Thank you to the publisher and Netgalley for giving me this book in exchange for an honest review!


I'm not sure what it is but I'm honestly not too bothered by books most people say suffer from second book syndrome. This book even less so. Even though it does move a bit slow, I feel that something was always happening and more importantly there was character development.

The Camelot Betrayal continues the story about where we left of in Guinevere Deception. Guinevere and Arthur are super focused on trying to protect Camelot from the Dark Queen. Guinevere is trying really hard to fulfill her role as a queen and figure out who she is.

Plot:
The plot slowly builds really well. We have some minor stuff at the beginning really hinting that this book is going to focus on the Dark Queen before taking a 180. She's always in the background, but they don't have the full on fistfight I was expecting. As we prepare for Dindrane's wedding the side adventure is super fun and really exposes Guinevere's character development. After coming home however I feel really confused about Guinevere. I get that her sister is a bit of a problem but she also could have been nicer? I kind of guessed what ended up happening about Guinevere after learning about Guinevach and her reactions. I absolutley loved the twist with a certain character that seemed harmless; it was just what the story needed and really turned it on it's head.mThe ending is when it got really dramatic. Some of it seemed a tiny bit glossed over but the story kind of needed that. The last scene between Guinevere and Lancelot absolutely broke my heart. Overall, I am so ready for the third book! Netgalley could I have it as well pretty please? ;)

Characters:
Guinevere really has some interesting character development. She grapples with her identity as she doesn't remember who she is, what is the true power of her magic, and how far she is willing to go to save Camelot. Her constant guilt and growth are so wonderful and sad that I kinda wished the others would just notice and talk to her because sometimes she really needed it (I'm looking at you Arthur). Her relationship with Lancelot confused me because she was very hot and cold trying to help Lancelot and Lancelot was equally hot and cold back. I'm happy that by the end Lancelot chose Guinevere but I feel Arthur could treat her with some more respect let alone the other knights. Arthur is probably the character that frustrated me the most because he barely changed. He constantly went out adventuring and left Guinevere alone. He got a bit better by the end but he needs to realize he can't have Guinevere if he won't treat her as an equal partner. I loved the tension scenes between them but they need to sit down and actually talk. Brangien was the same steady friend and I loved the small quest. I'm happy she's happy. Guinevach was the newest character here as Guinevere's sister. I get that Guinevere didn't know what to do with her but I feel ignoring her only made her worse, she was basically a teenager. I can't wait to see how she grows in the next book! Mordred confuses me but he seems good so far. Dark and mysterious but definitely not harmful at the moment. His snippets were really fascinating.

Worldbuilding:
Camelot was basically the same as before. We got to meet the Saxxons this time but only in smaller groups. The harvest festival really gave us a chance to remember what Camelot was really about but we didn't see too much more. I was excited at the end that Guinevere was going back into the woods but we'll see what actually happens!

My star rating would probably be 4.75 with a quarter taken off for the speed of the plot.
Overall, I really enjoyed The Camelot Betrayal. It did go a bit slow but I didn't mind one bit because it all built on the plot. Guinevere was so open and exposed this book that I somehow fell in love with her more. I cannot wait for the next book!

I received an ARC through Netgalley in exchange for an honest review!

What a great sequel! I've been anticipating it since I finished reading the first book!

The story picks up where it left off with the fallout of the first book. As usual, I'm dancing around things for sequels because I don't want to spoil anyone's enjoyment of the first book. What I really loved was Guinevere having to still make peace with her past and the present, Lancelot getting built up more and the relationship she has with Guinevere, I love how Lancelot is a female not the typical male in most Camelot stories

Overall, this was a solid sequel and I'm definitely excited for the next book!

I don't really know where to start this review. I really liked this book and I am totally here for what the ending promises for the next installment (that cliffhanger got be so bad and I need the next book now).
I loved the pieces of the book in which Brangien and Isolde played bigger parts and Lancelot definitely deserves better than what she gets. I understand why Guinevere chose to act this way with her but if they were friends I feel like she should have at least tried to explain. Arthur was constantly getting on my nerves whenever he was mentioned and Guinevere wasn't my favorite mc of all time in this one I still can't wait to see what's still in store for her. (And for Mordred who I need to read more of!!)

Thank you to NetGalley, the author and the publisher for providing me with a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.

After finishing The Guinevere Deception I asked myself where Kiersten was going to take this next book. I thought, how could this story line get any better? It couldn't! Until I read this book.

