Happy release week to The Camelot Betrayal, the second book in the Camelot Rising series by Kiersten White! This book came out on Tuesday and I’m super thankful to Random House Children’s/Delacorte Press and Netgalley for letting me read an ARC of this book! I love everything about Arthurian mythology, and I enjoyed book one in this series, so I was super excited about book two- and let’s be real, it was even better than book one was!

The Camelot Betrayal 4/5 Stars


Summary from Goodreads:

EVERYTHING IS AS IT SHOULD BE IN CAMELOT: King Arthur is expanding his kingdom’s influence with Queen Guinevere at his side. Yet every night, dreams of darkness and unknowable power plague her.

Guinevere might have accepted her role, but she still cannot find a place for herself in all of it. The closer she gets to Brangien, pining for her lost love Isolde, Lancelot, fighting to prove her worth as Queen’s knight, and Arthur, everything to everyone and thus never quite enough for Guinevere–the more she realizes how empty she is. She has no sense of who she truly was before she was Guinevere. The more she tries to claim herself as queen, the more she wonders if Mordred was right: she doesn’t belong. She never will.

When a rescue goes awry and results in the death of something precious, a devastated Guinevere returns to Camelot to find the greatest threat yet has arrived. Not in the form of the Dark Queen or an invading army, but in the form of the real Guinevere’s younger sister. Is her deception at an end? And who is she really deceiving–Camelot, or herself?

Man, I loved so much about this book! I feel like Guinevere was such a great character and I really liked her so much more in this book! She seemed so real and vulnerable, while still being able to be a queen and lead her people when Arthur needed her to. I loved how her relationships with Lancelot, Brangien, and Arthur grew in this book and I love the new characters we got to meet. I never felt like the plot was ever dragging. Plus, there were these great stories sprinkled within the story that went into more detail on the backgrounds of some of the characters (like we learned the real story of Tristan, Isolde, and Brangien), which I loved. We also saw Mordred a few times. And man y’all, that ending. I cannot wait until book 3 comes out!

Actual Rating: 2.5 stars

The Camelot Betrayal was very much a mixed bag for me. I was bored to tears for the first 65-70% of the book, and then with the introduction of a new character (Guinevere's "sister") things got much more interesting. A lot happens in the first part of the book, but it doesn't really move the story forward and I just struggled to care about any of it. Part of this is that Guinevere is such a bland character and lacks personality, so when we don't have more interesting characters on the page it's a challenge.

This also felt padded with occurrences and side plots that were unnecessary, such as the retelling of Tristan & Isolde with side characters. I think if this book had been shorter and kept interesting characters on the page more of time, it would have been stronger. My other issue with this is the way it's handling Lancelot. In this version *spoilers for book 1!*

Lancelot is a lady knight and part of why I read on is I was curious to see if we were going to get a bisexual Guinevere, because that would be interesting. Having read book 2....I still couldn't tell you. It feels kind of like queer-baiting if I'm being honest because there are moments between the women that could be read as sapphic, but the dialogue speaks only of friendship and there's nothing in Guinevere's thinking that indicates a clear attraction to Lancelot (unlike her ongoing attraction to Arthur and Mordred). But if you're retelling this classic story involving a love affair between Guinevere and Lancelot, I'm really not sure how you turn that into a friendship, make it a push pull between the "good boy" (Arthur) and the "bad boy" (Mordred) and not realize it comes across as queer-baiting. Maybe that will change in book 3, but it feels far too late in the game. She has a sapphic side couple, so is that supposed to make up for not having it here? I don't know but it's strange and frustrating. I think if there is supposed to be romantic interest, that should have been more clear, especially from Guinevere's perspective. It definitely reads like Lancelot is in love with her without saying it in so many words, but.... I just didn't like how that was handled. Apologies for the lengthy ramble!

I received a copy of this book for review. All opinions are my own.

Thank you so much to Netgalley and the publisher for providing me with an e-ARC of this book in exchange for an honest review!

This book is everything I wanted out of the sequel to The Guinevere Deception. I love a good Arthurian retelling and this series is definitely not disappointing.

We picked up right where the first book left off, with action after action. This book reads so fast, because there is just always something going on.

As this series continues, it has been a real pleasure to get to learn more about Guinevere and Arthur. Never mind all the outstanding supporting cast. I think I may actually love Lancelot and Brangien more than the main characters.

The writing style is also something that makes this book a pleasure to read. I had a hard time putting this book down once I really got into it.

If you have not read The Guinevere Deception, start NOW! If you have read it, what are you waiting for? Go ahead and pick up The Camelot Betrayal and immerse yourself into the world of Camelot, you will not regret it!

