A journey through the mists of an Arthurian retelling, filled with political intrigue, prophecies, and magic.

The story begins with a sense of sorrow and darkness, posing the question, "How do you mourn someone who is not yet dead?" Although I didn't fully connect with the writing style in the first chapter—it felt as though it skimmed the surface rather than diving deep—the protagonist Hwyfar’s portrayal of her relationship with her father's mental and physical health issues is raw and beautifully rendered. A great start to an epic adventure.

I admired Hwyfar’s fierceness beneath her stoic exterior, and the way she indulged in pleasures as a form of escapism from her darkness. She is a truly compelling character—soft yet harsh. I also appreciated Gawain and many of the secondary characters, who, though flawed and fractured, felt whole and real. However, there were perhaps too many reminders of the main characters' physical sizes, as if their size was a significant aspect of their attraction to each other. This emphasis lent the romance an insta-love vibe rather than the deeper, raw connection it could have been. Bonus points for the LGBTQI+ representation, which was portrayed naturally and seamlessly, with non-heterosexual relationships described in a way that felt fluid and authentic.

That said, some parts of the story felt rushed, such as the first assassination at court and the build-up to the romance. There’s little emotional build-up, no yearning or tension; the attraction between the characters just happens before readers can fully immerse themselves in it. Gawain, in particular, appears to fall in love too quickly, when his conflicting emotions could have been drawn out longer. While the nature of their love explains this rapid connection, I still would have appreciated more tension and build-up.

Overall, it's a great tale with twists and turns that keep you hooked. I devoured all 500 pages in less than 48 hours, and that says something.

Such a well written Arthurian reimagining! The world building and thought put into this novel is wonderful. My favorite aspect of the story were the characters. The author has written such well developed and complex main characters. Hwyfar grows so much throughout the book. She becomes the woman she was always meant to be. She is strong. She is stubborn. And she is tall! I loved seeing tall women represented in this story. Gawain has such a stunning narrative but also heartbreaking. The author did a wonderful job representing PTSD the effects war has on an individual. I am so glad that he and Hwyfar found one another. Overall, a wonderful ode to the world of King Arthur!

Such a good book. I loved every single second of it. Such a good experience reading it. I rated it 4 stars because I loved the experience of reading it and I recommend everyone to read this book as fast as they can.