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Other titles in the Guenevere Novels series:

  1. Guenevere, Queen of the Summer Country

The Knight of the Sacred Lake: The Second of the Guenevere Novels (Guenevere Novels)

by Rosalind Miles

The Knight of the Sacred Lake: The Second of the Guenevere Novels (Guenevere Novels) Cover

ISBN13: 9780609808023
ISBN10: 0609808028
Condition: Standard
All Product Details

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Synopses & Reviews

Publisher Comments:

The second of the Guenevere novels.

As High King and Queen, Arthur and Guenevere reign supreme across the many kingdoms and islands of Great Britain. Reconciled with Arthur, Guenevere secretly mourns the loss of her beloved Lancelot, who has returned to the Sacred Lake of his boyhood, hoping to restore his faith in chivalry in the place where he first learned to be a knight. In a glittering ceremony at the annual feast of Pentecost, new knights are sworn to the Round Table, including Arthur's nephews, the cunning Agravain and his heroic brother Gawain. Camelot is reborn in all its glory, and after many years of strife, peace is restored to Guenevere's realm.

But betrayal, jealousy, and ancient blood feuds fester unseen. Morgan Le Fay, now the proud possessor of Arthur's only son, Mordred, has become the focus of Merlin's age-old quest to ensure the survival of the house of Pendragon at all costs. And from the east comes the shattering news that Guenevere may have a rival for Lancelot's love. A bleak shadow falls again across Camelot — and across the sacred isle of Avalon, where Roman priests threaten the sanctity of the Hallows and the life of the Lady herself. At the center of the storm is Guenevere, a proud and powerful queen torn between her love for her husband, her people, and her knight, Sir Lancelot of the Lake.

With rare and intuitive magic, Rosalind Miles brings to life a legendary woman's bravery and passion, and all the pageantry, heartbreak, violence, and beauty of an age gone by.

Review:

"The popular and prolific Miles injects the tale with poesy...an engrossing if unorthodox read. No doubt Miles's fans will be pleased with this lush, feminist take on the English epic." Publishers Weekly

Review:

"[The Knight of the Sacred Lake] offers a subtle feminist interpretation of the Arthurian legends as it continues the story of Guenevere, forced to choose between love and duty for the sake of her kingdom. Luminously evoking the sunny uplands of the Summer Country, the splendours of Camelot and the dark woods where the evil Morgan lurks, Miles celebrates a woman and a queen in her own right...the best kind of historical fiction, with characters who ignore the heavy hand of history and instead lead their own full and complex lives." Kirkus Reviews

Synopsis:

In the follow-up to Miles's bestselling "Guenevere: Queen of the Summer Country", the fate of the glorious realm of Camelot stands vulnerable to the dark designs of Arthur's half-sister, Morgan, and the irresistible power of the love shared by Guenevere and her young knight, Lancelot.

About the Author

Rosalind Miles is a well-known and critically acclaimed English novelist, essayist, and broadcaster. Her novels, including the Guenevere trilogy, have been international bestsellers. Her website address is www.rosalind.net.

What Our Readers Are Saying

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Average customer rating based on 1 comment:
Lynzy, November 30, 2006 (view all comments by Lynzy)
This is an interesting take on the age-old Arthurian legend. Miles, though letting Morgan be an abstract character throughout this book, brings her into focus at the end, allowing us to see her longing for Arthur's love, and truly wanting Mordred to be loved by him as well. This is remanisent of "Mists of Avalon", but without the love already shared. Arthur had never shared a childhood with either of his half-sisters, and Morgan loves him as a man, not as her brother.

Being that this book is more from Guinevere's point of view than anyone else, and Guinevere being a pagan Queen rather than a Christian princess, as she has been in the past, it presents an interesting view on the Christian take-over of pagan Brittan, and the struggle of the Mother-right to survive. Many Arthur books concentrate on the love between the Queen and her knight, and touch only briefly on the struggle between the two religions. On top of this, Miles' portrayal of the intensity of Lancelot's and the Queen's love is stunning.

Over all, this book was quite impressive. Rosalind Miles is a wonderful writer, and this book was a wonderfully written and fresh telling of an old story. In no way did her twists upset or destroy the legend, only enhance it. I would highly recommend this book to anyone who enjoys the tale of Arthur and his Queen.
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Product Details

ISBN:
9780609808023
Author:
Miles, Rosalind
Publisher:
Three Rivers Press (CA)
Location:
New York
Subject:
Historical
Subject:
Historical - General
Subject:
Historical fiction
Subject:
Arthurian romances
Subject:
Historical - Arthurian
Subject:
Lancelot (legendary character)
Subject:
Lancelot
Subject:
Guenevere, Queen
Subject:
Arthur
Copyright:
Edition Number:
1st paperback ed.
Edition Description:
Rev Pbk Paperback
Series:
Guenevere Novels (Paperback)
Series Volume:
2
Publication Date:
June 2001
Binding:
Paperback
Language:
English
Illustrations:
Yes
Pages:
464
Dimensions:
8.08x5.20x.97 in. .81 lbs.

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