Half Sick of Shadows

June 1, 2021
The Lady of Shalott narrates this new take on King Arthur, focused on a group of young people struggling to find their places in the world. Arthur has lived in Avalon for so long that many of his people believe him to be no more than a myth. When Uther Pendragon's death calls his heir home to Albion, Arthur leaves the land of the fey with a small contingent of allies: his best friend, Lancelot; his betrothed, Gwen; his half sister, Morgana; and the young seer, Elaine, perhaps better known as Tennyson's Lady of Shalott, who has lived at Camelot before. A chilly reception in his father's lands turns grimmer when the would-be king learns that Uther has named his bastard son, Mordred, as his heir in Arthur's absence. When Merlin delays Mordred's coronation to make way for a set of trials--each designed to prove that Arthur is worthy of his father's throne--his friends dedicate themselves to his campaign, at least for a time. Destiny has a propensity for getting in the way, however, and the story soon shifts, not unpleasantly, to focus on the three young women--Elaine, Morgana, and Gwen--as they make their own ways in a world that fears their magic and mysticism. Sebastian's characterization is strong; each of Arthur's friends bolster one of his weaker qualities--and do it well--and the young prince's impostor syndrome will ring true to almost any reader. The novel remains relatively faithful to source materials from Malory and the French poets, though the eagle-eyed may spot an anachronism or two. Although the large central cast often requires an excessive amount of pace-hindering dialogue, the end result is one that Arthuriana buffs and newcomers alike can enjoy. A thoughtful, crisp take that brings just the right amount of newness to the timeless legends readers know and love.

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Starred review from June 1, 2021

DEBUT The story of King Arthur is well-known, but now a character approaches with a new point of view: the Lady of Shalott. Elaine of Shalott is cursed to see the future, like the women in her family before her. She escapes the tower where she had been imprisoned, and she grows up in Avalon, along with her friends Arthur, Guinevere, Morgana, and Lancelot. Each has their own destiny, which Elaine has divined from her dreams and her weaving loom. When Arthur is called back to Camelot, Elaine and the others goes with him for support; for Elaine, it's also an attempt to subvert some of her own visions. Yet as fate pulls them ever closer to tragedy, Elaine knows that she might have no choice but to follow the path laid out for them--or she can sacrifice to change things for the greater good. Arthur and Lancelot are prominent here, but it is the powerful women--Elaine, Guinevere, and Morgana--who are central to this timeline-skipping story. VERDICT Sebastian's adult debut is filled with historical leanings with a feminist twist. Themes of friendship, fate, and morally gray decisions made for greater good are at the forefront of this Arthurian retelling.--Kristi Chadwick, Massachusetts Lib. Syst., Northampton

Copyright 2021 Library Journal, LLC Used with permission.

December 1, 2021

Sebastian's poignant retelling of the Arthurian legend is narrated by Elaine, Lady of Shalott. Elaine-who comes from a long line of oracles-has struggled since childhood to manage the emotional fallout of the foresight afforded by her visions, and feels isolated within a society where magic is banned. When she arrives in Avalon at age 13, she immediately finds a home with a group of new friends including Morgana, Guinevere, half-fey Lancelot, and royal heir Arthur. The tight-knit group of friends share a strong connection throughout their teens but find their bond fraying when Arthur's father dies and they must relocate to Camelot to assure his ascension to the throne via a series of quests. Through a blend of flashbacks, present-tense narration, and visions of the future, Elaine relates the group's political machinations and high-stakes adventures. Although the novel contains familiar elements of Arthurian myth, Elaine's lyrical narration lends a wistful, contemplative tone to the story. The novel's exploration of themes such as seeking autonomy, managing change in adolescent friendships, and facing adult responsibility will likely resonate with older teens. Characters have a diverse range of skin tones and hair colors; cultural prejudice exists between various factions of the kingdom and is openly discussed and challenged. An author's note alerts readers to themes of mental illness and suicide. VERDICT Sebastian's adult debut is highly recommended for teens who enjoyed Naomi Novik's fairy-tale retellings and Kiersten White's "Camelot Rising" series.-Kelsy Peterson, Brighton Grammar Sch., Melbourne, Australia

Copyright 2021 School Library Journal, LLC Used with permission.

Starred review from June 1, 2021
In this feminist retelling of Arthurian legend, Arthur, Guinevere, Morgana, Lancelot, and Elaine--the Lady of Shalott and our narrator--become fast friends in the magical realm of Avalon, tasked by Nimue to put Arthur on Camelot's throne in the hopes it will unite the humans and fey. Elaine, an oracle, uses a loom to channel her visions, and the story jumps back and forth in time as she tries to avoid a future she knows will end in treachery and heartbreak. Some retellings fail to convince readers, who already know the ending, to suspend their disbelief for the sake of the story. Sebastian, however, cleverly bypasses this issue. Elaine's visions inform the reader of Lancelot, Gwen, and Morgana's betrayals early in the narrative, and the reader is often reminded that these visions do not represent fate but possibilities. A trigger warning: Elaine often experiences visions of her suicide. All in all, this captivating and moving tale--centered around powerful Morgana, impulsive Guinevere, and troubled Elaine--explores how friendship both binds and breaks under pressure, especially once these three women start to question why they must sacrifice themselves to fulfill Arthur's destiny.

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