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2 of 2 people found the following review helpful:
4.0 out of 5 stars
Another fine tale of Camelot, February 6, 2007
This review is from: Under Camelot's Banner (Paperback)
This is the third in Zettel's Camelot tales, in which the story of Gareth and Lynet is explored. Once again the author has used the familiar story, this time of the kitchen squire who must prove himself by the quest of the scornful lady. Very different once more, the bare bones are merely present.
Gareth has immersed himself in youthful, male troubles through his service to Lancelot and must prove his worth. Lynet has travelled from Queen Guinevere's land of Cambryn to plead with her to send aid in its dire need. Morgaine the evil shadow of the past two tales is once again at the bottom of this fresh threat to the kingdom.
Lynet herself is in similar straits to Gareth, having made youthful errors of judgement involving King Mark of Cornwall, his wife Isuelt and Tristan. Shunned and shamed by this past, she now has only her family and their stewardship of Cambryn. Her sister and brother are enmeshed in the ancient magics of the land and sea, and she too is in danger from this heritage.
Love and magic, terrible bargains and heart-breaking betrayals are all woven into the threads convincingly. A tense and rivetting story once again is unfolded. Well written and a page turner.
I eagerly await the fourth instalment.
Except that I understand that Luna, the Harlequin imprint publisher, has terminated Zettel's contract and book four is no more. This leaves a nasty taste for any reader. Dishonourable behaviour.
However, I understand the book is still to be published in Australia later this year. Thank goodness.
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1 of 1 people found the following review helpful:
4.0 out of 5 stars
Great story -- weak heroine, April 20, 2006
This review is from: Under Camelot's Banner (Paperback)
Sarah Zettel continues her story of Camelot. Lynet is the youngest daughter of Chief Kenan of Cambryn, and when her father is killed by the oldest son, she must convince Queen Guinevere to return to her homeland and restore the public's trust in Camelot and Arthur. Morgaine threatens them every moment of the journey, stirring anger, distrust, and lust among Lynet's remaining kin and traveling companions.
The story is wonderfully written (as are most of Zettel's novels), but Lynet is a weak heroine who never truly steps up to lead the fight. Other than convincing Guinevere to return to Cambryn, she does not accomplish much throughout the book. She spends a great deal of time using a spirit-filled mirror to affect minor changes in other characters, but instead of becoming one of her greatest strengths, this becomes an addiction for her. I felt more sympathy for her as a spirit-drug addict than compassion for her as a strong protagonist.
Overall, this is a fun installment to Zettel's Camelot series, but it is not the best of the three. Hopefully the next heroine will have the strength to inspire both her fellow comrades-in-arms as well the reader.
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2 of 3 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars
high fantasy, April 4, 2006
This review is from: Under Camelot's Banner (Paperback)
Cambryn has no protection as the absent Queen Guinevere spends all her time in Camelot with her husband King Arthur. King Mark of Tintagel has gone mad after being cuckold by his Queen Iseult and Sir Tristan. Guinevere's steward Lord Kenan has gone to Mark with many of his soldiers to plead for protection. Kenan's son Colam plots to overthrow his father and ends up killing him. His sister Laurel declares Colam is an outlaw, which sends him to Morgaine for safety, but she bewitches him to use as a pawn against her sister Guinevere.
Laurel's sister Lynet travels to Camelot to plead with Guinevere to bring her knights and men-at arms to keep her people safe from her lethal sibling Morgaine and their mortal enemies like the people of Eire and the Saxons. Lynet has with her a magical silver mirror, given to her sister by their mother, a sea spirit who took mortal form to marry Kenan. Guinevere agrees to return to Cambryn while Lynet sees through the mirror the deadly schemes Morgaine has put in motion with Colam her slave, Laurel the first target and Lynet not far behind unless Lancelot's squire Gareth can save his beloved.
Sarah Zettel puts her own spin to Camelot using a more manipulative and not so pure Guinevere as a key player in her take on the legend. Lynet, filled with guilt for her role in the Iseult-Tristan affair, vows to do whatever it takes to save her homeland from those who covet it as a personal playground. UNDER CAMELOT'S BANNER is high fantasy at its best making readers wonder how Laurel's tale will hold up against Lynet's saga.
Harriet Klausner
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