Queen of None

This was a fascinating story! I always love getting to know more about the lesser known side characters in well-known legends, myths and stories. Anna was a likable and compelling main character, and through her we got to discover the various trials and tribulations of being a woman, especially in those times, while dealing with men who saw her as nothing but a pawn, not a person to be respected or feared.

While the story was on the slower side, it didn’t feel as though there was unnecessary detail or that it was dragging at all. The magical elements were well done and fascinating, and I enjoyed the political aspects as well. The side characters in the story were also a major strength, with rich backgrounds and personalities.

Overall, I enjoyed this book quite a bit! 4.5/5 stars rounded up. Thank you Netgalley for the ARC.

A slow, quiet revenge story—perfect for anyone who loves lush prose, an emphasis on character interiority, and watching a character carve out agency and power for herself in a world committed to denying her access to either. Highly recommended!

So beautifully written. The book is about a fantastical world, of which the story follows the sister of King Arthur. In a way she is the “symbol” of the forgotten women in history. The book truly keeps you hooked, the plot is intriguing and with twist. The mysteries and more. I highly recommend this book!!

Thank you Netgalley, Solaris, and author Natania Barron for providing an ARC in exchange for a review! I voluntarily read and reviewed an advanced copy of this book. All thoughts and opinions are my own.

4.5 stars (rounded to 5)

Queen of None chronicles the life of the long-forgotten Anna Pendragon, the only full-blooded sister of King Arthur. A tale of duty, sorrow and grief, where women are nothing but a pawn in a game of thrones, a vessel to bear heirs. Sadly, this isn’t only Anna’s tale but of most women – born to be forgotten, their stories completely erased from history or altered conveniently to fit men’s will.

I ought to confess I’m not as well versed in the Arthurian legend as I would like, and therefore I had to research a bit before I set foot in Carelon. This groundwork proved out to be crucial when it came to understanding the profoundly complicated family trees and the relationships between the characters. 

The plot in most historical books tend to be overly slow and dragging, however we don’t find that in Queen of None. Although not fast-paced either, Barton makes us engrossed in magic, political ploys and undesired prophecies. This novel was beautifully written, as if you yourself were bewitched by the lines you’re reading. The characters were flawed and real, and our protagonist is witty, passionate and determined, and she’s finally ready to take the reins of her own life and defy fate. 

I was captivated and spellbound by this book, and I’ll be patiently waiting for the next instalment in this series!

Queen of None by Natania Barron will be released May 21, 2024.
This is an absolutely beautiful book, and I'm not just talking about the stunning cover art.
A breath-taking story about Anna finding her own power, literally, and taking back her life.
Used as a pawn to gain her brother, Arthur, more power through marriage at the young age of twelve, then a mother to three sons. She was, as Merlin prophesied at her birth, forgettable, used for her name and her womb.
Twenty years later she returns home, at Arthur's behest after the death of her husband, Lot of Orkney. She returns and hopes to live the rest of her life married to the man she once loved, Bedeveere. Arthur, however, has other plans. Faced with the demons of her past, Anna must learn to embrace the power brewing within her, using a spell book gifted to her by a banished relative, and take the reins to her own life.

The magic system, the intrigue, the court politics and the storytelling are all incredible in this book. The character development is beautiful, as is the overall arch of the story. I can't wait to see what Natania does with the next two books in this series.

I want to thank NetGalley and Natania for allowing me to ARC read this book for an honest review.

This book is so much fun to read. I have always enjoyed Arthurian legend retelling and this book was no exception. The story was captivating and the world was beautifully made.

Thank you to Natania Barron and NetGalley for giving me an e-ARC of this book.

When Anna Pendragon was born, Merlin prophesied: Through all the ages, and in the hearts of men, you will be forgotten.

Married at twelve, and a mother soon after, Anna - the famed King Arthur's sister - did not live a young life full of promise, myth, and legend. She bore three strong sons and delivered the kingdom of Orkney to her brother by way of her marriage. She did as she was asked, invisible and useful for her name, her status, her dowry, and her womb.

Twenty years after she left her home, Anna returns to Carelon at Arthur's bidding, carrying the crown of her now-dead husband, Lot of Orkney. Past her prime and confined to the castle itself, she finds herself yet again a pawn in greater machinations and seemingly helpless to do anything about it. Anna must once again face the demons of her childhood: her sister Morgen, Elaine, and Morgause; Merlin and his scheming Avillion priests; and Bedevere, the man she once loved. To say nothing of new court visitors, like Lanceloch, or the trouble concerning her own sons.

Carelon, and all of Braetan, is changing, though, and Anna must change along with it. New threats, inside and out, lurk in the shadows, and a strange power begins to awaken in her. As she learns to reconcile her dark gift, and struggles to keep the power to herself, she must bargain her own strength, and family, against her ambition and thirst for revenge.

I love this book. I read many Arthurians retellings and this one has unique take on it. Being told by Arthur's sister. I thoroughly enjoyed reading this.

I read an eARC of this book so thank you to the author, the publisher and NetGalley for this.

I really enjoy stories set during/ inspired by Arthurian legend. Generally I do tend to like books with this setting. They’re not all winners, but this one was.

This takes a really interesting approach by following Arthur’s lesser known sister Anna. Anna is sent off to marry King Lot of Orkney at 12 years old and is also prophesied to always be forgotten. We meet Anna 20 years after her marriage when following her husband’s death, she returns to her brother’s court. Anna is continually treated as a pawn, used by the men in her life to further their own ends. This story shows when she has had enough and chooses to influence her own destiny.

