What do you think?
Rate this book
Guenevere #3
Kind van de Heilige Graal
Last in a line of proud queens elected to rule the fertile lands of the West, true owner of the legendary Round Table, guardian of the Great Goddess herself . . . a woman whose story has never been told—until now.
Brokenhearted at her parting from Lancelot and anguished over the loss of the sacred Hallows of the Goddess, Guenevere reconciles with Arthur. But their fragile peace is threatened by a new presence at Camelot. Mordred, Arthur’s son by Morgan Le Fay, has come to be proclaimed heir to Guenevere and Arthur’s kingdoms. At his knighting, the great Round Table, owned by the Queens of the Summer Country since time immemorial, cracks down the center and a terrible darkness falls over Camelot. In the midst of the chaos appears a new knight, Sir Galahad, who may hold the key to the mystery of the stolen Hallows. His arrival sets into motion the Quest for the Holy Grail and the fall of Camelot, which brings Guenevere to the brink of the most dreaded tragedy of all . . . and may ultimately fulfill her destiny as the greatest Queen of the Isles.
Available now, Guenevere, Queen of the Summer Country and The Knight of the Sacred Lake, Books 1 and 2 of the Guenevere Trilogy. Coming in July 2002, Isolde, Queen of the Western Isle, the First Book of the Tristan and Isolde Trilogy
From the Trade Paperback edition.
Brokenhearted at her parting from Lancelot and anguished over the loss of the sacred Hallows of the Goddess, Guenevere reconciles with Arthur. But their fragile peace is threatened by a new presence at Camelot. Mordred, Arthur’s son by Morgan Le Fay, has come to be proclaimed heir to Guenevere and Arthur’s kingdoms. At his knighting, the great Round Table, owned by the Queens of the Summer Country since time immemorial, cracks down the center and a terrible darkness falls over Camelot. In the midst of the chaos appears a new knight, Sir Galahad, who may hold the key to the mystery of the stolen Hallows. His arrival sets into motion the Quest for the Holy Grail and the fall of Camelot, which brings Guenevere to the brink of the most dreaded tragedy of all . . . and may ultimately fulfill her destiny as the greatest Queen of the Isles.
Available now, Guenevere, Queen of the Summer Country and The Knight of the Sacred Lake, Books 1 and 2 of the Guenevere Trilogy. Coming in July 2002, Isolde, Queen of the Western Isle, the First Book of the Tristan and Isolde Trilogy
From the Trade Paperback edition.
460 pages, Paperback
First published January 1, 2000
About the author
Rosalind Miles
69 books442 followersRosalind Miles is an author born and raised in England and now living in both Los Angeles and Kent, England. She has written both works of fiction and non-fiction. As a child, Miles suffered from polio, and had to undergo several months of treatment. After being accepted to a junior women's college, Miles acquired a working knowledge of Latin and Greek, along with developing her life-long love of Shakespeare. At seventeen, she was promoted to St. Hilda's College, Oxford where she studied English literature, Anglo-Saxon, Middle English, Latin and French. She obtained five degrees in all, ending with a Ph.D. from the Shakespeare Institute at the University of Birmingham.
Miles later on became interested in jurisprudence, which resulted in her sitting as a lay magistrate in the English criminal and family courts, and eventually on the bench in a superior court in Coventry. She is also a regular commentator on the BBC, on Canadian Radio, and in The Times.
Miles later on became interested in jurisprudence, which resulted in her sitting as a lay magistrate in the English criminal and family courts, and eventually on the bench in a superior court in Coventry. She is also a regular commentator on the BBC, on Canadian Radio, and in The Times.
Ratings & Reviews
Friends & Following
Create a free account to discover what your friends think of this book!
Community Reviews
Displaying 1 - 30 of 54 reviews
December 6, 2017
I would give this book 3.5 stars actually. I liked this better than the second book, but not as well as the first book in this series. With that said I am glad I read the third book to bring closure to the series. Not much else to add; same characters, same author. Some repetition in the writing and some associations that didn't quite follow.
December 3, 2018
Not my favourite version of Arthur and Guinevere’s time, but still enjoyable!
May 22, 2025
It’s no Mists… the careful research that makes MZB’s Avalon series so good is lacking here (author even has Lancelot anachronistically call the country England at one point…). But it’s fine.
