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The Heirs to Camelot #1
The Midsummer Wife
The reincarnated souls of King Arthur, Merlin, and an anxiety-ridden priestess return to save Britain after a devastating nuclear attack, only to find an old foe: Morgaine.
After a nuclear attack on London that heralds The Time Foretold, Ava Cerdwin, the high priestess in charge of fulfilling a 1,500-year-old prophecy, must assist the heirs of King Arthur and Merlin in healing the devastated country.
The descendants of Britain’s great men of legend have kept the myths and relics for sixty-one generations, but no one is quite clear on what they must do next.
Nothing goes as planned: Ava falls for the wrong heir, the panic attacks are getting worse, the complex obligations of reincarnation are straining old relationships, and Morgaine and her henchwomen are trying to kill them.
Somehow, some way, Ava has to make the Healing happen, or Britain is finished.
The Midsummer Wife, Book One of the Heirs to Camelot is an urban fantasy that combines Arthurian lore, love, and a race to a breathtaking finish.
After a nuclear attack on London that heralds The Time Foretold, Ava Cerdwin, the high priestess in charge of fulfilling a 1,500-year-old prophecy, must assist the heirs of King Arthur and Merlin in healing the devastated country.
The descendants of Britain’s great men of legend have kept the myths and relics for sixty-one generations, but no one is quite clear on what they must do next.
Nothing goes as planned: Ava falls for the wrong heir, the panic attacks are getting worse, the complex obligations of reincarnation are straining old relationships, and Morgaine and her henchwomen are trying to kill them.
Somehow, some way, Ava has to make the Healing happen, or Britain is finished.
The Midsummer Wife, Book One of the Heirs to Camelot is an urban fantasy that combines Arthurian lore, love, and a race to a breathtaking finish.
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Published August 26, 2018
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Displaying 1 - 21 of 21 reviews
November 24, 2019
Jacqueline Simonds offers an urban fantasy with a side helping of Arthurian legend in The Midsummer Wife. It’s a tantalizing reading combination, especially in a time when we know our leaders by their tweets rather than by their ancestry.
Set in the near future, the story goes like this. Ava Cerdwin is the High Priestess of an Order worshipping The Goddess. She travels to Britain in the wake of a terrible nuclear disaster, which devastated London and the surrounding area. Her task is to connect with two men descended from Merlin and King Arthur, convince them to join her, and together heal the country. And by heal Simonds means return it physically, emotionally, and psychically to its best.
Maybe this sounds far-fetched, but that’s what fantasy is all about. And sometimes I need exactly that. I enjoyed the heck out of this tale. It has plenty of suspense, albeit right alongside a healthy dose of insta-love. Or magical lust, depending on how you look at it.
My conclusions
Sometimes authors send me books, generously suggesting I read it “whenever.” Then too much time passes, and I regret not reading and reviewing sooner. This is one of those. Ultimately, though, I think books just pop to the top of my list when they’re supposed to. In the midst of real-life partisan political wrangling, an engaging good versus evil story like The Midsummer Wife is a necessary escape.
Simonds writes well, balancing descriptions, action, and character study. She moves the story forward at a brisk pace, avoiding any distracting tangents. Ava and her compatriots, Harper and Ron, are conflicted and flawed. Of course, that’s just how I like my heroes. Plus, the nasty villains they’re fighting have ancient roots and modern methods, which only adds to the fun.
I liked The Midsummer Wife enough to download its sequel from Kindle Unlimited and dig right in. So far, I’m not quite as captivated with the second book. But it’s still early days.
If you enjoy urban fantasy that connects to ancient legends, this is the book for you. It’s also a chance to support a less well-known, but definitely deserving author.
Pair with Ophelia Immune by Beth Mattson or Creatures of Will and Temper by Molly Tanner. Both are unique fantasy books written by up-and-coming authors.
Acknowledgements
Many thanks to Strange Fictions Press and the author for the opportunity to read a free copy of this book in exchange for my honest review.
Originally posted on my book blog, TheBibliophage.com.
Set in the near future, the story goes like this. Ava Cerdwin is the High Priestess of an Order worshipping The Goddess. She travels to Britain in the wake of a terrible nuclear disaster, which devastated London and the surrounding area. Her task is to connect with two men descended from Merlin and King Arthur, convince them to join her, and together heal the country. And by heal Simonds means return it physically, emotionally, and psychically to its best.
Maybe this sounds far-fetched, but that’s what fantasy is all about. And sometimes I need exactly that. I enjoyed the heck out of this tale. It has plenty of suspense, albeit right alongside a healthy dose of insta-love. Or magical lust, depending on how you look at it.
My conclusions
Sometimes authors send me books, generously suggesting I read it “whenever.” Then too much time passes, and I regret not reading and reviewing sooner. This is one of those. Ultimately, though, I think books just pop to the top of my list when they’re supposed to. In the midst of real-life partisan political wrangling, an engaging good versus evil story like The Midsummer Wife is a necessary escape.
Simonds writes well, balancing descriptions, action, and character study. She moves the story forward at a brisk pace, avoiding any distracting tangents. Ava and her compatriots, Harper and Ron, are conflicted and flawed. Of course, that’s just how I like my heroes. Plus, the nasty villains they’re fighting have ancient roots and modern methods, which only adds to the fun.
I liked The Midsummer Wife enough to download its sequel from Kindle Unlimited and dig right in. So far, I’m not quite as captivated with the second book. But it’s still early days.
