Camelot Burning eARC Review

By Kathryn Rose

 

  

 

3.5 stars out of 5

 

I've always been interested in the tales and legends of king Arthur, Guinevere, and all the other characters during that time, but I've never really understood the whole story.  I knew the basic tale of King Arthur and the Knights of the Round Table, just not that much in depth.

This story changed that.

After finishing this book, I feel like I have a stronger comprehension of those legends and more, even as it unfolded Vivienne's compelling story. Vivienne has a love for learning science and alchemy, but she's stuck as Guinevere's lady-in-waiting, and longing for the day she'll no longer be in that position.

 

Summary:

"Eighteen-year-old Vivienne lives in a world of knights and ladies, corsets and absinthe, outlaw magic and alchemical machines. By day, she is lady-in-waiting to the future queen of Camelot—Guinevere. By night, she secretly toils away in the clock tower as apprentice to Merlin, the infamous recovering magic addict. Her hidden life is everything she could ever want, but if anyone finds out, it will be over.

Then she meets Marcus, below her in class, destined to become a knight, and just as forbidden as her apprenticeship with Merlin. When Morgan La Fey, the king’s sorceress sister, declares war on Camelot, Merlin thinks they can create a metal beast powered by steam and alchemy to defeat her. But to save the kingdom, Vivienne will have to risk everything—her secret apprenticeship, her love for Marcus, and her own life." 

 What I didn't like:

This book was somewhat confusing at certain points of the story.  Not key events, just small parts that went unexplained. There were also too many characters that went without an introduction, making it difficult to remember a lot of the characters.  Also, there was too much going on at some points that it was hard putting all the pieces together to create a flowing story. The book included some completely unimportant parts that made the story kind of slow at first.  

What I liked:

Other than the confusing parts, the story is fantastic!  Vivienne is a strong female lead with an independent personality and she wants to do what she loves, and to be surrounded by the people she cares about.  

And Vivienne and Marcus… let me just say. . .    Swoon 

As the story unfolded, I found myself more and more focused and pulled in by the characters, plot, everything.  Also, the author does an excellent job describing what it was like back then and mixes a perfect amount of fantasy with history. Her diction was also amazing and well thought out, like this quote:

"Her smile is solely for appearances with the hope its melancholy goes unnoticed."

Isn’t that just, like, deeply amazing???

Anyways, this book was a great read, and I look forward to reading the second book and other stories by the same author.

Buy, borrow, or ban?

Borrow, when it comes out. 

Read, reread, repeat?

Definitely read, possibly reread, but not repeat.  This book comes out on May 8th, 2014, and I recommend it for those who love reading fantasy, new spins on old tales, and strong female leads.

Camelot Burning  comes out on May 8th, 2014, and I recommend it for those who love reading fantasy, new spins on old tales, and strong female leads.

Received from Netgalley in exchange for an honest review