In Camelot's Shadow (Mass Market Paperback)

The story told here is of a young noble lass, Lady Risa, who is betrothed at birth to a man of magic and dark secrets, and begins with her desire to escape a destiny not of her choosing. At first you see a spoiled but spirited woman-child, but as the tale spins on, she is confronted with test upon test that, in a very short time period, build her mettle and help her to develop into a powerful, self-aware woman who faces fear to protect what she loves most and willingly gives of herself that others may endure. She is accompanied by a hero who must also face his weaknesses and test the truth of his love against the follies and faults of his past, and this is done not only through the main story and his connection to Lady Risa, but, a challenge of his own he must tackle. There are multiple capable villains, with many agendas who work with and against one another at every turn, keeping you in suspense page by page until the very end. There is also a version of the Sir Gawain and the Green Knight myth that will leave you on the edge of your seat!

This is the gritty side of the British Isles and Camelot, the one where the old ways lurk deep in the dark wood, and danger is at every turn, where Saxons raid, and mages plot, and even the knights of the table round have an edge to them as sharp as a ready sword.

And Sara Zettel takes no prisoners with this tale she tells. Her command of the legends of the age mix well with her skill at creating vivid, real characters the reader can feel. Her ability to capture description, especially that of the fantastic and magical make you believe you've traveled back in time and myth as you read.

Let yourself be lost to the days of yore, let yourself be lost to this incredible voyage of Lady Risa and her Knight Gawain, let yourself be lost to In Camelot's Shadow and the magic of Sara Zettel.

And worry not, dear reader, for a sequel does come, and trust me, after this book, you'll be wanting more!

This is not a bad book, and it's well written on a technical level, but the plot is oddly lifeless. It has all the elements a good Arthurian fantasy needs, but for some reason they don't gel.

The backstory data-dumps about the villian and the glimpses we see of court life in Camelot are more compelling than the love story between the two main characters. The second half of the book is better than the first, which is very slow, but the ending comes out of thin air. Where did the heroine learn the spell she uses to save herself? The reader has no reason to believe she has that sort of knowledge.