Betrayal, jealousy, and death have always been a part of my future. I’m the almost Queen. Betrothed to one man, and in love with another. Though there’s no doubt in my mind who I’ll choose. Lancelot has my heart, even if it’ll lead me down the path to the pyre. No matter what it takes, I’ll find a way to save us all from the prophecy which threatens to consume us. – The Almost Queen is book one …
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The Almost Queen is book one in the Fate Of The Crown Duology and follows Gwen and Lancelot. This is a non-bully academy dulogy based on Arthurian legends and contains an m/f relationship.
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A re-imagining Lady Guinevere’s (Gwen’s) story set in a timeless academy that effortlessly mixes traditional tales with modern sensibility. At the crux of this story are four friends – Gwen, Dindrane, Lancelot and Arthur – and a betrayal that will bring great tragedy if they don’t manage to stop it. You might think you have this one figured out, but it doesn’t quite follow the traditional path.
This is a sweet retelling with plenty of romance and a touch of magic. It is an enjoyable, light read full of friendship and gorgeous dresses. Gwen is a likeable, head-strong character who knows what she wants and how to make it happen. She is also cares very deeply for her friends. Lancelot can be a bit distractable, but he is a man in love.
This is the first book of a duology set in the same world as Once Upon an Academy and Grimm Academy and you might just recognize a few familiar faces if you have read those books, but works well and can be enjoyed as a standalone. While Gwen’s curse is stopped, the ending hints that Arthur and Dindrane still have much to overcome in the next book.
Arthurian legends? Yes, count me in!
This short story was amazing from the start to finish. It was about Gwen and Arthur’s prophecy and how this whole book was basically them trying to stop their prophecy from coming true.
I’m so in love with this story. There was a lot of great things happened in it, like the balls and the fairies. The setting of this story was magical. The storyline and the plot was absolutely enjoyable.
This book focus on the four friends: Arthur, Lancelot, Gwen and Dindrane. But the story is mainly about Lancelot and Gwen while the sequel will focus on Arthur and Dindrane. I may not know the whole story about Arthurian legends because I didn’t read too much of it, but I’ve read a few and even did a little research about it and knew who belonged to who. But I will gladly admit that I love the fact that Gwen and Lancelot are together instead of Gwen and Arthur.
The betrayal was also the main part but it wasn’t like what I thought it would be. If you think Gwen being with Lancelot is the betrayal, then you’re wrong. I was wrong too when I thought it was going to be that, but actually it was a different type of betrayal.
I loved seeing Gwen and Arthur being so determined to break their prophecy. They were prophesied to be the future King and Queen, but since they didn’t feel any romantic feelings toward each other, they didn’t want to force themselves to marry one another. Finding a way to break it was really hard but in the end it was actually easy.
The most shocking thing was finding out that Arthur already knew for quite a long time that Gwen and Lancelot always had a thing for each other hence why he told Lancelot to pursue Gwen and stop thinking about the prophecy. Every students at the Academy had their own prophecy, and some started way too early than the others. This was also the same case that happened to Gwen, Arthur and Lancelot.
I just loved how everything work in the end for Gwen and Lancelot, except for Arthur and Dindrane’s prophecy. Arthur mentioned he had the rarest one compared to many students at the Academy, he had two different prophecies, one ended which automatically started the second one. As for Dindrane, she’s Gwen’s best friend and I don’t know what her prophecy is but I have a theory that it’ll have something to do with Arthur.
Gwen and Lancelot’s relationship is so pure and so beautiful. They’re like a couple who always have good days. It was so heartwarming to see them. Their chemistry was off the charts, and their sweet romance was so good. My favorite part was their picnic date, that one was really sweet. It was so romantic, I didn’t know Lancelot could pull something like that successfully.
Despite the prophecy threatening their lives, they still find their way back to each other because they are meant to be together. Nothing can tear them apart, not even a prophecy that was made by the dark fae. I was just glad that everything work as planned. Gwen the smartest girl and Lancelot the strongest knight, what a perfect pairing.
The ending was predictable but still good, one of the best and beautiful ending in books. I loved how their story ended, but we still have Arthur and Dindrane’s story next. The only two remaining people who still have not yet found a solution to either break or change their prophecy.
Arthur and Dindrane obviously have feelings for each other, their secret kisses proved it. I wonder if their prophecy have something to do with each other, I have a strong feeling it does but I’m not sure. I hope they’ll find a way to have their HEA just like how Lancelot and Gwen found theirs.
Well-Done Spin on Arthurian Legend
While I think the academy setting is overdone in contemporary fantasy—no doubt because of the popularity of Harry Potter—I’ve read every book about the Grimm Academy because I am truly a sucker for twists on fairy tales and legends written by contemporary authors and this author in particular. She has a bountiful imagination that allows her to take what is familiar and put a truly unique spin on it, fresh yet keeping it grounded in what we know. This first half of the duology focuses on Gwen and Lancelot, and the author shows the complex relationship between Gwen, Lancelot, and Arthur as well as the prophecy that binds them. Excellent first part of the story, and I am looking forward to the second half.
I received a free copy of this book, but that did not affect my review.
What an interesting and entertaining book with some familiar characters. Following the intrigue and suspense through the story makes for good reading. Great characters to follow along on this adventure. Good read.
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
I liked how the author used a known story and rewrote it with some interesting twists. It changed so much about the story and I was very pleasantly surprised by how great it turned out. This was a wonderful story and I’m glad I read it.