If you enjoy urban fantasy that connects to ancient legends, this is the book for you. It’s also a chance to support a less well-known, but definitely deserving author.
Pair with Ophelia Immune by Beth Mattson or Creatures of Will and Temper by Molly Tanner. Both are unique fantasy books written by up-and-coming authors.
Acknowledgements
Many thanks to Strange Fictions Press and the author for the opportunity to read a free copy of this book in exchange for my honest review.
Originally posted on my book blog, TheBibliophage.com.
October 18, 2018
The Midsummer Wife by Jacqueline Simonds is a post-apocalyptic urban fantasy drawing on Arthurian legends.
In sixth century Britain, Anya charges her three offspring - Falcon fathered by Merlin, Stephen fathered by King Arthur, and her daughter Arianrhod - to guard the respective rites, relics and heritage of Merlin, Arthur and of the Goddess until the Day Foretold. Almost 1500 years later, in 2029, the nuclear annihilation of London and essentially all its leadership devastates Britain. With Midsummer almost here, the day fortold is fast approaching and Ava Cerdwn, high-priestess of the Goddess, ancestor of Arianrhod, and leader of the sacred Sisterhood, must convince the Merlin and Arthur heirs, Duke Drunemerton (Harper) and Lord Steadbye (Ron), of who she is and that the time has come to step forward and heal the land. Each of the heirs struggle with grief and mental demons. And an ancient and implacable enemy will stop at nothing to thwart their and the Goddess' plans.
The first one third of the book is heavy with set-up, backstory and long conversations and looking at ancient relics as Ava seeks to establish her credentials with both Harper (the Merlin heir) and Ron (the Arthur heir). Harper's distrust and Ava falling for the 'wrong' guy sets up some tension, but these are quickly resolved. The story momentum speeds up as the trio encounter murderous opposition and the final one third kept the pages turning with a cliff-hanger ending.
I did wonder about some of the historical 'facts' (for instance, Arthur's son Stephen arrives in Jerusalem during the Persian Muslim takeover in 636 AD and then takes a bride from Anatolia on the way home 97 years after he was born and 51 years after he died); or the heirs produce elaborate, detailed 'sixth century' tapestries, whereas even in the 12 century wasn't that advanced in this art form. Eleven years into our future, the Goddess religion is well established with only passing mention given to over 1500 years of Christianity in Britain. Even so, Simonds has built up a rich world of myth and legend which values 'a gentle love-centred power', peace and healing. The personal backstory/demons and their doubts and fears add to the portrayal of the characters and I did like how Ava's overcoming of her acrophobia and PTSD was portrayed.
Overall, interesting setting and complex, rich characters in fresh look at the legendary once-and-future king.
In sixth century Britain, Anya charges her three offspring - Falcon fathered by Merlin, Stephen fathered by King Arthur, and her daughter Arianrhod - to guard the respective rites, relics and heritage of Merlin, Arthur and of the Goddess until the Day Foretold. Almost 1500 years later, in 2029, the nuclear annihilation of London and essentially all its leadership devastates Britain. With Midsummer almost here, the day fortold is fast approaching and Ava Cerdwn, high-priestess of the Goddess, ancestor of Arianrhod, and leader of the sacred Sisterhood, must convince the Merlin and Arthur heirs, Duke Drunemerton (Harper) and Lord Steadbye (Ron), of who she is and that the time has come to step forward and heal the land. Each of the heirs struggle with grief and mental demons. And an ancient and implacable enemy will stop at nothing to thwart their and the Goddess' plans.
The first one third of the book is heavy with set-up, backstory and long conversations and looking at ancient relics as Ava seeks to establish her credentials with both Harper (the Merlin heir) and Ron (the Arthur heir). Harper's distrust and Ava falling for the 'wrong' guy sets up some tension, but these are quickly resolved. The story momentum speeds up as the trio encounter murderous opposition and the final one third kept the pages turning with a cliff-hanger ending.
I did wonder about some of the historical 'facts' (for instance, Arthur's son Stephen arrives in Jerusalem during the Persian Muslim takeover in 636 AD and then takes a bride from Anatolia on the way home 97 years after he was born and 51 years after he died); or the heirs produce elaborate, detailed 'sixth century' tapestries, whereas even in the 12 century wasn't that advanced in this art form. Eleven years into our future, the Goddess religion is well established with only passing mention given to over 1500 years of Christianity in Britain. Even so, Simonds has built up a rich world of myth and legend which values 'a gentle love-centred power', peace and healing. The personal backstory/demons and their doubts and fears add to the portrayal of the characters and I did like how Ava's overcoming of her acrophobia and PTSD was portrayed.
Overall, interesting setting and complex, rich characters in fresh look at the legendary once-and-future king.
October 27, 2021
A unique take on Armageddon by giving it an Arthurian spin. We've got the massive destruction of London, the Royal family and the government and the discovery of an ancient line descended directly from Arthur, Merlin and Anya poised to heal the country. Some steamy scenes for a bit of extra spice and nice layering of characters. The ending was kinda obvious but knowing there are more books helps to maintain intrigue.
December 15, 2018
A unique Interpretation of Arthurian Legend
“The Midsummer Wife” (Book one of ‘The Heirs to Camelot’ Series) by Jacqueline Church Simonds is not an action-packed narrative. Instead, the reader is taken, with a well-controlled regularity of pace, along a storyline where contemporary realism and fantasy intermingle to fascinating effect.