Now when does the third book come out? Asking for a friend 😛

Rating: 4.25 stars

The vibe of The Camelot Betrayal was very different from that of The Guinivere Deception. I had loved the first book and was unbelievably excited for its sequel and it did deliver!

Although it took me some time to get the sense of the themes this book was trying to explore, I really enjoyed how it took a very different route from the first book and gave us fresh perspective on these characters we have come to know.

The Guinevere Deception faced outwards, while this book asked Guinevere to look inwards. I really liked reading Guinevere struggle with her own self —her nature and power, trying to discern the lies from the truth and getting tangled in its web. All this while, the book continued to add to its world and expand it.

I thoroughly enjoyed The Camelot Betrayal!
Many of the things that bothered me about the first book, The Guinevere Deception, were improved in this one. Primarily, this one didn’t just feel like a summary of a story. There was more showing instead of telling, which helps the reader connect to the characters and story exponentially. I hadn’t realized how many odd time-jumps and quick lists of everything Guinivere did in the day there were in The Guinivere Deception until I could compare it Betrayal. It made it easier to be in the book, as well as a more pleasant read.
We also get to know the characters and their relationships a lot better. I love Guinivere and Lancelot’s relationship, and it developed so well through the book. I understand why they trust each other, why they are friends. The same with Brangien and Dindrane. And Mordred. The only relationship I feel isn’t truly developed is Arthur and Guinivere. I think there’s too much reliance on the fact that it’s a given they’re together because, you know, legend, and not enough showing. Guinivere mentions (a lot) that she felt like she knew Arthur the moment they met, but as the reader, we don’t have that magical connection. I know I should like Arthur, but he’s just….bland. He’s somehow the least interesting character in the entire book.
I think the plot was also better paced in The Camelot Betrayal than The Guinivere Deception. There’s still a lot going on, but it’s not quite as overwhelming. However, Guinivere’s internal monologue was a bit repetitive. I get that she’s anguishing over the things she did and trying to figure out who she is, but I started skipping the paragraphs where Guinevere just listed every bad thing she thought she’d done.
Overall, though, The Camelot Betrayal was an enjoyable read that kept me turning the pages. I’m already looking forward to the next book in the series!

I loved The Guinevere Deception so had no qualms about signing up to the blog tour for the second book in the trilogy! Thanks to TBR and Beyond Tours & Delacorte Press for the review copy.

The Camelot Betrayal picks up after the events of The Guinevere Deception. Mordred has betrayed Camelot and used Guinevere's blood to bring his Grandmother, the Dark Queen, back to life. Now Guinevere spends her days trying to be everything to everybody: Queen, friend, witch, protector. Her days are spent patrolling the woods with her trusted Knight Lancelot to search for the Dark Queen's taint, and also learning how to be a Queen, taking over parts of the day to day running of Camelot, something she has little knowledge of. So when someone claiming to be the real Guinevere's sister turns up, Guinevere believes this to be an attempt from the Dark Queen to infiltrate Camelot. She is unwilling to trust Guinevatch, and instead pushes her away until the young girl takes matter into her own hands. To survive Guinevere is going to have become better at the one thing she always fails at, she will have to learn to become not just the witch, but the Queen that Camelot deserves.

I absolutely love the amount of gender bent re-tellings we are getting treated to atm, and Guinevere is definitely becoming a favourite character of mine. She is incredibly resilient, whilst at the same time constantly questioning her decisions and through them herself. She doesn't believe herself worthy; of being Queen or of Arthur, and through it all she is still trying to learn the truth of who she is. Is Merlin her father? Where does she come from? We get a greater insight into her background in this book, but I think the author is building us up to a much bigger reveal. This book is definitely strong on the female characters from the brash and unique Brangien to the brave and loyal Lancelot, and while we do have male characters playing a part in the plot, their main reason for existing is to further Guinevere's story line.

If I have on issue with these books it is the pacing. I found the same issues I had in book one in this, we get a lot of story for the first 75-80% of the book before the story picks up pace. While there are some action scenes throughout the plot, they don't seem to further the main story line in any way, in fact they are more like separate plots all in themselves. I have every faith that the author knows what she is doing, and that all these little sub plots will come together at the end, but they do make the book lack pace in parts and I found my reading speed to be really erratic.

White's descriptive writing and ability to implant the reader into the story is something I love. You can't help but be transported to Camelot, to feel as though you are wandering the streets and corridors, and you certainly can't help but bond with the characters. And while it may be easier to bond with the likes of Guinevere and Lancelot, the protagonists, the good guys that we are supposed to be rooting for, White has a talent for making her antagonists equally as likeable. We don't have a true 'baddy'. No one we can place all the blame on. In fact most of the stories antagonists are people whose stories have been twisted. I know we are heading for a big reveal and I an incredibly excited to see where the story leads.