I love how Kiersten builds on Deception so easily. She takes the stones and piles on them, bringing back the points that she highlighted on before and making us realize that it wasn't some throwaway comment, it was more important than that. Each new scene added to the previous one and created such a fun and engaging story. Even during the more mundane moments of the book, there was always a hidden agenda in the background. 

The entire time I read this book, I was captivated. Not only was I in awe at Kiersten's amazing story telling, but at how she continued to build the world in this story in different and creative ways. We get introduced to new characters without losing touch with the old ones. We see Guinevere's changing perceptions and fears as she goes from impostor to Queen. And, the best part of all, we get some love interests thrown in there.

Speaking of new characters, I loved the new people brought into this story! We get to meet Guinevere's sister Guinevach, as well as some other important characters from Arthurian legend. With those new characters came new challenges, but also some new twists that even I didn't see coming! And we finally get to meet Isolde, which just made my heart melt! Every interaction between Brangien and Isolde made me want to cry it was so stinking sweet!

I loved every second of this story and I honestly cannot wait for the third book! If you haven't read The Guinevere Deception yet, I would highly recommend changing that. And if you've read Guinevere and haven't picked up The Camelot Betrayal, you're doing yourself a disservice. I need everyone to read this book because I have a lot of feelings about what just happened!! Excellent story, excellent plot, storytelling, characters, and everything in between. An absolute favorite of mine!

“The Camelot Betrayal” flows as a classic middle book. Characters are further developed and growth is seen in Guinevere; however, it seems the details you turn pages for stay hidden, reserved for the next book in the series.

I picked up the first in this series, The Guinevere Deception, on a whim drawn in by the magical cover and while I was skeptical, I overall loved it. Retellings are not usually appealing to me as I almost feel like it’s been there and done that. I know the story, so why would I read this new version? However, The Guinevere Deception did a great job of keeping me engaged and rooting for Guinevere and her several love interests. Needless to say, I was excited to pick up The Camelot Betrayal and see what happens!

I absolutely loved the cover; it stands out when most covers blend in and the colors are gorgeous together. Honestly, it’s one of those books that has such shelf appeal to me that I would pick it up without knowing much about it based on the cover alone. In a world of de-cluttering my home and the convenience of my Kindle, I’m very picky about books I purchase in physical form, but this one earns its spot easily on my shelf.

I’ll be honest, the Camelot Betrayal suffers a little bit from second book syndrome in my opinion. It’s almost like when you’re playing the video game Skyrim and you deviate from your main quest to wander aimlessly around the woods only to end up right where you needed to be all along. We get there, there’s major story progression at the end, but it takes us wandering for a while.

While I wish that the book had more of a linear, concise path to story progression, the side quests of The Camelot Betrayal are still enjoyable. We meet with the dragon again, we rescue a damsel in distress, we learn more about Guinevere’s lineage and previous life, and we meet the sister of the real Guinevere. Most importantly, we get some small growth in the love… square?

I’ll be honest – I’m a sucker for doomed romances. I want to see where it fell apart in all of its gory details, it’s heartbreaking, emotional, and more than likely tragic. So, while we know in the standard Arthurian legend that Guinevere ultimately ends up with Lancelot (if White sticks to the traditional legend) – I want to know where it falls apart. How does she scorn both Arthur and Mordred? Will this retelling deviate? Will Lancelot being a woman affect the outcome? I can’t wait to find out.

Because this book ends on a huge cliffhanger (maybe even worse than the first book!), I’m anxiously waiting for the final installment of this series to see how Guinevere comes into her own and who will stand by her side.

3.5/5

This series is one that keeps getting better with time, aging like fine wine in a barrel. The Queen Guinevere rules at Arthur's side, but nightmares plague her while she sleeps, and her past has become entangled with the very person she pretends to be. With the arrival of the real Guinevere's sister to Camelot, Guinevere must tread on glass in order to maintain the very deception that threatens to upend the kingdom.

I'd like to start by saying that this book was noticeably better than the first. The Camelot betrayal expands on the influence of key events from the previous book and its characters start to take on bigger roles within the scope of such. It's as if the world has finally been flushed out and the characters brought into the roles created for them. In the Guinevere Deception, the characters fell a little flat for me, but that is definitely not the case here. In this second installment, you really get the sense of these characters as people, not just names from the original Arthurian legends. The expansion of Brangien and Lancelot's stories respectively are just a prime example of this. While this book felt a bit like filler between book one and three, I find I am not upset about it. The series was in dire need of some involvement and change from the previous book. I initially was not planning with continuing the series, but this book definitely changed my mind. I have questions that need answers and am looking forward to how the story progresses in book three.

