemingly anyone's wishes but her own.
Determined to break free of her chains, and believing the manipulative conjurer Merlin holds the key to her fate, Anna beings to dabble in the latent magic she knows she has always possessed, in order to defeat Merlin. Her banished Aunt Vivyan provides a book of spells, that Anna uses to try and overcome her curse, as per Merlin, of being born to be forgotten, and fading into obscurity, as a queen who gave up her throne, and became, as per the title "The Queen of None".
Barron populates her book with many of the familiar and popular faces of the mythology, including Lancelot, Morgan, Guinevere, Merlin, Nimue, and more. She paints them with a unique flair, full of pathos, contradictions, and unflinching realism.
The plot is slow, concerted but never plodding. The reader will be ensnared by the court politics, romance, and mystical elements of Barron's tale. Anna is fiery, witty, and determined MC, who feels she has done her duty, and now wants to be able to chart the course of her own destiny. She is tired of being treated like a brood mare, and being at the mercy of the men in her life. Surviving in an entrenched patriarchy, Anna refuses to give into the dominance of men, as do many of the female characters in the story. They find unique ways of asserting themselves, wielding power, and making themselves heard, and relevant. The female characters were definitely the strength of the narrative. They exude courage, intelligence, and most of all heart.
I am stricken, dazzled, by Barron's prose. It's just the kind of writing I love to read. Consider the beauty of the following passage, as Anna describes Carelon (Camelot), and that the exterior beauty of the place belies what actually lurks beneath, indicative of a court full of secrets, intrigue, magic, and all not as it seems:
"Perhaps Carelon was one of the greatest wonders on the face of the earth; I do not know; I have seen so little of it. But know this: such beauty came at a price, for every arch and line, every flapping banner told the story of people who lived and died under them; the common people, the workers, the servants, unseen mothers and daughters and courtiers who do not find their way into the songs...it was a cold drafty place in the winter, and unbearably hot in the summer months. There were more mice in the walls than people between them...I am sorry there is less romance in the description. But Carelon, even glorious Carelon, was like a polished quartz, embedded in the ground: if you could turn it over with your heel, all sorts of creatures would scuttle out from beneath, dark and deprived of the sun."
Barron spins an intimate, spellbinding, first-person narrative, full of lyrical prose, mesmerizing characters of lore, especially strong women, and a unique perspective on the Arthurian sagas, in which portrays a voice unheard, far from powerless, and determined not to be forgotten, as was predicted, makes her presence felt.
Resoundingly, an exceptional book, and a five-star read!
Barron, in her novel, elects to tell the story of a relatively anonymous and seemingly inconsequential figure in the folklore of the Once and Future King: the sister of Arthur, called Anna. Anna faces the tribulation of being - while the only full-blooded sister of the king - little more than a pawn in dynastic marriages for her brother.
Anna suffers through loveless, cruel wedlock to King Lot of Orkney, which has been strategically arranged by Arthur, so that Arthur can inherit the land of Orkney upon Lot's death, assuming Anna outlives her husband. During the course of the marriage, Anna bears the famous Gawain, her oldest son, and two twins, Gaheris and Gareth.
But Anna harbours a deep love and passion for the knight Bevedere, one of Arthur's most trusted advisors. Meanwhile, Arthur's greatest counsellor, the omnipresent Merlin, casts a Machiavellian shadow over the king's court, controlling all, including Arthur, and ultimately Anna.
Upon the death of Lot, Anna is hoping to finally find happiness as wife to Bevedere. But thanks to Merlin's scheming, Arthur has other plans. He proceeds to betroth Anna to his favourite champion, Sir Lancelot. But Arthur has additional designs on Lancelot, and Anna finds herself once more, ignominious, and at the mercy of seemingly anyone's wishes but her own.
Determined to break free of her chains, and believing the manipulative conjurer Merlin holds the key to her fate, Anna beings to dabble in the latent magic she knows she has always possessed, in order to defeat Merlin. Her banished Aunt Vivyan provides a book of spells, that Anna uses to try and overcome her curse, as per Merlin, of being born to be forgotten, and fading into obscurity, as a queen who gave up her throne, and became, as per the title "The Queen of None".
Barron populates her book with many of the familiar and popular faces of the mythology, including Lancelot, Morgan, Guinevere, Merlin, Nimue, and more. She paints them with a unique flair, full of pathos, contradictions, and unflinching realism.
The plot is slow, concerted but never plodding. The reader will be ensnared by the court politics, romance, and mystical elements of Barron's tale. Anna is fiery, witty, and determined MC, who feels she has done her duty, and now wants to be able to chart the course of her own destiny. She is tired of being treated like a brood mare, and being at the mercy of the men in her life. Surviving in an entrenched patriarchy, Anna refuses to give into the dominance of men, as do many of the female characters in the story. They find unique ways of asserting themselves, wielding power, and making themselves heard, and relevant. The female characters were definitely the strength of the narrative. They exude courage, intelligence, and most of all heart.
I am stricken, dazzled, by Barron's prose. It's just the kind of writing I love to read. Consider the beauty of the following passage, as Anna describes Carelon (Camelot), and that the exterior beauty of the place belies what actually lurks beneath, indicative of a court full of secrets, intrigue, magic, and all not as it seems:
"Perhaps Carelon was one of the greatest wonders on the face of the earth; I do not know; I have seen so little of it. But know this: such beauty came at a price, for every arch and line, every flapping banner told the story of people who lived and died under them; the common people, the workers, the servants, unseen mothers and daughters and courtiers who do not find their way into the songs...it was a cold drafty place in the winter, and unbearably hot in the summer months. There were more mice in the walls than people between them...I am sorry there is less romance in the description. But Carelon, even glorious Carelon, was like a polished quartz, embedded in the ground: if you could turn it over with your heel, all sorts of creatures would scuttle out from beneath, dark and deprived of the sun."
