In this book, Guinevere continues to discover/learn things about herself and it starts to build up her self-esteem while at the same time learning how to be Queen. Arthur is finally relaxing a bit and letting her in. Arthur is finally paying attention to Guinevere!!!! AT LAST! But it might be a little too late even if she's in denial. We shall see how that develops since it seems like there are 2 other possible love interests...

Guinevere is a bit of a nosybody, getting all up on people's business and then going to bat for them. LOL And yet, when she's faced with a curveball, she seems completely thrown.

Loved the book! It has the same tone and tempo as the first one and it keeps the story going. I do like when there are surprises and we had 2 huge ones, which were both infuriating and funny at the same time...weird I know!

I’ve been looking forward to Kiersten White’s The Camelot Betrayal since I finished The Guinevere Deception last year. White’s twists on the classic Camelot mythology continue in this second installment of her Camelot Rising Trilogy. The Camelot Betrayal expands further into the familiar cast of characters while fleshing out their alternate backstories and feeding Guinevere’s confusion around her sense of self and purpose as the larger conflict plays out. I appreciated the way that responsibility is tied into Guinevere’s journey to figure herself out. It’s one of those themes that comes up frequently in series but is often only half addressed. Characters will step up to take responsibility through action but the consequences – or more precisely, the wider ripples of consequence – are often glossed over.

After having been manipulated by Mordred into raising the Dark Queen, Guinevere is determined to do everything in her power to help Arthur protect Camelot in the coming conflict. Trying to balance playing a more active role against Arthur’s fears for her safety, Guinevere is finally finding herself at home in Camelot and settling into her role as queen. The unexpected arrival of Guinevere’s sister, Guinevach threatens to throw a wrench into everything. Guinevach is the real Guinevere’s sister and could so easily expose the careful deception Guinevere and Arthur have been executing. Is the girl really who she says she is, or could she be an agent of the Dark Queen?

As with The Guinevere Deception, I found the premise and twists on more traditional elements of Arthurian legend thoroughly entertaining (even if the pacing of the story can sometimes leave a bit to be desired). Through the backstories for White’s versions of Tristan and Isolde, Lancelot, and others, White nods to the familiar as she twists the tales to reflect a modern audience (and maintain the period-fantasy setting). Perhaps it was the inclusion of so many backstories that affected my sense of the pacing so much.

While Guinevere’s self-doubts can occasionally grow tedious, the underlying exploration of responsibility and actions vs consequences (and guilt) were one of my favorite aspects of the novel. Questioning authority is to be expected of teenagers, and this is a YA novel (Guinevere is only seventeen and Arthur nineteen, a fact that can be difficult to remember, especially as few other characters’ relative ages are given). After the events at the end of The Guinevere Deception, it’s natural that she is questioning more and more of what Merlin taught/told her (and that she tries to share those questions with Arthur). So much of Guinevere’s musings focus on responsibility for the consequences of one’s actions (as well as the intent behind those actions and whether it weighs more or less in the face of those consequences). In going beyond the immediate consequences (success or failure of the actions’ main objectives), White goes several steps beyond many YA explorations of these themes.

Given the new twists on the traditional that The Camelot Betrayal introduces (as well as the cliffhanger ending), I cannot wait to see how Kiersten White will wrap up this trilogy (hopefully next year).

The Camelot Betrayal is the middle book in Kiersten White's Camelot Rising series, a magical retelling of the King Arthur legend. TCB picks up shortly after The Guinevere Deception ended. We catch up with our favorites for TGD while meeting new characters and going on new adventures.

TCB ramps up the action and the inner turmoil affecting Guinevere and her decision both in the past and throughout this book. TCB really shows some growth for Guinevere as she grapples more with romance, family, and her own history. Arthur's character also got a tad more fleshed out, along with Lancelot, though I would have preferred even more. I don't feel like I really understand all the character's motivations.

I found this book to be paced much slower than TGD, which is a typical middle book experience for me. It spent a lot of time setting up the conflict for the third book instead of focusing on the plot actually happening. I also didn't expect a lot of what happened in the book, and not in a good way. More like I just didn't understand the decisions the author made when writing to continue the plot along. The plot continuation and new conflicts introduced in this book didn't jive well with me.

I am interested enough to read the final book when it comes out to see how it all gets wrapped up. I do like that I'm not at all able to predict how this series could be concluded and where the characters may end up. The lead is very well buried, so for that I commend Kiersten.

