Anna Pendragon is Arthur’s youngest and only full blooded sister. After surviving her late husband Lot of Orkney and delivering his kingdom to Arthur, she hopes only to be reunited with her former lover Bedevere and her sons, but quickly learns Merlin is not through with scheming and using the women of court as his pawns.

I thought this was a really interesting look at the “side characters” of Arthurian legend. I’d never heard of Anna before (which I assume is the point) and thought she was a really compelling character. I mostly just feel so bad that she had to go through all that she did and nobody ever really cared about her.

This book is so much fun to read. I have always enjoyed Arthurian legend retelling and this book was no exception. The story was captivating and the world was beautifully made.

This book should have been 5 stars for me, Arthurian legend (yes please) a slow burn
(love it) and lgbt+ representation (absolutely). Although none of it worked, the pacing was incredibly slow and some of the legend itself was off. I felt there was a lot of contradictions in the writing that I just couldn’t look past, I wanted to love this book, but it fell flat for me.

Thank you to Netgalley & Rebellion for the E-Arc in exchange for an honest review.

First, I’d like to give a massive thank you to Rebellion Publishing and Solaris Books for this ARC!

This was a beautiful story, with stunning characters, complex relationships and a sorrowful tale womanhood.

It took me a while to get to grips with the language and pick through the information, and it took me about 35% to actually get into this, but after that, I really enjoyed it.

Anna is such a beautifully written character and I truly felt awful for her and overall, this story is necessary. It gave such a refreshing take and new insights into Arthurian legend. Her complex relationship with her family, her sons, and Bedevere was what I loved the most, but I really wish we saw more of Bedevere in the second half.

Overall, this was a wonderful read of love, magic, and heartbreak through rich and stunning writing!

4.25⭐️

(Review will be posted at a later date on Instagram @izzywrites_

I'm an absolute sucker for Arthurian legend, so I was reasonably eager to have found this one. That said, she takes a couple of liberties with the conventional story that I'm not entirely in love with. Also, everyone is boinking everyone - all the time! Which, like, who has time for governance and, idk, sustenance?

Anna Pendragon (the FMC) returns home to Carelon, her brother King Arthur's court, after the death of her husband. The court has changed quite a bit since she left as a child bride, and yet finds herself still haunted by a prophecy that was foretold at her birth.

The book is fast paced and is very descriptive - from the landscapes all the way down to the characters clothing. I found it light on dialogue and because of this, found it kind of read like Anna's personal diary. There is a lot of lost love - both romantic and familial. I know it was relates to the prophecy, but it just made super sad for Anna as a character.

The slow burn in this book isn't romance - it's the revealing of Anna's magical abilities. She slowly becomes aware she is able to wield magic, and then by the end of the book, it's full on.

✨Magic
✨ What if?
✨ LBGTQ+ representation 🌈

Reading this King Arthur/Camelot retelling, I honestly thought I knew more about the legend than I actually did. I recognized the names, but that was about it. So in the end, nothing was spoilt for me. However, Barron puts enough of a spin on everything, that even if you were familiar, you could still enjoy it.

*Thank you to Rebellion Publishing and NetGalley for my eARC in exchange for my honest review*

This was such a delightful twist on the classic Arthurian legends we all know. Told from the point-of-view of Arthur’s younger sister Anna, we see the struggles of the women court while the men focus on starting wars, competing in tournaments, and obtaining the objects of their lust.

I cried so much for Anna throughout as it seemed every single chance at happiness was ripped away by the men surrounding her. You definitely feel a sense of female empowerment camaraderie as Anna begins to take control of her own destiny and no longer allowing men to make her choices.

I really enjoyed the villainizing of Merlin. He felt so much more like Arthur’s Rasputin, and it gave me such a sense of satisfaction when Anna rose up against him.

This was definitely an intriguing telling, and almost a cautionary tale about allowing others to write our destinies.

Thank you to the author, and NetGalley for the chance to read this wonderful twist on an Authur retelling.

Despite the slower pace, this book still kept my attention with the twists, and turns that are woven through out this fantasy romance.

Starting with the prophecy of Authur’s sister, and continuing through the masterful story of how Anne overcomes the constraints of her life, the voice within this read was well thought out, and captivating.

The cover of this book is absolutely stunning, and it immediately caught my attention. I simply couldn't resist picking it up and diving into the story within its pages. And I must say, I was not disappointed.

