I, Guinevere (Mythic Maidens #2) by C. K. Brooke: A Book Review

I, Guinevere (Mythic Maidens #2)
Author: C. K. Brooke
Genre: YA, Historical Fiction, Fantasy
Publisher: C.K. Brooke
Release Date: 2018
Pages: 214
Source: This book was given to me by a book review site in exchange for an honest review.
Synopsis: Your legends have it wrong. Arthur never pulled that sword out of the stone. I did. I, Guinevere.

On the winter solstice, a mysterious sword in a stone appears in the churchyard. Not even the mightiest of the village men can remove it, until fifteen-year-old Guinevere gives a try. The sword heeds the unsuspecting maiden, proclaiming the unthinkable: she is the blood of Pendrakon, heir to the vacant throne of Camylot.

Guinevere never dreamed she was born royalty. Now, between apprenticing the eccentric wizard, Merlyn; swordplay lessons with an abrasive—albeit, attractive—boy named Lance; and clandestine, magical meetings with the formidable High Priestess of Avalon, Guinevere is swept up in a whirlwind of training and preparation for her monumental new role as future queen. But invasions by the barbarous Saxyns and visitations from mysterious dark forces constantly warn that she may be in over her head. Can Guinevere defend the kingdom from the darkness and deception that threaten to seize it? Despite her doubts and the sinister forces working against her, can she harness the power to wield Exkalibur and rule the realm? Or is Camylot already destined to fall?

From the unstoppable pen of C.K. Brooke comes a fresh and unforgettable new retelling steeped in Arthurian mythology. Queen Guinevere has her own tale to share, and it's nothing like what you thought! Experience the magic and myth of Camylot and Avalon like never before as, in the vein of Brooke's award-winning Secrets of Artemis, this legendary maiden of lore recounts her side of the story.

My Review: Everyone knows the story of King Arthur pulling the sword out of the stone that made him the chosen king of Camelot. He married Guinevere through a marriage of alliance. He ruled Camelot through its greatest and darkest moments. However in this unique twist of the Arthurian legend, it is Guinevere who pulled Excalibur out of the stone and becomes the ruler of Camelot. It is Guinevere who must protect Britain from threats of invasion of Saxon and brings about the Golden Age.

I found this Guinevere to be one of the most relatable in all of the retellings that I have read of her. Guinevere is portrayed as a normal girl who has no ambitions. She likes to spend her free time with her best friend, Morgan. Guinevere is spunky, a little mischievous, and not very confident of her abilities to be the next queen. However, with the help of her mentor, Lady Vivian of Avalon and her sword instructor, Lancelot, she becomes more confident. My favorite aspect of Guinevere is tomboyishness and that she defies expectations of being a lady.

Overall, I, Guinevere is not very faithful to the King Arthur legends. However, I found the plot to be very refreshing, exciting, and fun! I, Guinevere was very fast-paced and was filled with suspense, mystery, and magic! I was very intrigued with how Ms. Brooke portrayed my favorite characters of the original legends. I loved the tender friendship that turned into a blossoming romance between Lancelot and Guinevere and her special bond with the Lady of the Lake. The novel was very well-written, and it shows the author’s passion for King Arthur legends. After reading this novel, I immediately craved for more! Hopefully, there will be a sequel in the future! Fingers crossed! I, Guinevere is a superb read for those who wish to read about Guinevere’s life early years!

Rating: 5 out of 5 stars

Interview with Melanie Dickerson

Today, I have the honor to host Melanie Dickerson, who is not only the author of The Healer’s Apprentice , but also of her latest novel, The Captive Maiden . She is a young adult author that spins classic fairy tales into a historical and Christian perspective. I have all of her books. I am still in the process of finishing her series, but the books that I have read, I love them. I even went to her book signing to get her to sign my copy of The Healer’s Apprentice . This interview gives readers a good insight to her writing and style of her novels. I would like to thank Mrs. Dickerson for her time and cooperation with the interview and generosity to give my readers a book giveaway. 1. Can we learn from fairytales, and why do they appeal to you? Fairy tales have amazing themes, and I think we can learn from them. Most of them have some sort of moral or takeaway, a lesson we can learn. I like them, but it's hard to say what it is about them that ap...

The Other Bennet Sister by Janice Hadlow: A Book Review

The Other Bennet Sister Author: Janice Hadlow Genre: Historical Fiction, Romance Publisher: Henry Holt and Co. Release Date: 2020 Pages: 480 Source: Netgalley/Publisher in exchange for an honest review. Synopsis: Mary, the bookish ugly duckling of Pride and Prejudice’ s five Bennet sisters, emerges from the shadows and transforms into a desired woman with choices of her own. What if Mary Bennet’s life took a different path from that laid out for her in Pride and Prejudice ? What if the frustrated intellectual of the Bennet family, the marginalized middle daughter, the plain girl who takes refuge in her books, eventually found the fulfillment enjoyed by her prettier, more confident sisters? This is the plot of Janice Hadlow's The Other Bennet Sister , a debut novel with exactly the affection and authority to satisfy Jane Austen fans. Ultimately, Mary’s journey is like that taken by every Austen heroine. She learns that she can o...

Blog Tour: Guest Post by Shelley Stratton: Trolley Cars, the Metro, and Bringing Historical Settings to Life

Shelly Stratton is the author of She Wears the Mask . This interesting guest post discusses how she incorporates realistic details and facts about streetcars from the early 20th century, which were common long before her birth. Mrs. Stratton describes her love of these older modes of public transportation as well as how she felt a joy and kinship with those who patronized these iconic symbols of urban transportation throughout the industrial age. Thank you, Mrs. Stratton! Trolley Cars, the Metro, and Bringing Historical Settings to Life By Shelly Stratton Decades ago, whenever I visited my great grandmother and great aunt in NW Washington, D.C., they would always ask me, “Did you drive in or take the trolley car here?” As I removed my coat or stowed away my umbrella, I would politely correct them with “I took the metro.” But after correcting them so many times and both of them persistently referring to the metropolitan transit ...

History from a Woman's Perspective- A Book Blog

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