An essential backstory is built up during the first half of the book. It is a very complex history, based on the Arthurian legend of England, and is revealed sometimes in large sweeps of exposition, which tend to slow the pace. Events from the distant past are shown to carry a vital influence into the ruined present, offering salvation for the future; and a conflict, begun fifteen hundred years earlier between the forces of good and evil, returns.
Most of the characters are strong and fully rounded. The central character is particularly well developed. She possesses knowledge and experience which will lead to a new world order. But at the same time, she is altogether human, and helps the other players to reconcile their individual pasts with their contemporary experiences.
Perhaps the narrative gives too much space to the arcane aspect of the storyline, at the expense of action. But this is the nature of the book. In its well-controlled progress, it reveals the potential for a new spirituality following an apocalyptic event, and tends to stimulate the reader’s own speculative ability. One may not be hooked in by a high level of tension, but one is drawn consistently onwards as a series of powerful happenings unfolds.
The main point of conflict arrives towards the end of the book, bringing with it a higher level of energy, and action takes over. But it is worth the wait; and the careful preparation throughout the rest of the book is shown to be a very natural and well-regulated progression to a rather surprising dénouement.
“The Midsummer Wife” is a novel where the known facts of the Arthurian legend are brought into a modern-day fantasy setting in a unique and completely convincing manner. It is an enjoyable book, recommended to a wide range of readers.
“The Midsummer Wife” (Book one of ‘The Heirs to Camelot’ Series) by Jacqueline Church Simonds is not an action-packed narrative. Instead, the reader is taken, with a well-controlled regularity of pace, along a storyline where contemporary realism and fantasy intermingle to fascinating effect.
An essential backstory is built up during the first half of the book. It is a very complex history, based on the Arthurian legend of England, and is revealed sometimes in large sweeps of exposition, which tend to slow the pace. Events from the distant past are shown to carry a vital influence into the ruined present, offering salvation for the future; and a conflict, begun fifteen hundred years earlier between the forces of good and evil, returns.
Most of the characters are strong and fully rounded. The central character is particularly well developed. She possesses knowledge and experience which will lead to a new world order. But at the same time, she is altogether human, and helps the other players to reconcile their individual pasts with their contemporary experiences.
Perhaps the narrative gives too much space to the arcane aspect of the storyline, at the expense of action. But this is the nature of the book. In its well-controlled progress, it reveals the potential for a new spirituality following an apocalyptic event, and tends to stimulate the reader’s own speculative ability. One may not be hooked in by a high level of tension, but one is drawn consistently onwards as a series of powerful happenings unfolds.
The main point of conflict arrives towards the end of the book, bringing with it a higher level of energy, and action takes over. But it is worth the wait; and the careful preparation throughout the rest of the book is shown to be a very natural and well-regulated progression to a rather surprising dénouement.
“The Midsummer Wife” is a novel where the known facts of the Arthurian legend are brought into a modern-day fantasy setting in a unique and completely convincing manner. It is an enjoyable book, recommended to a wide range of readers.
August 30, 2017
Jacqueline Church Simonds’ The Midsummer Wife, Book One of the Heirs to Camelot series, kicks off what promises to be an intriguing modern-day Arthurian saga that sees heroes reborn and old enemies surface. Set in the not-too-distant future, the story follows Ava, young woman who’s assumed the role of High Priestess in a Sisterhood founded during Arthurian times, as she seeks the heirs to King Arthur and Merlin in the aftermath of a devastating attack on London. With England in crisis, she hopes that the new King and wizard will, with the assistance of herself and the Sisterhood, assume the roles of their legendary forefathers and save the nation. But heroes aren’t the only ones to rise again—followers of Arthur’s enemies have also lasted through the generations, and they’ll do anything to stop the Once and Future King from ascending. Ava soon finds herself grappling with the forces of destiny and romantically entangled with the Arthur heir as she struggles with both the past and the future of England—and herself.
Ava is a richly drawn character whose interior life is every bit as riveting as the external circumstances she finds herself faced with – how to both fulfill a destiny and be her own person, how to deal with anxiety and past traumas. The fantastical elements—rituals from old Celtic religions, dark magic, forces of fate—are well drawn and skillfully integrated into a contemporary setting. And then there’s the romance… the palpable chemistry between Ava and Ron (the Arthur heir), complicated by their respective destinies, makes their relationship a riveting read. Imaginative, mesmerizing, and emotionally complex, Simonds’ unique story boldly expands the Arthurian legend into exciting new territory.
Ava is a richly drawn character whose interior life is every bit as riveting as the external circumstances she finds herself faced with – how to both fulfill a destiny and be her own person, how to deal with anxiety and past traumas. The fantastical elements—rituals from old Celtic religions, dark magic, forces of fate—are well drawn and skillfully integrated into a contemporary setting. And then there’s the romance… the palpable chemistry between Ava and Ron (the Arthur heir), complicated by their respective destinies, makes their relationship a riveting read. Imaginative, mesmerizing, and emotionally complex, Simonds’ unique story boldly expands the Arthurian legend into exciting new territory.
