Thank you to the publisher, Penguin Random House Canada, and NetGalley for providing me with an eARC of this book in exchange for an honest review.

Guinevere has accepted her role as Arthur’s queen and to protect Camelot, but she is still restless. The Dark Queen has risen and is no doubt biding her time to strike. Guinevere still struggles to belong, even as she continues to wonder about her past, but danger may have already arrived in Camelot, as magic is not the only threat. Not only is Mordred still at large, the real Guinevere’s younger sister arrives unexpectedly for a visit. Can Guinevere maintain the deception or will she be exposed as an imposter?

I’m quite conflicted about this book. On one hand, it was undoubtedly entertaining, but on the other, it hardly felt like Guinevere’s story at all, there was so little focus on the main conflict. I hope all these side stories I had to muddle through in this book are actually going to come back and be relevant in the finale or I will be very disappointed. There is definitely a little middle book syndrome here, and I skimmed quite a few chapters because I was very bored at some places.

We get some nice backstories, including an interesting variant of Tristan and Isolde, and the interludes certainly helped liven things up. Guinevere has quite an interesting arc as she begins to grow into her role. I also really liked her strong friendship with Brangien and Lancelot. While I like this version of Lancelot, I’m still confused on what to think regarding how this will end up in comparison to the myth. There isn’t nearly enough laid out to make it happen realistically, but I’m curious to see where this goes. Mordred is turning into quite the interesting character and I don’t even know if I would call him a villain anymore – assuming there isn’t another twist hidden up ahead.

The plotline with Guinevach, Guinevere’s sister, was just building up to be something really good – and then it falls flat. If it had to be that way, why did Guinevere need to spend nearly 2/3 of the book fretting over her intentions, jumping to conclusions and generally acting in a very suspicious manner towards her? It just made her sound really whiny when this could have all been resolved so much earlier to make way for some more solid plot. Also, where I enjoyed Arthur and Guinevere’s romance in the first book, this time around, it falls flat, Arthur in particular who has basically no character development in this one. Honestly, having Guinevere run off with Mordred is more believable at this point – atleast they have some chemistry! All in all, I would consider this the book of side quests and false leads, and of course, the one where Guinevere makes some reckless and questionable life choices.

The ending was certainly a surprise, and one you will not see coming. Combined with the revelations about Guinevere that may or may not be true, it sets the stage for a very interesting path ahead. Overall, this wasn’t up to the standard of The Guinevere Deception, but an entertaining sequel. Knowing Kiersten White though, the finale is likely to be a showstopper, and I’m looking forward to seeing how this retelling is going to end and how close to the original story it will stay. I would definitely recommend this not only for fans of retellings and the legend of King Arthur, but also fantasy fans, who are sure to enjoy the unique magic system and the world of Camelot.

The Camelot Betrayal was one of my most anticipated sequels of the year and it blew my expectations out of the water! Boy, does Guinevere get herself into some scrapes in this one! I really enjoyed the first book of this series where we learn that the intended bride of Arthur has been replaced by Merlin with a magical imposter. Now that Arthur knows the truth, this new novel follows their journey as they grow in power as king and queen and the development of the trust between them. I really appreciated seeing Guinevere grow from deceptive and precocious to powerful and calculated. She works swiftly to neutralize threats to the empire and herself. There is a great kindness and loyalty in these characters who are trying to balance the impact of dark magic and original desires for power with doing the right thing.

We get more details on the characters around her as well, including Lancelot's origins and the "true" story of Tristan and Isolde, which is a great LGBTQIA storyline. There's still not as much of a focus on Arthur himself, which I think is ok since he's been covered to death through history, but I love the openness and supportiveness of this Arthur. He sees Guinevere as an equal and although he wants to protect her, he values her and her magic in his kingdom. As always, there is a bit of a cliffhanger ending to leave you wanting for the next book and more truths about Guinevere.

Thank you to Netgalley for an advanced copy of The Camelot Betrayal! I am so excited to have the chance to review the next book from one of my favorite authors!

Spoiler Warning- This review contains spoilers for The Guinevere Deception. If you are interested in The Camelot Betrayal but haven’t read The Guinevere Deception, feel free to check out my earlier review on Goodreads!

