Half Sick of Shadows
Everyone knows the legend. Of Arthur, destined to be a king. Of the beautiful Guinevere, who will betray him with his most loyal knight, Lancelot. Of the bitter sorceress, Morgana, who will turn against them all. But Elaine alone carries the burden of knowing what is to come--for Elaine of Shalott is cursed to see the future. When their future comes to claim them, Elaine, Guinevere, Lancelot, and Morgana accompany Arthur to take his throne in stifling Camelot, where magic is outlawed, the rules of society chain them, and enemies are everywhere. Yet the most dangerous threats may come from within their own circle.
Laura Sebastian’s writing style in Half Sick of Shadows made the Lady of Shalott come alive for me. I barely remember the poem I read about her in high school, so Sebastian’s book told in her perspective made Elaine someone I could relate to. I loved how Sebastian wrote Elaine’s visions and showed how many futures she saw for herself and her friends, especially King Arthur. I felt such empathy for Elaine. Carrying that heavy burden, and not being able to tell her visions to her friends without possibly ruining the future further, would be such a struggle.
I don’t know if I can say Elaine got a happy ending in Shadows. Knowing what she did, I think Elaine chose the best path she could. It didn’t solve all the problems facing Arthur and the others, but it gave them a chance. One they wouldn’t have had if Elaine hadn’t unintentionally become the Lady of the Lake. I would have liked it if Lancelot and Elaine could have had a future together, but at least Elaine was able to end their relationship on her terms, not with Lancelot’s betrayal like she had seen in her visions.
Although Elaine was my favourite character, Morgana was a close second. Sebastian did a wonderful job creating a cast of female characters that every reader could find a piece of themselves in. Morgana may have been the enemy in some of Elaine’s visions, but I understood why; she just wanted to live a simple life on the island of Avalon. Although she loved Arthur, she would never be at peace if she had to follow his lead her whole life.
Half Sick of Shadows is the perfect book for those looking for a bold, feminist reimaging of the legend of King Arthur.
Half Sick of Shadows Rating: ★★★★★
Laura Sebastian’s writing style in Half Sick of Shadows made the Lady of Shalott come alive for me. I barely remember the poem I read about her in high school, so Sebastian’s book told in her perspective made Elaine someone I could relate to. I loved how Sebastian wrote Elaine’s visions and showed how many futures she saw for herself and her friends, especially King Arthur. I felt such empathy for Elaine. Carrying that heavy burden, and not being able to tell her visions to her friends without possibly ruining the future further, would be such a struggle.
I don’t know if I can say Elaine got a happy ending in Shadows. Knowing what she did, I think Elaine chose the best path she could. It didn’t solve all the problems facing Arthur and the others, but it gave them a chance. One they wouldn’t have had if Elaine hadn’t unintentionally become the Lady of the Lake. I would have liked it if Lancelot and Elaine could have had a future together, but at least Elaine was able to end their relationship on her terms, not with Lancelot’s betrayal like she had seen in her visions.
Although Elaine was my favourite character, Morgana was a close second. Sebastian did a wonderful job creating a cast of female characters that every reader could find a piece of themselves in. Morgana may have been the enemy in some of Elaine’s visions, but I understood why; she just wanted to live a simple life on the island of Avalon. Although she loved Arthur, she would never be at peace if she had to follow his lead her whole life.
Half Sick of Shadows is the perfect book for those looking for a bold, feminist reimaging of the legend of King Arthur.
Half Sick of Shadows Rating: ★★★★★