With his newest book, Reeve jumps into the past and presents a modern re-imaging of the Arthurian legends. The story is told through the eyes a girl named Gwyna, who starts of the book at the young age of nine. Arthur is leading an army against the manor in which she lives. All there are crushed, and she is one of the few survivors. Myrddin, who me have come to call Merlin, finds her and takes pity on her. He also sees a chance to use her.

While England has become a Christian land, many of its inhabitants still hold to the old ways and gods. Myrddin has become a master of using trickery and storytelling to set up a mystical aura around himself and those around him. As such, he convinces Gwyna to hide in the lake and hand Arthur a sword that is supposed to be the famous Caliburn. It proves to be a success.

Rather than cast Gwyna aside, Myrddin decides to take her into his household as a servant. He fears that she would be recognized, particularly by Arthur's brother Cai and other men who were in the military force at the lake. She takes on the clothes and mannerisms of a boy with the name of Gwyn. In order to explain her familiar looks, Gwyn is the brother of Gwyna.

From here on, Gwyn/Gwyna shares her first-hand experiences of living in Arthur's court. Many familiar names play major roles such as Bedwyr (Bedevere), Gwenhwyfar (Gwenivere), Peredur (Perceval), and Medrawt (Mardred), but things are quite different from the tales many of us grew up with. Camelot does not take on that utopian center of chivalry that we have come to know. It is full of political intrigue and a touch of reality.

In his Author's Note, Reeve is clear in that he used much of what we know about Camelot from lore and the skimpy historical record, but he really meant this to be a unique viewing of the Arthurian legends. As such, many fans could be disappointed because our traditional heroes are not as they are supposed to be. They are filled with human failings such as greed and power-mongering. That does not mean that it was not enjoyable, though. I couldn't put this one down!