Why, oh why did I wait so long to read this one???
SYNOPSIS: King Arthur is in trouble. He has to answer one question or he will die and the only one willing to give him the answer is the old crone, Dame Ragnelle. The only reward she asks for is to marry Gawain, King Arthur's nephew and one of his beloved knights. Little does either Gawain or King Arthur know but this hideous crone is actually Aislyn, a woman who once deeply loved Gawain and now seeks to get a bit of petty revenge on the man she believes scorned her. Unfortunately for Aislyn, her magical disguise as the Dame Ragnelle soon becomes truth. Will Gawain rescue this lady in distress? And will Gawain and Aislyn rediscover the love they once shared?
MY THOUGHTS: What a complex and enchanting tale! Gwen Rowley captures the beauty and soul of Camelot and weaves a tale that is beautiful beyond words. There is a mysterious aura that surrounds Camelot and the Knights of the Round Table and Gwen Rowley perfectly captured this.
I must admit, I fell in love with the tales of King Arthur long ago but had forgotten that love until reading two books last year by Michele Lang. I rediscovered the enchantment that the tales of King Arthur provide so it was with mixed anticipation that I picked this one up. What if it disappointed? Oh, but it did not.
And what better knight than Gawain to read about. Gawain is so heroic, so generous and just flat out good. He's not perfect, no, but he embodies the traits of a true hero. More than once did I shed a tear, as Gawain is not the only noble person in this tale. Ahh... but to reveal more would be a spoiler.
I couldn't put this one down, as I read anxiously, hoping against hope that all would be resolved. Don't make the same mistake I made... read this one soon as it is just beautiful and enchanting beyond words!
NEW TO YOU: Yes, Gwen Rowley is a new author to me. I picked this one up for review (actually, one of our former reviewers disappeared with the book and didn't review it). I'd read Michele Lang's Camelot tales and thought maybe, just maybe, I'd enjoy this one as well. Needless to say, I've already picked up another one of the books in this series as I am hooked!
RE: KNIGHTS OF THE ROUND TABLE by Gwen Rowley
Aye. me lassie! When I was a wee lad, I would dream I was King Arthur! Other neighbourhhood blokes were Knights at me Round Table. I had broomsticks to ride on for me stallions, I had me castles, butresses, and of course, Camelot! I used treesticks for majick wands when I was Merlin, and we kept captive wenches in me deounjeon for when the "merlinical council" took a break. Blankies were me Kingly garments, and when I wasn't playing Round Table, I had me a colour book by that name.
"I went to a FIGHT the other night...and a HOCKEY GAME broke out!! "
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Sounds good
Sounds good so is this one out yet. I hope Merri sees your review this should be right up her alley. Too funny Marty but I don't think it's just the guys who played at Camelot and the Knights of the Round Table.
The D2K Paranormal Junkies ~ 2008 Book Challenge Blog
This sounds awesome!
This sounds really really good. Sort of like Beauty and the Beast reversed.
Laughter is an instant vacation- Milton Berle
yep...
It really is a sort of Beauty and the Beast in reverse. Hadn't thought of that, but it is. I really enjoyed this one a LOT as you can tell!
The D2K Paranormal Junkies 2008 Challenge
I have to read this! Oh
I have to read this! Oh my, oh my, of all the Gawain tales the one connected to Dame Ragnell is my favorite. Thanks for the blog and bringing this one to my attention. I did not realize it had Dame Ragnell too. That has to be one of my all time favorite MEdieval tales! I just ordered this book. Thanks!
AKA Merri
Family Challenge Team: The Spine Breakers with my dh Glenn AKA Phaedrus
oh...
And this is such a well written story, too! I've already picked up one of the author's other books so we'll see how that one goes but this one was just incredible.
The D2K Paranormal Junkies 2008 Challenge
I used to collect Arthurian
I used to collect Arthurian novels. Then I discovered that the love triangle of Lancelot/Guenivere/Arthur made my heart hurt. So I stopped reading them.
"Perhaps what the average member of a group is capable of doesn't limit what a given individual can accomplish." -- Boston Globe, letter to the editor
March's Member of the Month!
Arthurian
I am psyched you pointed out these books. I ordered all I coould get and they arrived today. I have several Medievals in front of these but I can't wait to read them!
AKA Merri
Family Challenge Team: The Spine Breakers with my dh Glenn AKA Phaedrus
I hope...
you enjoy them, Merri!
FF, there is one she has about Lancelot and I'm a little nervous about that one. I have it in my stack.....
The D2K Paranormal Junkies 2008 Challenge