"The False Gwenevere" by Suzanne Shanken is certainly an interesting twist to the story of King Arthur. The heroine here is Gaenor, the twin sister of Gwenevere, who is a child abandoned by her parents. When Gwenevere marries King Arthur, she makes a trip to Annwn, a fairy land, to find her estranged Fey father. Thus starts the fey legend of Gaenor who has to deal with the sorcerer Sluagh who is bent on getting the Thirteen Treasures of Annwn. At the instigation of Merlin, Lancelot accompanies Gaenor on her adventures through Annwn. The rest of the story, I would say, is composed of all the stuff that unforgettable legends are made of.

Some men would probably say that this is a feminist version of the old story of King Arthur. Gaenor is certainly not the usual damsel in distress here. Lancelot is faced with a woman who is determined and courageous. Suzanne Shanken is a gifted writer who can bring us to the fantasy land of Annwn with her vivid description and appropriate use of adjectives. Although I am already familiar with most of the characters here, she is able to enrich them in a way that is refreshing as well as exciting. Lancelot and Gaenor are the leading characters in this story and this gives a fresh take on the old legend that most people are familiar with. And as fairy tales go, this one has a happy ending with a twist that I certainly did not expect. Based largely on the ancient Celtic story of King Arthur, "The False Gwenevere" still manages to come out as an original.

"The False Gwenevere" by Suzanne Shanken is a rich tapestry of fantasy, epic and romance. The title itself evokes curiosity and the plot is constructed parallel to the Arthurian legend. It explores the life of Gaenor, the twin sister of Gwenevere who is famed as the queen of king Arthur. Being a changeling, Gaenor is treated as an outcast in the human world. She is forced to go in search of her fey father and is joined in this journey by Lancelot, a warrior who considers her safety as his obligation. While traveling through umpteen dangers, the two epic characters are drawn towards each other irresistibly. The aura of the novel consists of constant danger, anxiety and tension. How would Gaenor find her true identity through various prejudices that she harbors within herself? How long would they resist the attraction they feel for each other which excites them even in their dreams?

The plot of "The False Gwenewere" is strengthened by its association with the Arthurian legend. It keeps the reader keenly interested through its authentic portrayal of a fantasy world which is far from being typical. The narration is extremely creative and it inspires vivid imagination akin to the epic world it portrays. A reader may find it difficult to disclaim his or her admiration of both the epic hero and heroine, as they are characterized as iconic figures. The novel never tires the reader as it contains such variety, fantasy and much to anticipate. "The False Gwenevere" invites the reader to submerge in the mythical world where wolves talk and Queen Mab disturbs sleep with exotic dreams!