Barron spins an intimate, spellbinding, first-person narrative, full of lyrical prose, mesmerizing characters of lore, especially strong women, and a unique perspective on the Arthurian sagas, in which portrays a voice unheard, far from powerless, and determined not to be forgotten, as was predicted, makes her presence felt.
Resoundingly, an exceptional book, and a five-star read!
December 21, 2023
This was a great version of the Arthurian story: the women behind the crown. It’s an interesting fact that actually almost all the characters around Arthur are more compelling to me than Arthur himself- Lancelot, Guinevere, Merlin, Morgan Le fey etc. But I’d never heard of Anna his sister. It wasn’t easy being female in that era (or most others!) and as royalty to live your life as a political pawn. A thought provoking and absorbing read.
February 27, 2021
Queen of None is one of the best Arthurian retellings I have ever read. It was so refreshing to read an Arthurian tale through the eyes of a character that isn't the most popular. Anna, Arthur's sister, wife to Lot of Orkney and mother to Sir Gawain. I loved reading her story, I loved the magic, the characters, everything about this book was fantastic.
August 7, 2022
Queen of None tells the tale of Anna, who is briefly mentioned as King Arthur’s sister in History of the Kings of Britain, when she comes back to the court of Carelon after her political marriage to Lot of Orkney ends.
I couldn’t finish the book and dropped it at about 20% in.
Maybe it was just the physical edition my library bought, but there were so many missing or misspelled words that should have been caught by an editor.
On top of that, there were multiple contradictions occurring in the writing that kept taking me out of the story - for example, Arthur and Anna’s eyes are described as gray in one paragraph, and blue the next. Or when it’s explained that Merlin didn’t want Arthur to marry Gweyn because he wanted him to marry a priestess, but then Gweyn is said to be a priestess a paragraph later - so what is the actual reason Merlin was against it?
There is too much telling and not enough showing, like when Anna tells the reader that Arthur is not actually clever at all several times in the same scene, but there is no evidence either way because we haven’t gotten to know him in this story yet. Or when Anna sees many of the famous knights of Arthur’s court at her first dinner and literally lists their personality attributes to the reader, instead of allowing the reader to discover their characters, either via our protagonist observing their actions or interacting with them.
In order to deliver Anna’s backstory to the reader, since Anna is already a mother when the story begins, the author makes an attempt at the stream of consciousness style - for example, Anna will encounter a character for a sentence or two, then the writing will go off into paragraphs of Anna’s past experience with this character. To me, this has to be done well to not be distracting and infodump-y, but Queen of None doesn’t succeed at escaping these pitfalls. By contrast, a recent example that I have found does it well is Naomi Novik’s A Deadly Education.
In the foreword, the author claims “More than anything, the story is about the women”, but Anna is set up as “not like other girls” from the beginning, resenting her half-sisters Morgan and Margawse for their traditional beauty and femininity, or for not treating her as an equal. Anna tells the reader that no one ever recognizes her or even remembers she exists as soon as she leaves a room, but at the same time, of course, Sir Bedevere has loved her for years and can’t get over her.
When the reader first hears of Arthur’s wife Gweyn, it’s when Anna finds out her apartments have been decorated by the queen, whose interior design choices she then calls “hideous”. Upon actually meeting Gweyn again, Anna can only tolerate her: “I found her charming in limited quantities…” - but luckily, she then earns some praise because “Unlike most women at court, she was not complacent with embroidery and gossip.” Shortly after, Anna herself wishes she was embroidering instead of at a tournament, making that criticism of the women of the court a bit more baffling.
If this story is “about the women”, why are they all thrown under the bus or undercut by the protagonist's viewpoint immediately? Yes, Anna was married off at a young age and suffered under an abusive husband, but her negativity towards the other women at court doesn’t help win me over, especially when the author frames the motivation behind Queen of None as “...to unexpectedly give a voice to the women who came before and after [Anna]”.
I couldn’t finish the book and dropped it at about 20% in.
Maybe it was just the physical edition my library bought, but there were so many missing or misspelled words that should have been caught by an editor.
On top of that, there were multiple contradictions occurring in the writing that kept taking me out of the story - for example, Arthur and Anna’s eyes are described as gray in one paragraph, and blue the next. Or when it’s explained that Merlin didn’t want Arthur to marry Gweyn because he wanted him to marry a priestess, but then Gweyn is said to be a priestess a paragraph later - so what is the actual reason Merlin was against it?
There is too much telling and not enough showing, like when Anna tells the reader that Arthur is not actually clever at all several times in the same scene, but there is no evidence either way because we haven’t gotten to know him in this story yet. Or when Anna sees many of the famous knights of Arthur’s court at her first dinner and literally lists their personality attributes to the reader, instead of allowing the reader to discover their characters, either via our protagonist observing their actions or interacting with them.
In order to deliver Anna’s backstory to the reader, since Anna is already a mother when the story begins, the author makes an attempt at the stream of consciousness style - for example, Anna will encounter a character for a sentence or two, then the writing will go off into paragraphs of Anna’s past experience with this character. To me, this has to be done well to not be distracting and infodump-y, but Queen of None doesn’t succeed at escaping these pitfalls. By contrast, a recent example that I have found does it well is Naomi Novik’s A Deadly Education.
