Queen of Camelot

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 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 show more 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

This tells the Arthurian myths from the perspective of Guinevere which is a new take for me. It was very compelling and well written. Lancelot says "strewth" at the end which kind of ruins it a little though!

In this version Guinevere never sleeps with Lancelot and Mordred was never evil. Many other versions also put Guinevere as a devout christian, which is left out of this version as well. About halfway through I felt like the whole tale had been told and I was wondering what was left to say for the last 400 pages. It was worth sticking with though.

It is firmly based on Mary Wesley's Merlin trilogy, which it sadly does not better.

Ahhhh this book was wonderful! It swept me away to Camelot!! It made for me a plausible relationship between Arthur, Gwen, and Lancelot! And a reasonable explanation for Mordred!!! Thank you Nancy MCkenzie!! MUCH MUCH better than the Mists of Avalon!!! I LOVE Arthur in this book! My emotions were fully involved in this book with all the main characters! I didn't want it to end, which is why I am now reading Grail Prince!

Wonderful book. The Arthur legends as told from the viewpoint of Guinevere, a beautiful, strong, courageous woman and her heartbreaking love of two men - Lancelot and Arthur. We see Guinevere grow from a young girl to the most beautiful woman in England.

An exciting tale and the love she bears for both Lancelot and Arthur - and the love they both return to her made for an engrossing book.Don't pick this one up in the middle of the night thinking you'll read a couple of chapters and be able to go back to sleep. This book cost me a few hours of sleep, but was well worth it. Highly recommended.

Edit 4/10/2014: In my first review of this book in 2011, I noted that they left out the epilogue that appears in the The High Queen. However, upon reading this book (again) this year (love it so much!), I realized that what they did with the epilogue that seemed to be missing was they turned it into a prologue when they put The Child Queen and The High Queen together into this set. So, I was wrong that it wasn't included at all (I must have somehow skipped the prologue the first time I read this as a set??), it's just that in the The High Queen it is an epilogue rather than a prologue as it is in Queen of Camelot. Honestly, I am not sure why they did this because I don't WANT to know the outcome before reading this book, so I would show more recommend skipping the prologue of Queen of Camelot and instead reading it as an epilogue once you have finished the book, as was originally intended when the books were first published. Also, note that I have put it up to five stars since the information wasn't missing, it was just in a different area.

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Below is my original review:

I have essentially already reviewed this book in my reviews for "The Child Queen: The Tale of Guinevere and King Arthur" and "High Queen," giving them both five stars. They are two of my favorite books from childhood.

However, I felt compelled after reading this compilation to note that they left the epilogue that appears in the original printed version of "High Queen" out of this compilation.

As I finished the Kindle version of "Queen of Camelot," something nagged at me. I could have sworn I remembered more to the story. Indeed, I checked my beloved printed copy of "High Queen," and there was a dozen-page epilogue that they left out. I have no idea why they would do this, because it rounds out the story and closes several loops. I bought the printed version of this compilation and it arrived today and the epilogue is also missing from the printed version.

Thus, I had to give this version of the book only four stars because, I'm sorry, the ending is nothing without the epilogue, which they thoughtlessly left out. If you can, find a copy of the original version of "High Queen" in order to read the epilogue. show less

The King Arthur story told from Guinevere perspective. It is a good read.

One of my favorite books and a beautiful retelling of the King Arthur story.