March 28, 2007
Favorite Quotes
No other woman had that air of spring in January, that ever-bubbling fount of love and hope.
That he loved her was his life’s greatest grace—that she loved him was a burden and mystery beyond compare.
No other woman had that air of spring in January, that ever-bubbling fount of love and hope.
That he loved her was his life’s greatest grace—that she loved him was a burden and mystery beyond compare.
April 10, 2007
I can't say enough about how wonderful this Guenevere trilogy is to read. The final book brings about the climax of the legend with Galahad and his quest.
August 5, 2015
Ugh, glad to be done with this trilogy. Poor writing, and her characters were insufferable. Nothing original in her dragging it out over three books, just the same devices repeatedly
January 28, 2018
Uma abordagem talvez algo diferente à história e histórias muito conhecidas do rei Artur, de Avalon, e de todos estes contextos que me fascinam.
Porém, falta-lhe magia, força de atração.
Porém, falta-lhe magia, força de atração.
June 26, 2021
The best of the series but still not as good as I remembered.
May 1, 2024
Loved this trilogy way more than I thought I would. Rosalind's takes on the situation may be my favorite.
May 6, 2026
If you already know the saga these novels have nothing new to say. If you don’t then they would be an excellent, in-depth introduction.
May 29, 2026
Just okay.
January 3, 2013
I think the third book is the best in the series. I have very mixed feelings about it because on a side there were so many things I liked but on the other side I felt like many others were left underveloped.
I think the thing that truly irked me more was the character of Arthur and also a bit Guinevere and Mordred.
Guinevere in particular was, on theory, an interesting character but in the novel she is exactly like she was in the first book as if nothing ever happened to her. She was still suffering for the same things, still madly in love with Lancelot, still angry at Arthur but still tender with him (even when he ultimately betrays her completely coverting to Christianism and giving Avalon to the Christians), still very jealous of Lancelot and not trusting him even after all their years together. There's also a quote which is very sad in my opinion where Guinevere thinks of herself as alone and empty because Lancelot is away (she sent him away) and Arthur is too different from who he was once, in that moment I couldn't forget that Guinevere was a queen but I couldn't also forget that I've never seen in the books her acting as a queen. Her story was only and all about Arthur and Lancelot, even when in her toughts she thinks that she is a queen, she is of the old religion, she is powerful, I couldn't see it in her actions or in the descriptions of the book (a part from the end).
Mordred is also a very strange character. He starts as very adoring of Arthur, he wants to be loved by him, he spends more than ten years like this and then he sort of goes mad. He still wants Arthur's love but he also has Morgana's voices inside his head telling him to do stuff so he starts to grow very greedy and lust on Guinevere and wants to steal the throne. I found his character so weak because I couldn't grasp him, it was as if the author changed it when it was convenient for the plot but without too many explanations.
And now Arthur. I usually love Arthur but I hated this Arthur. I know that that was the intent of the author so she perfectly managed it, but a weak childlike Arthur who lets everyone (monks, Mordred, Gawain etc.) tells him what to do and simply follows directions like a lost baby is not my cup of tea. Also I couldn't understand how so many people simply told him to do stuff and he did but Guinevere couldn't manage it because Arthur didn't listen to her, I was surprised. This also leads to Arthur wanting to burn Guinevere. He actually asks her to be burnt for the betrayal and then he forgives her because the Pope asked him to... and at the end Guinevere, after having been betrayed and nearly killed by Arthur, looks at him fondly and leaves Lancelot (after Arthur's death) because she doesn't want to ruin Arthur's reputation. Still, the book had a sort of happy ending which I truly liked because at the end Guinevere rules over Camelot, restores the Round Table and now and then goes to visit Lancelot in France.
There were actually many singles things I loved: the Holy Grail and how it was explained, how Morgana acted to get her revenge on Arthur but was also very conflicted about her feelings about him, how Galahad was introduced, Mordred trying the Siege Perilous, Kay, Bedivere and Lucan who were the most adorable knights ever.
For all the negative stuff I've written about this book it was actually a very enjoyable book, I simply tend to write a lot about negative stuff because it's easier. I actually finished this third book in three days because I needed to know what was going to happen as it is written very well and various point of views and stories around the novel are placed very well too.
I think the thing that truly irked me more was the character of Arthur and also a bit Guinevere and Mordred.
