Customer Reviews

Queen of the Summer Stars

5 star:		(8)
4 star:		(3)
3 star:		(1)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

I first read this book when I was 13 years old, and I was immediately intrigued. But don't mistake me to mean it's full of juvenile content. Quite the contrary. This book is a beautiful story told from Guinevere's point of view as an elegantly spirited woman struggling to balance her instincts of freedom and love with her sense of regal duty as queen of Camelot and greater Britain. Not to mention her heart-wrenching dilemma between Arthur and Lancelot...I couldn't put it down! And I have read it again many times since. This is definitely not your average romance novel. It focuses on the enchanting story of a remarkable and inspiring woman's life instead of just graphic love scenes amidst a mediocre plot. I would imagine that many women today can relate to Guinevere's struggles. Ever since I first read this, I've been fascinated with the legend of Camelot, and I immediately searched for the prequel and sequel of this wonderful novel. I can't imagine why these books are out of print. Please let me know where I can find a reasonably priced edition of "Guinevere: The Legend in Autumn." Enjoy!

I read this book for the first time about 10 years ago and I have re-read it many times since. You should start with the first book, "Child of the Northern Spring", then "Queen of the Summer Stars", then finally "Guinevere: A Legend in Autumn." Persia Woolley is actually the first author of an Arthurian romance to make me cry. I never wanted these books to end. They are so well written, and Guinevere is neither weak nor a feminist. She's absolutely wonderful. The way the affair with Lancelot is written is just some of the most beautiful that I've ever read. Not torrid and steamy, but soft and romantic. A very beautiful trilogy of books.

After reading, "The Mists of Avalon" over the holiday season, I was hooked on Arthurian Romance. I have also read the first book in Woolley's trilogy, Child of the Northern Spring. This book, Queen of the Summer Stars, starts out slow, but proves to be a good read after the first 100 pages or so. The romance between Guinevere and Lancelot heats up, and Arthur's secret reason for hating his sister, Morgause, is finally revealed (can't say too much more for fear of giving away all the really good parts). All in all, it was an enjoyable read. I would recommend it to other historical romance fans.

This book was absolutely amazing to read, told by the wife of Arthur Pendragon, high king of the British Isles. She tells of all the conforming pagans becoming christians, of her struggles as the wife of a king, and the suppression of her own feelings, only for the dignity and honor to her name. A truly memorable book. Look for the prequels and sequels and tell me the names of them.

This is one of my favorite books. I had never liked books about King Arthur before but I loved this one. The author made the story so real it seemed like I was there. I couldn't put the book down all the time I read it. You have to read this book it is the best!

My first attempt at reviewing this book never appeared on the page; I think it's because I called Morgause a nasty name. LOL. So, my reviews for this book and the following book, _Guinevere: The Legend in Autumn_, will be out of order.

I didn't plan on reading this book, since I was disappointed with its prequel, _Child of the Northern Spring_. But I was in an Arthurian mood, and saw the last two volumes at the library, and said "Hey, what the heck." And I was pleasantly surprised by books two and three; I'm glad I changed my mind and read them.

_Queen of the Summer Stars_ starts slowly; Guinevere seems more like a fly-on-the-wall narrator than a character for the first half of the book. She constantly regales us with all of the doings in Camelot--every banquet, affair, and border skirmish. But she doesn't talk much about what's going on in her own head. The result of this is that, whenever she suddenly acts with strong emotion, it comes out of left field. For example, at one point she lets two strangers talk her into trading a treasured family heirloom for a fertility potion from a Saxon witch. The scene was shocking because, while we knw Gwen is sad about her barrenness, we never knew she was *that* desperate. The emotional buildup wasn't there, so her actions were unexpected.

However, Guinevere comes out of her shell as a character when she begins to fall in love with Lancelot. They hadn't always been close. When Lance first came to Camelot, he was standoffish and rude to her. She disliked him even though he was a dead ringer for her childhood sweetheart. But they developed a friendship over the years, and then one fateful night, Lancelot rescues a delirious Guinevere from the tyrannical Maelgwn. She thinks he spoke words of love during their night ride--but was it just the delirium talking? A dream? Or long-denied truth? Now, Guinevere and Lancelot struggle to figure out a way to acknowledge their love without betraying Arthur. This book presents perhaps the classiest, most dignified portrait of that romance of any retelling I have ever read, and for that I commend the author highly.

Guinevere has the chance to run away with Lancelot and live happily ever after--but Arthur needs her, and so does her new adopted son, Mordred. Mordred is Arthur's son by the vulgar and vicious Morgause; after Morgause's death, Guinevere cares for him, though Arthur refuses to get close to the boy. Guinevere must make tough choices, and nothing will ever be the same again at Camelot.

So, although I didn't expect to like this book, I was proven wrong. I recommend it, especially for the touching portrayal of the Guinevere-Lancelot romance. See also the third book, _Guinevre: The Legend in Autumn_.

Ms.Wooley does a tremendous job of giving readers insight into the heart and mind of literature's most storied queen. Arthur, Lancelot, and Guinevere are fleshed out better than by any other Arthurian writer. If you read only one chronicle of Camelot, make it this one.

Very reasonable price, timely delivery and good condition. The new edition is in the process of being printed, so I would have had to wait to read the book until Spring. But I was able to get an older printing pretty fast. Thanks so much.

I love Persia Woolley's Guinevere. She is spirited and strong, but not overpoweringly so. She is also feminine and graceful. Not just a pretty little queen. This series has become one of my favorites of all time. The story is perfectly written, and draws you in. I always looked forward to opening it up and spending a few hours reading it. Highly recommended from someone who loves medieval/fantasy/historical novels.

As the sesond book in a series, i thought this book would be rather weak. i was wrong. This series continues to delight me, as i have never come across such a human Guinevere before. In erver other book, shes either beeb a snivelling,annoying super christian, or a super Pagan. Here, she is just Gwen, a woman trying to be queen of her people. Trying to deal with her barrenness, and her love for Lancelot, which continues to grow.