In the foreword, the author claims “More than anything, the story is about the women”, but Anna is set up as “not like other girls” from the beginning, resenting her half-sisters Morgan and Margawse for their traditional beauty and femininity, or for not treating her as an equal. Anna tells the reader that no one ever recognizes her or even remembers she exists as soon as she leaves a room, but at the same time, of course, Sir Bedevere has loved her for years and can’t get over her.
When the reader first hears of Arthur’s wife Gweyn, it’s when Anna finds out her apartments have been decorated by the queen, whose interior design choices she then calls “hideous”. Upon actually meeting Gweyn again, Anna can only tolerate her: “I found her charming in limited quantities…” - but luckily, she then earns some praise because “Unlike most women at court, she was not complacent with embroidery and gossip.” Shortly after, Anna herself wishes she was embroidering instead of at a tournament, making that criticism of the women of the court a bit more baffling.
If this story is “about the women”, why are they all thrown under the bus or undercut by the protagonist's viewpoint immediately? Yes, Anna was married off at a young age and suffered under an abusive husband, but her negativity towards the other women at court doesn’t help win me over, especially when the author frames the motivation behind Queen of None as “...to unexpectedly give a voice to the women who came before and after [Anna]”.
May 21, 2025
It's been a while since I've read any Arthurian legends. I picked this up because the author's name sounded somewhat familiar - it seems I've stumbled across some of her Twitter threads on medieval clothes (?) or something of that sort. Besides, I'd never heard of Anna Pendragon before.
Queen of None is the story of the powerless women in King Arthur's court. They seem to have titles, prestige, and honour, but their lives are orchestrated and ordered by the men around them. In Anna's case, her brother King Arthur and his advisor, Merlin. It is a powerlessness that the men around them do not - and sometimes cannot - understand. For them, there is always a choice, always a decision they can make and unmake to shape their destinies. Anna's eldest, Gawain, keeps failing to grasp this lesson.
Where the legends of Arthur that I recall reading/watching make out Merlin to be a benevolent sage, the Merlin here is much darker. There is a menacing tone to his watching and meddling, the idea that he is evil in his machinations.
Anna Pendragon herself has a tragic life - because Arthur listens to Merlin over the happiness of his own sister. Arthur tries to make amends, but it is always too little, too late. I do not like the Arthur in this; then again, I do not think I am meant to like him. It is not his story.
No, this is the story of Anna finding her hidden strength, discovering the magic that runs through her mother's blood, and uncovering the battle between her mother's line and Merlin that has scattered her half-sisters and her aunts and twisted prophecies to their own ends. And in this, with her prophecy to be forgotten, Anna finds the chance to change history - if she can manage to make the magic work for her.
Note: I received a digital ARC of this book from Solaris/Rebellion Publishing via NetGalley. Opinions expressed in this review are completely my own.
Queen of None is the story of the powerless women in King Arthur's court. They seem to have titles, prestige, and honour, but their lives are orchestrated and ordered by the men around them. In Anna's case, her brother King Arthur and his advisor, Merlin. It is a powerlessness that the men around them do not - and sometimes cannot - understand. For them, there is always a choice, always a decision they can make and unmake to shape their destinies. Anna's eldest, Gawain, keeps failing to grasp this lesson.
Where the legends of Arthur that I recall reading/watching make out Merlin to be a benevolent sage, the Merlin here is much darker. There is a menacing tone to his watching and meddling, the idea that he is evil in his machinations.
Anna Pendragon herself has a tragic life - because Arthur listens to Merlin over the happiness of his own sister. Arthur tries to make amends, but it is always too little, too late. I do not like the Arthur in this; then again, I do not think I am meant to like him. It is not his story.
No, this is the story of Anna finding her hidden strength, discovering the magic that runs through her mother's blood, and uncovering the battle between her mother's line and Merlin that has scattered her half-sisters and her aunts and twisted prophecies to their own ends. And in this, with her prophecy to be forgotten, Anna finds the chance to change history - if she can manage to make the magic work for her.
Note: I received a digital ARC of this book from Solaris/Rebellion Publishing via NetGalley. Opinions expressed in this review are completely my own.
March 2, 2021
A wonderful take on Arthurian legend. Barron reclaims Anna, the lost sister of Arthur Pendragon, mentioned in early legends surrounding the Once and Future King, then disappearing from the story. Anna's presence at the heart of this novel breathes new life into familiar tales, like a tapestry rewoven from existing threads to create a wholly new picture. Relationships and intrigue and struggles for power that have been told countless times are re-envisioned to create a story that feels fresh and new, like a hidden history moving behind and through Arthurian legend. Barron not only gives Anna depth and complexity, but she also reclaims other lost stories of the women in Arthur's court to tell a fuller tale of love, magic, triumph, and heartbreak, all set against a rich and beautifully-described background.
December 6, 2020
Women are traded like pawns, bred for the bloodlines, and forgotten once they'd served their purpose; but none so much as Anne. Anne who is cursed to be forgotten by Merlin's word. No matter her status as the only full blooded sister of King Arthur, she's nothing more than a servicing womb. Or is she? Down the dark and twisted court of Arthurian legend, behind the glamour of noble deeds, a bevy of women languish in regrets as they come to terms with the machinations of the men in the lives, least of all is Merlin. Until one woman plots revenge, and her name is not Anne, because you see, Anne is cursed to be forgotten. A beatuifully written tale of sorrow, regret, duty and what depths a women will take to see the end of a tyrant's rule, even if he doesn't sit on the throne.