Guinevere in particular was, on theory, an interesting character but in the novel she is exactly like she was in the first book as if nothing ever happened to her. She was still suffering for the same things, still madly in love with Lancelot, still angry at Arthur but still tender with him (even when he ultimately betrays her completely coverting to Christianism and giving Avalon to the Christians), still very jealous of Lancelot and not trusting him even after all their years together. There's also a quote which is very sad in my opinion where Guinevere thinks of herself as alone and empty because Lancelot is away (she sent him away) and Arthur is too different from who he was once, in that moment I couldn't forget that Guinevere was a queen but I couldn't also forget that I've never seen in the books her acting as a queen. Her story was only and all about Arthur and Lancelot, even when in her toughts she thinks that she is a queen, she is of the old religion, she is powerful, I couldn't see it in her actions or in the descriptions of the book (a part from the end).
Mordred is also a very strange character. He starts as very adoring of Arthur, he wants to be loved by him, he spends more than ten years like this and then he sort of goes mad. He still wants Arthur's love but he also has Morgana's voices inside his head telling him to do stuff so he starts to grow very greedy and lust on Guinevere and wants to steal the throne. I found his character so weak because I couldn't grasp him, it was as if the author changed it when it was convenient for the plot but without too many explanations.
And now Arthur. I usually love Arthur but I hated this Arthur. I know that that was the intent of the author so she perfectly managed it, but a weak childlike Arthur who lets everyone (monks, Mordred, Gawain etc.) tells him what to do and simply follows directions like a lost baby is not my cup of tea. Also I couldn't understand how so many people simply told him to do stuff and he did but Guinevere couldn't manage it because Arthur didn't listen to her, I was surprised. This also leads to Arthur wanting to burn Guinevere. He actually asks her to be burnt for the betrayal and then he forgives her because the Pope asked him to... and at the end Guinevere, after having been betrayed and nearly killed by Arthur, looks at him fondly and leaves Lancelot (after Arthur's death) because she doesn't want to ruin Arthur's reputation. Still, the book had a sort of happy ending which I truly liked because at the end Guinevere rules over Camelot, restores the Round Table and now and then goes to visit Lancelot in France.
There were actually many singles things I loved: the Holy Grail and how it was explained, how Morgana acted to get her revenge on Arthur but was also very conflicted about her feelings about him, how Galahad was introduced, Mordred trying the Siege Perilous, Kay, Bedivere and Lucan who were the most adorable knights ever.
For all the negative stuff I've written about this book it was actually a very enjoyable book, I simply tend to write a lot about negative stuff because it's easier. I actually finished this third book in three days because I needed to know what was going to happen as it is written very well and various point of views and stories around the novel are placed very well too.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
January 6, 2012
I am about half-way through this book, and so far it is my least favorite of the three, just because as the series progresses, the relationship between Guenevere and Lancelot becomes more and more frustrating. I fell in love with Rosalind Miles after reading her Tristan and Isolde series, and one thing I loved about that series is the relationship between the two protagonists, and how they over-came their obstacles and jealousies and eventually learned from them. While the writing in this series is more simplistic, the details, the emotion, the passion is very inspiring, yet Guenevere's tantrums become more and more frustrating as the plot and conflicts build within Camelot. She doubts and questions Lancelot at every turn, when she is the one who is married and has given her heart to another man. I still love the series for the beautiful detail, the wonderful descriptions of Avalon, the Goddess, and all the emotions behind the turmoil of a Christian vs Pagan setting, but I am hoping, as I near the end of the book, Guenevere will justify her actions by redeeming herself to be the strong and beautiful Queen I fell in love with in the third book.
I just finished Child of the Holy Grail, the last of the Guenevere novels. This is by far my least favorite of the three. In Queen of the Summer Country, the whole premises of the whole novel was the conflicts and confusion around Guenevere, Lancelot, Arthur and Morgan. In Knight of the Sacred lake, the plot thickened, focusing more on Arthur's Knights and insinuating some drama and unease into Lancelot and Guenevere's relationship, which I enjoyed. The first half of this novel was about Galahad and the quest for the grail, which I loved as well, however, it was the second half of this novel that disappointed me. I expected after the Quest for the Holy Grail was finished, the author would focus more on the mounting tension between Arthur and Mordred, but instead she just brought up old fights and jealousies between Guenevere and Lancelot, and I got bored with the constant fighting and then re-uniting after awhile. The end with the fight between Mordred and Arthur seemed rushed and not heart-felt at all. It seemed like one minute Mordred and Arthur were a loving father-son due and the next minute Mordred turned on him for almost no reason at all. Plus Guenevere's whole tantrum at the end about her and Lancelot not being able to be together in the public eye, for Arthur was just "sleeping" at Avalon and not dead so that would somehow look shameful in the eyes of the court, was ridiculous. Nine months later she is pregnant and bears Lancelot's child, how is that not being shameful? I have to say I love Rosalind Miles, and I have loved all her books so far, but this one was by far my least favorite.
