Queen of Camelot by Nancy McKenzie Summary and Reviews
|
List Price: Our Price: $7.75 You Save: $8.20 (51%) Availability: Usually ships in 1-2 business days Buy Used: from $0.06 (click here) Category: Book See more book details and other editions |
|---|
Book Reviews of Queen of Camelot
Book Review: Good
Summary: 5 Stars
Queen of Camelot by Nancy McKenzie was a really good book, and, I know, practically everyone says that, but it is. I had to read it for school purposes. I'm glad they assigned it, actually, and now I find that Arthurian stuff fascinating. lol. I never knew much about King Arthur until I read this, and now I get it. When you finish the book, it leaves you with a sad, yet hopeful feeling. Oh, it makes me wish that Guinevere, Merlin, and all the characters were true. So, overall, I suggest you read this book, because it's so entertaining.Book Review: Good Story, But Gwen Needed Therapy
Summary: 4 Stars
This was a very good book, although it started out rather slow. As one reviewer stated, it had the feel of a teenage novel for girls in the first few chapters. However, as Gwen grew older, the writing matured. I also had a hard a time getting used to the first person narrative. I wonder if the story wouldn't have been a little more interesting if it had been told from several different points of view.
I liked that this novel showed Gwen in a more positive light than others. The plot twists will keep you interested throughout the book.
Even though Gwen was supposed to be portrayed positively in this book, there were times when I really didn't like her that much. I think she may have been the kind of woman that women love to hate. All the men around her were constantly telling her how beautiful, smart, etc... she was. Who could blame Elaine for hating her? I know the Gwen/Lancelot/Arthur love triangle is a huge part of the legend, but I had a difficult time with it. She loved both of them equally? And they knew this and accepted it? Maybe they all three needed therapy. There were times when Gwen came across as being downright selfish. She couldn't give herself totally to Lancelot, but she didn't want anyone else to have him. I suppose she expected him to pine away for her forever while she lived it up in Arthur's arms. Aisla, who was the one person who kept Gwen grounded most times, pointed this fact out to her. Last, but not least, she trembled way too much. But, I guess with her complicated love life, her husband trying to hold Britain together, and Merlin creeping around giving her dirty looks she had plenty to be nervous about.
Even though I didn't think Gwen was a great or strong heroine, she was likeable at times and I felt her sorrow at the end. There were many other characters who added to the story and made it a very interesting read. If you are interested in Arthurian literature, I recommend this book. It is a lot like The Mists of Avalon, but not as gritty.
Book Review: Good Story, Nauseating Speech, Weak Heroine
Summary: 2 Stars
Good story. This is the first time I have ever read such a detailed version of the Arthur and Camelot legend. He and his knights and Gwen seem as tho they really existed in the telling of this tale... BUT the speech is nauseating. If I have to read the words "honor...love..my lord" one more time, I may have to throw it aside. Something else I am beyond tired of, seems that Gwen has ADD or something.. Always has the tremors. On every page, she is trembling with joy, lust, passion, fear.. awful lot of trembling going on. Getting old. I would also like to add, she is a very weak female in this telling. She is apparently an angel as she is queen of not only Camelot, but also of turning the other cheek. She excells at letting others walk all over almost as much as she does at trembling.Book Review: Great Writing! Couldn't put it down
Summary: 5 Stars
I really enjoyed reading this book. The author makes Gwenivere come alive, just as if she really lived and really wrote this story. I could feel the character's joy's and sorrows. It was as if I were living there in Camelot myself. A truely delightful story with rich words, I would highly recomend it for everyone.Book Review: Great re-telling of the Arthurian story
Summary: 4 Stars
This book was great in that it was different from many of the other King Arthur tales I have read. For the first time I was able to like Guenevere, because she wasn't portrayed as a helpless and religious fanatic. I loved how Gwen's and Lancelot's relationship was handled, as well as the relationship between Mordred and everyone else. Another nice thing was that the quest for the Holy Grail wasn't really a part of the story at all. This let the author focus on many of the other important and interesting aspects of the Arthur stories.
I recommend this book to anyone even remotely interested. But I also HIGHLY recommend The Mists of Avalon by Marion Zimmer Bradley. No Arthurian legends reading list is complete without that book. It is THE book to read if you're interested in anything King Arthur.