December 12, 2020
Heartwrenching, beautiful tale bringing us back to Arthur's world through Anna's eyes
The lyrical writing immediately drew me in and set me right in Arthur's family and court, but through the eyes of his oft-forgotten sister Anna. As someone who also studied Arthurian legends in college, there was both a familiarity and bright newness to Anna's Arthurian setting. Brilliant plot twists and turns, and characters that remind us, ultimately, of the sad falling of Arthur's kingdom before his very eyes, but with a hope of survival.
The lyrical writing immediately drew me in and set me right in Arthur's family and court, but through the eyes of his oft-forgotten sister Anna. As someone who also studied Arthurian legends in college, there was both a familiarity and bright newness to Anna's Arthurian setting. Brilliant plot twists and turns, and characters that remind us, ultimately, of the sad falling of Arthur's kingdom before his very eyes, but with a hope of survival.
August 13, 2024
I enjoyed this Arthurian retelling that focuses on Anna Pendragon and her life. Somewhere between an autobiography and a Druid tale Anna Pendragon tells us her story. This is a slower paced retelling and really lets you ponder the details.
# Queen of None
# 7/3/2024 ~ 8/13/2024
# 4.0 / 5.0
# Queen of None
# 7/3/2024 ~ 8/13/2024
# 4.0 / 5.0
December 31, 2024
Thank you to the publisher for providing me with a free copy in exchange for an honest review!
This is such a weird one, because on the one hand, I really really enjoyed this - it's slow and detailed and a perfect winter read, and I feel like was really informative about Arthurian history in such a short novel. On the other hand, towards the end it was starting to get pretty strange with the whole body shaping thing. I wasn't expecting to enjoy this as much as I did so perhaps that's why I had such a good time, because I had no expectations - but this was really good! I've admittedly never heard of Anna Pendragon before this story, so it was really interesting to see her come to life and take centre stage (sort of) in her own tale. It was just when the Nimue plotline came into the story that I didn't enjoy it as much, because it felt kind of out of the blue.
This is such a weird one, because on the one hand, I really really enjoyed this - it's slow and detailed and a perfect winter read, and I feel like was really informative about Arthurian history in such a short novel. On the other hand, towards the end it was starting to get pretty strange with the whole body shaping thing. I wasn't expecting to enjoy this as much as I did so perhaps that's why I had such a good time, because I had no expectations - but this was really good! I've admittedly never heard of Anna Pendragon before this story, so it was really interesting to see her come to life and take centre stage (sort of) in her own tale. It was just when the Nimue plotline came into the story that I didn't enjoy it as much, because it felt kind of out of the blue.
July 15, 2025
Arthurian, with a twist and an olive.
Arthur had sisters, and there is one we never hear about. Anna. Natania Barron has taken the story reins in her hands and given Anna a role that is just as weird and creepy as her other sisters. The mystical magic spreads throughout her plans and takes on a life of its own. . .rather like AI but by casting spells. Siblings underestimating the quiet one, the one that only has beauty on her side - find out to their dismay.
I liked the twist and the surprise in a set of stories that rarely leave the usual tracks. I wanted to like Anna more, and didn't. I did like her creature and that was darkly intriguing. Funny that Arthur is the least of the story. . . .
*A sincere thank you to Natania Barron, Solaris, and NetGalley for an ARC to read and review independently.* #QueenofNone #NetGalley 25|52:37c
Arthur had sisters, and there is one we never hear about. Anna. Natania Barron has taken the story reins in her hands and given Anna a role that is just as weird and creepy as her other sisters. The mystical magic spreads throughout her plans and takes on a life of its own. . .rather like AI but by casting spells. Siblings underestimating the quiet one, the one that only has beauty on her side - find out to their dismay.
I liked the twist and the surprise in a set of stories that rarely leave the usual tracks. I wanted to like Anna more, and didn't. I did like her creature and that was darkly intriguing. Funny that Arthur is the least of the story. . . .
*A sincere thank you to Natania Barron, Solaris, and NetGalley for an ARC to read and review independently.* #QueenofNone #NetGalley 25|52:37c
May 15, 2024
I JUST COULDN'T FINISH
I made it to 83% percent and thought I could get to the end - but then I realised that this wasn't the end, because it's a series, and I just couldn't bring myself to finish.
What I liked
👍 Twist: The one thing that did kind of hold my attention was the twist to the 'original' story of King Arthur (if such a thing even exists). I especially liked the part Arthur played in what would otherwise normally be his story.
What I didn't like
👎 Beginning: Getting into this book was actually a bit difficult. I found the beginning to be slow and bogged down by too much background information.
👎 Characters: Sadly, I wasn't really feeling any of the characters. I just didn't connect with them, though I didn't sympathise with Anna and her plights.
ARC provided by the publisher through NetGalley in exchange for an honest review
I made it to 83% percent and thought I could get to the end - but then I realised that this wasn't the end, because it's a series, and I just couldn't bring myself to finish.
What I liked
👍 Twist: The one thing that did kind of hold my attention was the twist to the 'original' story of King Arthur (if such a thing even exists). I especially liked the part Arthur played in what would otherwise normally be his story.
What I didn't like
👎 Beginning: Getting into this book was actually a bit difficult. I found the beginning to be slow and bogged down by too much background information.
👎 Characters: Sadly, I wasn't really feeling any of the characters. I just didn't connect with them, though I didn't sympathise with Anna and her plights.
ARC provided by the publisher through NetGalley in exchange for an honest review
January 6, 2024
This was brilliantly written book. Almost lyrical. The author writes with such beauty and poise and I felt I was there with her in every description she made.