I just finished Child of the Holy Grail, the last of the Guenevere novels. This is by far my least favorite of the three. In Queen of the Summer Country, the whole premises of the whole novel was the conflicts and confusion around Guenevere, Lancelot, Arthur and Morgan. In Knight of the Sacred lake, the plot thickened, focusing more on Arthur's Knights and insinuating some drama and unease into Lancelot and Guenevere's relationship, which I enjoyed. The first half of this novel was about Galahad and the quest for the grail, which I loved as well, however, it was the second half of this novel that disappointed me. I expected after the Quest for the Holy Grail was finished, the author would focus more on the mounting tension between Arthur and Mordred, but instead she just brought up old fights and jealousies between Guenevere and Lancelot, and I got bored with the constant fighting and then re-uniting after awhile. The end with the fight between Mordred and Arthur seemed rushed and not heart-felt at all. It seemed like one minute Mordred and Arthur were a loving father-son due and the next minute Mordred turned on him for almost no reason at all. Plus Guenevere's whole tantrum at the end about her and Lancelot not being able to be together in the public eye, for Arthur was just "sleeping" at Avalon and not dead so that would somehow look shameful in the eyes of the court, was ridiculous. Nine months later she is pregnant and bears Lancelot's child, how is that not being shameful? I have to say I love Rosalind Miles, and I have loved all her books so far, but this one was by far my least favorite.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
December 14, 2010
This final volume of the trilogy had a lot more of the "supernatural" with Morgan appearing as spirit throughout much of the book.
The author's rather strident dislike of Christianity was, at times, bordering on repetitive and simplistic. It came across very much as "Christians EVIL; Goddess GOOD". There was little to no exploration of the negatives of Mother-worship, and a few token phrases about the good of the early Christians. I agree with much of the criticism of the early Church, but it was extremely heavy-handed in this book.
I felt mostly pity for Galahad, traveling so far and dying for other people's visions. In this telling, he is just a child, manipulated his entire life.
I also did not like the portrayal of Arthur. He was a weak-minded man, who always wanted someone else to do the hard work. He spent so long trying to placate both sides, that he eroded any sort of sense of self he'd ever had. He spent so much time as a pawn of Merlin or the Christians, while promising Guenevere that he'd uphold the promises he made to her, and was able to keep no one happy in the end.
I wasn't overly impressed with the neat and tidy, "everyone lived happily ever after in the spirit Avalon" scenario, either. While it's lovely that Arhtur gets "to rest until he is needed again", who cleans up the mess he left behind?
And Guenevere. I was truly not impressed with this Guenevere. She was almost entirely reactionary to everything. She was supposed to be this great Queen, descended from Warrior-Queens, and she spent most of her time worrying about her gown and whether or not Lancelot could see the wrinkles around her eyes.
Overall, Lancelot came across as the most sympathetic character of the series. He tried to do the right thing at each turn, and usually suffered for it.
The author's rather strident dislike of Christianity was, at times, bordering on repetitive and simplistic. It came across very much as "Christians EVIL; Goddess GOOD". There was little to no exploration of the negatives of Mother-worship, and a few token phrases about the good of the early Christians. I agree with much of the criticism of the early Church, but it was extremely heavy-handed in this book.
I felt mostly pity for Galahad, traveling so far and dying for other people's visions. In this telling, he is just a child, manipulated his entire life.
I also did not like the portrayal of Arthur. He was a weak-minded man, who always wanted someone else to do the hard work. He spent so long trying to placate both sides, that he eroded any sort of sense of self he'd ever had. He spent so much time as a pawn of Merlin or the Christians, while promising Guenevere that he'd uphold the promises he made to her, and was able to keep no one happy in the end.
