I doubt there are many folks who grew up with western civilization and British mythology that are unfamiliar with the legends of King Arthur. When I first picked this up, I was confident I would be following well-trod paths and know how the story ended.

How very wrong I was. This is a King Arthur re-telling you didn’t know you needed, but trust me – you do.

This book blew my assumptions and expectations away – in all of the best ways. I loved everything about this book. Sebastian’s writing is gorgeous. This book sucked me in right from the first sentences, and I devoured it with eager trepidation. It was suspenseful, like watching two things inevitably collide.

No matter how many movies, poems, books, and songs you’ve heard of King Arthur, Lancelot, Lady Elaine, Guinevere, and Morgana, there will be pieces of these characters that are fresh and recognizable. I loved Laura Sebastian’s take and feminist retelling. Elaine was an immersive, highly empathetic narrator. I loved how the POVs jumped through time. I found it impossible not to sympathize with all of the main characters. I fell in love with them right along with Elaine. It’s not an exaggeration to say I loved every moment of this book, from beginning to end. Sebastian delivers a satisfying twist on a classic tale, and I could not get enough.

Laura Sebastian has been on my TBR pile for years, and now I cannot fathom what took me so long. Thank you so much to Ace/Berkeley for providing me with an e-arc of this gorgeous book.