Customer Reviews

Camelot's Destiny (Zebra Debut)

5 star:		(6)
4 star:		(3)
3 star:		(1)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

Cynthia Breeding provides an interesting twist to this version of the historical fantasy of King Arthur, Gwenhwyfar and Lancelot. Not only is the complicated threesome love story of these Arthurian characters presented, but with an added Celtic pagan Druid twist, as King Arthur actually marries to Gwenhwyfar in the physical world and Nimue the pagan, Druid "Lady of the Lake," in the mystical pagan world. There seems to be more emotional pain in the love between this triad/foursome of characters than would be expected. The infidelity of everyone is emotionally painful, and yet everyone seems to be forced to overlook and forgive much, which gives the reader a very strange sense of the love in this tale. I found myself wondering why Arthur bothered going through the marriage with Gwenhwyfar at all and found it difficult up to the very end to believe that Arther loved anyone at all but himself. But throughout all of these complicated relationship issues is a well-written, well-researched and well-developed story. Those who are fans of medieval romances should not miss experiencing this book. I look forward to more works by this author who has a talent for research and story development.

Great books are like time machines. They have the ability to lift us out of our ordinary lives and to transport us into another age. Cynthia Breeding's new novel, Camelot's Destiny, is a fresh retelling of the ago-old love triangle of Lancelot, Guenever (Gwenhwyfar) and Arthur. What sets apart Destiny from so many other similar stories is Breeding's mastery of medieval history as well as her understanding of that often-tragic and universal element in human nature that sometimes drives us helplessly into forbidden arms despite all the warnings from our common sense and personal experience. Perhaps what attracts us to the Middle Ages is the fact that it was a time when magic was as much a part of reality as the rising of the sun; when the edges of earthly life and the afterworld were more blurred than today; when the senses told a truer tale than history books can ever convey. In this, Cynthia's descriptions of the period and the people are simply breathtaking. We touch the ancient walls of Camelot, see the proud banners of knights who bow to their ladies before facing death, feel the softness of the lovers' touch, understand their wild desires and guilt. Perhaps this is the greatest magic of all in Camelot's Destiny. For a brief, wonderful moment we, the readers, are Lancelot, Guenever and Arthur, caught between sleep and waking in an age of wonders. I found myself consciously slowing down my reading of Destiny as I neared the end of the novel. I simply did not want to leave the world that Cynthia Breeding had invited me into! For those readers with the capacity to love deeply, Camelot's Destiny is not a book to be missed.

Since most readers already know the Camelot story in one fashion or another (both a romance and tragedy), in lieu of a plot summary, I will simply state that Cynthia Breeding's CAMELOT'S DESTINY is faithful to the literary and historical tradition in the most minute details and yet her romance adds psychological details and a carefully recrafting of the details in a new context. Her fictional imagination adds insights merely hinted in the original texts. The Grail Quest, only a hint here in CAMELOT'S DESTINY, finally makes sense within the context of the whole Arthurian story thanks to Cynthia Breeding. If a medieval enthusiast ever wonders what the modern genre of medieval historical romance could add to the medieval literary tradition, CAMELOT'S DESTINY would be a superb example of the importance of historical romance today and the effect it might have on renewing and interest in both historical romance and medieval literature.

Cynthia Breeding incorporates the later literary romance tradition in the true medieval sense of roman arthurien (which translates as Arthurian romance), and adds back into the Arthur story the chronicle tradition and historical and tone of the histories written closer to the actual events. Even better, Cynthia Breeding adds her own fictional imagination to the great Arthur story, allowing fans to see the love, romance, and jealousies that threatened this great king and his realm. By adding the story of the women, the pagan tradition to the Christian one and the details of the personal lives of the Camelot and Avalon world, Arthurian lovers see the real tensions and romance underlying the political world of knights and kings. Cynthia Breeding expands upon the details of the friendship between Arthur and Lancelot, as well as their rivalry, which are there but never fully explicated in the medieval texts. We see Gwenhwyfar as a person and woman beyond her role as queen and the literary courtly traditions surrounding her. The author brings together the whole world of Vivien, Nimue and Avalon in a way that enlightens some of the tensions and loyalties at Camelot. The psychological portraits of Medraut (known as Mordred in some medieval tales) and Galahad add true insights into some of the events surrounding Camelot. For one of the first times, we see maybe a bit of the psychological reasons behind his madness within that motivates him to destroy Camelot. Readers will love Galahad here thanks to Cynthia Breeding. In the Old French grail quest version, Galahad is the perfect spiritual knight but so grating on the nerves. Here he is also spiritual but his relationship to his father adds a giving quality to his Christian calling rather than the sanctimonious preachy perfect beyond human way the Old French cleric wrote him.

Don't expect an idealized Hollywood version of Camelot here. Although these versions are fun to read as well, Cynthia Breeding relies on the actual medieval historical and literary records. Camelot is a world teetering on the brink of darkness and destruction as the Saxon invasion nears. Nevertheless, among this darkness and internal pain within the characters, there is a happy ending that actual feels more whole and encompassing than a simplistic ending could ever be. Can those forced to love through duty somehow find a love of the heart? Here Cynthia Breeding adds that special twist that only modern day historical romance can give back to the medieval tradition, as hearts find wholeness. While remaining faithful to the modern romance genre conventions, Cynthia Breeding still finds a special twist for the ending to the delight of medieval enthusiasts! CAMELOT'S DESTINY is a welcome addition to the Arthurian canon, one that tells the story of tension and love at Camelot from the point of view of not just king, knights and queen but of men and women.