I wasn't overly impressed with the neat and tidy, "everyone lived happily ever after in the spirit Avalon" scenario, either. While it's lovely that Arhtur gets "to rest until he is needed again", who cleans up the mess he left behind?
And Guenevere. I was truly not impressed with this Guenevere. She was almost entirely reactionary to everything. She was supposed to be this great Queen, descended from Warrior-Queens, and she spent most of her time worrying about her gown and whether or not Lancelot could see the wrinkles around her eyes.
Overall, Lancelot came across as the most sympathetic character of the series. He tried to do the right thing at each turn, and usually suffered for it.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
February 1, 2021
The Holy Grail Child is the last book in this trilogy and, in my opinion, the best book of the three.
This book, as the title says, talks about the demand for the Grail, which here is not the cup where Jesus drinks at the Last Supper, but the sacred Relics of the Goddess that Christians claim to be the Holy Grail.
This last book introduces us to Elaine de Corbenic, with whom Lancelot had a son named Galahad.
This book was heartbreaking, with the discovery of the case between Lancelot and Guinevere, which as everyone knows ends up with Guinevere being sentenced to death at the stake. Lancelot appears and saves her and takes her to Joyous Guarde and in the end returns Guinevere to Arthur.
In the end, Mordred ends up taking over his father's throne when he followed Lancelot to Benoic. The battle between Mordred and Arthur is fought and the two end up killing each other.
The scene in which Arthur is taken to Avalon is simply breathtaking. The part I loved most was the end. Being Celtic, Guinevere instead of ending his days in the convent, returns to Camelot and tries to rebuild the kingdom. Lancelot comes back and tries to convince her to go with him to Benoic.
However, Guinevere ends up staying in the kingdom because she does not want to dishonor the memory of Arthur, who was not dead, but sleeping until he returns. However, Lancelot and Guinevere spend one last night together before he leaves and nine months later she ends up giving birth to her and Lancelot's daughter. The book ends with Guinevere going to France visit Lancelot after giving birth to her daughter.
An exciting book, especially in the last part. If you like the legend of King Arthur, you will definitely like this.
This book, as the title says, talks about the demand for the Grail, which here is not the cup where Jesus drinks at the Last Supper, but the sacred Relics of the Goddess that Christians claim to be the Holy Grail.
This last book introduces us to Elaine de Corbenic, with whom Lancelot had a son named Galahad.
This book was heartbreaking, with the discovery of the case between Lancelot and Guinevere, which as everyone knows ends up with Guinevere being sentenced to death at the stake. Lancelot appears and saves her and takes her to Joyous Guarde and in the end returns Guinevere to Arthur.
In the end, Mordred ends up taking over his father's throne when he followed Lancelot to Benoic. The battle between Mordred and Arthur is fought and the two end up killing each other.
The scene in which Arthur is taken to Avalon is simply breathtaking. The part I loved most was the end. Being Celtic, Guinevere instead of ending his days in the convent, returns to Camelot and tries to rebuild the kingdom. Lancelot comes back and tries to convince her to go with him to Benoic.
However, Guinevere ends up staying in the kingdom because she does not want to dishonor the memory of Arthur, who was not dead, but sleeping until he returns. However, Lancelot and Guinevere spend one last night together before he leaves and nine months later she ends up giving birth to her and Lancelot's daughter. The book ends with Guinevere going to France visit Lancelot after giving birth to her daughter.
An exciting book, especially in the last part. If you like the legend of King Arthur, you will definitely like this.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
July 12, 2009
I highly enjoyed this series but this book (unlike the other two) I was able to put down and forget about for a while. Guenevere and Lancelots banter and constant loving and leaving got annoying half way through the novel. It seems like the author could not stick with one tale about them and decided to throw it all in together. A lot of Guenevere's actions were like that of someone half of her age and not a wise Queen.
The characterization of Arthur in this novel changed drastically and I wasn't all too happy about it. It seemed that it happened suddenly (almost over night) and then he'll change back. Almost as if he's indecisive over everything. It confused me that in his death he reverts back to his old self after giving no hint of it what so ever throughout the battle and his last days.
I'm not sure how to react about the ending, there was this amazing (and some times annoying) build up and then it just ends suddenly. Arthur's funeral seemed all to rushed, and Guenevere's decision to 'never see Lancelot' again just had me rolling my eyes.
