I loved this book.

Sure, I have a bit of a soft spot for books about the Arthurian legend, and so I would have probably liked this book anyway. But, it was a beautiful story, a captivating take on the legend, masterfully written.

It’s written in free verse, and I couldn’t imagine it being done any other way. The simplicity of the text brought out the story, the emotions, the choice of words that much stronger. And because of that, they — and the story — resonated in a way that longer, more detailed works haven’t.

Lisa Ann Sandell takes a new perspective on the story, writing it from Elaine’s point of view. (She’s the infamous Lady of Shalott; if you’re good, you will have read Tennyson’s poem. If you’re like me, you will mostly know her from Anne of Green Gables.) Elaine’s mother died 8 years ago, and ever since then, she’s lived with her father and brothers in the war camp. Lancelot is her hero, her friend, as is all the rest of the men: Arthur himself, Gawain, and (in an intriguing, and brilliant, twist) Tristan (from Tristan and Isolde). Elaine’s happy enough, spending her days mending and healing and being in nature. And then life changes: Arthur becomes the dux bellorum (the war chieftain), and Gwynivere arrives.

It’s a simple enough plot, but between the characterizations (I had tears streaming down my face at the end), and the elegance of the poetry, the book is a captivating read.

I really have only one complaint: the cover. It’s a beautiful enough cover, but I became annoyed with it because of both the description on the blurb (“Elaine has a temperament as fiery as her long red hair”) and this passage:

Eyes of hazel-green like forest ferns
and mud,
and long, thick hair my father once told me
was the color of wheat and summer strawberries.

I ask you: does that girl have hair the color of wheat and summer strawberries? No. She has dishwater blonde hair, the color mine was in high school. This is wheat and summer strawberries:
I do have to admit that it wouldn’t bother me as much if I didn’t have a red-haired daughter. Still, I won’t let the cover get in the way of highly recommending this book. It truly is wonderful.