Plot twists galore, a well written love triangle, an unreliable narrator and brilliant side characters make this a truly unique twist on the Arthurian legend we all know and love. If you're looking for a story you know but with a twist, one where the usual male MC gets relegated to a side character and instead the story becomes that of the women, then look no further. An easy 4* read and I cannot wait to get my hands on the final instalment.

I'm furious. This book is SO GOOD. OH MY GOD. I have never, never felt so thrown from a book. I have gone in every direction trying to piece together what the next moves would be, where and how things would unfold, who would do what, and what would happen to who, and in the end I could never have predicted what happened. Things I loved about this: the story. It was told so well, the layers and development hiding all of the secrets. The characters, I Love these characters. They are multifaceted and experience the range of human emotion and aren't just stock characters which they so easily could be. To take such well-known characters and make them more than anyone could have thought of... I just.. I love it so much. I love that we got to explore Lancelot and Guinevere's relationship more. I wondered if we would be heading in that direction and I see how we could be and I'm very excited about it. However, I am also very excited about Mordred and himself and everything that he is. *coughs* .... Anyway... Truly, this book had me feeling all the feelings. I haven't felt like this since 2012 in the height of tumblr fandomonium. The passion I feel for this book and this series is out of control. I am GUTTED that I have to wait a whole entire year before I get to know the next chapter of the story. What're another 365 days, right?

While I did enjoy the first book, this one felt sor of lacking, being so focused on the characters that the plot seemed to take a backseat. I love the world around Arthurian myths, and I want to like this series, so I'll likely read the 3rd book when it comes out, but I'm not sure how I'll feel.

I was hoping for more from this one. The overall story is very interesting but this book was a lot of stop and go. It didn't know which direction to go in. No real focus on any one foe. Did learn some more background on Guinevere but it is still a bit confusing. I will read book #3 just to see what will happen.

After the way the last book ended, I was very anxious going into this one. This was such an amazing second book to the series! There was so much character development here. Guinevere is trying to figure out where she belongs and who she can trust in this world that she's been thrust into. I really enjoyed watching her character grow in this book. I really liked seeing her bond with Sir Lancelot develop. I do not like King Arthur for her though. I am hoping Mordred is going to be her love at the end of the book but we will see!

A totally reasonable sequel, this is one where you can tell it's the middle of the trilogy though - it dragged a little in places. I really enjoyed the characters and wanted more from the romance! I can't decide which side of the triangle I'm most rooting for, but I'm here for it. I especially liked that Guinevere is flawed, she can protect herself, and she's also anxious about being found out. I am *definitely* pumped for the final installment, the ending of this one was perfection.

Not as enjoyable as <i>The Guinevere Deception</i> in certain ways, but I did like the growth Guinevere herself underwent and how she struggled with her magic and the fallout her choices often caused. Other characters received some much-needed development, and the ending has me invested enough to finish the trilogy.

However. This wasn't so much a problem when I read the first book, but the pacing here gave me whiplash. The central threat introduced in <i>The Guinevere Deception</i> took a backseat so White could introduce Guinevach, who may or may not be bad; allow time for Guinevere to save a damsel in distress; shift the focus to attending a wedding; allow for even more Guinevech trouble; introduce yet another threat; all before finally wrapping up with the big baddie. Too many new characters were introduced—some who would have benefitted from more page time, others who literally contributed nothing to the story—and there were so many plot threads going on here that didn't completely mesh together.

A stunning sequel that raises the stakes even higher, The Camelot Betrayal took all of the characters I came to love in The Guinevere Deception and expanded on who they are and who they want to be. Primarily a character-driven series, you can't help but root for Guinevere, her friends, and even some of the supposed antagonists as they rediscover love, themselves, and what it means to be human. What it means to choose. I do feel as though, slow character development aside, nothing much happened in this sequel, but I am definitely excited to see what happens next.

The Guinevere deception was one of my favorite books of the year when I read it. I had such high expectations of book 2. Boy was I wrong, because this blew away even my high expectations. The character building in this was a true testament to Kierstens ability to write a masterpiece and not make it boring. We see this slow burn of a love that keeps your heart affluter. While this book wasn't action heavy it definitely delivered the spot I needed it to fill in this series. I CANNOT wait for the next book and to dive into this entrancing story!

I received a complimentary copy of The Camelot Betrayal by Kiersten White from Delacorte Press through Netgalley. All opinions expressed in this review are completely my own. The Camelot Betrayal came out today, November 10th!

