Scan barcode
annettebooksofhopeanddreams's review against another edition
4.0
If there's one thing I always get from a Greenwood book it's a smile on my face. Especially the Grimm Academy series is just too cute and all those characters are so sweet and precious. I was very curious about this story, especially since it's published outside the normal Grimm Academy series and even more because Arthur is more of a legend than a fairytale, but this book had the same vibe as the other stories set at Grimm. And that's a good thing.
I really love the prophecy Greenwood came up with for Arthur and Gwen. It fits their story, it fits the legend we know about them and it fits them as characters. I also love how Greenwood portrayed the pressure on the shoulders of Gwen and Lancelot, who had all these strong and intense feelings for each other, but who couldn't act on it because that would start the prophecy, that ended with Gwen's death and a giant war between kingdoms.
The love between Lancelot and Gwen, just like the other love stories in this series, was incredibly cute and heart warming though. Even though we don't get to see the moment they fall for each other, since that happens way before we really meet them, it's easy to understand what they're feeling for each other and why it's so hard to fight those feelings. Which also means that the moment they can finally tell each other what they feel is huge smile moment number one.
I also really love how Greenwood managed to keep the triangle without the cheating. Although I don't hate a book when there's cheating, I don't think it fits in the Grimm world. The prophecy and the arranged marriage are a great way to keep the forbidden element to the lovestory without making Gwen a cheater. I also really loved Arthur in this story. It's quite easy to see why people love and like him and what makes him a good king. Let's hope he finds Excalibur!
I really love the prophecy Greenwood came up with for Arthur and Gwen. It fits their story, it fits the legend we know about them and it fits them as characters. I also love how Greenwood portrayed the pressure on the shoulders of Gwen and Lancelot, who had all these strong and intense feelings for each other, but who couldn't act on it because that would start the prophecy, that ended with Gwen's death and a giant war between kingdoms.
The love between Lancelot and Gwen, just like the other love stories in this series, was incredibly cute and heart warming though. Even though we don't get to see the moment they fall for each other, since that happens way before we really meet them, it's easy to understand what they're feeling for each other and why it's so hard to fight those feelings. Which also means that the moment they can finally tell each other what they feel is huge smile moment number one.
I also really love how Greenwood managed to keep the triangle without the cheating. Although I don't hate a book when there's cheating, I don't think it fits in the Grimm world. The prophecy and the arranged marriage are a great way to keep the forbidden element to the lovestory without making Gwen a cheater. I also really loved Arthur in this story. It's quite easy to see why people love and like him and what makes him a good king. Let's hope he finds Excalibur!
dwinprincess's review
5.0
This was an amazing different look and storytelling of the Camelot Trio with a few characters added on that I personally didn't know about.
Gwen and Arthur have been betrothed to each other since they were young. They also share a prophecy that with a betrayal could come true. Many years later, they are studying at Grimm Academy and Gwen will do anything to figure out how to break their prophecy and also find her way to her true love.
Such a sweet story, and a great set up for the next one, The Rightful King, which is Arthur's story.
.
I received a free copy of this book and am voluntarily leaving a review.
Gwen and Arthur have been betrothed to each other since they were young. They also share a prophecy that with a betrayal could come true. Many years later, they are studying at Grimm Academy and Gwen will do anything to figure out how to break their prophecy and also find her way to her true love.
Such a sweet story, and a great set up for the next one, The Rightful King, which is Arthur's story.
.
I received a free copy of this book and am voluntarily leaving a review.
dwinprincess's review against another edition
5.0
This was an amazing different look and storytelling of the Camelot Trio with a few characters added on that I personally didn't know about.
Gwen and Arthur have been betrothed to each other since they were young. They also share a prophecy that with a betrayal could come true. Many years later, they are studying at Grimm Academy and Gwen will do anything to figure out how to break their prophecy and also find her way to her true love.
Such a sweet story, and a great set up for the next one, The Rightful King, which is Arthur's story.
.
I received a free copy of this book and am voluntarily leaving a review.
Gwen and Arthur have been betrothed to each other since they were young. They also share a prophecy that with a betrayal could come true. Many years later, they are studying at Grimm Academy and Gwen will do anything to figure out how to break their prophecy and also find her way to her true love.
Such a sweet story, and a great set up for the next one, The Rightful King, which is Arthur's story.
.
