Audrey P. (youngharris94) reviewed Guenevere, Queen of the Summer Country (Guenevere, Bk 1) on + 60 more book reviews
Helpful Score: 7
This is the first of three novels, but it wasn't good enough to make me run out to buy the next two books. I'm not sure why I wasn't enchanted with it because this is definitely my cup of tea in literature. The characters lacked a "reader connection" with me. You may think differently. It's been a couple of years since I read it.
Lynda C. (Readnmachine) reviewed Guenevere, Queen of the Summer Country (Guenevere, Bk 1) on + 1443 more book reviews
Helpful Score: 5
First of the Guenevere Trilogy. Well-written, with a different take on many of the characters -- Merlin is a malevolent madman; Arthur an emotionally needy youth who is decisive on the battlefield but floundering and uncertain as a ruler. Morgan LeFey is initially shown as a damaged child sent off to a nunnery by Uther, but eventually reveals herself as the essence of evil. The Christian/Pagan conflict often forms a subplot in the Arthurian Cycle, and it is present here as well. The twist is that Guenevere is most often shown as Christian, Merlin as Pagan, and Arthur torn between the two. In this retelling, Merlin is using the power of the Church to increase Arthur's stature, while Guenevere -- the Queen of the Summer Country -- is firmly entrenched in The Old Ways. The most emotionally affecting section of the book is Lancelot's farewell to Guenevere, which may be the most wildly romantic thing I've ever read!
Jeannine W. (jrelehw) reviewed Guenevere, Queen of the Summer Country (Guenevere, Bk 1) on + 204 more book reviews
Helpful Score: 5
AWESOME! Loved that G was the Mother God worshipor and Arthur ended up being the christian. Makes more sense! Morgan is the evil one this time, Merlin out for his own agenda! MUST READ!
Charlene (ATraveler) -
Helpful Score: 5
Excellent first book of a trilogy about the Arthur-Guenevere story. This one is from Guenevere's perspective. Starts out before she meets Arthur and goes through their 'falling out'. Very focused on the Goddess and women's role which is in direct conflict with the new religion, Christianity, and the male dominated societal practices. It is not anti-religion/Christianity or anti-male; rather it is a perspective of society before the male-dominated Christian society. I am looking forward to starting the second book.
Linda D. (gildenscript) reviewed Guenevere, Queen of the Summer Country (Guenevere, Bk 1) on + 7 more book reviews
Helpful Score: 2
The Arthurian Legend from a woman's (Goddess) point of view.
Rachel A. (raesalley) -
Helpful Score: 2
there are much better versions of the female POV for the Arthurian legends out there.
Joannie N. (Nedheadz) reviewed Guenevere, Queen of the Summer Country (Guenevere, Bk 1) on + 128 more book reviews
Helpful Score: 1
I love stories of Camelot and King Arthur, but this one I could not finish. I had recently read a couple of Rosalind Miles' books and enjoyed them so I thought this would be a good fit.
This is more a story of the conflict between religions than the story of Arthur and Guenevere...if you're into pagan women's rites and Arthurian legend from a pagan woman's point of view, you may enjoy it. However Mary Zimmer Bradley's Mists of Avalon would serve this interest better.
This is more a story of the conflict between religions than the story of Arthur and Guenevere...if you're into pagan women's rites and Arthurian legend from a pagan woman's point of view, you may enjoy it. However Mary Zimmer Bradley's Mists of Avalon would serve this interest better.
Helpful Score: 1
Very well written. A twist on the typical characters from Authurian legend. If you liked Mary Stewart's Crystal Cave and Marion Zimmer bradley's Mist of Avalon you'll enjoy this.
Elizabeth M. reviewed Guenevere, Queen of the Summer Country (Guenevere, Bk 1) on + 8 more book reviews
Arthur legend meets Mother-Goddess worship.
R E K. (bigstone) - , reviewed Guenevere, Queen of the Summer Country (Guenevere, Bk 1) on + 1438 more book reviews
Guenevere is a strong character at the beginning and end of this book. I thought her character became a bit inconsistent and weak at times. Facing tragedy after tragedy, she turns from Arthur and doubts herself and her decisions again and again. She seemed to lose the strength shown at the outset of the story but she regains it when Arthur is injured in a joust. Merlin is depicted as an eccentric wizard who sees and helps form the future. Morgan is as evil as I've always believed. Will I read more by this author? Yes, I think so. I am glad I read this story and would like to follow the series.
Stephanie R. (StephanieReedy) reviewed Guenevere, Queen of the Summer Country (Guenevere, Bk 1) on + 2 more book reviews
This was a new spin on the Avalon series for me. I appreciate a new perspective. Worth the read.
Paula D. (eddiandizosmom) reviewed Guenevere, Queen of the Summer Country (Guenevere, Bk 1) on + 134 more book reviews
I just couldn't get into this story. There are def. better versions of this story out there.
Katie G. (katiegough) reviewed Guenevere, Queen of the Summer Country (Guenevere, Bk 1) on + 2 more book reviews
It was an ok book. I really like books like this but it didn't engage me. It was an interesting perspective.
Cate S. (Cato) - , reviewed Guenevere, Queen of the Summer Country (Guenevere, Bk 1) on + 13 more book reviews
I love reading all the different viewpoints of the King Arthur myth. This book was a wonderfull point of view.
Susan H. (symphonie) reviewed Guenevere, Queen of the Summer Country (Guenevere, Bk 1) on + 158 more book reviews
Raised in the tranquil beauty of the Summer Country, Princess Guenevere has led a charmed and contented life - until the sudden, violent death of her mother, Queen Maire, leaves the Summer Country teetering on the brink of anarchy. Only the miraculous arrival of Arthur, heir to the Pendragon dynasty, allows Guenevere to claim her mother's throne. Smitten by the bold, sensuous princess, Arthur offers to marry her and unite their territories, allowing her to continue to reign in her own right. Their love match creates the largest and most powerful kingdom in the Isles.
Yet even the glories of Camelot are not safe from the shadows of evil and revenge. Arthur is reunited with his long-lost half-sisters, Morgause and Morgan, princesses torn from their mother and their ancestral right by Arthur's brutal and unscrupulous father. Both daughters will avenge their suffering, but it is Morgan who uses her evil enchantments to destroy all Guenevere holds dear and to force Arthur to betray his Queen.
In the chaos that follows, Arthur dispatches a new knight to Guenevere, the young French prince Lancelot, never knowing that Lancelot's passion for the Queen, and hers for him, may be the love that spells ruin for Camelot.
Yet even the glories of Camelot are not safe from the shadows of evil and revenge. Arthur is reunited with his long-lost half-sisters, Morgause and Morgan, princesses torn from their mother and their ancestral right by Arthur's brutal and unscrupulous father. Both daughters will avenge their suffering, but it is Morgan who uses her evil enchantments to destroy all Guenevere holds dear and to force Arthur to betray his Queen.
In the chaos that follows, Arthur dispatches a new knight to Guenevere, the young French prince Lancelot, never knowing that Lancelot's passion for the Queen, and hers for him, may be the love that spells ruin for Camelot.
