The Dragon Queen

Rating:
Summary: WONDERFUL!!
Review: i must say when i first looked at this book i put it back- not another arthur/gunivere story! plus it was by anne rices sister, she got published because of the relation i thought. right? WRONG! i loved this version of gunivere as a strong woman who becomes a queen in her own right. i loved the characters, the story, the whole thing. i am going to read all of alices other books now too and i will defintely read every book she puts out from now on!

Rating:
Summary: The Dragon Queen
Review: I picked this book to read because 1) I liked the cover, 2) I liked the Arthur/Guinevere legends, and 3) I read the first bit of the book and it had a lot of potential.

Unfortunately, as I kept reading, this book became more and more confusing. As many other people already mentioned, there are quite a few moments when I had to re-read the scene because I had no idea what was going on.

I also liked the character Guinevere, but in a way she was too perfect!! And I'm also still wondering why Alice Borchardt decided to make Merlin evil.

I kept reading this book hoping that my questions would be answered, but sooner than I thought, the ending was already there and I was more confused than ever.

However, the great thing about this book is that I actually kept reading it. Alice Borchardt writes magnificently, and I was really swept away into her world.


Rating:
Summary: Not worth the $/time I spent on it
Review: I totally agree with the reader from Long Island, and I wish I would have taken what she said to heart before I bought this book. I'm about halfway through, and Borchardt is all over the place-between the talking dragons, Guinevere's hand that acts as a torch, and an evil Merlin and Igraine, I'm not finding this to be a very satisfying book. I'm the kind of person that won't put a book down once I find a decent one, and let's just say it's been a few days since I've picked The Dragon Queen up. I also find it strange that Maenial can turn into a wolf, and the whole story just seems weird-I would strongly suggest that someone interested in Arthurian legend try either Stephen Lawhead, or my all time fave Jack Whyte, who takes an ancient Roman viewpoint on it all, in his Camulod Chronicles.

Rating:
Summary: not the best i've read
Review: i was really looking forward to reading this book,due to the fact that i loved ABs Wolf series.i even conideed buying it when it came out in hardback,but didnt have the money.i am glad i didnt.i checked this book out from the library,and the book started off well enough,but i just got bored with it.i guess its just me,i just didnt like this boook.it did have its moments,and those were the parts between Guinevere and Blackleg,hence the two stars.i fought urges to close the book for good at so many time,because i always finish what i start.it just could have been so much better.i expected more from Ms.Borchardt after her wolf novels.i hope the sequels are better

Rating:
Summary: entertaining, albeit challenging
Review: I would also, as a previous reader stated, like to give this book three and a half stars, but will settle on 4. I much enjoyed this book, and felt this further stretching of the Arthurian legend was a welcome addition to the fold. I love when a writer can take an established story and make it their own, and Alice Borchardt has definitely done so. However, this book is not for the weak-willed. It is written in a strange, and occasionally very annoying, style where the supernatural and the natural flow together, leaving you occasionally wondering just what in the heck is going on (and where it is going on in). However, I figured out by the end that the best way to enjoy the book was to let the changes happen, let the magic and the reality blend, without worrying just exactly what was going on. It eventually is made clear. Or, rather, slightly less misty.

I thought the characterizations superb, and the settings beautiful. No, this book isn't for everyone, but if you enjoy reworkings of old tales, you should try it for yourself. Marion Zimmer Bradley it ain't, but it is worth a try.

Rating:
Summary: A decent read
Review: I would have given this novel 3.5 stars; however, since that is not an option, I decided to be nice and round up. While the novel presents a very new and interesting approach to the Autharian legend, it is limited by two very important flaws: character development and writing style.

I think Borchardt's ideas are wonderful. It is refreshing to see such a positive and strong female lead character. Not to mention, I love the spin she puts on the legends by making Merlin and Igrane evil characters.

However, my first problem, which is rather small, regards Guinevere. I like her character, but I just can not get passed one of her actions. When she meets Arthur, she is instantly in love with him although he does not exactly treat her with any kind of respect. Guinevere is such an intelligent and mature character (or at least that is how she is portrayed), and for her to swoon over Arthur seems unbelievable to me.

However, my second criticism of the novel concerns a far worse problem. At certain times, I felt incredibly confused and disoriented while reading Borchardt's novel. She has a tendency to change worlds and times so quickly that the reader will spend several pages of rereading and skimming to ascertain what has just occured. She does not transition well when an some important action occurs, leaving the reader to question whether or not he/she read thorougly.

Overall, it is not a bad book, and I recommend it if for no other reason because of the fresh stance she takes on Guinevere. However, be forewarned, the text gets very confusing and chances are you will miss or won't understand some of what takes place. I know I didn't.

Rating:
Summary: A decent read
Review: I would have given this novel 3.5 stars; however, since that is not an option, I decided to be nice and round up. While the novel presents a very new and interesting approach to the Autharian legend, it is limited by two very important flaws: character development and writing style.

I think Borchardt's ideas are wonderful. It is refreshing to see such a positive and strong female lead character. Not to mention, I love the spin she puts on the legends by making Merlin and Igrane evil characters.

However, my first problem, which is rather small, regards Guinevere. I like her character, but I just can not get passed one of her actions. When she meets Arthur, she is instantly in love with him although he does not exactly treat her with any kind of respect. Guinevere is such an intelligent and mature character (or at least that is how she is portrayed), and for her to swoon over Arthur seems unbelievable to me.

However, my second criticism of the novel concerns a far worse problem. At certain times, I felt incredibly confused and disoriented while reading Borchardt's novel. She has a tendency to change worlds and times so quickly that the reader will spend several pages of rereading and skimming to ascertain what has just occured. She does not transition well when an some important action occurs, leaving the reader to question whether or not he/she read thorougly.

Overall, it is not a bad book, and I recommend it if for no other reason because of the fresh stance she takes on Guinevere. However, be forewarned, the text gets very confusing and chances are you will miss or won't understand some of what takes place. I know I didn't.

Rating:
Summary: When your own sister gets the cover blurb, it's a problem
Review: I'm currently about halfway through this book and am finding the intense desire to skip pages to get to a decent plot. This is not to see that the actual plot is bad - unfortunatly it's difficult to find. One must wade through page after page of pointless subplot before getting to anything of substance. If I would have known that, I probably wouldn't have picked this book up.

Rating:
Summary: A beautiful story
Review: Out of all the books on Arthur I have read, I would have to say defenatley that this is the best. Guinevere is a strang, beautiful main character, that anyone will love. The author herself is amazing when it comes to writing descriptions. Her descripitions make it as if you are actually there. I will eagerly be awaiting the next book in this series.

Rating:
Summary: Absolutely awful
Review: Rarely have I ever abandoned a book before I finish reading it, but I could not drag myself through even one more page of this horrible book, despite repeated attempts. I was thoroughly disappointed. It has nothing to do with the revisioning and retelling of Arthurian Myth. It has everything to do with the incredibly poor writing, confusing plot and lack of through line, as well as a complete lack of thoughtful and intelligent character development. Save yourself the money, and spare yourself this book.