Book Review: Queen of the Summer Stars by Persia Woolley
Queen of the Summer Stars by Persia Woolley. © 2011 Sourcebooks Landmark (originally published in 1991 by Pocket Books). ISBN 9781402246401. Trade Paperback. Historical Fiction. 512 pages. Source: ARC provided by the publishers.
Synopsis: In a country still reeling from the collapse of the Roman empire, the young King Arthur and his wife Guinevere struggle to keep the barbarians at bay even as they establish the Fellowship of the Round Table. The spirited and outspoken Guinevere skillfully combats an accusation of planning to poison Arthur in a country simmering with unrest and scandal. But Guinevere’s greatest battles are dangers Arthur cannot see–ones she’ll have to fight on her own. And all the while, she must reconcile her thirst for freedom with her duties as queen, and her growing love for Lancelot with her loyalty to her husband.
Review: Queen of the Summer Stars is the sequel to Child of the Northern Spring—and the second in the Guinevere trilogy—but can be read as a stand alone. Unlike Child of the Northern Spring, the scale of Queen of the Summer Stars leans towards the epic. Being a massive fan of the Tristan and Isolde characters from Arthurian legend, I was ecstatic to see that they are included in this episode of the trilogy and we also learn about Arthur’s parents here. Lancelot is introduced to the story as well, and it even covers Arthur’s victory at Badon Hill, the death of Merlin and Morgause, and Morgan le Fay’s lust for the crown & her eventual treachery. So a great deal is covered, indeed. This is not light reading after all, bordering just over 500 pages long.
I did feel like some of Guinevere’s spirit and backbone was left behind in Child of the Northern Spring, but that could be explained by how her love for Arthur feels unrequited. He cares for her but treats her more of a friend or ally than a wife. On top of that, Guinevere feels some distress over not yet becoming pregnant and providing the realm with an heir. She longs to talk to Merlin but he has long abandoned the court. Enter Lancelot—who becomes her Champion after she‘s accused of trying to poison Arthur—and Guinevere’s struggling feelings. Unlike other adaptations of the tale, Guinevere toils in agony over her feelings for Lancelot and it isn’t portrayed as love at first sight. It’s more real, more human.
Beginning a couple of years after their wedding and ending shortly after Mordred (my all-time favorite character in all of Arthurian legend!!! *insert me being giddy here*) comes to live with them, Queen of the Summer Stars is true to Arthurian legend and to historical medieval life. 5/5.
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