I thoroughly enjoyed this, it was a unique take on a theme we’re seeing a lot of books of lately (Arthurian stories told from the female characters’ perspectives). It was well-paced, gripping and I was heavily invested in Anna’s success.

This was FABULOUS!!

Anna stole my heart, she was such a captivating character with such a gorgeous and heart-breaking story.

As an avid lover of The Once and Future King, I find good Arthur retellings to be few and far between.

This one is for sure one of my favorites.

Queen of None by Natania is a re telling or Arthurian Lore as seen through the eyes of a woman at court, specifically a woman destined to be forgotten.

I was immediately drawn in by the premise and kept captive by the intrigue of our leading lady's hidden magic.

This story will be a good read for fans of the BBC show Merlin that never quite found a way for their heart to leave Camelot.

Queen of None had me hooked on page one. Modern Arthurian Fantasy with all your well remembered characters of yore… plus Anna-the forgotten Pendragon. Watching Anna develop across the pages and transcending time is riveting from Queen to Princess, Mother then Lover. More than a story of a mother it is a story of revenge and a woman of survival. In addition to the original plot, you’ll find you look forward to every new “look” at court as Natania writes in such detail that you’ll find yourself envious and seeking to recreate her spectacular imaginings.

As a lover of Celtic folklore, I have encountered and actively sought out various interpretations of the Arthurian legend.

This is the first time in all these stories that I've heard the telling shaped to bring the women of lore to life, told through and about them. Natania's creative vision is a unique combination of the familiar and the startling. The new connections between the characters and definitions of weapons had me nodding and thinking, “Of course, this makes perfect”

A fantastic book. Lady Anna's voice captivated me, and it was a delight to explore her thoughts. The heart-wrenching aspects of this tale are balanced by its worthiness and deeply felt emotions. The magic is exquisitely otherworldly and delicious. The heart of this story lies in its compelling relationships. I absolutely adored it.

Through all the ages, and in the hearts of men, you will be forgotten. Married at twelve and a mother soon after, Anna, King Arthur’s sister, did not live a young life full of promise. She did as she was asked, invisible and useful, for her name, her dowry, and her womb. Twenty years after she left her home, Anna is summoned back home with the crown of her deceased husband, to face the demons of her childhood.

This world is changing and Anna must change with it if she is to survive. New threats lurk in the shadows, and a strange power begins to awaken in her, If she is to become more than a pawn in everyone else’s game, she must bargain her own strength, and family, in pursuit ifs her own ambition, and revenge. She will do everything in her power to seize power and seek revenge for al that has befallen her.

A powerful reimagining if the original legend through the eyes of a young women, a mother and a queen, who will take what is hers by force and by curing alone. This is the first in a female orientated arthurian fantasy romance trilogy that will sweep you off your feet into a historical fantasy where men have the power but women have cunning, which is just as powerful, or more so, when used correctly. This is a novel that inspired female power, the strength to endure hardships and be forged stronger all the more afterwards.

𝘛𝘩𝘢𝘯𝘬 𝘺𝘰𝘶 𝘵𝘰 𝘚𝘰𝘭𝘢𝘳𝘪𝘴 𝘧𝘰𝘳 𝘢𝘯 𝘢𝘥𝘷𝘢𝘯𝘤𝘦𝘥 𝘳𝘦𝘢𝘥𝘦𝘳 𝘤𝘰𝘱𝘺 𝘷𝘪𝘢 𝘕𝘦𝘵𝘎𝘢𝘭𝘭𝘦𝘺 𝘰𝘧 𝘘𝘶𝘦𝘦𝘯 𝘰𝘧 𝘕𝘰𝘯𝘦 𝘣𝘺 𝘕𝘢𝘵𝘢𝘯𝘪𝘢 𝘉𝘢𝘳𝘳𝘰𝘯

This was a great version of the Arthurian story: the women behind the crown. It’s an interesting fact that actually almost all the characters around Arthur are more compelling to me than Arthur himself- Lancelot, Guinevere, Merlin, Morgan Le fey etc. But I’d never heard of Anna his sister. It wasn’t easy being female in that era (or most others!) and as royalty to live your life as a political pawn. A thought provoking and absorbing read.

I thought Queen of None was fantastic. I will start by saying this is the first Arthurian Fantasy Romance I have read and boy did I love it. It follows Anna, King Arthur’s sister. After her husband Lot dies she goes back to Carelon with his crown as a gift for Arthur. Once there she reconnects with her sisters Morgen, Elaine, and Morgause. She also has to deal with the awful Merlin and his scheming priests. Her former lover Bedevere is also around. There are so many layers to this story, it is quite something. I have to say I loved the relationship she has with Bedevere, I think he was her soul mate. Some of the rest started okay but turned pretty villainous. Arthur was always looking for the next bright shiny toy, he seemed highly distractable. Merlin, wow, what a piece of work he is. Anyway, this story is awesome. Very well written, highly entertaining, and will leave you wanting more. I can't wait for the next one.

This was such a wonderful and enjoyable read!!!! I loved this book and highly recommend it to anyone who enjoys this genre. Thank you so much to the publisher and NetGalley for an ARC in exchange for an honest review.

I’m not big into Arthurian retellings but this one kept my attention throughout! I really enjoyed it and honestly it was quite a unique take on the story. The writing flowed very well and you could tell the author took time putting the story together. It’s one of those novels that you just have to experience for yourself. I heard there is a second book coming out? If so, I will be reading it! Thank you to the although, the publisher, and NetGalley for this ARC in exchange for my honest review!