When Guinevere and Cedwyn’s latest adventure takes a dangerous turn, they find themselves embroiled in a life-or-death struggle as foretold by Merlyn’s Goddess of the Stones. And, when the children of the castle are kidnapped, it is up to these two friends to save them, but will Guinevere and Cedwyn’s courage be enough?
“Think before acting,” her father always warned. But Princess Guinevere is ruled by her heart. Her betrothal to King Arthur has not changed this. When Guinevere and Cedwyn’s latest adventure takes a dangerous turn, they find themselves embroiled in a life-or-death struggle as foretold by Merlyn’s Goddess of the Stones. Renegades—foiled in their attempt to kidnap the princess—steal the children of Cadbury Castle to sell as slaves. Guinevere and Cedwyn vow to rescue the children, but a miscalculation puts them all in more danger. The plan quickly unravels, and Guinevere’s impassioned decisions come crashing down as Cedwyn chooses to turn his dream of becoming a knight into reality. Will their courage be strong enough to survive, or will one make the ultimate sacrifice?
2018 First in Middle Grade Category—Chanticleer Book Awards; 2018 Silver Award—Literary Classics; 2018 Gold Global eBook Award—Juvenile Fiction; 2018 Gold Global eBook Award—Children’s Literature; 2018 Bronze Evvy Awards—Fairytale/Folklore/Mythology; 2018 Bronze Evvy Awards—Juvenile Fiction
Excerpt
Indeed, the grey stones dwarfed them. They walked around the circle—counting the stones as they went—until they stood under a top stone. Only seven stones remained standing. Large gaps between indicated where other stones were missing.
Guinevere stretched out her arms and tried to touch each of the two stones, but the gap between was too wide. Cedwyn tried and laughed when he barely made half of the distance.
The sun appeared to brighten, and the rays grew hotter. Guinevere and Cedwyn moved as one toward the inner circle of blue stones.
“Look at the streaks of blue in these stones,” Cedwyn said, tracing one from its starting point above his head down into the grass where the stone disappeared deep in the ground.
Guinevere traced the blue streaks in the next stone. Underneath her fingers, the streak appeared to flow upward. Of their own will, her fingers followed its path.
When the sun was at its zenith, a sudden fog settled down on the stones, masking everything. Guinevere drew in a sharp breath as a low humming started. She reached for her friend, hidden in the thick mist.
Cedwyn gasped and struggled to maintain his balance.
“Guin’ver?”
“It’s the magic of Alban Elfed and the Stones, like Merlyn told.”
The humming grew louder. The stones began to vibrate. The fog touched the ground, Guinevere moved her arm wraith-like through the grey blanket. She blinked and could just make out Cedwyn’s figure beside her. She clamped her hands over her ears as the sound grew to a crescendo, blocking out thoughts and the ability to speak. Beside her, Cedwyn did the same. The stones reverberated, the rhythm thrumming through her body. At times, lightning bolts came out of the fog, shooting sparks into the center of the blue stones. Guinevere and Cedwyn tried to duck to avoid being hit, but the Stones held them tight as the glistening web holds its struggling spoils.
Then the humming ceased. The fog thickened. She lost sight of Cedwyn, and shivered, alone in the strange mist. Long since having given up struggling against whatever held her, she squinted in an attempt to see her friend. Abruptly, the force of the Stones ceased. Guinevere and Cedwyn slipped down the face of the monoliths into the grass.
Professional Reviews
Readers' Favorite 5-Star Review
Reviewed by Emily-Jane Hills Orford for Readers' Favorite
Children are attracted to adventure and they don’t see the risks that adults do, refusing to accept many of the limitations and rules enforced for the sole purpose of keeping children safe. Guinevere and Cedwyn are close friends and Cedwyn, although still very young, has pledged his life to protect the princess who will one day be his queen when she marries King Arthur. Being children, they have their adventures. And one such adventure to the mysterious standing stones results in magical visions and then a race for their lives. There are people intent on kidnapping Guinevere. When she out-foxes their intentions, they take the castle children instead to be sold into slavery. Guinevere insists on chasing after the kidnappers and rescuing the children. The adventure intensifies as they risk their lives and become heroes. But are they totally successful in rescuing the children? Or do they just manage to create more problems in the process.
Guinevere: At the Dawn of Legend is the sequel to Cheryl Carpinello's first Guinevere story, Guinevere: On the Eve of Legend. Both books take the fascinating Arthurian legends and create stories that will entice even the most reluctant of readers. With realistic characters and an exciting plot full of adventure, the reader will be pulled along to an unexpected conclusion, one that demands another book to complete the series. Young readers will certainly easily associate with Guinevere and Cedwyn, who, at their young age, take risks and disobey their parents, while at the same time they reach out to help others and become heroes. A great way to entice readers, even reluctant ones, to follow the adventures found in legends.
Great read By Oh My Bookness
I’m sorry to say that I didn’t get to read the first book of Guinevere, though if it’s anything like this book then I truly have missed out on a extraordinary story. Guinevere is a great story to read, Cheryl took a bold step and a fantastic view on creating a story with a new twist of Guinevere with a loyal friend Cedwyn. It’s not the same dull book about castles, kings and queens. Cheryl has written a chilling mysterious adventure for young readers. Her descriptive detailing to the characters peculiarities and the ambiance of the environment brings the reader more closer being involved with the story.
Young Cedwyn and Guinevere must take crucial decisions, they must grow up quickly and get their friends to safety while danger follows them with great threats. This is a story of friendship and loyalty not only to each other but to other people that surrounds them. The two children find themselves growing up fast in a short time, to right the wrong they have created. Cedwyn and Guinevere have faced death and seen how cruel the world can be and must stop evil from delivering the innocence into bondage and captivity.
What I especially like is the list of characters in the beginning of the book informing the reader who they are and who they’re related to. At the end of the story Cheryl tells how she became fascinated with King Arthur and gives a history on Cadbury Castle and other places that is mention in the book.
This story is full of adventure, magic and heroes, and a learning boost of forging bad and good decisions. I highly recommend this story for youths and for those that have a passion for medieval time and adventures. It was a delight to read and I can’t wait to read “The Legend”, hopefully it’ll come soon!
Great Historical Fiction Novel for kids By Ashley Howland
Children can get hooked into the stories of Guinevere and Sir Arthur, even if they are not history buffs. Historical Fiction is a great way to spark an interest and Cheryl Carpinello does this genre really well. This book is no exception. Princess Guinevere is ruled by her heart. When Guinevere and her best friend Cedwyn disobey orders and sneak out of the castle they think they are heading for some fun. Instead they find themselves in the middle of a dangerous journey that will make them take on new roles. Children will enjoy reading about these two likeable characters. They will relate to their flaws and their friendship.
Guinevere: At the Dawn of Legend is a great book to encourage children to read and to take an interest in historical figures.
Cherry doesn't know him from Adam, so is he real or is he fake?
Cherry and Adam are lonely in their new, separate worlds and hook up on social media, but that's when their problems start
