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King Authur Grail Prince by Nacy McKenzie $14.95 / Ballantine / 2003 In 1994, Nancy McKenzie was celebrated as Del Rey's Discovery of the Year with the publication of her debut novel, The Child Queen. This book and its sequel, The High Queen, offer a retelling of the Arthurian legend from Guenevere's point of view. (These two books were then re-released in January of 2003 as a single title: Queen of Camelot.) McKenzie offers an unusually sympathetic portrayal of Guenevere, especially poignant in its portrayal of her relationship with Mordred, her husband's son. At the heart of the story lie two conflicts: Guenevere's love for Lancelot and the bitter, one-sided rivalry with her cousin Elaine, who all her life had dreamed of being Arthur's bride. In Grail Prince, these conflicts find expression in the person of Galahad, the son of Lancelot and Elaine. Raised by his mother to be an instrument of her vengeance, Galahad nevertheless follows his own destiny. Elaine's bitter resentment, however, was not without effect. Young Galahad perceived that his mother was unhappy and unloved, and for this, he despised his father and hated Guenevere. He also learned to distrust his own heart, regarded human emotion as a weakness, and judged himself and others with unrelenting harshness. The Galahad presented here is a tragic figure, doomed to perpetuate the unhappiness bred into him. In fact, McKenzie's portrayal is a fascinating character study, a deftly ironic journey in which the Perfect Knight only finds redemption by embracing his own flawed humanity. McKenzie's writing is more assured here than in her debut novel. The non-linear timeline is adroitly handled and her characterizations are vivid and consistent. Those who have read her Guenevere books with pleasure will find much to enjoy within these pages, and those who are looking for a fresh approach to the Matter of Britain will find Galahad's journey one well worth sharing. —Elaine Cunningham

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