Published By: Dragonblade Publishing
Pages: 399
Released On: 06/09/2023
Twelve years ago, 21st-century librarian Gwen decided to remain in the Dark Ages with the man she loves above all else – a man around whom endless well-known tales of legend and magic have been spun. King Arthur. Over the years, she’s carved a life for herself by her husband’s side, gently steering him in the direction she wants him to go, but always with an awareness that he’s a Dark Age king with a Dark Age view of the world.
Equipped with her prior knowledge of Arthurian legend, Gwen’s sole aim has long been to save her husband from the legendary fate she dreads hangs over him. But always, at the back of her mind, is the nagging doubt that whatever she does is already set in stone, and nothing she can do will change his future which is already her past.
Now, in book five of the Guinevere series, she’s all too aware that time is marching on, and that this fate might well be drawing closer to the man she gave up everything for.
Danger lurks in the most unexpected places, and long-hidden secrets threaten to rise to the surface. After a long, cold winter in their hilltop fortress, Gwen’s pleased to welcome traveling players to Din Cadan. But these players are hiding secrets of their own, and one of them has come with black deeds in mind. Gwen will have to fight harder than she’s ever done to save herself and thus her husband. And all evidence points to the hand of Morgana, Arthur’s wicked sister, manipulating everything from afar.
Throughout all of this, simmering in the background, is young Medraut, Arthur’s nephew. Unnoticed, despite still being only a boy, he’s been exerting his malignant influence over those around him, in particular, Gwen and Arthur’s son and heir. The wedge he succeeds in driving between Arthur and his son will carry forward into the cataclysmic events of the final book, The Road To Avalon.
*****
Thanks to Literally PR for the gifted copy of this title in return for an honest review and spot on the book tour.
This is the fifth book in the series, and I was a little concerned as I’d only read the first one, and so I was worried I would be somewhat lost. But it works completely as a standalone novel. Yes you recognise characters and themes and plots from the previous books, but it is perfectly enjoyable on its own. And there are some hints of the previous stories and so you never feel at a disadvantage.
Once again, it’s a great book to focus on a female protagonist. In all of our stories about King Arthur, Guinevere is a side note, a wife, a mother, never the main character. But that’s what Fil has managed with this series and I think it’s a wonderful angle. She’s a strong, fierce, powerful character and she is not “just” Arthur’s wife anymore, she’s her own woman.
I’m not sure of Fil’s professional experience in the world of history, but you can clearly see her personal love for the Arthurian legend. The research she must have done. I mean, I know as much about King Arthur as most people, but I don’t pretend that I know the ins and outs. But everything sounds so genuine and so right for the characters and the time period, it’s commendable.
Historical books – whether they be on true figures or mythical ones – can often feel dry and a bit academic. But this truly brings it to life. It feels like an adventure story, rather than a historical one, and yet you can still feel the power of that legacy.
Guinevere has been living in this world for several years now, but I like that Fil hasn’t completely made her abandon her old persona. There are still elements of the modern woman here and it’s a nice touch to see them coming through. If anything, it helps the character come to life in this unnatural setting.
At about a quarter of the way through, it took a turn I never saw coming which was thrilling. I obviously am not going to spoil it by saying what, but as a tease, I thought it was a great way to push the story forwards, it seamlessly fits in with the current plot, and it was so out of the blue that I really loved it.
Now, I can’t speak for books two, three and four, but for me, book one was all about plot, whereas this one feels more about the characters, how they’ve grown, how they feel, what they want and the lengths they will take to get it.
It’s an adventure novel, historical, romantic, thrilling, all balanced very well. There’s a little bit of everything for everyone in this series and really gives a new insight into the legend.
I’m looking forward to the final book now, but I’m also quite sad that it will be finished, but I’m intrigued as to how Fil will approach the famed ending for King Arthur.
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