Nancy McKenzie

This was only the second telling of Arthurian legend I've read, after The Mists of Avalon, and while this book kept me engrossed, Mists of Avalon was just better. Each one paints different people as bad guys, and it was interesting to see things from Guinevere's point of view (and Mordred's, as well), but I just don't think that Guinevere is the most compelling or interesting personality in the Camelot story. Mists of Avalon also did a very interesting job of putting the whole story into a show more Christian vs. pagan perspective that lent it some additional depth. Anyways. McKenzie does a nice job of balancing politics and interpersonal aspects of the story, although I would have enjoyed more historical detail in the "stage dressing". Also, for all the book jacket touts McKenzie's Guinevere as "a modern, courageous woman", she doesn't really undergo any character growth over the 600 pages, she breaks down weeping about every other page, and she waits for the men in her life to save her from all of her problems. In sum, not a bad read, but pick up Mists of Avalon first. show less

For a long time, I did not touch this book. Its predecessors, The Child Queen and The High Queen (later combined into The Queen of Camelot), had been my favorite books since high school when they were first released. I read them numerous times throughout the years, but then did not return to them for a long time while my life was busy with other things. Recently, I read them again and it felt like coming home. I had always been afraid that reading this book about Galahad, one of my least show more favorite characters, would sully them somehow.

But, I took a chance after finishing the others and desiring not to leave Nancy McKenzie's world just yet and, I must say how wrong I was to ever doubt McKenzie! She is still a master storyteller, weaving magic with every word. Truly underrated as far as authors go.

The character development where Galahad is concerned was natural and meaningful and painful as lessons are learned. We get to see the end of everything from Arthur's/Lancelot's/Galahad's view, where the previous two books are from the Guinevere's view back at Camelot--really a lot of fun. Old favorite characters return in this reminiscing, but also in parts that are added on during Galahad's travels after Camlann. Not only that, but new characters are added and come into their own in a seamless way, as you watch a new generation struggle with the aftermath of Arthur's death and the battle at Camlann (which basically killed all men but twelve from Arthur's Camelot). It was fascinating to see a glimpse of Galahad's childhood and, therefore, a glimpse into the life and Lancelot and Elaine had together.

A very well-rounded book with a very lovely ending, which has quickly become a favorite of mine. I feel silly to having waited so long to read it!

I desperately want this series of books to be made into movies. show less

I first read this in high school and was completely enthralled. The world that McKenzie painted was so thrilling and magical, colorful and beautiful that I read this book over and over and just lost myself in it. I really cared about the characters and what happened to them, and I adored how Guinevere was portrayed and how her struggles were thought about and discussed. One of the best books I've ever read, done in a writing style that complimented the subject matter perfectly--a true work show more of art.

I lent my beat-up original copy of this book to someone who never returned it and was devastated. I was so glad that I managed to buy another copy right before it went out of print! show less

I enjoyed this book a lot more than Queen of Camelot, I think because Galahad is a much more interesting character than Guinevere. It takes a lot of guts to write a book with a main character who starts out as such a completely self-absorbed, self-righteous, misogynistic little prick (although at least he doesn't break down crying every other paragraph). I was also able to follow along well enough, even though I didn't remember all of the details/happenings from the first book. So, overall, show more not a great book, but a solid enough piece of imaginative "historical" fiction. show less