Acquired Book By: I received a complimentary copy of “Mistress of Legend” direct from the author Nicole Evelina in exchange for an honest review. I did not receive compensation for my opinions or thoughts shared herein.

As we enter the last installment of the series, Guinevere is being taken back to Camelot - supposedly as a person whose going to be forgiven by Arthur, though I was as uncertain of the truth of that statement as much as Lancelot! However, in her current state - she was not in a position to question it nor to believe she could have continued with Lancelot on their quest to find exile together if only to forestall their individual fates after having angered and humiliated Arthur with their tryst. It was an era of utmost honour and appearances meant everything - to allow Guinevere to return without Lancelot was impressive enough, I did not question why Arthur would not forgive Lancelot as I hadn't found Arthur to be an understanding ruler when it came to matters of the heart. Especially not when it involved Guinevere.

Despite the uncomfortable bits to Guinevere's recovery sequences - I had to give credit to Ms Evelina for writing a realistically crucial sequence about how someone can return back from such a cruel fate as severe burns. What the mind, body and soul go through after such physical trauma and injury is incredibly layered - all of which Evelina made a point at showing on behalf of Guinevere. There was a lot of truism in showing how vulnerable she became and how desperate her pleas were for relief. Your heart goes out to her immediately - not just for the situation at hand but because you've grown close to Guinevere throughout her journey within this series. She feels as real to you now as anyone else you've ever known and finding her in this kind of pain is rather difficult.

Seeing Arthur in this light - was curious - how had he changed from the man who was never without the confidence to do what he bid? I had to agree with Guinevere on that note alone - this time round Arthur was less than himself and definitely more concerned with his reputation than he was in having his own voice the rule of the land. Except I am not sure if it was that even keeled to understand - the power struggles Arthur was facing and the manner in which deception was slinking closer to his door placed him at a keen disadvantage. In that one instance, you could see why he needed Guinevere and her impartiality. If anyone could re-fuell the support and alliance of a people it would be Guinevere - the preferred choice of her people and the guiding light in regards to leadership. Arthur had lost a part of himself in the public eye so for me, it felt necessary to have Guinevere stepped back into a role where she could command not only attention but respect for voicing her power of judgement.

I knew I was not fond of Mordred - yet in this installment there are so many reasons to distrust the son of Arthur and Morgan, it is hard to know where to begin to complain about him! A bit of a classic case of being given too much power too quickly where the impulsiveness of youth could turn its ugly head back round on the naivete of someone like Mordred who did not fully deserve the responsibility given to them.

Morgan is so dearly secretive - you have to wonder if she ever trusts someone other than herself! Whenever Guinevere tries to beg her confidence, the other woman shrugs off the suggestion as if it weren't a true request. Morgan plays by her own rules, answers to her own talents and in many ways, is the bone of contention for Guinevere who would prefer the two work together rather than constantly remaining apart; allowing them each to only have the foresight to understand half of what is going to happen. The Morgan of today and the Morgan of yesterday are not too far apart from one another - as the ways in which Morgan acts now is highly reflective of the young girl she as during her training years at Avalon (as reflected within Daughter of Destiny).

My favourite scene by far was the reunion Guinevere shared with Mayda! What a kind hearted and warmly affectionate woman she is who truly found her heart's calling by finding the work she inherited from the convent was truly what enriched her soul. There was a bittersweetness to their reunion as well but for the most part, these two women embraced each other and were thankful for the fortitude of insight towards placing Mayda here to protect her life. I know Guinevere had new regrets towards that end, now that she had new information regarding Mayda's sister (Mordred's new wife) -- for me, what was beautiful about this sequence is for a short moment in time the two woman could put to rest what was evolving into their world which would bring about a war no one would want to see fought.

I enjoyed the elemental aspects of the story - where Guinevere is having experiences with second sight through the visions she can't always control but of which reveal to her the events of the present if not the immediate future. It is through these visions we learn more about the fate of Arthur and Lancelot whilst being clued into what Mordred is planning to accomplish against Arthur. It isn't for the faint of heart as Mordred truly wants to end the reign of Arthur but not just by an act of eliminating him - no, he wishes to take out the hold Arthur has on Camelot itself. To discredit his strength and his leadership - in a way which you would believe to be folly on his part and unable to be trusted by the people. However, this is a strong instance of how people will follow those they believe in even if they are blind to their truer natures.

One of the beautiful intonations of Evelina's Historical Fantasy such as Mistress of Legend is how she has an articulation of presence inside her narrative prose. She fuells her words and her turns of phrases with a visceral edging - you not only sense what is being felt in-scene but you are clearly aware of what is behind the actions and emotions of each of her characters. In the second part of this final installment, we draw close to Lot and Anna; a husband's fragility after war and a wife's strength after the premature deaths of her children unite them both on an arc of purpose. You do not have to imagine what they are going through because it is how Evelina shows their physical degradation and emotional wretched souls that truly anchours you into the aftermath of what befell Camelot.

I admit, nothing quite prepared me or Guinevere what was awaiting her in her mother's homelands. It was here in the third part of the novel where Evelina shows how misguided power and the pursuit of control without ethical morality can poison souls. There is more tragedy awaiting Guinevere during this period of time - far more soul wrenching that she could imagine as there would be moments that would test her spirituality and the ways in which she anchoured her faith into her blood. For she is a woman of honour and not one who takes her faith lightly - it was a brute attack from an outside force who should have been her equal but similar to Morgan, her intentions were dishonourable.

In the final portion of the novel, I must admit, my breath could release - though I hadn't known I had held it in - but there were moments where I wondered how Evelina could end this story on anything less than a tragic note upon a hard won life of survival. She surprised me dear hearts - for the ending is not one I envisioned would be true for Guinevere but it is the one she deserved!

// This is a quotation of my full review originally shared via jorielovesastory.com