The epilogue didn't leave me feeling complete, though the tale of Arthur still continues that's not how the book should've ended since it's about Gwen.
The characterization of Arthur in this novel changed drastically and I wasn't all too happy about it. It seemed that it happened suddenly (almost over night) and then he'll change back. Almost as if he's indecisive over everything. It confused me that in his death he reverts back to his old self after giving no hint of it what so ever throughout the battle and his last days.
I'm not sure how to react about the ending, there was this amazing (and some times annoying) build up and then it just ends suddenly. Arthur's funeral seemed all to rushed, and Guenevere's decision to 'never see Lancelot' again just had me rolling my eyes.
The epilogue didn't leave me feeling complete, though the tale of Arthur still continues that's not how the book should've ended since it's about Gwen.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
June 28, 2008
Numerous times when reading these three books, I declared to anyone listening that if there was another purple prose sex scene or another scene in which Guenevere makes an irrational outburst, I'd actually burn the books. I never have yet, but I came very close to just getting out a box of matches and doing it.
I'm not quite sure why I even bothered reading the whole trilogy. Stubbornness, I suppose. And it is readable enough -- once I put my mind to it, I could read great chunks of the books in one sitting. But the characterisation is erratic and inconsistent, and it doesn't really bring anything new to the Arthurian legends. It's supposed to be a feminist take on the legend, or so I read, but Guenevere's behaviour makes it seem rather the opposite to me.
I do not recommend. And I'm changing my star ratings on the other two books, I think.
I'm not quite sure why I even bothered reading the whole trilogy. Stubbornness, I suppose. And it is readable enough -- once I put my mind to it, I could read great chunks of the books in one sitting. But the characterisation is erratic and inconsistent, and it doesn't really bring anything new to the Arthurian legends. It's supposed to be a feminist take on the legend, or so I read, but Guenevere's behaviour makes it seem rather the opposite to me.
I do not recommend. And I'm changing my star ratings on the other two books, I think.
February 1, 2011
Rosalind Miles has interesting books, but her style of writing is off-putting to me. Her women are always Damsels in Distress, waiting to be saved and then loved obsessively. Guenevere does nothing but bitch and moan at Lancelot for having love affairs but she's married. To his best friend. Geez, lady. Do something besides destroy any sympathy I have for you as a character in a tragedy. This was seriously the most whiny, annoying Guenevere I have ever read.
I understand the roles for the story are already predetermined and we all know how it is going to end up, but Miles could have written her Guenevere as a resilient, daring, and ultimately her own independent woman who dared risk her life for the love she couldn't deny rather than just being a vocal reminder of how little women actually do in this series.
More of my reviews here: http://bibliophileanonymous.blogspot....
I understand the roles for the story are already predetermined and we all know how it is going to end up, but Miles could have written her Guenevere as a resilient, daring, and ultimately her own independent woman who dared risk her life for the love she couldn't deny rather than just being a vocal reminder of how little women actually do in this series.
More of my reviews here: http://bibliophileanonymous.blogspot....
July 23, 2011
I believe the author was trying to portray Guenevere as one of the last great Mother-rite Queens...strong willed and equal (if not better than) men. However, I just couldn't help constantly being annoyed by Guenevere...her jealousy and sense of superiority seemed to grow with each novel. However, I feel the novel was well-written and interesting...the different stories of the knights, Galahad and the Quest, the battle with Mordrid, and Morgan's role in Arthur's life were all great tales. The scene with Arthur and Bevidere near the end of the book was particularly well done. Overall, a decent series. Most reviewers who have read the Isolde series think it is better so maybe I'll give that one a shot.
April 26, 2014
Without posting spoilers, I guess I must say it has a much happier ending for the main characters (if not for Great Britain). I will say it continued to be strange to see Guenevere portrayed as a worshiper of the Great Goddess after may re-readings of The Mists of Avalon, where she becomes such a fanatical Christian. Still a bit blond and overly-self-entitled for me to love her as I do Mary Stewart's Merlin or Marion Zimmer Bradley's Morgaine, but Miles makes her more whole than I've found her in any other Arthurian novels thus far.
Many thanks to my sister, Lori, for pointing me to this series. As much as I adore Bradley, and "Mists", it is nice to have another rendition from the Goddess-worship point of view.