I love anything Arthurian so pounced on the opportunity to read about Anna whom I'd never knew played a part in some variations of the myth. I did have an inkling of who she would come but didn't know if it would be done in the age old boring way of good becomes evil but actually, no. This was done in a creative magical way and is a total credit to the author. The relationships in the book are confusing at time due to Anna's standoffish nature and there were times I couldn't relate to her and her thoughts of motherhood. But it's set in a different times to our so I understand it from that aspect. Anna is so strong and marks her place in this story despite Merlins prophecy that she was to be forgotten by all. It was refreshing to read an arthurian legend from the eyes of a female, not the men who led and enforced that world. I'm exciting to see where the next books go.
I love anything Arthurian so pounced on the opportunity to read about Anna whom I'd never knew played a part in some variations of the myth. I did have an inkling of who she would come but didn't know if it would be done in the age old boring way of good becomes evil but actually, no. This was done in a creative magical way and is a total credit to the author. The relationships in the book are confusing at time due to Anna's standoffish nature and there were times I couldn't relate to her and her thoughts of motherhood. But it's set in a different times to our so I understand it from that aspect. Anna is so strong and marks her place in this story despite Merlins prophecy that she was to be forgotten by all. It was refreshing to read an arthurian legend from the eyes of a female, not the men who led and enforced that world. I'm exciting to see where the next books go.
June 12, 2024
A retelling of the Arthurian legend as seen through the eyes of Lady Anna Pendragon, King Arthur's full blood younger sister.
All the big names are there, Merlin, Morgan, Lancelot (Lanceloch), etc.
I loved this. It's a spellbinding story of magic, witchcraft, and revenge.
The only thing is that I now have to wait until December for the next book 😭
All the big names are there, Merlin, Morgan, Lancelot (Lanceloch), etc.
I loved this. It's a spellbinding story of magic, witchcraft, and revenge.
The only thing is that I now have to wait until December for the next book 😭
March 21, 2024
“Through all the ages, and in the hearts of men, you will be forgotten.”
"Queen of None" offers a delightful twist on the classic Arthurian legends. The narrative unfolds from the perspective of Arthur’s younger sister, Anna, providing a fresh insight into the struggles of women in the court while men engage in wars and tournaments.
Anna's journey is heart-wrenching as happiness seems to be perpetually snatched away from her by the men in her life. Yet, her transformation into a figure of female empowerment is both inspiring and liberating. She eventually takes control of her destiny, refusing to let men dictate her choices.
Another highlight of the book is the unique portrayal of Merlin as a villain, reminiscent of the Romanov’s Rasputin. Anna's eventual rise against him delivers a satisfying turning point in the narrative.
Overall, "Queen of None" is a fascinating tale that serves as a cautionary reminder about the dangers of letting others write our destinies. A must-read for any fans of Arthurian legends.
"Queen of None" offers a delightful twist on the classic Arthurian legends. The narrative unfolds from the perspective of Arthur’s younger sister, Anna, providing a fresh insight into the struggles of women in the court while men engage in wars and tournaments.
Anna's journey is heart-wrenching as happiness seems to be perpetually snatched away from her by the men in her life. Yet, her transformation into a figure of female empowerment is both inspiring and liberating. She eventually takes control of her destiny, refusing to let men dictate her choices.
Another highlight of the book is the unique portrayal of Merlin as a villain, reminiscent of the Romanov’s Rasputin. Anna's eventual rise against him delivers a satisfying turning point in the narrative.
Overall, "Queen of None" is a fascinating tale that serves as a cautionary reminder about the dangers of letting others write our destinies. A must-read for any fans of Arthurian legends.
May 9, 2024
Thank you to NetGalley and Rebellion Publishing for this eARC in exchange for my honest review.
I requested this on NetGalley solely based on the stunning cover and was pleasantly surprised when I started it to find it was an Arthurian retelling. This story was written so well. It got a little bit confusing at times with such a large cast of characters, and a little bit uncomfortable at times with the marrying off of young girls, though I understand it was not uncommon back in the medieval times.
However, I truly enjoyed reading this and found the blending of legend with a new unique storyline to be captivating. I am very curious to see where things go in the rest of the series with how it ended! Would definitely continue the series!
I requested this on NetGalley solely based on the stunning cover and was pleasantly surprised when I started it to find it was an Arthurian retelling. This story was written so well. It got a little bit confusing at times with such a large cast of characters, and a little bit uncomfortable at times with the marrying off of young girls, though I understand it was not uncommon back in the medieval times.
However, I truly enjoyed reading this and found the blending of legend with a new unique storyline to be captivating. I am very curious to see where things go in the rest of the series with how it ended! Would definitely continue the series!
February 5, 2024
This is a retelling of King Arthur following his forgotten sister.
For the most part, I enjoyed this book. It was just too slow-placed for my preference and the writing style was the telling and not a lot of showing type. Which is also not my reading preference.
This series is going to be a trilogy, and while I didn’t super love this book I would like to see what else the author does within this world.
Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for granting me an ARC of this title in return for my truthful review
For the most part, I enjoyed this book. It was just too slow-placed for my preference and the writing style was the telling and not a lot of showing type. Which is also not my reading preference.
This series is going to be a trilogy, and while I didn’t super love this book I would like to see what else the author does within this world.
Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for granting me an ARC of this title in return for my truthful review
January 6, 2021
A brilliant book. I was captivated by the voice of Lady Anna, finding it a delight to walk around inside her head. Much of this tale rends the heart, but it is a worthy pain, deeply felt. The magic is deliciously otherworldly. The relationships are compelling, and really sit at the heart of this story. I loved it.
February 3, 2021
Wow. A must read for fans of gorgeous writing, strong women, and legends.
