Guinevere's Gift (review)

This particular entry into Camelot lore focuses on twelve-year-old Guinevere of Gwynedd, a pretty and intelligent maid with a head for horses and nary a thought for that far-off young warrior king of Britain. As the orphaned ward of her aunt and uncle in Northgallis, Gwen does worry about the schemes of her cousin Elaine and the resulting punishments, which invariably limit her own riding time or threaten to get her nurse sent packing. Above all, she curses the constricting prophecy laid on her at birth that she "would one day be the highest lady in the land, who would wed a great king and come to glory with him." Ironically, Guinevere's determination to live independently of her supposed fate marks her with the courage and clearness of sight of one destined to be a queen, and her mettle is proven when a vainglorious and greedy neighbor threatens Northgallis; Guinevere rises to the occasion, partnering with the woodland people and the last of the loyal house guard to save her family and her home. A rather slow beginning picks up into a steady pulse of courtly intrigue and action, and strong secondary characters command readers' loyalty and respect. Guinevere's aunt, Queen Alyse, is a compelling mixture of motherly instincts, bitter resentment, and forceful domination; the story here is as much hers as Guinevere's, and better for it. McKenzie offers a piece of the Arthurian puzzle but does not try to force it into place, slipping in well-known details and culminating in one tantalizing glimpse into Guinevere's future. Adventure seekers can be content with this tale of a heroine and her castle while dedicated legend fans will appreciate where it fits in the overall tapestry.