4.5 stars rounded up

Wholly cliffhanger Batman! Wow, I was not expecting that ending and I'm not sure what to make of it, but I can tell you I loved this book! I enjoyed the first book in the series, but this one was so much better.

What I loved about this book:

1. This book focuses more on Guinevere than Arthur and that made for such entertaining book. She is such a complex and intriguing character and learning about her past draws in the reader. It was impossible to put this book down.

2. In this book you get to see Lancelot's character develop more and you get to see more of the swoony LGBTQ couple of Isolde and Brangien. You get a bit of their "love triangle" with Tristan in the first book, but the trio definitely gets more face time in book two.

3. If you've read the first book in this series you know Mordred is a bit of a touchy subject. I was team Mordred most of book one, but towards then end I never wanted to hear his name again. He makes several appearances in book two that will have you questioning his true intentions and debating if he's a character we can trust.

If you haven't started this series and you love retellings and magical realism, you 100% need to pick up this series. I can't wait for book three!

Em The Camelot Bretrayal , Kiersten White continua nos encantando com sua releitura da lenda Athuriana, mas não se engane: é o segundo livro da trilogia. Teremos respostas de muitas perguntas que ficaram abertas no primeiro livro, mas se prepare para mais um final arrebatador que vai te deixar com gosto de quero mais.

Como já conhecemos os personagens principais e o cenário, temos mais aventuras, seremos apresentados a novos personagens e finalmente vemos alguns relacionamentos se estabelecendo de verdade. No primeiro livro Guinevere esteve ao lado de Arthur por obrigação e aqui finalmente conseguimos ver os dois realmente criando laços, mas existem outras faíscas que podem pegar fogo de verdade. Por se tratar de um livro YA leve, confesso que fiquei na vontade de ver um pouco mais sobre os relacionamentos - não só os amorosos - no livro, assim como as cenas de ação mais descritas. Isso não tira o brilho do que foi escrito, mas me faz perguntar se a autora poderia explorar mais de seus personagens, mesmo dentro do recorte, pois a história tem todo potencial e não é para um público tão novinho assim.

A evolução dos personagens em geral é muito boa. Lancelot tem meu coração, com toda sua fidelidade. As cenas de interação com Guinevere são muito boas, a amizade que se expande, vai se tornando cada vez mais interessante. Mordred também está mais presente e a evolução dele cria um clima de dualidade ainda melhor que no primeiro livro e Arthur entende de fato o peso de ter a coroa em sua cabeça. Vemos os personagens crescendo, mas é uma série que mesmo que tenha romance, política, magia e vingança, seu foco está no desenvolvimento das personagens femininas o que é muito gostoso de acompanhar.

Vale avisar que o ritmo é um pouco mais lento que o do primeiro livro, e a fórmula se repete: o final é cheio de cenas rápidas e cheias de informação. O leitor vai se fazer tantas perguntas quanto a própria Guinevere, que, mesmo tendo revelações e conhecendo um personagem importante, segue em busca de quem ela realmente quer ser, depois de seguir de acordo com o que foi planejado para ela. Se libertar dessas amarras é como a magia, tem seu preço. Qual o seu papel em toda essa história? Ela é mais uma peça no tabuleiro, ou está pronta para realmente ser uma rainha? Só nos resta aguardar por 2021 e torcer para uma boa conclusão de “As novas lendas de Avalon”

This is the sequel and it did feel like a filler book but i really enjoyed it, though i did like the first book a lot more.

I love the friendship, the chemistry and i love seeing Guinevere’s character growth.

I am super excited for the next installment, i love this series a lot and my 12 year old kind loves King Arthur and is now into. This series as well.

Thanks Netgalley and random house for the digital copy!

3.5 stars. Minor spoilers.

I liked this book better than the first one because of information given and character development, but at the same time, it was a bit slow for me and felt more like a bridge book.
Guinevere is a solid strong character who has to overcome not knowing her past, her true self, as well as contending with Arthur (his kingdom always comes first before her). I didn’t like her situation of being in a marriage in name only as she wants to move forward with Arthur but he’s dragging his feet about it. Then again, she might still have feelings for Mordred. I liked the continuation of the twist between Tristan and Isolde. The ending was a bit of a cliff hanger :/

Leaving reviews on Goodreads and Amazon

Kiersten White delivers yet another incredible tale with strong female characters (lots of them) and a love-triangle that has me completely torn!