April 28, 2024
This was a wonderfully done retelling and reimagining of King Arthur’s forgotten sister, Anna. I really enjoyed the retold elements and how Barron reimagines different myths of Camelot into Anna’s story. I also really enjoyed the older spelling variations of all the characters and places in the book. It made for a fantastic world that felt both recognizable and different at the same time. 🗡️
The story follows Anna as she returns to Camelot after 20 years away. She was such an emotionally strong woman that had to deal with her experiences of being a child bride and abused spouse and then pawned off again for Arthur’s gain. I liked her take on court politics and her way of maneuvering through them. It reminded me of how women had to take action in the shadows during the medieval period. I did find myself wishing we had a deeper look into her first marriage with Lot though and how those years shaped her from such a young age instead of getting it told second hand. 💍
I really loved the different angles the reader gets of Arthur, Lancelot, Morgan, and Merlin. The idea that Arthur and Lancelot shared an Achillean love as bisexual (I’m assuming here) men fit perfectly in my opinion and really helps set up the betrayal between these two. I loved that Morgan was once again portrayed as a loving if rather aloof sister. I’ve been loving the feminist takes on her character instead of her being painted as simply evil. Merlin as a sexual predator and manipulator was both horrendous and right in a weird way. I can see how this could go down for the mysterious wizard, and I liked the ending he got here. 🧙🏼♂️
In general, I really enjoyed the plot though I do wish it was a little longer to draw out the tension between the characters more. Big thank you goes to Solaris Books and NetGalley for accepting my request to read this in exchange for an honest review, and to the author Natania Barron for crafting a wonderful take on Anna Pendragon! I can’t wait for Hwyfar’s tale later this year! 🌿
Publication date: May 21!
Overall: 4.25/5 ⭐️
The story follows Anna as she returns to Camelot after 20 years away. She was such an emotionally strong woman that had to deal with her experiences of being a child bride and abused spouse and then pawned off again for Arthur’s gain. I liked her take on court politics and her way of maneuvering through them. It reminded me of how women had to take action in the shadows during the medieval period. I did find myself wishing we had a deeper look into her first marriage with Lot though and how those years shaped her from such a young age instead of getting it told second hand. 💍
I really loved the different angles the reader gets of Arthur, Lancelot, Morgan, and Merlin. The idea that Arthur and Lancelot shared an Achillean love as bisexual (I’m assuming here) men fit perfectly in my opinion and really helps set up the betrayal between these two. I loved that Morgan was once again portrayed as a loving if rather aloof sister. I’ve been loving the feminist takes on her character instead of her being painted as simply evil. Merlin as a sexual predator and manipulator was both horrendous and right in a weird way. I can see how this could go down for the mysterious wizard, and I liked the ending he got here. 🧙🏼♂️
In general, I really enjoyed the plot though I do wish it was a little longer to draw out the tension between the characters more. Big thank you goes to Solaris Books and NetGalley for accepting my request to read this in exchange for an honest review, and to the author Natania Barron for crafting a wonderful take on Anna Pendragon! I can’t wait for Hwyfar’s tale later this year! 🌿
Publication date: May 21!
Overall: 4.25/5 ⭐️
March 26, 2024
Thank you to netgalley for an ARC in exchange for an honest review.
I really liked the point of view of this book, a different take on King Arthur and the Arthurian legends through the lens of his forgotten sister Anna. The book immediately takes a tone that highlights both the plight and the power of women within medieval societies - and especially focuses on the reality of leaving girlhood and the implications of being a woman and what that means for your choices and how your life is shaped by the men around you. This is where the book shines and Anna gives us such an interesting perspective as a seemingly powerless woman within her society. We also get an interesting view into the power and the machinations of the women of the court, and how they have to resort to manipulation to enact any power over their own lives, as well as the ebb and flow of power within Arthur’s court - the adversarial relationship that Merlin has with almost everyone in Carelon was especially interesting and is the driving force behind most of the book. The book is well written, with fairly evocative prose (although it may not hit for everyone in the same way!). I really felt the descriptions and emotions, and Anna is so well drawn and her motivations felt so real. The main issue I had with the book was that the first half had me in a grip, but the second half felt more meandering and less gripping and especially the ending with Merlin, Nimue and Anna felt sudden and incomplete. We get hints of the bigger picture, and the hints of the other stories of legends left me wanting those stories instead of the Nimue plot line. Overall I enjoyed the different take on Arthur and the legends, as well as having a perspective that was female and not the typical choice for medieval or Arthurian fantasy, although the ending felt very abrupt to me.
I really liked the point of view of this book, a different take on King Arthur and the Arthurian legends through the lens of his forgotten sister Anna. The book immediately takes a tone that highlights both the plight and the power of women within medieval societies - and especially focuses on the reality of leaving girlhood and the implications of being a woman and what that means for your choices and how your life is shaped by the men around you. This is where the book shines and Anna gives us such an interesting perspective as a seemingly powerless woman within her society. We also get an interesting view into the power and the machinations of the women of the court, and how they have to resort to manipulation to enact any power over their own lives, as well as the ebb and flow of power within Arthur’s court - the adversarial relationship that Merlin has with almost everyone in Carelon was especially interesting and is the driving force behind most of the book. The book is well written, with fairly evocative prose (although it may not hit for everyone in the same way!). I really felt the descriptions and emotions, and Anna is so well drawn and her motivations felt so real. The main issue I had with the book was that the first half had me in a grip, but the second half felt more meandering and less gripping and especially the ending with Merlin, Nimue and Anna felt sudden and incomplete. We get hints of the bigger picture, and the hints of the other stories of legends left me wanting those stories instead of the Nimue plot line. Overall I enjoyed the different take on Arthur and the legends, as well as having a perspective that was female and not the typical choice for medieval or Arthurian fantasy, although the ending felt very abrupt to me.