**Thank you to Delacorte Press and Netgalley for an early copy of this book in exchange for an honest review**

It’s strange, because I’ve rated both books 4 stars so far, but I still think this is a 5 star series as a whole. It’s really rich with visuals and a broad cast of characters, but the characters are so fleshed out and human. It’s super little things, like when Arthur rubs his face after getting stressful news, that make them feel so present in the story. The relationships Guinevere has with the people in her life are so multi-layered. There’s some will-they-won’t-they between her and like, 3 different people (probably two officially but my side ship is valid idc) but they all make sense because they all provide such different things for her. I love when a love triangle makes sense and isn’t there because of the angst but it’s there because genuinely how can you choose? Idk it’s just done quite well imo.

The reason this installment got a star docked was it was just slow. It was very episodic - a friend rightfully compared it to video game levels - which left plenty of places for me to set it down feeling satisfied with another ending and not rush back to it right away. It’s really character driven even in the midst of the action, which can result in your head swimming from information overload. But none of that takes away from the story. It just didn’t give me the sense of urgency that I like to feel from a book.

Seeing the character development in Guinevere is really special. She doesn’t know who she is even still, so she’s basically making herself into who she wants to be. She gets so much wrong, or at least she thinks she does. That’s the thing about decisions - you never get to see what could have been. And she feels the emotions from being wrong. But she never lets it come in the way of what she needs to do or who she’s becoming and she’s just a really inspiring and brave character even if she doesn’t think she is.

I also have the softest spot for Arthur and how open he can be with communication even while being the biggest idiot himbo on earth. Guinevere’s girl gang is still going long and strong and even growing in numbers and I love them all a lot :’)

Dreading book 3 but also ecstatic for it.......

I wasn't a huge fan of book one, it was slow for me. But I also felt that maybe it was because I listened on an audiobook and I don't do that often. So I gave book two a try. It was still slow for me and it didn't keep my attention.

THE CAMELOT BETRAYAL by Kiersten White is the second book in her YA retelling of the King Arthur Legend. The story picks up with Guinevere and Arthur regrouping after the Dark Queen’s attack and Mordred’s deception. Surviving this event has brought them closer than ever, but their relationship is still not everything Guinevere wants, or even needs. In fact, she’s not entirely sure she can trust her own thoughts as they’ve been magically mixed up by Merlin. To make matters worse, the real Guinevere’s sister has shown up in Camelot with unclear motivations that Guinevere must uncover if she wants to stay safe. As she tries to make sense of it all, Guinevere may find that she’s been distracted from the biggest threat of all.

I love this book even more than the first one. It’s a much slower read and one that I consumed in small bites over a couple of months. Normally, I can get bored or be impatient with stories that have such a slow burn, but this held my interest the entire time and allowed me to stay in its world longer than I would have if the story was one that could be read in a single day.

My favorite part of this entire novel is the love triangle between Guinevere, Mordred, and Arthur. It works so well here because both options are valid and couldn’t be more opposite. In the third book, if Guinevere discovers her true origins, she’ll have a better understanding of who she wants to be, and which man she wants to be with. That being said, the moments when Mordred pops up in this book, or Guinevere and Arthur have sudden alone time are really what propel the story forward. Nothing about these encounters are predictable, and they always keep me waiting for the next one. I’m curious to see how this will all culminate into a satisfying conclusion.

White also does a great job at introducing tension and difficulty into Guinevere’s relationship with Lancelot, and leaves them on a huge cliffhanger. While the story is told from Guinevere’s perspective, I’m hoping that in the third book, we will get more insight into what Lancelot is feeling and thinking. As of now, she’s so stoic that it’s hard to interpret what it is she truly wants. As of yet, I can’t tell if she’ll also become a romantic interest, or if she’s the only person in Guinevere’s life who lets Guinevere be herself.

Overall, THE CAMELOT BETRAYAL takes readers on a journey, weaving the pieces for an emotional and powerful finale. I’d recommend this book to anyone who likes fantasy retellings.

This second installment really delves further into the world and our favorite characters which was nice, but at times I felt like it slowed down the pace of the book. There were definitely some sections that felt very info-dumpy which I don’t love in general, but especially in YA. Overall I enjoyed this book, though, and am still looking forward to the finale of this fun trilogy.

I am in love with this series. I love the direction that the series is heading in, I love the characters and the unique spins that Kiersten White has put on this story. I really enjoyed watching Lancelot and Guinevere's relationship grow throughout this book. This book had a lot less action then the first book but that didn't take anything away from the story. This story was more about backstories, intrigue and mystery. I cannot wait to read The Excalibur Curse and will sit here impatiently until it is released.

The Camelot Betrayal delves deeper into Guinevere's story. Guinevere is still struggling with the reversal of roles and in her relationship with Arthur. When her sister comes to town, Guinevere must invent ways to avoid her. When they travel out of town to a wedding, not everything goes at it should. A fantastic follow up to the first book.