Camelot is at peace, on the surface. After driving out the Dark Queen, Guinevere and Arthur can turn their attention towards the demands of ruling a kingdom. With this shift in responsibilities, Guinevere feels increasingly out-of-place. She was never trained in what it means to be Queen, which has left her out of her depth and uncomfortable in her role. In addition to feeling useless in the castle, Arthur doesn’t seem to have any real interest in being her husband. With Mordred gone, the only person in Camelot who seems to care about her whereabouts is Lancelot. To make matters even more complicated, Guinevere’s nights are filled with hauntingly dark dreams sent by an unseen foe. Guinevere must unravel the secrets of Camelot and dissect the social hierarchy of the kingdom, or else risk opening her world to evil magical forces.

You can get your copy of The Camelot Betrayal on November 10th from Delacorte Press!

I have been dying to read The Camelot Betrayal after reviewing The Guinevere Deception last fall, so I was so excited to be selected for this one! My favorite parts of the Guinevere Deception- the plot twists, the tension between characters, and everything Lancelot does- were all brought back in full force in this thrilling follow-up! I loved reading about Guinevere grappling with her different roles as Queen and protector. Unfortunately, I am now once again faced with waiting another year for the conclusion of the series, The Excalibur Curse, which is slated to come out in 2021!

My Recommendation-
If you love feminist fantasies packed with plot twists and irresistible love interests, you need to check out the Guinevere Deception series! The classic legend of King Arthur and Lady Guinevere is transformed by Kiersten White’s narrative voice, making this an absolute must-read in my book!

The Camelot Betrayal is the follow-up to The Guinivere Deception and suffers a bit from middle book syndrome, as it's a lot of set-up for the finale, but it's definitely still very enjoyable. There's plenty of adventure and poor Guinivere must be tired from all the jumping to conclusions she does the entire book. Can't wait for the finale!

Ooooh this was so good. I'm a little sad I got an ARC because now I have even longer to wait until the next book!
A lot of the gaps in Guinevere and company's past are beginning to get filled in. Poor Guinevere, so confused all the time. I'm excited to see what happens next!
Thank you to Netgalley and the Publisher for sending me a free copy for review!

I have enjoyed many of the various iterations of the tales of Camelot, King Arthur and Guinevere. That and my love for the author's Conqueror's Saga series is what initially drew me to this series. I had to go read the first book before tackling this one and I found the story to be a very enjoyable reimagining of the Camelot mythology. With regard to the second book specifically, I found the story lagged a bit in the middle. That being said, I really enjoyed the direction the story has taken. The characters are well drawn and engaging. The relationships between the characters grew and changed in unexpected and interesting ways. The plot took many surprising and exciting turns, with a great cliffhanger at the end. Kiersten White is a talented story teller and I'm excited to see where she takes this tale next. Thank you to NetGalley and Delacorte Press for granting access to this book in exchange for an honest review. I will post this review tomorrow to my Bookstagram and companion Facebook page @thatreadingrealtor.

I was given a copy of this book for free from Netgalley in exchange for an honest review.

Please do not read if you do not wish to be spoiled.

I loved the first book in this series and admittedly I had thought that it was going to be a duology until the last few chapters of this sequel.

The pacing of this book is odd. I don't mind authors wanting to veer away from story beats but the first half is just non-stop STUFF. Action and advisories, and just STUFF. We're away from Camelot and not much of the goings on on feed into the main plot. It's just side quests that get a little too involved.

You dont get any good character stuff until the last 30 percent or so and then main character makes all sorts of rash calls that needlessly complicate things.

It's such a jump from her behavior in the first book. She doesn't seem worried about most of her secrets getting out and Arthur has fallen so flat to not feel like a viable candidate anymore.

Dont go into this expecting the burning romance from the first. It was a really messy middle book.

I'll continue on with the series, but this wasn't very satisfying.

I am a sucker for anything related to Camelot and King Arthur; and just a good retelling in general. “The Camelot Betrayal” by Kiersten White is both of those things. It is book two in the “Camelot Rising” trilogy. I would recommend reading these books in order. I loved the first two and am now dying for the third installment!