November 27, 2018
The Midsummer Wife is the modern outcome of Arthurian intrigue, a story of secretive organisations and hidden heritage culminating in Britain’s salvation. The aftermath of a nuclear terrorist attack on the heart of London has brought Britain to its knees, with the capital shattered and the countryside overrun with refugees. Ava Cerdwen is the High Priestess of the Goddessian Church, and the woman tasked with bringing the heirs of Merlin and Arthur out of obscurity to heal their shattered country.
Author Jacqueline Church Simonds has pulled together a number of classic threads to weave her tale, with secretive cults of priestesses bringing forwards ancient knowledge to manipulate events, hidden heirs to power reluctantly acknowledging their heritage, and Druidic rites. Fans of Arthurian legend will find this a satisfying read, with a nod to all the right touchpoints, including a planned seduction that goes wildly astray. There are places where the reader relies on Ava’s mental commentary for a lot of the context, and couple of places where one of the protagonists happens to have just exactly the unlikely item required to save the day, but by and large the pacing and the storyline don’t require the help, and the whole forms a very pleasant read.
Reviewed for By Rite of Word.
Author Jacqueline Church Simonds has pulled together a number of classic threads to weave her tale, with secretive cults of priestesses bringing forwards ancient knowledge to manipulate events, hidden heirs to power reluctantly acknowledging their heritage, and Druidic rites. Fans of Arthurian legend will find this a satisfying read, with a nod to all the right touchpoints, including a planned seduction that goes wildly astray. There are places where the reader relies on Ava’s mental commentary for a lot of the context, and couple of places where one of the protagonists happens to have just exactly the unlikely item required to save the day, but by and large the pacing and the storyline don’t require the help, and the whole forms a very pleasant read.
Reviewed for By Rite of Word.
Read
January 18, 2019Arthurian legend reincarnated into the present day.
Merlin, Arthur, Gwen are all reborn to protect the world from Morgan and her Helaite followers. There is an underground faith and Ava is it's priestess sworn to find the reborn and help guide them towards preventing an age old war from being reborn along with them. They have access to a lost art of magic that throws you into a world where psychic abilities allow them to communicate through thoughts, sense what people are feeling, and even manipulate those feelings.
If legends, friendship, and sorcery are your thing then this book checks all those boxes.
I swept through the first half of this book pretty quick, it's easy to read, and well written. At around 59% it came to a lull for me personally, as I found the scenarios, and the way the plot progressed to be too youthful for me. The characters themselves are adults, and there are adult situations that happen in this book, but the reading became much too tedious for me after the first half of the book. It seemed like everything was repeated and explained, and then I lost my desire to find out what happens, because I felt like I already knew.
This book ends with a DNF for me, as soon as a book is picked up several times and the only thing keeping me reading it is my desire to pay it forward with a review for them I have to admit that the book isn't for me, and should be left for another to give it some much needed love. I was not the right audience for the material.
The author is a great writer, so I would not check them off my list of potential reads in the future, I did read through the first 50% very quickly and enjoyed it, so I'll keep an eye out for future books that might be more my style.
Merlin, Arthur, Gwen are all reborn to protect the world from Morgan and her Helaite followers. There is an underground faith and Ava is it's priestess sworn to find the reborn and help guide them towards preventing an age old war from being reborn along with them. They have access to a lost art of magic that throws you into a world where psychic abilities allow them to communicate through thoughts, sense what people are feeling, and even manipulate those feelings.
If legends, friendship, and sorcery are your thing then this book checks all those boxes.
I swept through the first half of this book pretty quick, it's easy to read, and well written. At around 59% it came to a lull for me personally, as I found the scenarios, and the way the plot progressed to be too youthful for me. The characters themselves are adults, and there are adult situations that happen in this book, but the reading became much too tedious for me after the first half of the book. It seemed like everything was repeated and explained, and then I lost my desire to find out what happens, because I felt like I already knew.
This book ends with a DNF for me, as soon as a book is picked up several times and the only thing keeping me reading it is my desire to pay it forward with a review for them I have to admit that the book isn't for me, and should be left for another to give it some much needed love. I was not the right audience for the material.
The author is a great writer, so I would not check them off my list of potential reads in the future, I did read through the first 50% very quickly and enjoyed it, so I'll keep an eye out for future books that might be more my style.
November 8, 2021
Interesting take on Arthurian legend. It seemed to start off a bit slow (but that just could have been me trying to read late at night), but it eventually picked up in the middle and kept going through the end. Well-written with believable dialogue.
Read
January 26, 2025Dnf, couldn't bring myself to finish it. I love Arthurian stuff, but this book wasn't for me.
April 5, 2019
The Midsummer Wife by Jacqueline Church Simonds is an interesting take on the King Arthur legend in that it brings the story of Arthur and Merlin and Morgaine 1500 years into our near future. It also introduces a High Priestess of the Goddess—Ava Cerdwen—into the story. London has been hit by a nuclear bomb that has knocked out the government and the Royal family leaving the country in a shambles. Up step three people who can heal Britain, the direct descendants of King Arthur, Merlin, and Anya, a Priestess of Avalon who gave birth to children from both Arthur and Merlin. The three genetic lines have been preparing for Arthur’s return to the throne for fifteen centuries.
The story focuses on the relationship Ava forms with the Merlin descendant, Harper, and the Arthur descendant, Ron. She must convince them of her power and who she represents, a servant of the Goddess, while struggling with her own panic attacks and agoraphobia. The three all carry psi powers and latent abilities which they must use on Midsummer noon to force Morgaine of Avalon to fulfill an oath to heal the land.