March 25, 2024
3.5 ⭐️
Queen of None follows the life of the long-forgotten Anna Pendragon, the only full-blooded sister of King Arthur. I found the concept of being behind the curtain fascinating. We all know the story of Kind Arthur and his knights, but what about the woman in the story? This is a tale of duty, sorrow and grief, where women fight King’s Arthur’s wars not in the battlefield, but by being married and offered (ridiculously young) as a vessel to bear heirs. What made this interesting is that this is not just Anna’s story, but that of many women through the centuries that were born to be married and remarried to force alliances, forgotten and powerless.
This book sets a new light to the story known to us all. Arthur might have been a king, but in the end he was only a man that was raised to be king. Merlin might have been a powerful wizard, but at what price did he get all that power and influence? Were they really the heroes of the story? And if yes, according to who and at who’s expense?
The plot was very well placed and the writing is amazing, making the reader not just feel for Anna, but also understand her. I really enjoyed the magic, political ploys and the entire prophecy plot line. The characters were flawed, so much so that it made them stand apart and feel real, and the main protagonist is smart, passionate and determined to not just be a pawn anymore.
Thank you very much Solaris and NetGallery for providing me this ARC.
Queen of None follows the life of the long-forgotten Anna Pendragon, the only full-blooded sister of King Arthur. I found the concept of being behind the curtain fascinating. We all know the story of Kind Arthur and his knights, but what about the woman in the story? This is a tale of duty, sorrow and grief, where women fight King’s Arthur’s wars not in the battlefield, but by being married and offered (ridiculously young) as a vessel to bear heirs. What made this interesting is that this is not just Anna’s story, but that of many women through the centuries that were born to be married and remarried to force alliances, forgotten and powerless.
This book sets a new light to the story known to us all. Arthur might have been a king, but in the end he was only a man that was raised to be king. Merlin might have been a powerful wizard, but at what price did he get all that power and influence? Were they really the heroes of the story? And if yes, according to who and at who’s expense?
The plot was very well placed and the writing is amazing, making the reader not just feel for Anna, but also understand her. I really enjoyed the magic, political ploys and the entire prophecy plot line. The characters were flawed, so much so that it made them stand apart and feel real, and the main protagonist is smart, passionate and determined to not just be a pawn anymore.
Thank you very much Solaris and NetGallery for providing me this ARC.
January 20, 2025
3-Star Review of Queen of None by Natania Barron
I was intrigued by the notion of Queen of None, the first volume in the Queens of Fate trilogy, which I discovered on NetGalley. Exploring King Arthur's lesser-known sister, Anna Pendragon, offered a unique perspective on Arthurian mythology. However, while the blurb seemed intriguing, my experience with the book was more mixed.
Queen of None ♦ Natania Barron — A Review
Opinion
The story begins with Anna, a woman who has spent her life in the background, married young, manipulated for political gain, and largely ignored despite her royal heritage. When she returns to Carelon after her husband's death, she finds herself caught up in family feuds, governmental corruption, and the awakening of a hitherto hidden power.
Despite the book’s appealing topic, I struggled with the beginning. The pace was painfully slow, bogged down by way too much background story. Rather than getting into the action or emotional issues, the initial chapters focused on Anna's history, her relationships, and wider political dynamics at the court of King Arthur. Although I recognize the importance of her past in a well-written piece, the lengthy overview made it tough for me to fully engage.
Also, Anna, the main character, didn’t really leave me satisfied. Despite her convincing performance, she lacked a certain kinda spark. Given her prominent role, I expected more depth, complexity, and "wow" moments that distinguished her.
Another challenge for me was the writing style. Barron's style purposely reflects the antique tone of Arthurian stories, which is obviously appropriate for the historical fantasy setting. However, this stylistic choice took me away from the tale. At times, I struggled to fully immerse myself because the flowery language overwhelmed the plot and characters.
Barron adds suspenseful sequences to the book's middle half, and the plot finally picks up pace. Unfortunately, it took too long for me to get those scenes, making the payoff less appealing.
Conclusion
Overall, Queen of None will definitely appeal to readers who appreciate lyrical prose and slow-burn stories rooted in Arthurian legends. Readers who like a fast-paced plot or a more enthusiastic protagonist may find it less pleasant. While I respect Barron's ambition and the complexity of the story, the execution lacked spark and drive.
This review was first published at The Art of Reading.
I was intrigued by the notion of Queen of None, the first volume in the Queens of Fate trilogy, which I discovered on NetGalley. Exploring King Arthur's lesser-known sister, Anna Pendragon, offered a unique perspective on Arthurian mythology. However, while the blurb seemed intriguing, my experience with the book was more mixed.
Queen of None ♦ Natania Barron — A Review
Opinion
The story begins with Anna, a woman who has spent her life in the background, married young, manipulated for political gain, and largely ignored despite her royal heritage. When she returns to Carelon after her husband's death, she finds herself caught up in family feuds, governmental corruption, and the awakening of a hitherto hidden power.
Despite the book’s appealing topic, I struggled with the beginning. The pace was painfully slow, bogged down by way too much background story. Rather than getting into the action or emotional issues, the initial chapters focused on Anna's history, her relationships, and wider political dynamics at the court of King Arthur. Although I recognize the importance of her past in a well-written piece, the lengthy overview made it tough for me to fully engage.
