Today, I have a review of a set of books read by my 11 year old daughter and guest reviewer Addison and myself. These books are great high fantasy or historical fiction for young readers, especially those who are reluctant to read, who like adventure!
Book Review:
Guinevere: At the Dawn of Legend (Book Two)
Guinevere: On the Eve of Legend (Book One)
Over the years, having children who are excessive readers, I’ve been asked to review all sorts of books for all ages in a multitude of genres. I’ve long been a fan of the middle readers, because I am always an advocate for putting books in front of readers at this age that will keep them interested in reading as life evolves and opens to other things around them, especially in this digital age. Currently, I still have an 11 year old Addie, who though she reads at a high school level (that’s what happens when books are like food in your household), she prefers to still read middle readers for enjoyment and content. She was more than thrilled to accept this reading assignment with me.
In looking through Cheryl Carpinello’s titles, the newest release, Guinevere: At the Dawn of Legend is book two, and Guinevere: On the Eve of Legend, was book one and published last year. It’s a series on Guinevere, but it’s housed inside a Tales and Legends series. We decided to review both for a better view of the author, but I’d certainly say you can most likely read any of her titles out of order, but as always, you’d gain better perspective on the series as a whole if you read both of the Guinevere books together. I’m almost certain, that like mine, your child will want to read these back to back and it’s probably best that way.
Of course my daughter was first drawn in, when getting them in the mail, to the cover of Guinevere: On the Eve of Legend, because it had a horse and she loves horses, but the second cover on At the Dawn of Legend was beautiful too and I explained to her what it represented in history. With a female protagonist, of course they are fabulous books for young ladies, but they are also action-packed and suitable for boys as well, especially reluctant readers of either gender. Personally, I also think it’s important that young boys read books with strong young protagonists who are girls!
As soon as she started Guinevere: On the Eve of Legend, she was hooked and couldn’t wait for reading time before bed each night. I was happy that she liked tales of Arthurian legend as much as her dad and I! So she was ready to start the Guinevere: At the Dawn of Legend almost immediately after. She enjoys fantasy, but they really have to hold her attention (or else she’s off reading mysteries in a cupcake shop) and these certainly did.
Guinevere is a capable, intelligent, and courageous young lady, all traits we wish our own daughters to be so she was a wonderful role model from reading. Cedwyn, the son of a knight, and her side kick, is wise, loyal, and curious. He becomes much more part of the story in At the Dawn of Legend, which is great again for both genders alike, as it give the young men a chivalrous young male to identify with and the young girls, a model for treatment from a male friend. Together, they show that men and women can do all things when combining their talents and personality traits!
From an historical avenue, and not just fantasy, I think it also accurately portrays the time period, giving a glimpse of history to readers as well. It’s not just high fantasy only. The author’s teaching background shines through in a myriad of ways so she hits all the right points of utilizing reading as an aspect of how to support children’s or pre-teen learning in these formative years. I can also see how her own passion for travels and history helps illuminate various time periods in history in her book. I would have ate up these books as a young lady myself.
Both books are marvelous for young readers that will have them sneaking the flashlight under their covers in bed at night or are a great set of books to read aloud to your children. Full of action, suspense, vivid descriptions, teachable lessons, and memorable characters, this is a set of books that will make a great gift to your child’s library.
Addison and I discussed much of what I wrote in this review together, but as her final thoughts, Addie said, “I love them. I think any young girl my age who likes adventure will be happy reading them. I didn’t want to put either of them down and would like to read more in the future.”
The ending was a cliff-hanger as well, so we anxiously await book three!
Guinevere: At the Dawn of Legend, Synopsis and Info –
Print Length: 150 Pages
Genre: Middle Grade Fiction
Publisher: Bublish, Incorporated (May 2017)
ISBN: 978-1946229441
His one desire…To be a knight.
His future queen…At times reckless.
Best friends…Bound by Friendship and Loyalty.