Not being much of a follower of the King Arthur legends other than T.H. White’s The Once and Future King and Sir Thomas Mallory’s Le Morte D’Arthur, I was not aware of much of the backstory regarding Morgaine and the priestesses of Avalon—who have also survived since the fifth century—and why they would have persisted so long to oppose the return of Arthur.
Simonds’ The Midsummer Wife puts a new spin on the legend of King Arthur and his knights being kept asleep under a spell to await the day when Britain is in dire need, so they can rise up again.
The story focuses on the relationship Ava forms with the Merlin descendant, Harper, and the Arthur descendant, Ron. She must convince them of her power and who she represents, a servant of the Goddess, while struggling with her own panic attacks and agoraphobia. The three all carry psi powers and latent abilities which they must use on Midsummer noon to force Morgaine of Avalon to fulfill an oath to heal the land.
Not being much of a follower of the King Arthur legends other than T.H. White’s The Once and Future King and Sir Thomas Mallory’s Le Morte D’Arthur, I was not aware of much of the backstory regarding Morgaine and the priestesses of Avalon—who have also survived since the fifth century—and why they would have persisted so long to oppose the return of Arthur.
Simonds’ The Midsummer Wife puts a new spin on the legend of King Arthur and his knights being kept asleep under a spell to await the day when Britain is in dire need, so they can rise up again.
November 26, 2022
This review was originally posted at http://bit.ly/3VansuG.
The goddess has communicated with her High Priestess for over 1500 years that a great travesty would befall Britain and the heirs of King Arthur, Merlin, and Anya would rise up and heal the country. The time has come in the form of a nuclear blast that destroyed parliament, the royal family, and thousands more. It is up to Ava, Harper, and Ron to battle Morganna and her followers to achieve this goal. Are they strong enough or will their insecurities get the best of them?
I received a copy of this book from the author in exchange for an honest review. While I don't typically enjoy period pieces I have always made an exception when it comes to King Arthur and the knights of the round table. In this case, however, it is set in the near future so my lack of enjoyment for historical books would not have come into play no matter the subject matter.
That being said this book is a bit of a twist. Normally we have King Arthur and his wife Guinevere, who cheated on him with Lancelot, and their back and forth. In this case we have Anya, who was a priestess of one known only as 'The Goddess" that was the lover of both Merlin and King Arthur and bore them both sons.
I was a bit hesitant on this book because of the amount of religion. Anyone who has read my reviews or who knows me knows that I am steadfastly not religious and I don't read religious things. They bore me to no end. Especially monotheism. But, I tend to enjoy books that include polytheism, so when the religious deity is referred to as the goddess I had some hope. While there are a lot of religious sections where they pray to this one deity it is not loathsome. Although, if you are delicate of heart you may find issues with many things that take place in this book, such as Ava floating naked and the bit at the end that I won't spoil.
Personally, that didn't bother me and I enjoyed the book. It is an indie author book, which are sometimes hit or miss. There are very few typos and issues in the book. One of which I was able to point out to the author. After that I wasn't. I'm not sure if it was Twitter or what the case was, but still. The story does have flashbacks to the time of King Arthur, but they are superimposed over the current time, which is interesting.
This is book one of four, although at this time I'm not sure that I want to continue the series. The book was good, and does end on a bit of a cliffhanger. That being said I'm not on the edge of my seat needing to know what happens next.
The goddess has communicated with her High Priestess for over 1500 years that a great travesty would befall Britain and the heirs of King Arthur, Merlin, and Anya would rise up and heal the country. The time has come in the form of a nuclear blast that destroyed parliament, the royal family, and thousands more. It is up to Ava, Harper, and Ron to battle Morganna and her followers to achieve this goal. Are they strong enough or will their insecurities get the best of them?
I received a copy of this book from the author in exchange for an honest review. While I don't typically enjoy period pieces I have always made an exception when it comes to King Arthur and the knights of the round table. In this case, however, it is set in the near future so my lack of enjoyment for historical books would not have come into play no matter the subject matter.
That being said this book is a bit of a twist. Normally we have King Arthur and his wife Guinevere, who cheated on him with Lancelot, and their back and forth. In this case we have Anya, who was a priestess of one known only as 'The Goddess" that was the lover of both Merlin and King Arthur and bore them both sons.
I was a bit hesitant on this book because of the amount of religion. Anyone who has read my reviews or who knows me knows that I am steadfastly not religious and I don't read religious things. They bore me to no end. Especially monotheism. But, I tend to enjoy books that include polytheism, so when the religious deity is referred to as the goddess I had some hope. While there are a lot of religious sections where they pray to this one deity it is not loathsome. Although, if you are delicate of heart you may find issues with many things that take place in this book, such as Ava floating naked and the bit at the end that I won't spoil.
Personally, that didn't bother me and I enjoyed the book. It is an indie author book, which are sometimes hit or miss. There are very few typos and issues in the book. One of which I was able to point out to the author. After that I wasn't. I'm not sure if it was Twitter or what the case was, but still. The story does have flashbacks to the time of King Arthur, but they are superimposed over the current time, which is interesting.
This is book one of four, although at this time I'm not sure that I want to continue the series. The book was good, and does end on a bit of a cliffhanger. That being said I'm not on the edge of my seat needing to know what happens next.
