The Once and Future Queen by Paula Lafferty Review

This is how I imagine it would be if Lorelai Gilmore was magically transported to Camelot and ended up hanging out with an antiquities version of Will Truman and Jack McFarland.

I rated this 4.75/5 - it was excellent! 🩷 

“The Once and Future Queen” by Paula Lafferty centers around Vera, a 20-something living in modern-day Glastonbury until a man shows up claiming to be Merlin. He tells her she is actually Queen Guinevere and must return with him to Camelot to save the world. She goes with him to Camelot where she encounters a distant and cold husband, King Arthur, and a land facing attacks by a rogue mage and the fact that magic (which existed black then) is dying. While she struggles to find her footing and help save the world she is  joined by an engaging and endearing group of friends. But… all is not as it seems and we are left with a cliffhanger at the end. It’s safe to say there will be more to this story. 

This was a very fun and easy read. I binged this one - it kept me entertained and wanting to know what was going to happen next. There were a lot of fun moments in this book but the scene where Arthur is teaching Vera the traditional dances so they can dance at the solstice festival was one of my favorites! It was so fun and the dynamic and banter was definitely on point. This book had a lot of excellent dialogue and banter and wit. 

The main characters are Vera and Arthur - and they are excellent. But the side characters really stole the show. Lancelot in particular was a huge breath of fresh air. He was so much fun! His interactions with Vera and Gawain are some of my favorite parts of the book. Gawain and Matilda are also excellent side characters who add depth and dimension to the world of Camelot. The relationships that develop and build between the characters is heartwarming and feels natural and true. 

Gawain was a character who really stood out for me. When he first came on the scene I wasn’t sure I liked him. He ended up being one of my favorites. His character development, especially his friendship with Lancelot, was very fun to read. 

The writing is very good. I enjoyed the author’s writing style. She has a very fun and descriptive way of helping you see the world of her characters. Like the time she described some light rain falling from the sky as “talking excitedly and couldn’t keep from at least a few drops flying free.” I felt the pace was steady. It wasn’t slow but it wasn’t fast either. I felt it was appropriate for the story being told. 

The book explored themes of personal identity, memory, and purpose. What makes a person who they are? Is it their memories? Is it their name? Is it their physical bodies? While not overt, the book seems to convey that what makes a person who they are is something more intangible than a body or one’s memories. Personally I would interpret that as being a soul - though I don’t believe the author used this word. Vera learned who she was in a more real way once she was in Camelot and, in so doing, was able to find her purpose, her family and ultimately herself.

“The Once and Future Queen” is such a fun read! I cannot recommend it enough. It is perfect for fans of ACOTAR, “Shield of Sparrows”, and “Blood of Hercules”. It left me feeling excited and wanting to jump back in time to hang out with Vera, Lancelot and the gang. And wishing I could see the future to know when the sequel will be out. 

Is this one on your TBR? Have you read this one yet? If so, let me know your thoughts! 

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Spice 🌶️🌶️

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