Daughter of Destiny: Guinevere's Tale Book 1: Guinevere's Tale, #1
5/5
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About this ebook
Before queenship and Camelot, Guinevere was a priestess of Avalon. She loved another before Arthur, a warrior who would one day betray her.
In the war-torn world of late fifth century Britain, young Guinevere faces a choice: stay with her family to defend her home at Northgallis from the Irish, or go to Avalon to seek help for the horrific visions that haunt her. The Sight calls her to Avalon, where she meets Morgan, a woman of questionable parentage who is destined to become her rival. As Guinevere matures to womanhood, she gains the powers of a priestess, and falls in love with a man who will be both her deepest love and her greatest mistake.
Just when Guinevere is able to envision a future in Avalon, tragedy forces her back home, into a world she barely recognizes, one in which her pagan faith, outspokenness, and proficiency in the magical and military arts are liabilities. When a chance reunion with her lover leads to disaster, she is cast out of Northgallis and into an uncertain future. As a new High King comes to power, Guinevere must navigate a world of political intrigue where unmarried women are valuable commodities and seemingly innocent actions can have life-altering consequences.
You may think you know the story of Guinevere, but you've never heard it like this: in her own words. Listen and you will hear the true story of Camelot and its queen.
Fans of Arthurian legend and The Mists of Avalon will love Daughter of Destiny, the first book in a historical fantasy trilogy that gives Guinevere back her voice and traces her life from an uncertain eleven year old girl to a wise queen in her fifth decade of life.
Nicole Evelina
Nicole Evelina is a historical fiction, non-fiction, and women’s fiction author whose five books – Daughter of Destiny, Camelot’s Queen, Been Searching for You, Madame Presidentess and The Once and Future Queen: Guinevere in Arthurian Legend (nonfiction) – have won more than 30 awards, including three Book of the Year designations.Her writing has appeared in The Huffington Post, The Philadelphia Inquirer, The Independent Journal, Curve Magazine and numerous historical publications. She is one of only six authors who completed a week-long writing intensive taught by #1 New York Times bestselling author Deborah Harkness.Nicole is currently working on Mistress of Legend (September 15), the final novel in her Guinevere's Tale historical fantasy trilogy and researching two future non-fiction books. She also teaches online writing and business classes for authors at Professional Author Academy. You can find her online at http://nicoleevelina.com/.
Read more from Nicole Evelina
The Once and Future Queen: Guinevere in Arthurian Legend Rating: 4 out of 5 stars4/5Camelot's Queen (Guinevere's Tale Book 2) Rating: 5 out of 5 stars5/5Daughter of Destiny Rating: 5 out of 5 stars5/5The Guinevere's Tale Trilogy Rating: 0 out of 5 stars0 ratingsBeen Searching for You Rating: 0 out of 5 stars0 ratingsMadame Presidentess: A Novel of Victoria Woodhull Rating: 4 out of 5 stars4/5Tangled Lights and Silent Nights: A Holiday Anthology Rating: 0 out of 5 stars0 ratingsMistress of Legend: Guinevere's Tale Book 3 Rating: 0 out of 5 stars0 ratings
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Titles in the series (3)
Daughter of Destiny: Guinevere's Tale Book 1: Guinevere's Tale, #1 Rating: 5 out of 5 stars5/5Camelot's Queen: Guinevere's Tale Book 2: Guinevere's Tale, #2 Rating: 5 out of 5 stars5/5Mistress of Legend: Guinevere's Tale Book 3: Guinevere's Tale, #3 Rating: 0 out of 5 stars0 ratings
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Reviews for Daughter of Destiny
4 ratings2 reviews
- Rating: 5 out of 5 stars5/5There are a lot of different depictions of Guinevere and the story of King Arthur, Lancelot, and Camelot. One in particular that I liked was the Mists of Avalon, the movie. Such a mystical and mythical time it was. Or was it? We really do not know for sure but Nicole Evelina gives us her take and another perspective on the classic tale. Daughter of Destiny takes place before Guinevere is Queen to Arthur's King.This story starts in the Spring of 491 with Guinevere arriving on the island of Avalon to begin her training as a priestess. She came from wealth where her family had slaves and servants to do their bidding. In Avalon, on the other hand, she has to learn to do for herself, washing her clothes, chores etc. She is proficient in wielding a sword, though, being trained by her mother. Guinevere also has the 'sight' and this is another reason she has been brought to Avalon, to learn to control her powers.Life goes on and things are pretty normal and she meets and falls in love with a man but things are not meant to be as tragedy strikes at home and she is bidden to return home to Northgallis where she survives by her wits and her mother's ways, she is a Pagan Celt and even though there is an increased surge of Christianity she intends to follow the old ways. Her first love, Aggrivane, arrives in Northgallis and because of this relationship, she is sent to Pellinor where she is virtually treated like a slave but befriends the daughter of the household, Elaine, and Morgan another trainee from Avalon. In spite of being under lock and key if you will, she still manages to spend time with Aggrivane, even though it is against her father's wishes. The novel ends with Guinevere becoming engaged to King Arthur.Daughter of Destiny is the first in a trilogy, very well researched and thought out, if you want to learn more about Camelot and it's inhabitants, pick up this book. I eagerly await the second in the series where we learn more about King Arthur, Queen Guinevere, the threat of the Saxon's, Irish and Pict's and their invasion of Britain. Whether you believe or not, this is a story not to be missed for the historical fiction fan.
- Rating: 5 out of 5 stars5/5I love the King Arthur legend. I’ve read more books than I can count about Camelot, etc. That is what initially drew me to this novel. I was very intrigued at looking at the tale from Guinevere’s viewpoint. If you consider the story as we know it now it all falls apart because of her infidelity. But seriously – history or in this case the legend was written by men and therefore it’s got to be the woman’s fault, right? Taking a look at the story through her eyes might be very interesting.I was hooked from the first paragraph. I found myself pulled into Guinevere’s world from her trip to the mystical island of Avalon at 11 years of age through her advancement to Priestess and beyond. It is a book of magic and mystery drawing on the tales of the old tribes of what is now England and Ireland. It does require releasing yourself into the time and suspending modern reality to fully enjoy the book but if you do that you will be richly rewarded.This is the first book of a trilogy and it takes you from Guinevere at 11 just up to her engagement to King Arthur. The bulk of the book covers her time at Avalon as she learns the skills and arts of being a priestess. It is also the beginning of her relationship for lack of a better word with Morgan (Morgaine). Their immediate dislike is never fully explained other than two intelligent, competitive girls trying to be number one. It seems a bit weak as the start of a hatred that causes so much trouble later on. But perhaps there is more to be revealed.If you are a fan of the Arthurian legend read this book. If you like historical fiction read this book. If you want a good story read this book. It’s a magical ride with a wonderful cast of characters – familiar if you know the story and if you don’t, you’ll get to meet them from a unique point of view.