Instead, an early reveal leaves her adrift for much of the book.
But in this final installment, I had hoped that Guinevere would have found her footing, ready to fight battles through more subtle means than her warrior husband Arthur. In fact, it was a factor I loved in the first book in particular. Guinevere has always been an uncertain young woman, trying to find her place in the world, and I don’t begrudge her that coming of age journey. What undercut my enjoyment in this outing, however, was unfortunately the character of Guinevere herself. It’s something I’ve always enjoyed about the series these books were made to curl up in front of a fireplace with, hot beverage in hand. It very much leans into into a quieter form of storytelling, with simple language and contemplative pacing, rather than being full of fireballs and nail-biting moments.
THE EXCALIBUR CURSE is a bit of a messy conclusion to a series that has always been a cozy, feminist retelling of the Camelot mythology. But the secrets Guinevere finally reveals on her journey are devastating and leave her wondering if she’s the right person to save Camelot after all. She doesn’t know why the Dark Queen wants her, but Guinevere knows she must escape and find Merlin if Camelot is to survive. With Arthur leading his forces into an ambush, and Lancelot forced to remain in Camelot to maintain the magical barrier Guinevere left to protect the city, Guinevere is on her own. Captured by Mordred, his mother Morgana, and their allies from the northern tribes, Guinevere instead finds herself being escorted to the northern throne of the Dark Queen, the fey creature that threatens the entire island. Guinevere’s plans to seek out Merlin and demand answers and aid for Camelot have gone horribly awry.
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