Guinevere's Gamble (The Chrysalis Queen Quartet Book II) [Hardcover]

Nancy McKenzie (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: June 9, 2009 | Age Level: 10 and up | Grade Level: 5 and up

The second book in the Chrysalis Queen Quartet, starring the young Guinevere.

Much has changed over the last few months in Gwynedd, but Guinevere is still uncertain where her future lies. She recently made the unsettling discovery that she has been guarded all her life by a pagan tribe who believes she is destined to save them—they believe she and the great king will one day wed. But this prophecy is so at odds with her inferior position in the castle as Queen Alyse and King Pellinore’s lowly ward, she can’t believe it’s true. Now more complications arise as Guinevere and her cousin accompany Alyse and Pellinore to a meeting between Welsh kings, presided over by one of the High King Arthur’s knights. While there, Guinevere discovers she has a powerful enemy: King Arthur’s sister, Princess Morgaine. But why would Morgaine hate her?

Guinevere is tumbling into her destiny in ways she never imagined, and she may soon have to face the prophecy with new eyes. . . .

Editorial Reviews

From School Library Journal

Grade 6–10—In this installment in the series, Guinevere, 13, is just as uncertain about the path her life will follow. The prophecy that she will be a mighty ruler, a great beauty, and the highest lady in all of Britain weighs heavily on her mind and heart because she knows that there is a second part to the prophecy that has been kept from her. She continues to live a simple life as the ward of her uncle King Pellinore and Aunt Alyse, but everything changes when all of the Welsh kings are invited to a conference with High King Arthur. Arthur's sister, Morgan le Fey, takes an instant dislike to Guinevere, and when she finds out about the prophecy, she hatches a dark plot against her and her friend Llyr, an Old One who is charged with guarding Guinevere until her destiny can be fulfilled. However, many men at the conference are prejudiced against the Old Ones, and they begin to hunt him. When Morgan accuses him of a crime he did not commit, Guinevere must find a way to save his life without alienating High King Arthur or any of the Welsh kingdoms. McKenzie deftly weaves in bits of various Arthurian legends but maintains a strong focus on Guinevere and the other female characters. Using foreshadowing, she hints at what is to come, but never reveals too much. Readers who are familiar with Arthurian legends as well as those who are not will find this continuing story enjoyable.—Cheri Dobbs, Detroit Country Day Middle School, Beverly Hills, MI END

About the Author

Nancy McKenzie is the author of several novels based on Arthurian tales. She lives in Danbury, Connecticut.

Product Details

• Reading level: Ages 10 and up
  
• Hardcover: 361 pages
• Publisher: Knopf Books for Young Readers (June 9, 2009)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0375843469
• ISBN-13: 978-0375843464
• Product Dimensions: 5.9 x 1.2 x 8.6 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1 pounds (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 5.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (2 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #1,470,702 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

6 of 6 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Surprising enjoyable, June 20, 2009

By 

Jerry Wright "Mr. Bewildered" (Moses Lake, WA) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Guinevere's Gamble (The Chrysalis Queen Quartet Book II) (Hardcover)

I'm not entirely sure why a 62 year old man is being sent review copies of books for teen-aged girls, but it keeps happening. My first reaction was, "Oh great, another Arthur book..."

This story however was very enjoyable. Guinevere is only thirteen years old, and in that gawky "ugly-duckling" stage. As the protected ward of King Pellinore, she has little control over her future, but things keep happening. In the previous book, the tomboyish Gwen discovers that she has been protected by a local hill tribe of pagans. Adventures follow.

In this book, she is taken to a parley of fractious Welsh kings presided over by Sir Bedwyr (Bedivere) and meets both Merlin and Morgaine, who hates her on sight and tries to poison peoples opinions of her.

Guinevere is growing up, there is a weird prophecy following her, her younger cousin Elaine is wrapped up in romantic foolishness, and once again Guinevere's grit and cleverness make everything work out.

The book was a fast read, but captivating for all that. Recommended.

1 of 1 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Courtesy of Teens Read Too, September 3, 2009

By 

TeensReadToo "Eat. Drink. Read. Be Merrier." (All Over the US & Canada) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Guinevere's Gamble (The Chrysalis Queen Quartet Book II) (Hardcover)

Guinevere is still struggling to come to terms with the prophecy given at the time of her birth; a prophecy that foretold Guinevere would one day be wed to a great king and be the highest lady in the land.

She's also trying to come to terms with the young man the ancient tribe appointed as her personal guardian. As a ward of Queen Alyse and King Pellinore, she is invited to join them and her cousin, Princess Elaine, as they travel to a meeting of the Welsh kings.

Here Guinevere meets King Arthur's sister, Princess Morgan. Unfortunately, Morgan seems to hate Gwen on site and uses her power and influence in an attempt to destroy Guinevere through the people she cares about. This puts Gwen's tribal guardian, Llyr, in danger, and she will risk everything to save him.

In GUINEVERE'S GAMBLE, McKenzie introduces the infamous Morgan le Fay and also Merlin to her readers. As with the previous installment, Ms. McKenzie gives these old (and much written about characters)new life and makes them her own while still remaining true to the legend.

GUINEVERE'S GAMBLE is the second book in THE CHRYSALIS QUEEN QUARTET and a marvelous companion to the first book, GUINEVERE'S GIFT.

I loved reading more about Guinevere's journey toward her future and I am anxiously waiting for the third book.

Reviewed by: Joan Stradling