There have been many versions told of the story of King Arthur, Gwenhwyfar (Guinevere) and Lancelot and in this brilliantly written version which was totally engrossing and entertaining by the magic of Camelot, I was sad to see it end. In this version the author gets up close and personal in examining on a more intimate level the motivations of Arthur, Gwenhwyfar and Lancelot and the great love they shared for one another.

In the classic tale of Camelot Gwenhwyfar dutifully agrees to marry Arthur to bring honor to her family and finally find approval on the face of her father. On the way to be wed she forms a bond of friendship and understanding with Lancelot one of Arthur's most trusted and beloved knights. After the wedding Gwen finds loving Arthur and the marriage bed to her liking but the dynamics of Arthur's personality often left her feeling neglected and hurt; ripe for the welcoming strong arms and broad shoulders of her best friend Lancelot a man so totally loved and trusted by Arthur that he encouraged their friendship. With this triangle complete Breeding then does a masterful job of weaving a compassionately captivating scenario of love, lust, betrayal and forgiveness. Additionally she mixes in delicious details with a plethora of secondary characters making this a fully robust and all encompassing look at the many lives and loves of the protagonists as well as several other key players in this much loved epic tale.

Camelot, King Arthur, Gwenhwyfar, and Lancelot will always invoke visions of a magnificent love story, but a deeply tragic one as well. Breeding's version gives a deeper and more meaningful insight into a behind the scenes look of Arthur, Gwen & Lancelot - their motivations and the people who impacted their lives. Breeding also gives an extremely beautiful interpretation of this well told story with impeccable research, vivid imagery while adding multiple layers with numerous other secondary love stories. This certainly deserves high praise and I look forward to seeing much more from this very talented and capable author. While I will caution you to have a box of tissue handy, this extremely emotional and beautifully conceived story is one I highly recommend!

Marilyn Rondeau, RIO - Reviewers International Organization for [...]

While this story may have been told a time or two, this author breathes new life into an old tale. Lovers of history will be totally captivated by the author's take on this Arthurian legend. Ms. Breeding's unique voice makes this a page turner. Camelot's Legend is a definite keeper and a book that you won't be able to put down. I can't wait for this author's next.

This book while under the romance catagory fits better as fantasy. Yes there is romance aplenty but it doesn't drift away from the storyline. I throughly enjoyed this book. It included descriptions of ancient pagan religions as well as the early christian religion. It also tells more about the Lady of the Lake and her priestesses. This is a wonderfully written tale of love, tradgedy, and heartache. I think anyone who is a fan of Camelot tales and historical romance or fantsy will enjoy this book.

Grail fans will enjoy this new look at a "twice-told tale". It's less focused on the grandeur of Excalibur's scale, a more personal look at Arthur, his queen and the man they both adored. Instead of going with the myth, Breeding looks beyond the lore and finds humans with frailties, hopes, fears and the desire for love.

In this telling, Gwenhwyfar is the new queen to Arthur, King of Britain.
With reluctance, Gwenhwyfar accepts this new role, soon adjusts, even welcomes the love of her husband. Trouble brews when Arthur's most trusted knight, Lancelot captures her heart. Torn between two lovers, the plot is one we are very familiar with; the touching, beautifully conceived interpretation will captivate you and make it all new again. I look forward to more works from this talented writer with the magic of Auld.

I had never read a romance novel before I read Camelot's Destiny, and I had little knowledge of the King Arthur legend, so I was a little skeptical that I would enjoy this. But I quickly became engrossed in the story and the characters and the setting and found Camelot's Destiny an interesting and rewarding read. The author obviously has great knowledge about the King Arthur legend and the history and culture of the times, and her writing is first rate. The bad guy in this novel is one of the most detestable characters I've ever met on the written page. The thought of the heroine having to marry - and have sex with! - this creep kept me reading and hoping he would get what he deserves.

Young, lovely, and willful Gwenhwyfar is chosen by Arthur to be his wife and future queen of Britain-- and honor she reluctantly accepts. Soon, however, she cannot ignore the awakening passion Britain's new king ignites. He is a lover who delights her with his touch, yet whose desires are not shared with her alone.
Seared by the forbidden desires of Arthurs most trusted warrior, Lancelot, Gwen is swept up into a world of unbidden passion, torn by loyalty and love for her husband who betrays her, and a man she cannot have. But in time where goog and evil clash, where magic and chivalry reign...love will prove as fierce a weapon as any sword...

I had a hard tme reading this. If you like epic tales where one thing happens and you slam the book down on the table, this is the book for you!(I did it many times!)

It's a story we know by heart, but one now retold with heart and fresh eyes. I won't do the plot summation as we know the Queen torn by two lovers too well. Most of the time I always come away feeling a story of Arthur, his lady and his most trusted knight is more fairytale romance than flesh and blood romance. Toss of out old views and accept flesh and blood people who will hold you spell bound that few Grail books ever attempt.

I am eagerly looking forward to Breeding's next novel and watching this rising star in historical romance.