Rating: 
Summary: A FRESH APPROACH!
Review: I've read as many versions of the Arthurian legend as I can find. While normally, I'm less interested in the story when surrounded by heavy fantasy, I found Zettel's approach refreshing and interesting. The story focuses on Risa - a young woman promised by her father into slavery to a dark wizzard. Attempting to escape her fate, she stumbles into the gallant hands of Sir Gawain. The remainder of the book revolves around their story - her desperate attempt to remain free of the wizzard and Gawain's struggle against propriety and social class restrictions to find true love. What I really liked about the book was the introduction of fresh new characters and situations. Yes, Arthur and Guenevere are in the story -barely. Yes Lancelot is mentioned - in passing. It is NOT the typical fly by night book reiterating the traditional story of Camelot. I liked it despite my normal preference for more historical strength and fewer fantastic aspects. I eagerly await the 2005 release of the sequel.
Rating: 
Summary: A Grand Adventure
Review: In Camelot's Shadow by Sara Zettel is a must read by anyone who is fan of fantasy, particularly of well done Arthurian fantasy. The story embodies the richness and depth of elements of story quintessential to Arthurian myth telling, and captures the majesty and the edginess of that particular medieval fantasy setting. There is a sense of being swept away the minute you start reading, and once you are caught you can't seem to let go.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!
Rating:
Summary: A Grand Adventure
Review: In Camelot's Shadow by Sara Zettel is a must read by anyone who is fan of fantasy, particularly of well done Arthurian fantasy. The story embodies the richness and depth of elements of story quintessential to Arthurian myth telling, and captures the majesty and the edginess of that particular medieval fantasy setting. There is a sense of being swept away the minute you start reading, and once you are caught you can't seem to let go. 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!
Rating:
Summary: An Intrepid Lady in King Arthur's Court
Review: In Camelot's Shadow is an Arthurian tale. Lord Rygehil of the Morelands is traveling homeward from the coronation of Arthur as King of the Britons. The weather is wet and cold and his pregnant lady has been taken by a fever and is near death. The Morelands party all crowd into an abandoned Roman fort for shelter and find that a Byzantine sorcerer has already occupied the ruin. Euberacon offers to save the life of Lady Jocosa in exchange for the child and Lord Rygehil agrees. In this novel, Risa of the Morelands has grown to be a fair lady, but cannot get her father to agree to a betrothal. Lady Jocosa forces her husband to disclose his bargain with the sorcerer and Risa overhears the confession. Lord Rygehil refuses to consider any action to negate the promise, so Risa runs away to seek sanctuary with the holy sisters at the monastery of St. Anne. Whitcomb, the steward, had overheard the bargain so many years before and insists on accompanying her to the monastery. Hardly had they left the cleared fields for the forest road than they found the sorcerer waiting for them. The black magician spooks Whitcomb's horse, dumping the steward on the ground. When Euberacon moves over to the felled steward with a knife in his hand, Risa puts a arrow to her bow and draws on the sorcerer, but he only breaks her bow string and stabs Whitcomb. Then he accosts Risa, but a stranger rides out of the night and stabs Euberacon with his lance. Risa grabs the magician's knife from where he dropped it and stabs him. The sorcerer, however, heals his wounds and disappears in a cloud of smoke. The stranger is Sir Gawain, a champion of Camelot and heir to the king. Ten years past, Arthur's forces had defeated the Saxons at Mount Baden. Now the Saxons are plotting an uprising under Wolfweard, called Wolfget by many, who is being subtly manipulated by a sorceress named Kerra. Gawain is bringing word of the uprising to Camelot when he comes across the confrontation between Risa and Euberacon. After driving off the sorcerer, Gawain gets Risa on her horse and leads her out of the area with considerable haste. In this story, Euberacon has deliberately driven Gawain and Risa together to take advantage of Gawain's susceptibility to oppressed women. Gawain has blamed himself for a tragic incident between his father and his sister and has since fallen in love with numerous women having troubled marriages or other problems. The sorcerer knows that Gawain's weakness will cause dissension among Arthur's champions and thereby aid the Saxon offensive. Nonetheless, Risa is by no means a helpless woman like all of Gawain's other loves. When she has to defend herself, she shoots first and becomes sick after the fight is over. Gawain is sure that she is something special in his life. This story has a lot to say about the role of women in that time and place. Although ladies were cherished under the vows of chivalry, each is also bound to a male protector, first their father and then to their husband; if they do not marry, they are bound to their eldest brother when their father dies. Even if the protector is cruel and abusive, the woman has no recourse other than finding another protector. Despite the indifference (and cowardice) shown by her father, Risa is bound by tradition and law to obey him. The last chapter ends with a note saying "the battle for England will continue in 2005". One presumes that another Arthurian tale by this author will be released then. Whether the tale will feature Risa and Gawain is not known. Recommended for Zettel fans and for anyone else who enjoys tales of Arthur, the Knights of the Round Table, and their ladies. -Arthur W. Jordin
Rating: 
Summary: Oddly lifeless
Review: In Camelot's Shadow lack's the spark of creativity and empathy that make Zettle's SF books like Fool's War such refreshing and enjoyable reads. 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.
