5 Star Readers' Favorite

Reviewed By Emily-Jane Hills Orford for Readers’ Favorite

Children are attracted to adventure and they don’t see the risks that adults do, refusing to accept many of the limitations and rules enforced for the sole purpose of keeping children safe. Guinevere and Cedwyn are close friends and Cedwyn, although still very young, has pledged his life to protect the princess who will one day be his queen when she marries King Arthur. Being children, they have their adventures. And one such adventure to the mysterious standing stones results in magical visions and then a race for their lives. There are people intent on kidnapping Guinevere. When she out-foxes their intentions, they take the castle children instead to be sold into slavery. Guinevere insists on chasing after the kidnappers and rescuing the children. The adventure intensifies as they risk their lives and become heroes. But are they totally successful in rescuing the children? Or do they just manage to create more problems in the process.

Guinevere: At the Dawn of Legend is the sequel to Cheryl Carpinello's first Guinevere story, Guinevere: On the Eve of Legend. Both books take the fascinating Arthurian legends and create stories that will entice even the most reluctant of readers. With realistic characters and an exciting plot full of adventure, the reader will be pulled along to an unexpected conclusion, one that demands another book to complete the series. Young readers will certainly easily associate with Guinevere and Cedwyn, who, at their young age, take risks and disobey their parents, while at the same time they reach out to help others and become heroes. A great way to entice readers, even reluctant ones, to follow the adventures found in legends.


5.0 out of 5 stars Great read
ByOh My Booknesson August 1, 2017
Format: Paperback
Guinevere: At the Dawn of Legend
By: Cheryl Carpinello

I’m sorry to say that I didn’t get to read the first book of Guinevere, though if it’s anything like this book then I truly have missed out on a extraordinary story. Guinevere is a great story to read, Cheryl took a bold step and a fantastic view on creating a story with a new twist of Guinevere with a loyal friend Cedwyn. It’s not the same dull book about castles, kings and queens. Cheryl has written a chilling mysterious adventure for young readers. Her descriptive detailing to the characters peculiarities and the ambiance of the environment brings the reader more closer being involved with the story.
Young Cedwyn and Guinevere must take crucial decisions, they must grow up quickly and get their friends to safety while danger follows them with great threats. This is a story of friendship and loyalty not only to each other but to other people that surrounds them. The two children find themselves growing up fast in a short time, to right the wrong they have created. Cedwyn and Guinevere have faced death and seen how cruel the world can be and must stop evil from delivering the innocence into bondage and captivity.
What I especially like is the list of characters in the beginning of the book informing the reader who they are and who they’re related to. At the end of the story Cheryl tells how she became fascinated with King Arthur and gives a history on Cadbury Castle and other places that is mention in the book.
This story is full of adventure, magic and heroes, and a learning boost of forging bad and good decisions. I highly recommend this story for youths and for those that have a passion for medieval time and adventures. It was a delight to read and I can’t wait to read “The Legend”, hopefully it’ll come soon!