The story takes place in the captivating world of King Arthur, a realm filled with knights, magic, and adventure. As a fan of Arthurian legends, I thoroughly enjoyed immersing myself in this familiar yet unique setting. The author's interpretation of this world was refreshing and brought a new perspective to the beloved tales.

The plot itself was quite good, keeping me engaged from beginning to end. There were twists and turns that kept me on my toes, and I found myself eagerly turning the pages to see what would happen next. The characters were well-developed and added depth to the story, making me genuinely care about their fates.

Overall, I truly enjoyed reading this book. The combination of a stunning cover, an intriguing world of King Arthur, and a well-crafted story made for an enjoyable reading experience.

This was a great Arthurian fantasy romance retelling. You could see how much love and work the author put into her story. It was a slower pace, but I personally loved that and I took my time reading and savored this story.

Queen of None unfolds as a beautiful tapestry of Arthurian Fantasy Romance, where the the main character Anna. Pendragon, a character often relegated to the periphery in traditional tales. This was the first in a trilogy and offers a fresh perspective that is captivating and empowering.

The story starts with a prophecy that foretells Anna's obscurity, setting the stage for her famed brother none other than King Arthur. Despite the constraints of her time, Anna navigates a world where her worth is defined by her name, status, dowry and womb. The complexities of her life are set against the ever changing backdrop of a changing kingdom.

The story is full of intriguing characters and political machinations. The prose is rich and immersive, and easily drew me into the heart of Carelon and the intricacies of Anna's world. The character development is noteworthy, particularly as Anna struggles with her dark gift and the power that is emerging within her.

I felt like this was a successful reimagining of the Arthurian legend through a feminine lens, documenting the struggle of a woman coming into her own despite the constraints society imposed on her. Familiar figures such as Merlin, Morgen, Elaine and Morgause make an appearance and offer a fresh take on well-known characters.

The flow of the story went pretty well, but there were times that it felt like the intricacies of the plot were a little overwhelming. Being that this is the first installment in a trilogy, it sets the stage for more exploration of power, identity and destiny. I feel like this was a spotlight on a character who is often overlooked.

Thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for the ARC in exchange for an honest review.

Queen of None was like diving in to a masterfully wover fantasy.

This Arthurian fantasy left me with new perspectives and a love for Natania Barron’s writing.

This book was beautifully written and while there were a few moments where I did feel that the story dragged on, I still thoroughly enjoyed it.

The plot beautifully unfolds as Anna struggles to work against the politics, and newfound powers.

There was a great mix between legend, lore and Natania’s own twist on the story, that leaves you wanting to learn more and more as the story starts to unravel!

A big thank you NetGalley and Natania Barron for providing me with an e-arc of Queen of None in exchange for an honest review! It is much appreciated!

dnf @ 60%
I think this book just wasn’t for me! I felt that the pace of it was a bit slower than I would have liked. I did however, love that it was a different take on the Arthurian legend and that it showed a powerful woman who was struggling through medieval power plays.

Summary:
Married at twelve, Anna, King Arthur's sister, lived a life devoid of youth's promise. Bearing three sons and surrendering the kingdom of Orkney through marriage, she returned to Carelon at Arthur's bidding, grappling with past demons and emerging threats while navigating her own evolving powers and ambitions.

Thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for an ARC of this book, all thoughts are my own.

One day I was strolling through Threads, and saw the Natania Barron herself talking about this book and how it was to become available on Netgalley. I read the synopsis, found it right up my alley, and just felt compelled to give it a chance.
And I am so happy I did - what a pleasant surprise this book was !
This book tells the story of Arthur's youngest full blooded sister Anna, after she is widowed and comes back live at Arthur's court. She believes she might found some peace and quiet after a miserable existence at Lothian/Orkney. Unfortunately, she is once again at Arthur and Merlin's mercy, and will be used as a means to an end, as most women were at the time, at the expense of her own happiness.

The author bent the legends here and there to fit the story, and I did not mind it, but i know some people might not like it. I liked Anna and her struggles to find agency, and liked to see her attempts at building relationships with her estranged family after so long. It was also good to see, through Anna's eyes, the beginning of the decline for Arthur's kingdom.
My critique is minor, I think . The pacing was a little off for me in the second half, where we have the revenge plot. That plot was good enough, but as other readers pointed out, would have benefited from some more build up/refining in my opinion.

