Brenda V. (BburgBookWorm) reviewed Queen of the Summer Stars (Guinevere, Bk 2) on + 20 more book reviews
I really enjoyed this book!
The second volume of Woolley's Arthurian trilogy ( Child of the Northern Spring ) follows Guinevere from the second to the 10th year of her marriage to King Arthur. In this vivid, colorful and homey retelling, Guinevere is a caring and faithful wife and queen, deeply in love with her husband and despairing of her childlessness. As Arthur and his men strive to unify Britain and preserve it from invading Saxons, the various Companions are shown as courageous but all-too-human warriors and courtiers. Lancelot, the king's chief advisor, is cold to the queen, but when he serves as her champion after she is accused of attempted murder, this hostility is dispelled. Loyalty and their mutual love for Arthur keeps them from succumbing to desire. Morgan le Fay, Arthur's half sister, lusts for the crown; her machinations lie behind many of the troubles that afflict the royal couple, a fact Arthur is slow to accept. Other figures of legend, limned with clearly defined personalities, work out their destinies--Gawain and Ragnell, Merlin and Nimue, the two Elaines, Tristan, Isolde and King Mark.
The second volume of Woolley's Arthurian trilogy ( Child of the Northern Spring ) follows Guinevere from the second to the 10th year of her marriage to King Arthur. In this vivid, colorful and homey retelling, Guinevere is a caring and faithful wife and queen, deeply in love with her husband and despairing of her childlessness. As Arthur and his men strive to unify Britain and preserve it from invading Saxons, the various Companions are shown as courageous but all-too-human warriors and courtiers. Lancelot, the king's chief advisor, is cold to the queen, but when he serves as her champion after she is accused of attempted murder, this hostility is dispelled. Loyalty and their mutual love for Arthur keeps them from succumbing to desire. Morgan le Fay, Arthur's half sister, lusts for the crown; her machinations lie behind many of the troubles that afflict the royal couple, a fact Arthur is slow to accept. Other figures of legend, limned with clearly defined personalities, work out their destinies--Gawain and Ragnell, Merlin and Nimue, the two Elaines, Tristan, Isolde and King Mark.
Second book in her Arthurian trilogy.
In a country simmering with withchraft and unholy alliances, Guinevere joined forces with her husband, King Arthur, to gain control of Britian's warring kinghts. Neither a renowned beauty nor an elegant courtier, she was the lively partner who shared his dream: to create the most elegant court "in the world, or at least this side of Constantinople".
In a country simmering with witchcraft and unholy alliances, Guinevere joined forces with her husband, King Arthur, to gain control of Britain's warring knights. Neither a renowned beauty nor an elegant courtier, she was the lively partner who shared his dream: to create the most elegant court"in the world, or at least this side of Constantinople"
By Arthur's side, she presided over fabled heroes and treacherous villains, counting among her companions Gawain, Merlin, Tristan and Isolde. But Guinevere's greatest battles were with dangers Arthur could not see: Morgan le Fey; the evil beauty who would unsurp her brother's throne, and Lancelot, the magnificent knight who would capture Guinevere's love. Vibrantly human and touchingly real, she reigned as Arthur's wife and Britain's High Queen-and as a woman poised to discover the true peril and promis of the human heart.
By Arthur's side, she presided over fabled heroes and treacherous villains, counting among her companions Gawain, Merlin, Tristan and Isolde. But Guinevere's greatest battles were with dangers Arthur could not see: Morgan le Fey; the evil beauty who would unsurp her brother's throne, and Lancelot, the magnificent knight who would capture Guinevere's love. Vibrantly human and touchingly real, she reigned as Arthur's wife and Britain's High Queen-and as a woman poised to discover the true peril and promis of the human heart.
In a country simmering with witchcraft and unholy alliances, Guenevere helps Arthur build his knightly kingdom.