Since this is the second book in a series, I won't be going into much detail about the plot of The Camelot Betrayal. I don't want to spoil The Guinevere Deception for anyone who hasn't read it yet! I'm mostly going to discuss my feelings about the second installment in the Camelot Rising trilogy. I really enjoyed this book! There's a lot of focus on building the relationships between the characters and a few new characters are introduced, all of whom I liked. My favorite thing about The Camelot Betrayal was definitely the friendship between Guinevere and Lancelot truly blooming and becoming more complex. I adore Lancelot (but I think we all know I'm a sucker for a fierce lady with a sword)! This book also does something a lot of fantasy stories fail to do: it shows us a heroine who saves the day but truly grapples with the aftermath of what she has done and how her actions affect others. There is a lot to love in this book. The ending also promises us an epic final installment in the Camelot Rising trilogy. I'm so excited to see what will play out in the final book! I'd highly recommend this book to anyone interested in a female-centered Camelot retelling!

I really liked The Camelot Betrayal and its depiction of Guinevere. She's a character who is unsure and afraid, but still manages to be strong and loving and have a close group of friends/allies who she (mostly) doesn't push away. I liked getting more into her mind and memories in this story and learning more about her as a Queen. I will say I was a little frustrated by the whole sister plot. It turned out better than I thought it would, but there wasn't enough time for a good payoff. I wish the Big Reveal had happened earlier to give us more time to see the results. I also needed 1000% more Mordred. The parts where he showed up were some of my favorites and I'm hoping to see a lot more of him in book 3. I'm very ready for the final chapter in this story and for more answers and quests and forbidden flirting and knights!

Epic second installment of Kiersten White's newest fantasy trilogy. Fantastic Arthurian retelling that examines human nature,, the price of power with a backdrop of romance and treachery. The novel has adequate pacing and is engaging. Fans of fantasy won't be disappointed but I can see this story appealing to a variety of audiences. You don't want to miss out on this one! Thank you NetGalley for allowing me to review this book in exchange for my honest review.

The sequel to The Guinevere Deception was everything I could have hoped for. The ending was such a good cliffhanger, and it left me dying to know what's going to happen in the third book. The story dragged a little in the middle, but I think that tends to happen in the middle book of trilogies. The writing was, as always, phenomenal. Kiersten White has a way with words and I love the way she tells her stories. I would highly recommend this book to anyone who loves fantasy, mythology, and fairy tales.

Thank you, NetGalley and Random House Children’s Delacorte Press for providing The Camelot Betrayal by Kiersten White in exchange for my honest review.
I enjoyed the first book in this series by White for the new twists in a classic story. Guinevere and Lancelot’s relationship is one of my favorites. Their friendship and loyalty make this top-notch relationship goal.
I will say after the cliffhanger in the first book, I was beyond excited to read the second one, however, I was worried about what answers we might/might not get. Book two is another slow burn, not the action-packed story I craved, but it held my attention and deepened my adoration for Lancelot and Mordred. I know we’re supposed to cheer for Guinevere and Arthur, but I can’t do it. Mordred’s respect and unconditional love for Guinevere is everything. Can I be Team Lancelot and Team Mordred?
Guinevere is struggling to discover who she is, which is frustrating. Her naivete. She jumps to conclusions and makes hasty decisions. It can be difficult to now scream at her, BUT I think she grows in this one and I’m even more excited to see who she becomes.
Just a warning for anyone who doesn’t like cliffhangers. We have another one! It’s big and it made me scream. I’m impatiently waiting for the third installment, to see where we go from here. I’m not going to share any other details, as I don’t want to spoil anything. I highly recommend this sequel and will definitely be purchasing both the first two books, to re-read before the third book releases.

The Camelot Betrayal continues to challenge Camelot mythology, looking at the legend through the eyes of Guinevere rather than Arthur. That flip of perspective changes everything. It modernizes the story in and of itself. Add in other “contemporary” elements like a female Lancelot and a same-sex love story, and it becomes an infinitely more relatable tale.

As with The Guinevere Deception, Arthur remains my least favorite character. He still comes across as kind of one note. Mordred plays a smaller role in The Camelot Betrayal, so he’s not as interesting, either.

It’s fair to say that women really move the action forward in The Camelot Betrayal. And, as is so often the case, a lot of what they are doing is behind-the-scenes. Between Guinevere, the Dark Queen, Lancelot, Brangien and a number of surprise characters, there’s a lot of action and drama that unfolds.

Author Kiersten White does an excellent job allowing the story to unfold at the pace required. It never feels as if she’s using people or things to propel the narrative forward.

Guinevere is an interesting character; in that she’s learning about her origins at the same time as readers. This adds to the overall ebbs and flows of tension throughout.

I can’t wait for the third book in this series.