Overall, it was a solid read. It is a first book on a trilogy, but it does leave loose ends, which i appreciate. Interest to see how the others will come about.

I thank Solaris Books and netgalley for this ARC in exchange for an honest review

"Queen of None" is like diving into a rich tapestry of Arthurian fantasy, with Anna Pendragon at the forefront. Married at twelve, a mother, and often overshadowed by her legendary brother Arthur, Anna's life takes a compelling turn when she returns to Carelon bearing her late husband's crown. The story beautifully unfolds her struggles against political webs, old demons like Morgen and Merlin, and newfound powers. The mix of familiar legends and fresh characters like Lanceloch creates an immersive world. It's not your typical Arthurian tale; it's a nuanced journey of a woman balancing ambition, revenge, and an awakening strength. The complexity might be a challenge for those new to Arthurian lore, but for those seeking a female-led fantasy adventure, "Queen of None" is a captivating start to a promising trilogy.

This was pretty interesting but I felt like it was lacking in some areas. The characters weren't super compelling and I felt myself drifting.

Queen of None by Natania Barron will be released May 21, 2024.
This is an absolutely beautiful book, and I'm not just talking about the stunning cover art.
A breath-taking story about Anna finding her own power, literally, and taking back her life.
Used as a pawn to gain her brother, Arthur, more power through marriage at the young age of twelve, then a mother to three sons. She was, as Merlin prophesied at her birth, forgettable, used for her name and her womb.
Twenty years later she returns home, at Arthur's behest after the death of her husband, Lot of Orkney. She returns and hopes to live the rest of her life married to the man she once loved, Bedeveere. Arthur, however, has other plans. Faced with the demons of her past, Anna must learn to embrace the power brewing within her, using a spell book gifted to her by a banished relative, and take the reins to her own life.

The magic system, the intrigue, the court politics and the storytelling are all incredible in this book. The character development is beautiful, as is the overall arch of the story. I can't wait to see what Natania does with the next two books in this series.

I want to thank NetGalley and Natania for allowing me to ARC read this book for an honest review.

First of all, I would like to thank NetGalley, the publisher, and the author for giving me the opportunity to read and review the Queen Of None.

I love retellings, arthurian being some of my favorite. That was the main reason I chosen this book. This retelling offers a new perspective of the world, telling the story from Anna Pendragon's view. The forgotten sister of Arthur, unlike other sisters in this legend. I loved that we were gifted with a more mature character, a mother and a widow. It is a character seldom represented in the genre.

The premise was different and intriguing, the writing in accordance to the story. I did find myself skip through some chapters, which is one this isn't a full 5 stars. Still, it's a solid 4 star book for me, worth reading if you enjoy the legends of Arthur and his time.

Thank you Netgalley, Solaris, and author Natania Barron for providing an ARC in exchange for a review! I voluntarily read and reviewed an advanced copy of this book. All thoughts and opinions are my own.

4.5 stars (rounded to 5)

Queen of None chronicles the life of the long-forgotten Anna Pendragon, the only full-blooded sister of King Arthur. A tale of duty, sorrow and grief, where women are nothing but a pawn in a game of thrones, a vessel to bear heirs. Sadly, this isn’t only Anna’s tale but of most women – born to be forgotten, their stories completely erased from history or altered conveniently to fit men’s will.

I ought to confess I’m not as well versed in the Arthurian legend as I would like, and therefore I had to research a bit before I set foot in Carelon. This groundwork proved out to be crucial when it came to understanding the profoundly complicated family trees and the relationships between the characters. 

The plot in most historical books tend to be overly slow and dragging, however we don’t find that in Queen of None. Although not fast-paced either, Barton makes us engrossed in magic, political ploys and undesired prophecies. This novel was beautifully written, as if you yourself were bewitched by the lines you’re reading. The characters were flawed and real, and our protagonist is witty, passionate and determined, and she’s finally ready to take the reins of her own life and defy fate. 

I was captivated and spellbound by this book, and I’ll be patiently waiting for the next instalment in this series!

A very interesting tale about Kings author full blooded sister Anna, and how males dominated over females.
And her refusal to do so.
To me, this book portrayed a voice unheard.
The writing was beautifully almost lyrical.
With a heartgribbing story plot.