3/5 stars

Thanks to Netgalley and the publishing for providing this review copy !!

It somewhat suffers with second book syndrome with lots of plot and character building still happening but i'mm still invested in reading the next books of the series

I found the plot of this sequel to be interesting, but I didn’t like how it was executed. It felt like a lot of info-dumping and hastily thrown together. The ending also happened very suddenly and while I understand it was supposed to be a cliff-hanger, it didn’t seem like the right moment to end it. I really liked the first book in this series and wish this one was better.

Soooo, I read The Guinevere Deception right before this one. I hadn't planned on reading that first book. There are way too many books on my TBR already. However, when I saw the cover of the sequel, I just had to rearrange my TBR for November and make these books fit. I'm a sucker for a good retelling and this one definitely worked for me. To be honest, I often had to remind myself that Sir Lancelot is a woman lol, but I love the friendship Guinevere and Sir Lancelot have. I also loved reading about Brangien's special bond with Isolde. I was impressed how Kiersten White merged the story of King Arthur and the story of Tristan/Isolde/King Marke in this retelling. I tip my hat! Great job!

The reason I only gave 4 stars is that my mind often drifted a bit when the story slowed down. Historical fiction is not really my cup of tea. I think that's why my mind started wandering a bit since this book was definitely a slow burner at times.

Thank you, Netgalley, for a complimentary copy of this book in exchange for my honest opinion!

Big thanks to NetGalley and the publishers for providing me with an eARC in exchange for an honest review. The Camelot Betrayal is the second book in the Camelot Rising trilogy. I loved this book just as much as I loved the first (find my review here!) As I said in the review for the first book, this is a retelling of the myth of King Arthur and Camelot, but it is focused instead on Guinevere. I still know little to nothing about the original mythology, but this was fun for me. I think it was more fun for me because I didn’t know anything about the mythology. I didn’t have anything to compare it to other than the vague idea of the story that Arthur claimed Excalibur.
We follow Guinevere after the events of the first book. She’s trying to figure out who she is. She has little to no memories of her childhood and she’s confused. She’s supposed to be playing the part of Guinevere the Queen and finally feels like she might be figuring out how to do that. I really liked that Guinevere was trying to figure things out for herself. I think this made for a really interesting emotional journey. She has several important relationships, with her lady’s maid, her knight, and with Arthur. Relationships are always changing and growing, and that’s clear in this story. I liked this aspect of the story too. Guinevere’s still trying to figure out the right thing for her and for the people around her. She becomes more aware throughout the story that she might not be doing what’s best for her friends and she tries to change that. I liked Guinevere. She’s kind, but strong. She wants to do the right thing, and tries to, and feels guilt when there are consequences from her actions that she did not expect. I just really liked her.
I also really liked the development of her and Arthur’s relationship. It’s slow and sweet. They both want similar things, but Arthur feels guilt for how and why Guinevere came be to in Camelot. I liked seeing their relationship change from the first book. I don’t like the love triangle aspect. I’m team Arthur all the way, though the other choice is certainly intriguing.
Overall, I really enjoyed this book and the series so far. I’m very excited for the conclusion. I love all the character, main and supporting. I think my favorite part of the story though is the intrigue of the secrets that Guinevere thinks she is figuring out. I can’t tell what’s true and what isn’t. There’s so much that she doesn’t know and it really kept me wanting more. I loved how little pieces were tied together through the characters. I’m very eager to get all of the answers to the questions that I have from this book.

I like this take on the Legend of King Arthur and how this story centers on Geneviere and magic, and I’m a huge Kiersten White fan, but I’m not sure this series is right for me. I didn’t love the first book, in fact I forced myself to finish it, and this one was kind of the same. I don’t know why I struggle to get into this world and connect with these characters so much, but I just can’t.

The Camelot Betrayal is the continuation of the fantasy retelling of King Arthur. In a world where kingdom comes before love and magic is forbidden, readers continue on Guinevere’s journey of magic, friendship, love, fealty to the kingdom, and self-discovery.

In the second installment, White brings readers into the complicated and confusing head of Guinevere. After being betrayed by a love, learning how to wield powers for the good of the kingdom (the same powers that could put her in jeopardy of being found out), and blaming herself for the wickedness that plagues the land, Guinevere has more going on than she can handle. We discover the inner workings of our protagonist in a real way: both her strengths and her weaknesses.

While I enjoyed the character building, I felt that the story lacked a little action. Typical for most trilogies, I wanted to be “wowed” and felt a little disappointed. This felt like an entirely different plot line and, I believe, could’ve been emitted from the story entirely without losing any substance. My only objection is that I enjoyed learning more about the relationship between Guinevere and Mordred.