Guinevere still doesn’t know who she truly is and her place in the world. She dreams of Mordred, but she’s married to Arthur, who is kind. The author skillfully weaves in the story of Tristan and Isolde with a lesbian twist. Guinevere’s little sister shows up and further complicates life in Camelot.

Who can she trust? Who should she love? And why can’t she remember her past?

The end will make you want to go on your own quest to find book 3!

Absolutely phenomenal follow up novel!

I will write a full and detailed review soon, after I gather my thoughts coherently.

Also, can we just appreciate how stunning that cover is in the meantime?!

Thank you Random House Children's and NetGalley for providing me a copy to review.

The story picks up where it left off with the fallout of the first book. The book delves deeper into Guinevere's role in Camelot. To complicate matters, the real Guinevere's younger sister shows up in Camelot and refuses to leave. The danger of the Dark Queen still lurks over Camelot, and toward the end Guinevere makes a decision that may change the fate of Camelot forever. It also leaves the reader with one heck of a cliffhanger!

I enjoyed this book, but not quite as much as the first one. It took me a while to get through it. There isn’t much that happens of any significance until about the 75% mark, which in my opinion is too long to wait. This book felt very much like a filler to me. I am hoping for some more action and excitement in book 3 since I do really love this world and its characters.

Thank you Random House Children's and NetGalley for providing me a copy to review.

The story picks up where it left off with the fallout of the first book. The book delves deeper into Guinevere's role in Camelot. To complicate matters, the real Guinevere's younger sister shows up in Camelot and refuses to leave. The danger of the Dark Queen still lurks over Camelot, and toward the end Guinevere makes a decision that may change the fate of Camelot forever. It also leaves the reader with one heck of a cliffhanger!

I enjoyed this book, but not quite as much as the first one. It took me a while to get through it. There isn’t much that happens of any significance until about the 75% mark, which in my opinion is too long to wait. This book felt very much like a filler to me. I am hoping for some more action and excitement in book 3 since I do really love this world and its characters.

Much like the first book, I didn't quiiiite love it as much as I wanted to. But it's still really enjoyable!
I appreciated getting to see more of Guinevere's strength and power, of seeing her act when in the past she would have stayed passive. She's growing as a character, trusting her instincts more and allowing herself to step out of the shadows. I love that she has friends, people who know her secrets, who love her and support her-- and she supports and loves them in return. Book 1 was rather lonely when it was only she and Arthur knowing her secrets.
And with the ending, I think I'm finally going to be getting my wish for MORE Mordred in book 3 :)

Unfortunately I received approval to review this book after the archive date and did not receive a copy : ( But thank you to netgalley and publishers anyways!

4/5 Stars! Thank you to Delcorte press and Netgalley for giving arc in exchange for an honest review. All opinions and thoughts are my own.

The camelot betrayal picks up right where the last book ended. Guinevere still remains unsure of who she is and who she can trust. She developed really nicely in this book and I enjoyed that a lot and I love the development of her relationships. Especially with sir Lancelot.

The ending picked up and I am looking forward to the third instalment of this series. Overall, I enjoyed it throughly.

This arc was given to me by Delacorte press and Netgalley in exchange of an honest review. All thoughts and opinions are my own.

I received this complimentary ARC from the publisher, courtesy of NetGalley, in exchange for an honest review.
Funnily enough, I read it via my library before I got the ARC.

I thought this was a fine enough sequel to the first book and there were definite twists that surprised me. The romance, particularly in terms of Lancelot however admittedly annoyed me because it felt a bit like queer baiting but I am still holding out hope, however foolish it may be of me. I have most of my feelings on that topic written out in my original review on Goodreads and I'm curious what other people think.

"The Camelot Betrayal" by Kiersten White was such a fun sequel to the Camelot story that White has flipped on its head. My only complaint was there wasn't enough Mordred because he is hawt, but that was probably intentional on the author's part. I really enjoyed the complexities of Guinevere trying to navigate who is her enemy, what is right and wrong, and how to deal with the dark power brewing within her. She's genuinely pulled in so many directions that it's actually pretty hard to tell where she's going to land—the reader is as torn as she is. Also, the twists and the cliffhanger ending were pure evil maneuvers that have me wanting the next book now! I definitely would recommend this series to anyone who enjoys Camelot, White's book, or fantasy in general.