Rating:
Summary: Very good read...
Review: Lancelot was not Camelot's only hero. Arthur's nephew, Gawain, is perhaps the knight who is the most constantly likeable no matter who tells the tale. This is his story. When Risa of Moreland's father sends yet another suitor away, she demands to know why he is determined to keep her unwed. The truth is more horrible than anything she dreamed. To save her mother from certain death, her father sold her to a devil incarnate and dares not let her marry. In shocked horror, Risa flees, only to be pursued by her "master". Fortunately, Gawain finds her and takes her to Camelot safely. There, she is given the protection of both the king and queen, but even that can not stop the fiend from taking her. Gawain's heart and love are lost, but before he can find her again, the infamous Green Knight challenges him. Bound by chivalry, Gawain must leave his lady to her fate until another day. **** Sarah Zetel both remains true to the legends and infuses them with originality. Nobility wars with passion until they become partners, and schemes and counter schemes are the rule of the day. This is the first in a promised series that fans will place on their keeper shelves with Stephen Lawhead or Rosemary Sutcliffe. ****
Amanda Killgore
Rating: 
Summary: A Dissapointing Deviation from Normally Stellar Fantasy
Review: Ms. Zettel is usually a wonderful author, with rich plots, characters and settings. For these reasons i was disappointed to find that In Camelot's Shadow was wholly unlike her other books, in that it was flat, that the characters were hollow images, and her plot was wholly disjointed and anti-climactic. This book read like it was the first draft of something that could have been wonderful, but that is for the moment merely a way to pass time. However it might be that this deviance from a tradition of excellent storytelling is not wholly of the author's making. Luna, Harlequin Silhouette's new 'fantasy with romance' line, has so far produced books by three stellar authors, all of which have dumbed down their science fantasy and added bland romance. Readers of both romance and science fantasy like to be challenged and intrigued, not cosseted with sugary fairytales. Ms. Zettel's novels of Isvalta are wonderful examples of fantasy with romance, and I encourage everyone to read them. But please, Ms. Zettel, in writing for Luna, do not lower the standards you have already set for yourself. Sincerely,
a Reader and Fan
Rating:
Summary: Very thrilling Grail tale!!
Review: Risa of Morelands has trouble even as she is born. In ordered to save Risa's mother, her father has made a pack with an evil sorcerer named Euberacon. As her father turns after suitor away suitor for Risa's hand, she grows suspicious of this and demands to know why. Her father finally confesses in order to prevent her mother's death, Risa was promised to Euberacon.
Trying to escape this horrid fate, by Euberacon pursues her killing her escort. Just as Risa fears all is lost, Sir Gawain rides to her rescued driven the evil sorcerer away - temporarily. Sir Gawain was returning to Camelot to warn Arthur of treachery afoot, and learns the source of evil threatening his king, is the same that is threatening Risa. So he carries her to Camelot to safety - or so he thought. Euberacon finds Risa and carries her away. Just as Sir Gawain set off to find his lady, the Green Knight Challenges him, and he must put off saving Risa, while it accepts the gauntlet tossed by the Green Knight. Obviously, this is based on the poem "Sir Gawain and the Green Knight written an anonymous contemporary of Geoffrey Chaucer during the 14th Century. However, Zettel weaves a marvelous blend of fantasy, romance and Grail adventure that will please fans of Grail fiction.
Rating: 
Summary: Good for a laugh...
Review: This is back door Camelot in that it deals with Gwain rather Than Arthur. I suggest that those who gave it negative reviews consider themselves "Wiccans" and feel all Wizards & Witches in such stories should be the hero. Whatever, I've been reading and studying Arthurian stories for more years than I care to admit to and this is one of my favorites I've read in YEARS! Better than Roaslind Miles books by far!
Rating:
Summary: An Original Tale of Camelot!
Review: This is the story of Risa of the Morelands. Her father has promised her to an evil sorcerer, Euberacon, when she is of age. This was the pact made between these two to save the life of Risa's mother, who was dying at the time. As Risa is growing up she suspects something is wrong as her father refuses all of her suitors for marriage. When she finally finds out the truth she decides to run away and live elsewhere, anywhere but with Euberacon. On the way, she is saved by Sir Gawain of Camelot who vows to protect her with his life and bring her plight before King Arthur and Queen Guinevere. He also needs to inform them of the plot against them to take over Camelot by Euberacon and his minions. However, many adventures and nightmares await both of them along the way. The plot moves quickly and is a genuine page turner from start to finish. I've read probably every type of Arthurian fiction available and this novel was a true winner, in every sense! I can hardly wait until her next novel in this series is published in 2005!
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