“The Camelot Betrayal” is really Guinevere’s story. I think the first book, “The Guinevere Deception,” set up a lot of things for the rest of the series. In “The Camelot Betrayal," Ms. White zeroes in on Guinevere and the path she takes. I found the beginning to be a little more slowly paced than I prefer, but then it really gets going, right up to the mind-blowing ending (and I still need answers!)!

Guinevere must make a lot of hard choices and find her place as a queen and a witch. She really grapples with balancing those two things and finding herself and her place in the world. At first, I was upset by and frustrated with some of her choices. But I think that is the point and Guinevere has to learn some hard lessons. She struggles with whether she should use her magic, even if it will hurt others. Is she just like Merlin? She does not feel like she belongs—either as queen or even in Camelot. There are a lot of twists that will keep you guessing as to what will happen next. There is also a bit of a love triangle and I am interested to see how it plays out.

If you love historical fiction, Arthurian legend and retellings, you will want to grab a copy of "The Camelot Betrayal!”

Content: I give this book a PG-13 rating. Some examples of the content are: LGBT characters; sexual innuendos; words “da*n,” “hell,” “bastard” and “sh*t” are used; people are drunk; people consume alcohol.

Rating: I give this book 5 stars.

I want to thank Kiersten White, Delacorte Press and NetGalley for the complimentary copy of this book for review. I was not required to write a positive review. The opinions I express in this review are my own. This is in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s CFR 16, Part 255.

Worthy second entry in this retake of Arthurian lore. Main character Guinevere is continuing to work at protecting Camelot at Arthur's side, but she's taken aback when her sister--the sister of the real Guinevere!-- arrives to visit unexpectedly. There's a wedding to travel to, surreptitious magical arrangements to be made, and strange dreams that make Guinevere question her memories, her past, and even her identity even more intensely. The action is nonstop, rarely a peaceful moment for Guinevere or the reader to catch a breath, right up to the cliffhanger ending. New revelations abound and surprise. As with the first book, the titular betrayal teases throughout the story: does it happen early on, or later, or in the last sentence?
As this is a sequel, readers should definitely be familiar with the events in The Guinevere Deception before reading this one. Unlike the first book, readers are left hanging here. This reader is ready for book three now!
Thanks to NetGalley for the preview!
Recommended

Love, love, love!!!

I love a slow burn and this is exactly what this story is. I love their relationship, even just as friends.

This story got even better in this installment. I’m even more invested than before. (That ending!)

I enjoyed the first book and was excited to read the second installment. This was a slow burn that caught fire by the end. I love seeing Guinevere and Lancelot's dynamics. Having Lancelot as a woman, I think makes their friendship even stronger. I could care less about the relationship between Arthur and Guinevere. Instead, give me all the Guinevere and Mordred. You can tell he truly cares about her and wants what is best for her. The character growth Guinevere goes through in this book truly make it a great read. I'm excited to see the adventure continue and where it leads.

Ohh, this is FUN and sinister and plotty and shocking... and so many more adjectives! I really love what White has done with the King Arthur mythos by centering Genevieve. RTC.

Rating is 3.5 stars.

I enjoyed this installment however I am not really a fan of Guinevere and I also am not sure how I feel about her relationship with Arthur. I did like the strong friendship between the Queen and Sir Lancelot, and Mordred.

I don't want to spoil anything for the first book but this one picks up from where book 1 left off. One thing I did like was the the inclusion of a female/female relationship.

I do plan to read book 3 because I want to know who Guinevere is and what happened to her memory...

There’s always something about Kirsten books that’s missing for me, but I can never put my finger on it. The sequel in the Camelot betrayal was more of a second book-syndrome situation than what I actually expected from it.

I wanted to love this book, and for the most part, I did. The world-building, friendships, red herrings and plot twists captivated me. I enjoy Arthurian legends (maybe because I read Avalon High 100 times as a tween) and love the female-centric spin that White put on the story. My only complaint is that this felt a little like a filler book for the character of Guinevere. Her exploration of relationships and her own self-worth are well deserving of their own novel, but I was most intrigued by the mystery surrounding her identity and wish that it had been answered. Guess I'll just have to read the third book to find out!

