The Once and Future Queen by Paula Lafferty
If you think you know the story about King Arthur and Queen Guinevere, you may be in for a surprising – and enlightening – awakening in The Once and Future Queen by Paula Lafferty. This debut novel, the first in a trilogy, is described as a magical Camelot that is part Outlander and part Princess Bride. Pop on your reading glasses and crack open your book or open your Kindle, and get ready for a magical journey.
Vera is a young adult in Glastonbury who feels very… forgettable. Aside from her parents and her boyfriend, every relationship, romantic or platonic, has moved on without her. However, her boyfriend has passed away in a tragic car accident, and she is feeling heartbroken and otherwise stagnant in her life. She receives a strange offer to travel to Arthurian times, the 7th century, because she is apparently… King Arthur’s wife? It sounds too good to be true, but she agrees, at the urging of her mother. After a tearful goodbye to her parents, she leaves with Merlin.
Vera is aware that life in Camelot will be different than what she has learned about in school. However, she didn’t realize that Lancelot would be so friendly or that her husband would be so… cold. After some adjustment, she begins to adjust to life. She becomes best friends with Lancelot, forms a friendship with her ladies’ maid, Matilda, and also forms friendships with the knights of the kingdom.
The one person with whom she has a hard time forming any type of relationship? Arthur.
Vera learns that she was Guinevere in another “life” and that Merlin brought her to her parents in modern times, with the possibility that he would need her again to save Camelot. That time is now.
As the story progresses, Merlin attempts to unlock Vera’s – Guinevere’s – memories. It has become clear that the key to saving the kingdom from the harm that was inflicted by a past mage, Vivianne, is in Vera’s memories. However, unlocking her memories could be potentially life-threatening. This – when she is finally getting closer to Arthur.
I am a fan of historical fiction as well as fantasy, and I loved that Lafferty crafted an Arthurian retelling with magical elements. At its heart, The Once and Future Queen is a love story; it tells the tale of King Arthur and Queen Guinevere, and reimagines the relationship of Queen Guinevere and Lancelot. However, it is also
Lafferty initially self-published this book as La Vie de Guinevere in a viral and record-breaking Kickstarter campaign. This Kickstarter campaign was so successful that she was able to publish the book in 10 countries, translate it into eight languages and produce an audiobook with renowned narrator Julia Whelan. Traditional publisher Kensington Publishing Group picked it up, and it was renamed The Once and Future Queen. You’ll also find that she named a character after her dog, described as “the sweetest dog there ever was.”
If you’re interested in an immersive Arthurian retelling that blends the elements that you already know with magic, time travel, yearning and a fair amount of action, consider picking up this novel. You will be waiting in line for the next installment. In the words of the mage, Merlin, “Everything you thought you knew about Camelot is wrong…”
About Paula Lafferty:
Paula Lafferty lives in the Kansas City area with her husband, daughter, and Otto (the sweetest dog there ever was). She received a BFA in Film Production from Chapman University and a Master of Divinity from Saint Paul School of Theology. She has a taste for finding magic in “the ordinary” and a spark for discovering stories at every turn.
Telling stories is the thread that runs through Paula’s life, and La Vie de Guinevere is her debut novel which she originally funded through a hugely successful Kickstarter campaign.