The Camelot Betrayal is a story of the power of friendship, loyalty, and how our own minds can betray us. White brings readers a story of a protagonist who questions herself: her decisions, her friends, and even those closest to her heart; a protagonist who has flaws but is loved despite them, will do anything for the people she loves, and most importantly, who learns from her mistakes.

I absolutely loved this book! Seeing Guinevere struggle with her place at Camelot and at Arthur's side made for an interesting story. And this book made me love Brangien even more!! You really get to see more development of all of the characters.

I only read brief excerpt not a full book review.
It seem that Gweiniver is growing up. I saw some maturity in her character that made her more interesting. Her friendship with Lancelot is strong. I'm not sure about Arthur, he's such a dud relationship wise (IMHO) what about this other guy ? We shall see. I can't wait to get my hands on the whole book

I received an ARC through Netgalley in exchange for an honest review

I want to preface my review with I did not read the first one but surprisingly it didn't take long for me to catch up with the world and characters. I really like the new take on Guinevere's tale and Lancelot being a woman as well. I don't know if it's middle book syndrome, or what but I struggled with keeping invested in the characters and their agency. Several chapters early on felt sluggish and passive and I had to force myself to keep reading.

I was so excited to read this sequel to THE GUINEVERE DECEPTION; a book I read last year and really enjoyed. Kiersten White just does such a good job at putting her own spin on a story that is so well known and so much a part of our literary culture. I did feel like this book was slower in pace and had less of an impact than the first book, but I loved the way it set up the story to continue in the series finale!

I have been obsessed with Arthurian legends for years so when the Guinevere Deception came out, I was immediately hooked. The Camelot Betrayal was a fantastic book that I devoured in (basically) one sitting.

I cannot thank Netgalley and the publisher, Delacorte Press, enough for giving me this digital arc in exchange for an honest review! I do want to apologize before my review as I had received this e-arc prior to publication but only finished the book last night. 2020 has been a hard year for everyone and I was "going through it" as well - I had picked this up much earlier but due to my numerous reading slumps, I felt it would be unfair to read this in a time where I was feeling averse to reading and wanted to give this book the fair shot it deserved.

The Camelot Rising trilogy has quickly placed itself amongst my favorite fantasy series of all time (of all time!). Partly because I love Arthurian legends but also party because the execution of Kiersten White is near flawless. It's a phenomenal read - a slow burn with great build up to action with extremely likeable characters (even the "villains" - they are so morally grey and it agonizes you to adore them because you KNOW they did wrong things...but you also understand why they did it - but I'll get into that later).

This book is very much a second book in a trilogy but doesn't fall victim to second book syndrome, nor does it feel like filler at all. For much of the story, all is well in Camelot. King Arthur is expanding his kingdom, Guinevere at his side. People are thriving ahead of the harvest season.

But is all really well?

Guinevere is facing haunting nightmares and questions her ability to act as a queen should. She feels unsettled and like she doesn't belong and so she acts in hectic ways, all in an effort to find herself and prove her worth as queen and, ultimately, a hero.

White explores these concepts of self-assurance and acceptance really well. Guinevere's desperation to find herself is really palpable and causes the reader to question those same questions (not in a bad way, just retrospectively). All the while, the character building of Guinevere and her friends is done really well. This was clearly a book of growth - for Guinevere mostly, but also for Mordred, Morgana and Arthur too. I loved watching the budding relationship between Guinevere and Arthur... but also Guinevere and Mordred. I normally despise love triangles (just a personal preference, it's totally okay if love triangles are your favorite trope!) but the wavering of Guinevere's feelings for Arthur (who represents the light and goodness that Guinevere so desperately craves) and Mordred (who would accept Guinevere despite it all for who she is now, not her potential) wasn't annoying. It was really heart-wrenching because you could see how Guinevere despairs in her efforts to reconcile both desires.

The one part of the book that made me a little *uncomfy* is Guinevere and Lancelot's deepening relationship. I adore the gender-bent Lancelot and I adored how much more their relationship became in The Camelot Betrayal. I would never assume to presume a thing about an author's sexuality, but at times I felt as though this particular relationship felt slightly like queer-baiting. I have probably shipped Guinevere with Lancelot - especially given their very well known (and tragic) love affair; however, the Camelot Betrayal. If Lancelot is queer and has unrequited feelings for Guinevere in the context of this trilogy, I would like to see that explicitly portrayed in the final book of the series.

Finally, given how the book ends, I will be praying to the Netgalley and publishing gods to grant me the e-arc for the finale. I screeched when the book ended, absolutely dismayed that I would have to wait until sometime in 2021 to read what will clearly be an action-packed finale. Maybe this is a premature statement, but I feel as though all the character and relationship growth in this book will play out perfectly into the next.