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
This was another great book by the author and I loved how it played out. The dynamic between the characters were great and I would recommend it to others!
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
Book one in the Fate Of The Crown Duology series, a well written story that kept me turning pages. Gwen/Guinevere Olwen, Arthur Pendragon , and Lancelot’s story of curses that must be broken for everyone to get their happy ending. I want to read Dindrane and Arthur’s story. I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
This is book 1 in Greenwood’s new series Fate of the Crown Duology. Greenwood does it again as she reinvents a classic tale of Arthur, Guinevere and Lancelot. Great character development and storyline as well as a smooth flow. Loved how these characters fought to break the prophesy set before them. Loved it!
This is a story about King Arthur Pendragon, Guinevere Olwen, and Sir Lancelot. This is a refreshing new take on an often told old legend. The three of them are part of a prophecy that was foretold to them many years ago. Gwen and Lancelot must not fall in love or it will bring death and war to their kingdom. The story takes place at the Grimm Academy. The three friends are sent here because of the prophecy and to learn their future roles. Gwen has a friend named Dindrane at the Academy who tries to help her stop the prophecy. This story is told in Gwen and Lancelot’s perspective. While growing up Lancelot and Gwen have been fighting their feelings for each other to prevent the prophecy from becoming true. They know it will not end well. The last thing Lancelot and Gwen want to do is betray Arthur and have their kingdom go to war. Can they risk everything for love? Will they betray Arthur? What will happen to Arthur? This coming of age love story is sweet and you can’t help but root for Lancelot and Gwen to overcome all the odds. This is a well written and entertaining story. I can’t wait to read the next book that is in Arthur’s perspective. I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and I am voluntarily leaving a review.
Gwen is torn between her betrothed and the man she truly loves. I’m pretty sure everyone has either watched a movie, read a book or heard about Arthur, Gwen and Lancelot but in The Almost Queen there is a unique twist. I really enjoyed reading this version and I can’t wait to read the second part of the duology.
I really enjoy this author’s books and this one was just as good as the others. The writing is very smooth and sucked me in from the beginning. It was descriptive and that really added to this story. The characters were also amazing and I loved them and their romance was sweet and clean. I enjoyed the retelling, because it was different and imaginative. I would definitely recommend this book and suggest you read it soon!
This is a wonderful story. I always like retellings of stories especially Arthurian legends. Gwen, Arthur, and Lancelot are at Grimm Academy. Gwen and Arthur are betrothed but Gwen is in love with Lancelot. Arthur and Gwen know that they have a prophecy to beat. Lancelot has been tasked with protecting Arthur and he loves her. Gwen and Lancelot don’t want to hurt Arthur so they stayed away from each other or at least tried to. Arthur knows the truth and helps them out. But it seems like their prophecy has started. Will they able to break it and find happiness?
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
Laura has taken the legend of Camalot and turned it up on its ear.
Gwen is in love with one and betrothed to another, whatever shall she due?
She’s determined to save them from the fate of prophecy.
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
This was a splendid story. It was a captivating tale of romance and friendship. I voluntarily read and reviewed this book in exchange for a free copy.
Gwen and Lancelot is a forbidden love story since she knows what it will lead to. This new takes the old King Arthur tale and delves more into the tale of the star crossed lovers. Really enjoyable story, looking forward to the next book.
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review
This is a great story, filled with forbidden love, intrigues and adventure. I enjoyed it very much, I have started reading the sequel.
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
This is another of the twisted tales we have grown up with, the familiar story reimagined in a whole new way so the reader feels the familiarity of the old and a fresh understanding of the new. And this author is one of the most clever at twisting these tales and making them quite often better than the original.
This story revolves around the friendship of King Arthur, Guinevere, and Lancelot. They know the prophecies of their fates and want to try to break out of that predicted future. Lancelot and Guinevere are in love with each other. Arthur is merely Gwen’s friend. Unfortunately, their families have arranged for a marriage that will need to be stopped. Can the prophecy be changed or broken? Is there hope for a HEA?
This was such a good rendition of the King Arthur story, completely twisted into something exciting and new. The story line was fun and the characters were likable. This author’s skill at re-working a well-known tale into something more magical than it had been before still impresses me! Grab your copy and find out if Gwen and Lancelot can find their future together!
A really different take on King Arthur, Guinevere, and Sir Lancelot. Arthur and Gwen are betrothed and they have a prophecy and it involves betrayal. At the academy they are best friends with Lancelot and Dindrane. The four are always together, but Gwen loves Lancelot and vis a versa, and Arthur and Dindrane love each other. If Gwen tells Arthur about her love for Lancelot the prophecy will begin and heartache and unhappiness for all. But really what is the betrayal? I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review
It has been awhile since I have heard a retelling of King Arthur and Lancelot. Gwen is telling us of her path to being Queen. In this short story, I would have liked it longer, but it is a great story. By reading it in one sitting I was invested in the characters and loved the unfolding of a well known story. I am looking forward to seeking out and finding longer novels by the wordsmith, Laura Greenwood.
This is the retelling of King Arthur, Gwen, and Lancelot. This story is a short story and a little different than the usually told tale. This is a great retelling of King Arthur. I loved how Laura Greenwood spun this tale, the way she presented the characters was wonderful. The story flowed well and it was a pleasure to read. I loved this book and cannot wait for the next book.
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.