Guinevere wants to be useful. She wishes to be anything but a dainty queen trapped in a castle.
She is strong and fearless, ready to fight the threat of the newly risen dark queen with King Arthur.
This is the second book in the Camelot Rising series, and it started out a lot slower than the first book.
Guinevere is a bit of an unreliable narrator, with her amnesia, and I liked that--I like unreliable narrators.

One of my only criticisms is that her relationships with most of the characters were somewhat flat. It was insta-friendship with Brangien and Dindrane, and even things with Arthur felt a bit forced.
The only relationship I really liked was with Mordred.
I want more of Mordred. He is so wickedly delightful.

Overall, I really enjoyed that Kiersten White changed things up and made some things her own, but I want more Mordred!

I finally had a chance to read the precursor to this title so I could fully understand and embrace this book. I think it works best if read as a sequel (vs. a stand-alone). Guinevere is a great strong female lead character, but she is also a bit self-focused. I can forgive that, being that most of the audience (YA readers) are also self-absorbed.
Overall I found this to be a capturing world and we've already added this to our order for the library.
thanks for the galley!

Arthurian Legends and stories hold a special place in my heart! For some alpha-male reason, I love Arthur. That lead me to read this series. Guinevere deception was my first book from White and I was awestruck. I totally loved the first part and I had my doubts because sometimes second books disappoint me, but with The Camelot Betrayal, White did not betray my expectation.

Much like the first book, this also deals with character development, self-doubts and lot of magic! Guinevere is torn between her identity of being a Queen and a witch.. she must realise who she is, what Arthur means to her and she must help him destroy the dark forces. All the beloved positive and negative characters return in this story too, with enjoyable twists. I loved the feminist touch and the Excalibur action... woah Chef’s kiss!! The story breaks down to doing the right thing at any given circumstance. Plot is fast moving, with magic and action. I read this in less than two days. Excited for the third book!

This series is a must read for any Arthurian legend lovers. Thank you Netgalley, Delacorte Press and Kiersten White for the arc in exchange for an honest review.

I received this book from NetGalley in exchange of an honest review. Thank you so much, Random House Children's and Delacorte Press, for the chance to read and review this book.

In Camelot king Arthur is expanding his kingdom's influence and queen Guinevere is at his side, but even though she accepted this new role, Guinevere fights against the feeling of not belonging. Plagued by nightmares and lost memories, Guinevere isn't able to find her place in Camelot, not with her friends, each of them occupied with their own problems and troubles: Brangien pining for her lost love Isolde, Lancelot, fighting to prove her worth as Queen's knight and Arthur, with his kingdom to deal with and less time for her.
When the younger sister of the real Guinevere comes to Camelot, Guinevere has to struggle with more and more deceptions.

The Camelot Betrayal is the second book in this new fantasy series and it explores magic and its consequences, romance, betrayals, memories and loss.
Like the first installment, The Camelot Betrayal is full of plot twists, magic and questions, with an intense main character who is struggling to understand who she is, what memories are real, what really happened and is happening around her and Camelot.
Hurt and betrayed by Mordred, fascinated and scared by him and by the Lady of the Lake, Guinevere tries to fit into a role made for someone else, wondering what and who she should be. Wife? Sister? Queen? Witch? While Arthur is busy with politics and the Dark Queen, Guinevere has to deal with missing memories, intrigues, romances and more and more questions about everything. Her character is really complex and relatable in her wondering, in her trying to do the right thing, protecting her loved ones and her city.
Interesting her thoughts about magic and its aftermath, about her own intricate feelings about Arthur and Mordred and Merlin.
The Camelot Betrayal is full of strong female characters, both old and new, characters determined to protect, fight and save and do the right thing.

In a world mixing politics and magic, roles and romance, enemies and allies, The Camelot Betrayal is an intriguing sequel, full of plot twists, sweet and intense moments, magic, love and friendships.

What drew me to Camelot Rising was the characters and the story in the first book. As someone well-versed in Arthurian legends, I knew that there would be things that would bother me a little about a retelling. Yet, I still found myself enjoying book one a lot. Book two was interesting as well, but I'd definitely say that it suffers from second-book syndrome. It felt like a lot of building up and not much happened.