Raised in the shadow of a fort dedicated to training Knights of the Round Table, Deirdre thirsts for adventure.
Instead, at 14, she is sent to court to learn the etiquette and talents of a young woman.
Court life, however, is more fraught with danger than she expected, and Deirdre finds herself entangled in a deadly conspiracy that stretches deep into the very heart of Camelot.
All Deirdre thought she knew and believed in—loyalty, love, bravery—is challenged when she embarks on a quest to defy Fate and save the King.
Note: This is a Netgalley. I received this free for an honest review.
So, the cover on this is pretty boring, but the story isn't. It starts off slowly. The main character, Deirdre, is very young, sheltered and naive. As a result, she comes across a little bratty to begin with. But, as she faces the real world and struggles with what it means to be a lady in a world ripping apart at the seams, she is forced to grow up very quickly. In the end, she has grown and developed enormously.
Her sister, Nia, has good intentions for her, but while she tries to protect Deirdre, she ends up doing more harm than good by not telling her things she should know.
Deirdre makes friends with another young lady, Sioned, who becomes her traveling companion. Sioned is the perfect friend for Deirdre as she wants to look out for her, but she's open to teaching her a guiding her. I think without Sioned, Deirdre would have failed and probably would have ended up dead. Sioned's gentle hand and spirit make her incredibly strong.
Deirdre's twin, Rhys you don't see all that much of, but he is important not only because of the love she holds for him, but because she wants to prove herself as capable as he is.
My favorite characters are by far Dewey and Ronan. Both are brave and, although unconventional, they are the truest knights in the story.
All in all, a good read for anyone who enjoys Arthurian tales. It follows the legend, but gives it a new angle, from a "normal" person's perspective. As I said, it starts off a little slow, but once it's rolling, it snowballs. I'd be happy to follow on with the rest of this series.
