Summary
Goodreads: 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
Thoughts
I was pretty iffy about this book when I started. It immediately separates Deirdre from all the other female characters by putting them down, which I strongly dislike. Throughout the book though, it's clear that Deirdre grows up - so her opinions on the role of women in society changes as the book progresses. She starts respecting what they do and the different sort of courage it takes to be a healer or to find out important gossip instead of charging into battle. There's also a dwarf character introduced who I LOVE and who I think has a really interesting story (even if I can't remember much of it now). The book appeared pretty well researched (even if our main character had that modern feeling we often get when we want a character to have our "more cultured" values than what was believed at the time), but I give the same disclaimer I make anytime I say this - I don't know anything about medieval history, so I could be ridiculously wrong on that front.
Overall, this book wasn't for me. There were parts that I really loved - like when the dwarf becomes involved, and when Deirdre begins to respect her older sister, but there were lots of parts that weren't really for me either (and sadly I don't remember the specifics of why, or I'd tell you in case said things don't bother you). I'd recommend it to the avid Arthurian fantasy readers.
Oh no! I hope you recover your voice soon! :/ I loved the article on the YA backlash. I get a lot of side-eye in my bookclub when I choose a YA but I am unapologetic. ;)
ReplyDeleteI'm sitting here trying to think of books I have read where a character has a disability (as opposed to something like cancer) but I've got nada. Unless you count comic book characters, but their disabilities usually enhance their powers or fix themselves thanks to an alternate universe (Hawkeye had hearing aids for a while, and then didn't!)
ReplyDeleteI'm sure there *are* books out there though, might just take a bit of digging!
Yeah it came back in the middle of a hike which was perfect!
ReplyDeleteI thought that article was really interesting, too. I love that your book club doesn't get veto power on your YA choices lol (I don't really know how book clubs work, so maybe none of them have veto power). I hope some of them get hooked on YA!
Exactly! I'm not sure how I feel about disabilities being used as powers. Part of me thinks it's really cool, and it's nice to have that out there. Actually know - I do like it. But only if there are more books where things aren't magically solved that way
ReplyDeleteOk, so this isn't a happy funny book but I really think you should read it: All the Truth That's in Me. It is definitely different. It is written in second person for starters and takes place in some kind of weird Puritan society. The main character disappeared for awhile and returned with her tongue cut out. Totally gruesome, I know. But the book is about her trying to remember what happened to her and learning to communicate again and finding her place in a society that cut her off (no pun intended). But it isn't sad like TFioS. Just...a bit disturbing. Disturbing is ok, right? ;) Also, try Deafening. It's an adult novel, also not funny, but inspiring anyways.
ReplyDeleteBahahahah! Yes, disturbing is ok. Probably. Here's hoping it's not nightmare worthy. Or at least not more than one night. I didn't have much hope for finding funny books, so I'll take any serious ones I can get too. Added to my friend recs list!
ReplyDeleteWell, it isn't like Saw disturbing...more like societal and discriminatory discomfit. So, you are probably safe from nightmares!
ReplyDeleteIt's more mental than physical, but the book Frenemy of the People features a side character with Down's Syndrome. I had never really thought about disabilities in books before until I read this one (which is weird, because my mom is disabled).
ReplyDeleteJust looked this up and it looks awesome on so many levels! Thanks for the rec!!
ReplyDeleteNo problem! There were a few eye roll moments in it, but overall, I enjoyed it :)
ReplyDelete