Customer Reviews

Queen's Champion: The Legend of Lancelot Retold

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Everybody is familiar with at least some part of the Lancelot -King Arthur-Guinevere story, but when authors write about it, the novels almost always focus on King Arthur or Guinevere. It's about time someone wrote about Lancelot and portrayed him as something other than an adulterer.

The research that's gone into this book is truly amazing. Every detail feels real and that's only helped by Ed Beard's fantastic cover painting and Ron Rousselle's wonderful pen-and-ink drawings which grace the interior of the book.

In this version of the legend, Lancelot and Guinever are childhood friends, raised together by the Lady on the isle of what is probably Avalon, although it's never specified as such. Their other childhood companions included Gawain and Galehaut. This latter character is another historical figure who is often overlooked in the legends. His friendship with Lancelot borders on devotional and it's a real pleasure to see a companionable friendship with such depth portrayed within the context of this legend.

The King Arthur of this novel is much more the warlord and much less the godlike figure that most writers seem compelled to portray. His marriage to Guinever has less to do with love than it does to do with securing a strong military position in the north and expanding the sphere of his influence.

The book, which includes an incredible chapter recounting Lancelot's childhood with the Lady, comes into focus when the main characters are adults and Arthur is duped by a scheming Regina -- Guinevere's half-sister -- into thinking that the woman he's married is not the true Guinevere, despite all evidence to the contrary. When Arthur tries to install Regina on the throne, chaos errupts and threatens the fellowship (a.k.a. the Round Table although it's not called that here).

This legend of the False Guinevere is just as prevelent in the lore and mythology as the other legends of this time period, but since it's an often overlooked one, it makes for a great retelling.

If you're looking for something that is truly set apart from the same old Arthur-as-God motif, you'll love this book. It's beautifully written and fully realized and is one of the best novels about this time I've ever read.

Be warned right now: This book is not for the "lazy" reader. You will be fully transported into this other world of knights, quests and all-consuming love affairs. This is by far one of the most detailed, rich and historically accurate tales of this time period I have ever read -- and as a history major I've read a lot. The story draws on some of the most rare of the stories involving Lance, Gwen and the King. It is a must-read for anyone who loves this myth. HOWEVER, don't be caught off guard: This is a retelling for GLBT readers and other open-minded folks. If you don't know what I mean then here's another hint: There's a "Crying Game" type of secret about that handsome young Lance... and a heck of a lot more to "his" relationship with the Queen than most might think. A GREAT read. Well worth it.

All my life I've dreamed of living in the *real* Arthur's court and wondered what it was like. Not the medieval version so many writers fall back on, but the post-Roman Britain when the Warlord Arthur and his clan really lived. This book made me feel like I was there. The detail is amazing; the story so moving and real I even dreamed about the book at night! If you think you've read all there is to read about Arthur and Guinevere and Lancelot, you haven't. READ THIS!

Okay, first of all, the original "legend of King Arthur" is more like this book than the one everyone is accustomed to hearing.
In the eleventh century Eleanor d'Aquitaine, an English queen, had the story of King Arthur (who was actually, historically speaking, probably not even a king), "remade" into something that sounded better and that introduced chivalry, courage, etc: the traditional knight's story. But that oh so beautiful story that everyone loves oh so much is a nonexistent fairy tale. Whoever is saying that this book ruins their beautiful story obviously doesn't know much in the way of history. This story is one of the first that has enough courage to gainsay the "traditional" Arthurian legend and portray the characters as actually human. If you're looking for a realistic, honestly good, and not hopelessly sappy book, I recommend this one.

I opened this book expecting a retelling of the King Arthur story from Lancelot's point of view. I got a story that had almost nothing to do with the King Arthur legends except in the names of the characters.

I got a story where Arthur and Lancelot were not, nor were they ever friends, and Guinivere and Arthur were not in love. I have read a great many of the King Arthur legends and was shocked to read this one. One of the items that makes the story of Arthur, Guinevere, and Lancelot so intriguing is that it is a love triangle. All involved are supposed to love each other thereby making it a tragedy. In this book, instead of the legendary tragedy, it was portrayed as someone who loves a woman who is married to a heartless man.

I found neither the depth nor the content that I expected. I wanted to know what Lancelot thought about Morgan and Mordred, about his comradarie for his king, his quest for the Holy Grail, his son Galahad. Morgan and Mordred were mentioned once or twice, King Arthur and Lancelot barely spoke, Lancelot never sired a child, and the Holy Grail was never mentioned.

In addition to what the book was about, I found the sentences and phrases mundane and hard to follow. I thought it was a book by a teenager because of some of the phrases and the many descriptions and references to sex, none of which were exciting in any capacity.

In short, I would not recommend this book to anyone. If you are looking for a telling of the King Arthur legends from different perspectives, I would read at Bradley's book, "The Mists of Avalon." I have never found another book about Arthur which comes close to the depth and amazing cadence of The Mists of Avalon.

I love stories of King Arthur, Guinevere, and Lancelet. It's the most beautiful, romantic love triangle ever told. I am so disappointed in this book. This author just butchered all the historical characters I have come to love. What's left is a mean, grumpy King Arthur, a very dull queen, and a sappy knight. And the ending??? I am very open minded, and love a good twist on a story, but frankly, this book just left me with a bad taste in my mouth, no pun intended. If you're looking for a new perspective of this classic tale, read Bradley's The Mists of Avalon.