March 1, 2019
I'll confess to not being initially drawn to this story - perhaps it was the title that didn't snare me and I thought it was romance, not my genre for reading generally, but while there's passion indeed within these pages, I was very wrong to scroll by on my Kindle before now.
The Midsummer Wife is a dystopian sci-fi Arthurian romance. Yup. All of those. A nuclear blast has devastated London, taking the royalty and the government with it, and a shattered Britain is left to pick up the pieces - even as its citizens scramble to leave on the next boat or plane.
Into this are plunged the descendants of King Arthur and Merlin, along with the heir of an ancient priestess, Ava, who is crucial to hopes of defeating ancient foe Morgaine and her cultists and hopefully reunite Britain.
The opening chapter of this book may be one of the best openings I've read in a long time. It's taut, pacy, and introduces us to an assured and determined Ava. Except that's just a mask - in truth, she's beset by anxiety and agoraphobia, a fractured soul trying to hide her weaknesses because she knows the fate of the country, perhaps the world, rests on her shoulders.
It's fantastic to have a more complex character at the heart of the story rather than a perfect, infallible hero - and that's before she finds herself driven by impulses more ancient than she knows to form a bond with... the wrong man?
Perhaps... as only turning the pages will reveal.
This book is a little more saucy than my usual reading fare, but that's no knock on the book itself, just a note that you can expect shirt-ripping and gasping ahead.
I was delighted to be surprised by this book, and to be left wanting more by the time I turned the last page.
The Midsummer Wife is a dystopian sci-fi Arthurian romance. Yup. All of those. A nuclear blast has devastated London, taking the royalty and the government with it, and a shattered Britain is left to pick up the pieces - even as its citizens scramble to leave on the next boat or plane.
Into this are plunged the descendants of King Arthur and Merlin, along with the heir of an ancient priestess, Ava, who is crucial to hopes of defeating ancient foe Morgaine and her cultists and hopefully reunite Britain.
The opening chapter of this book may be one of the best openings I've read in a long time. It's taut, pacy, and introduces us to an assured and determined Ava. Except that's just a mask - in truth, she's beset by anxiety and agoraphobia, a fractured soul trying to hide her weaknesses because she knows the fate of the country, perhaps the world, rests on her shoulders.
It's fantastic to have a more complex character at the heart of the story rather than a perfect, infallible hero - and that's before she finds herself driven by impulses more ancient than she knows to form a bond with... the wrong man?
Perhaps... as only turning the pages will reveal.
This book is a little more saucy than my usual reading fare, but that's no knock on the book itself, just a note that you can expect shirt-ripping and gasping ahead.
I was delighted to be surprised by this book, and to be left wanting more by the time I turned the last page.
July 17, 2018
A nuclear attack on London has devastated everything but it has also triggered the decedent’s of King Arthur and Merlin to return to fulfill the prophecy. Ava Cerdwin is the high priestess that is in charge of helping find and assist the heirs to reclaim their place in this new world. But Ava has her own issues to fight with. But just as Arthur and Merlin arise, so too does Morgaine. Morgaine is not just going to sit back and let the prophecy run, she is going to do everything to keep the three from succeeding.
I admit that I don’t know much about the Arthurian legend except snippets from television and movies. So I easily got into this story and thought it was a great retelling of what I knew. Of course you have a great modern twist and how can you not like Ava. She is a relatable character and even though she tries her hardest it seems what can go wrong will.
I think this was a great start to the series and I’m really curious to see what it is going from here. I am also curious to read the original telling of King Arthur to see what I am missing. Oh, I do have to say that I am absolutely in love with this cover. So beautiful and eye catching.
I received a complimentary copy of this book. I voluntarily chose to read and post an honest review.
I admit that I don’t know much about the Arthurian legend except snippets from television and movies. So I easily got into this story and thought it was a great retelling of what I knew. Of course you have a great modern twist and how can you not like Ava. She is a relatable character and even though she tries her hardest it seems what can go wrong will.
I think this was a great start to the series and I’m really curious to see what it is going from here. I am also curious to read the original telling of King Arthur to see what I am missing. Oh, I do have to say that I am absolutely in love with this cover. So beautiful and eye catching.
I received a complimentary copy of this book. I voluntarily chose to read and post an honest review.
September 14, 2018
The Midsummer Wife is a different take on the Arthurian legends we all know and love. The book starts out a bit slow and plays peek a boo with info about Ava for a while, but the author uses dialogue between the 3 main good guys to get some of the back story told, so I wasn't completely lost.
The good: Ava, Talon, and Ron have a lot of power, but each of them is deeply flawed. Their flaws hinder their ability to trust one another and more importantly to trust themselves. This makes them human and more interesting. Their flaws become more crippling toward the climax of the book, but this doesn't make them seem less like real people.
The bad: There is a lot of handwavium in this story, stretching my suspension of disbelief almost to the breaking point. The science is flawed; yes, I know one doesn't read a fantasy story for accurate science, but that is me. The antagonist comes off as an invincible Mary Sue, but this is the first book and I'm sure the invincibility will be solved later on. Unfortunately, the last battle was predictable.
I give this book a 3.5 and round up to 4 since you can't do partial stars.
The good: Ava, Talon, and Ron have a lot of power, but each of them is deeply flawed. Their flaws hinder their ability to trust one another and more importantly to trust themselves. This makes them human and more interesting. Their flaws become more crippling toward the climax of the book, but this doesn't make them seem less like real people.
