Under Camelot’s Banner

Under Camelot’s Banner (2006) Sarah Zettel

Under Camelot’s Banner is the third book in Sarah Zettel’s Camelot series. There isn’t a specific name for this series, but all the books have Camelot in the title, so that’s obvious enough.

Books published by Luna typically have a romantic or erotic element, however, they also tend to have female leads, which is how I ended up overcoming my aversion to romance to check out a Luna offering. There is romance in Under Camelot’s Banner, but to me (someone who doesn’t read romance) it seems very understated, and second to the other elements of the story. In fact, I’ve read mainstream fantasies by male authors that had just as much (if not more) of a romantic theme.

Lynet is from the kingdom of Camilard, the kingdom next to Tintagel, and although they are loyal, many are feeling abandoned by Camelot, and if their neighbors–instigated by Morgaine–rebel, Camilard will be caught in the middle. Additionally, Lynet was a maid to Queen Iseult, and a messenger between Tristan and Iseult, before their adultery was discovered. After Tristan’s murder and Iseult’s death, Lynet was blamed and sent home in shame.

As much as I like Sarah Zettel’s writing, I think that this is the weakest of the three books. However, Lynet is such an appealing and interesting character that I really didn’t notice while I was reading. Lynet sees herself as damaged goods. However, despite the fact that she doesn’t have a great deal of self-esteem, her family is important to her, and so when the need arises, she is willing to stand up and do what must be done, and refuses to let anyone stand in her way.

This worked very well for me. Through the book Lynet has to discover her own strengths and worth, yet has a task of importance to complete, that requires her to stand up for herself and her home.

Unlike the previous two books, the male character, Gareth, is a cad, and not particularly likable, so I had a hard time, initially, seeing him as a romantic interest for Lynet, whom I liked very much. It just didn’t seem right that she be stuck with this jerk. Especially when he is compared unfavorably to his brothers (See romantic interests in the previous two books.) Yet it worked out (I did mention this is a romance) and I felt that Gareth managed to redeem himself sufficiently.

As was started in the last book, For Camelot’s Honor, Morgaine is behind many of the problems in Camelot, and throughout the kingdom, and although appears only a few times, is the third major character, as she is in the middle of everything.

One thing that I especially liked about this book, as the relationship between Guenevere and Lancelot. I was very surprised at their relationship, and am even more curious as to what will happen with them in the last book. (I believe there are going to be four books.)

And again, the cover of this book is gorgeous. The way her hair is flying around, the dress, the sword. I think the whole thing is beautiful. It’s nice to have covers that you don’t feel ashamed to be carrying around. It’s the kind of cover that I look at, and immediately want to know more about the book.

Overall, there wasn’t anything bad about this book, it simply wasn’t as good as the previous two books. There isn’t anything specific, I just didn’t absolutely love, love, love it, like I did with the first book. Which is okay, because you can’t win ’em all. And it’s still a good book; very solid and well-written, with a wonderful heroine. It just lacked that certain something that I’ve come to expect from Sarah Zettel. However, I still recommend it without reservation, and like the previous two books, it stands alone, and can be read without having read the other two books.
Rating: 7/10

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