Many thanks to my sister, Lori, for pointing me to this series. As much as I adore Bradley, and "Mists", it is nice to have another rendition from the Goddess-worship point of view.
June 25, 2007
This book was definitely a big twist on the usual Arthur tale. I don't want to throw out too many spoilers...but this was the most different telling of the legend I've ever read.
I liked the different in some ways. It was great to see Guenevere portrayed as someone other than a whimpering weak woman who destroys Arthur in the end.
On the other hand, this was the first time I'd ever read the tale with the perspective that Arthur was far less than perfect. In fact, he was QUITE flawed in this version.
It makes for an interesting read if you're really into the legend - a different perspective than what the traditional view presents.
I liked the different in some ways. It was great to see Guenevere portrayed as someone other than a whimpering weak woman who destroys Arthur in the end.
On the other hand, this was the first time I'd ever read the tale with the perspective that Arthur was far less than perfect. In fact, he was QUITE flawed in this version.
It makes for an interesting read if you're really into the legend - a different perspective than what the traditional view presents.
May 29, 2012
I'm honestly not sure how l feel at the end of this book. Nothing turned out liked l had hoped, but the end fits, I suppose. This version on Arthur is such a douche that everytime Guenevere forgives him all l could ask was "Why?" I wanted her to dump his ass, run back to Lanealot and be happy. But she's not happy, not even in the end. She takes on her responsibilities, does what is right, and swallows want she wanted. Its noble, but it's also sad. It is how it is, l suspect, like life is for all of us.
May 5, 2015
This final book in the Guenevere/Arthur triology finds Arthur and Guenevere reconciled until the arrival of Mordred, Arthur's son by Morgan le Fey. There to claim his birthright, Mordred sets into motion events designed to bring down Camelot, and start the search for the Holy Grail. This trilogy has been told mainly as Guenevere's story, the round table originally having belonged to the Queens of the Summer Country. Guenevere seeks to restore everything she and her country have lost. Again, Miles' writing is descriptive, emotional, and mystical.
March 17, 2010
As the last in the series, I was simply expecting more. Not terrible, but not great either. Toward the ending it seemed as though she began writing the characters taking very "out of character" actions in order to just finish the book. I can't really point to one thing specifically, but it seemed as though the ending was written in a very rushed way.
Overall, very good though. The middle sort of lost my interest a bit, and apart from the very end, it was written very well.
Overall, very good though. The middle sort of lost my interest a bit, and apart from the very end, it was written very well.
June 5, 2008
I liked this one more than the second, but not as much as the first but it was still a good novel. I thought the author redeemed Guenevere as a character here, because I was not feeling her in the second book. The way it wrapped up was a little sketchy, but didn't take away from my overall enjoyment of the series.
November 9, 2009
Wasn't sure I was going to continue this series, but it arrived in my mailbox...
I think I liked this one best of the three, although I read the first so long ago it's hard to say. At times the story was so dire I had trouble continuing (and read a few light novels along the way), but on the whole I really appreciated this take on the Camelot stories. I also was glad of the end.
I think I liked this one best of the three, although I read the first so long ago it's hard to say. At times the story was so dire I had trouble continuing (and read a few light novels along the way), but on the whole I really appreciated this take on the Camelot stories. I also was glad of the end.
October 31, 2010
This is the least bad book of the series but still not good enough to get 3 stars. I also found it very disappointing that the author didn't get into the story untill the third book. Still their were large parts of the book that I had to force myself to pick up the book and keep reading. even though at the end it was hard to put down.
September 11, 2013
I spent most of this series thinking that Arthur and Guenevere bring out the worst of one another. It was nice to see Guenevere's strength at the end of this one. I enjoyed how truthful she stayed to the medieval Arthurian legends while setting them in a very different England than people imagine for the time period.
April 5, 2016
The trilogy has come to an end as has Arthur's life. Mordred has a central role in the demise of the era of the Knights of the Round Table. And yet, Guenevere continues to rule her kingdom with dignity. Thoroughly enjoyed this trilogy. Haven't read any Arthurian legends in the last several years so it was a pleasure to vicariously return to Camelot for a short period of time.
February 19, 2008
I was feeling incredibly romantic when I picked up this book. I've always been fascinated by all things Camelot, Arthur and the Knights of the Round Table and the love that Guenevere and Lancelot shared...the author is a wonderful story teller.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 54 reviews