The bad: There is a lot of handwavium in this story, stretching my suspension of disbelief almost to the breaking point. The science is flawed; yes, I know one doesn't read a fantasy story for accurate science, but that is me. The antagonist comes off as an invincible Mary Sue, but this is the first book and I'm sure the invincibility will be solved later on. Unfortunately, the last battle was predictable.
I give this book a 3.5 and round up to 4 since you can't do partial stars.
November 2, 2020
How would Arthur, Merlin, and the priestess who binds them all, do facing the worst disaster ever to happen in England ?
The world :
Detailled and precise by an author who knows well her arthurian legend. And we feel there is more to come, something i liked !
The characters
We follow in details their advantures et emotions. They are well crafted and with a great depth !
The story
The prophecy make things less interesting as prophecy are bound to get realised but this is not the point of this story. Instead, the author highlights the feelings of the characters, their inner weaknesses, their unions and transformations during this quest
Conclusion,
First book for me in the genre, I will recommend it to those who seek the romance and psychological dimension in a book, more than the epic vision.
The world :
Detailled and precise by an author who knows well her arthurian legend. And we feel there is more to come, something i liked !
The characters
We follow in details their advantures et emotions. They are well crafted and with a great depth !
The story
The prophecy make things less interesting as prophecy are bound to get realised but this is not the point of this story. Instead, the author highlights the feelings of the characters, their inner weaknesses, their unions and transformations during this quest
Conclusion,
First book for me in the genre, I will recommend it to those who seek the romance and psychological dimension in a book, more than the epic vision.
July 1, 2018
I received a copy of this for a fair and honest review. I went into this thinking that I knew enough of the myth and legend to compare this modern tale. This was a whole new twist on the classic tale that I knew growing up. Ava is a High Priestess who is doing all that is in her power to find the heroes needed to save London from attack. There is a lot getting in her way to reach her goals. But it is not only heroes and wizards that have come through the ages. It is old foes and the dark magic they bring with them. This is an Arthurian legend for the newest generation. It was worth the read and I am looking for to see what happens in novel two.
July 2, 2018
Midsummer wife
The start of this book was entirely wonderful and I would have given it five stars if it had followed thru with the plot as it started. Then it went totaly off track for me and left me very dissatisfied .Ava,Ron and Harper need a better ending.
The start of this book was entirely wonderful and I would have given it five stars if it had followed thru with the plot as it started. Then it went totaly off track for me and left me very dissatisfied .Ava,Ron and Harper need a better ending.
February 1, 2021
An entertaining near future post-apocalyptic Arthurian tale.
October 15, 2019
The Midsummer Wife (The Heirs to Camelot Book 1) by Jacqueline Church Simonds
“The Midsummer Wife” is an imaginative, well-written urban fantasy, with a beautiful book cover, and flawed characters who must face their past and come to terms with the truth. Lord Ron Steadbye – the heir to King Arthur, and Duke Drunemeton – the heir of Merlin, who is known as The Harper. The Harper was created to keep the Arthurian tale alive and preserve the artifacts which would help prove they are who they say they are when the time of reckoning comes. The High Priestess of the Sisterhood, Ava Cerdwen, is the heir of Mother Anya. These three characters are challenged to live up to their mythical strengths to heal Britain after a nuclear blast in the heart of London.
The story takes place in the not too distant future and is mainly told through Ava the High Priestess’ eyes, who has flaws of her own to work through. She is the pivotal character who guides Ron/King Author, and Harper/Merlin. Ava will also lead the healing ceremony at the Summer Solstice with Ron and Harper by her side, along with Druid Priests to lend power to the Celtic rite to heal and cleanse the affected area. But is Ava strong enough to handle all this power? Morgaine has had 1500 years to hone her dark magic and gather power. She also has the cult of Hela tracking our three heroes who are on the attack to divert the healing ceremony that is approaching quickly.
“The Midsummer Wife” is enthralling, with captivating, complex characters you want to succeed. Ava, as High Priestess, is also charged with bringing about a new world order featuring spirituality at its core.
I was disappointed in the cliffhanger ending, it’s a cheap way to hook the reader to want to read the next book in the series. I think the story and characters are strong enough for readers to want to continue without tricks or a cliffhanger. I was further soured by the way this book ended. Morgaine is a thoroughly evil character, which I admit every story needs. I just hope our heroes are not so blinded by their success as to not see the truth.
If you love Arthurian tales with strong characters and a captivating plot, this is a good one where the story continues into the future. And did I mention the eye-catching book cover? Sometimes it’s okay to judge a book by its cover.
FYI: “The Midsummer Wife” is book one in Jacqueline Church Simonds’, THE HEIRS OF CAMELOT series. Adult language—numerous F-bombs, and adult situations—where sex is NOT behind closed doors. If you are sensitive to either of these, this book may not be for you. There is also one whopper of a cliffhanger. **Originally written for "BigAl’s Books and Pals" book blog. May have received a free review copy.** September 25, 2019
Format/Typo Issues: A small number of proofing issues.
“The Midsummer Wife” is an imaginative, well-written urban fantasy, with a beautiful book cover, and flawed characters who must face their past and come to terms with the truth. Lord Ron Steadbye – the heir to King Arthur, and Duke Drunemeton – the heir of Merlin, who is known as The Harper. The Harper was created to keep the Arthurian tale alive and preserve the artifacts which would help prove they are who they say they are when the time of reckoning comes. The High Priestess of the Sisterhood, Ava Cerdwen, is the heir of Mother Anya. These three characters are challenged to live up to their mythical strengths to heal Britain after a nuclear blast in the heart of London.
