Review: The Camelot Betrayal

Title: The Camelot Betrayal

Series: Camelot Rising #2

Author: Kiersten White

Release Date: November 10, 2020

Rating: 4/5 Stars

Find it here: Goodreads

Synopsis from Goodreads: The second book in a new fantasy trilogy from New York Times bestselling author Kiersten White, exploring the nature of self, the inevitable cost of progress, and, of course, magic and romance and betrayal so epic Queen Guinevere remains the most famous queen who never lived.

EVERYTHING IS AS IT SHOULD BE IN CAMELOT: King Arthur is expanding his kingdom’s influence with Queen Guinevere at his side. Yet every night, dreams of darkness and unknowable power plague her.

Guinevere might have accepted her role, but she still cannot find a place for herself in all of it. The closer she gets to Brangien, pining for her lost love Isolde, Lancelot, fighting to prove her worth as Queen’s knight, and Arthur, everything to everyone and thus never quite enough for Guinevere–the more she realizes how empty she is. She has no sense of who she truly was before she was Guinevere. The more she tries to claim herself as queen, the more she wonders if Mordred was right: she doesn’t belong. She never will.

When a rescue goes awry and results in the death of something precious, a devastated Guinevere returns to Camelot to find the greatest threat yet has arrived. Not in the form of the Dark Queen or an invading army, but in the form of the real Guinevere’s younger sister. Is her deception at an end? And who is she really deceiving–Camelot, or herself?

My Review: I really enjoyed this installment in the series but there were a few sticking points that kept it from being a 5 star read for me. I love the friendship building between Guinevere and Lancelot, though knowing the original story makes it a little odd. I also enjoy Mordred's story arc. Overall though I have mixed feelings about the relationship between Arthur and Guinevere. As individual characters I like them both but together something just feels a little over. This book was a little slow and felt very much like a middle of the series book so it wasn't my favorite. I am still looking forward to the next book though.

*I voluntarily reviewed a complimentary copy of this book which I received from the publisher. All opinions are my own.*