When their adventure turns deadly & dangerous, Guinevere & Cedwyn find themselves embroiled in a life-or-death struggle.
Not only are they in danger, but so are the kids of Cadbury Castle.
Renegades–foiled in their attempt to kidnap the princess–steal the children of Cadbury Castle to sell as slaves. Guinevere and Cedwyn vow to rescue the children, but a miscalculation puts them all in more danger.
As the plan quickly unravels, Cedwyn chooses to turn his dream of becoming a knight into reality.
Will their courage be strong enough to survive, or will one make the ultimate sacrifice?
Excerpt –
With saddened and heavy hearts, they left the gruesome glen behind and rode for the castle.
Samuel followed Guinevere, having chosen to ride beside Aaron. His tears dried, but the anguish not buried with his family. The grief was clearly evident in his hunched body, the anger in his clenched fists on the pony’s reins. Cedwyn worried about the boy’s state of mind.
Guinevere now led the trio, concern for the safety of the castle and the people there were marked by the hard set of her chin. Worry etched lines in her wrinkled brow and deepened her hollowed eyes.
Cedwyn brought up the rear. His eyes noted every movement. Ears tuned to the echoes of the forest, head swiveling at each movement and sound. Fear had taken permanent hold over his body—a feeling he was certain should have been as foreign to him as it would have been to Arthur’s knights. Cold fear tightened its grip on his heart and throat. Those who would kill the gentle monks would stop at nothing. Now the little group rode in the dark, a time when all earthly creatures took on the pallor of ghosts, and hidden danger lurked all around them.
Guinevere: At the Dawn of Legend is available to purchase on Amazon.com.
Awards for Guinevere: At the Dawn of Legend
2018 Gold Global eBook Award—Juvenile Fiction
2018 Gold Global eBook Award—Children’s Literature
2018 Bronze Evvy Awards—Fairytale/Folklore/Mythology
2018 Bronze Evvy Awards—Juvenile Fiction
Short-Listed for 2019 Chanticleer Int’l Awards
2018 Honorable Mention Purple Dragonfly
100 Most Notable Indies for 2018
2018 Wishing Shelf Finalist
2017 BookLife Quarter Finalist
2017 Apple eBook Children’s Official Selection
Author Cheryl Carpinello, Biography –
Cheryl Carpinello is an author, retired high school English teacher, and Colorado native. Since retiring from teaching, she’s been able to devote her time to writing and traveling. Although she may be away from teaching, she is still a teacher at heart and especially enjoys meeting with kids and talking with them about reading and writing. Cheryl hopes through her books she can inspire young readers and reader’s young-at-heart to read more.
You can find Cheryl Online –
Website: http://www.cherylcarpinello.com
Writing Blog: http://carpinelloswritingpages.blogspot.com/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/cheryl.carpinello1
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/ccarpine1/
Amazon Author Page: http://www.amazon.com/Cheryl-Carpinello/e/B002GGGZY6
Twitter Home Page: https://twitter.com/ccarpinello
Linkedin Page: www.linkedin.com/pub/cheryl-carpinello/25/671/a02
Google URL: https://plus.google.com/110918922081424857545/
Pinterest: http://www.pinterest.com/ccarpine/
Addie, Guest Reviewer, Age 11 –
Addison has been reviewing books on Oh, for the Hook of a Book! for five years. She loves books of all kinds, writing, dancing, art, singing, animals, and her friends. She has a soft spot for furry monsters like the Yeti and enjoys books from around the world.
If you’d like to send her a book for review, feel free to ask via my regular review request e-mail.
HOOK of a BOOK! 
Thank you all for reading and reviewing my Guinevere books. Hoping to have the final book in the trilogy (Guinevere: The Legend) out next fall.
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Wonderful! We will look forward to reading it. 🙂
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Not something I would normally read, but I love the cover and that excerpt. Thanks for sharing.
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Maybe one day you’ll have a child you know ages 8-12 for which you can buy or recommend.
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