The story takes place in the not too distant future and is mainly told through Ava the High Priestess’ eyes, who has flaws of her own to work through. She is the pivotal character who guides Ron/King Author, and Harper/Merlin. Ava will also lead the healing ceremony at the Summer Solstice with Ron and Harper by her side, along with Druid Priests to lend power to the Celtic rite to heal and cleanse the affected area. But is Ava strong enough to handle all this power? Morgaine has had 1500 years to hone her dark magic and gather power. She also has the cult of Hela tracking our three heroes who are on the attack to divert the healing ceremony that is approaching quickly.
“The Midsummer Wife” is enthralling, with captivating, complex characters you want to succeed. Ava, as High Priestess, is also charged with bringing about a new world order featuring spirituality at its core.
I was disappointed in the cliffhanger ending, it’s a cheap way to hook the reader to want to read the next book in the series. I think the story and characters are strong enough for readers to want to continue without tricks or a cliffhanger. I was further soured by the way this book ended. Morgaine is a thoroughly evil character, which I admit every story needs. I just hope our heroes are not so blinded by their success as to not see the truth.
If you love Arthurian tales with strong characters and a captivating plot, this is a good one where the story continues into the future. And did I mention the eye-catching book cover? Sometimes it’s okay to judge a book by its cover.
FYI: “The Midsummer Wife” is book one in Jacqueline Church Simonds’, THE HEIRS OF CAMELOT series. Adult language—numerous F-bombs, and adult situations—where sex is NOT behind closed doors. If you are sensitive to either of these, this book may not be for you. There is also one whopper of a cliffhanger. **Originally written for "BigAl’s Books and Pals" book blog. May have received a free review copy.** September 25, 2019
Format/Typo Issues: A small number of proofing issues.
November 17, 2018
The Midsummer Wife is an imaginative and original fusion of the classic Arthurian legend and magical psychics, set in a dystopian world. The author concentrates on the characters—focusing heavily on dialogue and the internal reflection of the protagonist—and gives great depth to their trials and relationships as we travel through their quest to forge a future for devastated England.
For lovers of detail, we are given a lot of information about the history of the legend and the powers behind it, dictated by the characters. For those who like a ‘spicy’ read, there are also, what I would classify as, some fairly explicit sex scenes.
The author has a—what I call—young style of writing which did not appeal to me (but I’m old). This was exemplified by the repetitious overuse of exclamation; there was barely a page without several shouting at me. I also came away with a feeling that description of environment was lacking and the backdrop of a destroyed country and its people to a great extent ignored, which seems strange as the characters’ goal is all about saving them.
This book was an easy to absorb and comprehend and promises an exciting start to a series for all those engaged by this first instalment. Definitely recommend trying it out to see if it suits.
For lovers of detail, we are given a lot of information about the history of the legend and the powers behind it, dictated by the characters. For those who like a ‘spicy’ read, there are also, what I would classify as, some fairly explicit sex scenes.
The author has a—what I call—young style of writing which did not appeal to me (but I’m old). This was exemplified by the repetitious overuse of exclamation; there was barely a page without several shouting at me. I also came away with a feeling that description of environment was lacking and the backdrop of a destroyed country and its people to a great extent ignored, which seems strange as the characters’ goal is all about saving them.
This book was an easy to absorb and comprehend and promises an exciting start to a series for all those engaged by this first instalment. Definitely recommend trying it out to see if it suits.
August 6, 2019
The Midsummer Wife is set in an alternate near-now Britain, where descendants of King Arthur’s court must come together to right a terrible wrong: an event that has devastated much of the country. Along the way Ava, must recruit the heirs of Arthur and Merlin in a plot that encompasses romance, psychic powers, trauma, prophecies and ancient cults. There’s a lot going on in this book!
Two caveats on an otherwise excellent read. First, because much of the story involves fulfilling a prophecy, the characters sometimes felt passive, waiting for the next piece to slot into place. Second, the way the supporting cast respond to the crisis, particularly those in government(s), didn’t ring quite true, for me.
That said, the characters are engaging, the pacing, world building and mythology are all otherwise terrific, and if I hadn’t expected some of the racier moments, they certainly didn’t detract from the story. The book is a fascinating exercise in contradiction – the Britain on show is somehow both romanticised and apocalyptic, the scale is huge, yet intimate, the atmosphere is dark, yet handled with a light touch. If this sounds like your kind of thing, then The Midsummer Wife comes strongly recommended.
Two caveats on an otherwise excellent read. First, because much of the story involves fulfilling a prophecy, the characters sometimes felt passive, waiting for the next piece to slot into place. Second, the way the supporting cast respond to the crisis, particularly those in government(s), didn’t ring quite true, for me.
That said, the characters are engaging, the pacing, world building and mythology are all otherwise terrific, and if I hadn’t expected some of the racier moments, they certainly didn’t detract from the story. The book is a fascinating exercise in contradiction – the Britain on show is somehow both romanticised and apocalyptic, the scale is huge, yet intimate, the atmosphere is dark, yet handled with a light touch. If this sounds like your kind of thing, then The Midsummer Wife comes strongly recommended.
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