Also, Anna, the main character, didn’t really leave me satisfied. Despite her convincing performance, she lacked a certain kinda spark. Given her prominent role, I expected more depth, complexity, and "wow" moments that distinguished her.
Another challenge for me was the writing style. Barron's style purposely reflects the antique tone of Arthurian stories, which is obviously appropriate for the historical fantasy setting. However, this stylistic choice took me away from the tale. At times, I struggled to fully immerse myself because the flowery language overwhelmed the plot and characters.
Barron adds suspenseful sequences to the book's middle half, and the plot finally picks up pace. Unfortunately, it took too long for me to get those scenes, making the payoff less appealing.
Conclusion
Overall, Queen of None will definitely appeal to readers who appreciate lyrical prose and slow-burn stories rooted in Arthurian legends. Readers who like a fast-paced plot or a more enthusiastic protagonist may find it less pleasant. While I respect Barron's ambition and the complexity of the story, the execution lacked spark and drive.
This review was first published at The Art of Reading.
August 9, 2024
Queen of none has beautiful prose. It is written with an intensity that is a bit captivating, but it is also incredibly brutal. This is set at odds with it's slow pace (yet oddly rushed ending). I am one that does not mind a slow pace in a book if the prose is good and the payoff is satisfying. But in this, I had so much trouble withstanding the pain of Anna and all the trauma the women in this book experience. I struggled to read of her being treated cruelly by men over and over again and wished only to see her rise up and succeed. I know that the brutal nature is likely the reality of these old medieval tales for women, but I did not come in prepared and given my preference for HEA, I was taken aback. While she did get her revenge it took a long time to get there and did not feel like it matches the pacing of the rest of the books, the intensity was lacking. I was left feeling forlorn and still weighed down by the pain, rather than feeling like revenge had been had. I am not someone who likes to read books where the horrors of the patriarchy are reflected in the fantasy world. To many who like a complex story, this may be the bot for you, but it wasn't for me.
Thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for providing an ARC of this book and apologies in the delay in the review, my PhD got in the way of books.
Thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for providing an ARC of this book and apologies in the delay in the review, my PhD got in the way of books.
April 11, 2025
By the end of the book it was running a 5 star, but it was slow to start. Some of the details and relationships had a different take from other Arthurian legend books that I’ve read. So it was difficult to hold in mind my previous knowledge of the legend and this version or retelling.
One thing that that threw me was the pronunciation of some words from the legend. I’ve only ever heard Avalon pronounced Av-a-lon, it was pronounced Av-y-a-lon throughout, I don’t know which is correct, but it was jarring each time I heard it. Not only the pronunciation of the name Nimue, but her origins and role in the story was very different from the traditional telling.
The interactions between Ellen’s sons were less interesting, perhaps they become more important in future books.
This version of the legend is told from the pov of Ellen, a full sister of Arthur, who was prophesied to be forgotten.
I will read more of the series
One thing that that threw me was the pronunciation of some words from the legend. I’ve only ever heard Avalon pronounced Av-a-lon, it was pronounced Av-y-a-lon throughout, I don’t know which is correct, but it was jarring each time I heard it. Not only the pronunciation of the name Nimue, but her origins and role in the story was very different from the traditional telling.
The interactions between Ellen’s sons were less interesting, perhaps they become more important in future books.
This version of the legend is told from the pov of Ellen, a full sister of Arthur, who was prophesied to be forgotten.
I will read more of the series
January 3, 2024
Thanks Netgalley for providing ARC version of this book!
First of all, I need to tell that I really the fan of Camelot legends. This was the reason why I was interested in this book and it was wourth it.
Anna is another Arthur's sister. She was marriged on young age and now she returned at court after her husband's death. Obviosly, she became a part of intrugues and dangerous prothesyes.
Its was god story with intesesting plot and love line. As for me it was a little difficul when characters wrom the legends were upgreid. For exsample, Lancelot.
But in general i enjoyed this story very much!
First of all, I need to tell that I really the fan of Camelot legends. This was the reason why I was interested in this book and it was wourth it.
Anna is another Arthur's sister. She was marriged on young age and now she returned at court after her husband's death. Obviosly, she became a part of intrugues and dangerous prothesyes.
Its was god story with intesesting plot and love line. As for me it was a little difficul when characters wrom the legends were upgreid. For exsample, Lancelot.
But in general i enjoyed this story very much!
January 12, 2024
3,75/4⭐️
“Anna Briallen Carys Pendragon. Through all the ages, and in the hearts of men, you will be forgotten.”
My prophecy. My burden. My curse.
First of all, thank you NetGalley and Rebellion Publishing for the ARC
“Queen of None” by Natania Barron is the first book of a female-led Arthurian Fantasy Romance trilogy.
I adored Anna as a protagonist and I loved how the author portrayed her emotions.
I also liked the vast cast of characters, even though I would have liked to know more about some of them.
Overall, I suggest this book to any Arthurian Legend fan and to anyone who loves reading a feminist retelling of a classic tale.
“Anna Briallen Carys Pendragon. Through all the ages, and in the hearts of men, you will be forgotten.”
My prophecy. My burden. My curse.
First of all, thank you NetGalley and Rebellion Publishing for the ARC
“Queen of None” by Natania Barron is the first book of a female-led Arthurian Fantasy Romance trilogy.
I adored Anna as a protagonist and I loved how the author portrayed her emotions.
I also liked the vast cast of characters, even though I would have liked to know more about some of them.
Overall, I suggest this book to any Arthurian Legend fan and to anyone who loves reading a feminist retelling of a classic tale.
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