I received a free copy of this book and am voluntarily leaving a review.
chrystalclearwpg's review against another edition
hopeful
lighthearted
fast-paced
4.0
I am a fan of the King Arthur story but don't know too much about Guinevere. I believe this did give me a bit of a better insight into their story and this retell twist was probably a better tale. I was completely engrossed in reading it and totally enjoyed it. Watching them come to their own and finding their true loves was pleasant. I would love to see more of these 4 characters for sure.
berls's review
3.0
2.5 stars
I really wanted to love The Almost Queen. I know/knew Laura when she was blogging - before she started publishing - and really like/d her. So I was excited to finally read one of her books. I think a a couple perfect coincidences conspired with a few elements to leave me underwhelmed.
(1) the cover - I am drawn to pretty covers like a moth to flame. And more often than not, they disappoint me. And still, I come, hoping that this one will be one of the few that I end up loving. This cover mislead me into expecting a story with more courtly intrigue and majesty. I found both lacking, though there were allusions.
(2) I recently started reading another Arthurian retelling and it is SO GOOD. Though they are not remotely the same - not in genre nor setting (though I found myself really uncertain of the setting of this book... was it historical? or were the characters living in a modern world but with some old world elements... reliving/rewriting mythical/historical moments? I was never quite sure) - I think I subconsciously compared the two.
(3) the plot didn't pull me in really. I feel like I was more compelled by my knowledge of what was supposed to happen to Gwen, Lancelot and Arthur than I was by what was happening. Maybe it was just a bit too easy?
That being said - it was a light, easy read. If you're looking for something sweet and simple, this is it. Maybe I was just in the wrong mood and wanted something a big more complex and challenging. I hope to try another book in the future by Laura and to love it!
I really wanted to love The Almost Queen. I know/knew Laura when she was blogging - before she started publishing - and really like/d her. So I was excited to finally read one of her books. I think a a couple perfect coincidences conspired with a few elements to leave me underwhelmed.
(1) the cover - I am drawn to pretty covers like a moth to flame. And more often than not, they disappoint me. And still, I come, hoping that this one will be one of the few that I end up loving. This cover mislead me into expecting a story with more courtly intrigue and majesty. I found both lacking, though there were allusions.
(2) I recently started reading another Arthurian retelling and it is SO GOOD. Though they are not remotely the same - not in genre nor setting (though I found myself really uncertain of the setting of this book... was it historical? or were the characters living in a modern world but with some old world elements... reliving/rewriting mythical/historical moments? I was never quite sure) - I think I subconsciously compared the two.
(3) the plot didn't pull me in really. I feel like I was more compelled by my knowledge of what was supposed to happen to Gwen, Lancelot and Arthur than I was by what was happening. Maybe it was just a bit too easy?
That being said - it was a light, easy read. If you're looking for something sweet and simple, this is it. Maybe I was just in the wrong mood and wanted something a big more complex and challenging. I hope to try another book in the future by Laura and to love it!
book_lover_97's review
4.0
This is an amazing King Arthur retelling. It is a compelling read with characters that are very likable. Arthur, Gwen and Lancelot have amazing development and interactions. This is a well written and detailed first part in this duet.
lexee9's review
4.0
Great read! Pulled me in from beginning to end and I loved the twist on the Arthurian legend with no love triangle! I'm super excited to get to read Arthur's story next!
libraryofsarahzane's review against another edition
3.0
The story itself was cute and I definitely found myself caring about the characters and reading the second book, but I had a major problem with the book itself.
The cover and the blurb set the reader up to expect court intrigue and high stakes for an older YA crowd
The book itself is cute and a nice read, but it reads more like middle grade than expected based on the cover and the blurb which was a disappointing mislead. Had I gone into it expecting lower stakes it would have been rated higher since it was a charming book.
The cover and the blurb set the reader up to expect court intrigue and high stakes for an older YA crowd
The book itself is cute and a nice read, but it reads more like middle grade than expected based on the cover and the blurb which was a disappointing mislead. Had I gone into it expecting lower stakes it would have been rated higher since it was a charming book.
rachael_45's review
3.0
A short retelling of how Gwen, Lancelot and Arthur break the prophecy that has haunted them all since birth.
Gwen is prophesied to betray Arthur and due to this she will be burned on a pyre which will start a war.
They all work together to make sure it doesn't come true and fight feelings that could lead to the prophecy coming true.
Over all it's short and sweet start to the duet which tells the story of Gwen and Lancelot. I'm looking forward to the next book which is about Arthur.
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
Gwen is prophesied to betray Arthur and due to this she will be burned on a pyre which will start a war.
They all work together to make sure it doesn't come true and fight feelings that could lead to the prophecy coming true.
Over all it's short and sweet start to the duet which tells the story of Gwen and Lancelot. I'm looking forward to the next book which is about Arthur.
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
More...