3-Star Review of Queen of None by Natania Barron

I was intrigued by the notion of Queen of None, the first volume in the Queens of Fate trilogy, which I discovered on NetGalley. Exploring King Arthur‘s lesser-known sister, Anna Pendragon, offered a unique perspective on Arthurian mythology. However, while the blurb seemed intriguing, my experience with the book was more mixed.

Through NetGalley I received an advance review copy (ARC) for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.

“Through all the ages, and in the hearts of men, you will be forgotten.”

Married at twelve, and a mother soon after, King Arthur’s sister Anna did not live a young life full of promise. She bore three strong sons and delivered the kingdom of Orkney to her brother by way of her marriage. She did as she was asked, invisible and useful—for her name, her dowry, and her womb.

Now, twenty years after she left her home, Anna is summoned back to Carelon with the crown of her now-dead husband, to face the demons of her her sisters Morgen, Elaine and Morgause; Merlin and his scheming priests; and Bedevere, the man she once loved.

Carelon is changing, and Anna must change with it. New threats lurk in the shadows, and a strange power begins to awaken in her. If she is to be more than a pawn in others’ plans, she must bargain her own strength, and family, in pursuit of her ambition—and revenge.

The story begins with Anna, a woman who has spent her life in the background, married young, manipulated for political gain, and largely ignored despite her royal heritage. When she returns to Carelon after her husband’s death, she finds herself caught up in family feuds, governmental corruption, and the awakening of a hitherto hidden power.

Despite the book’s appealing topic, I struggled with the beginning. The pace was painfully slow, bogged down by way too much background story. Rather than getting into the action or emotional issues, the initial chapters focused on Anna‘s history, her relationships, and wider political dynamics at the court of King Arthur. Although I recognize the importance of her past in a well-written piece, the lengthy overview made it tough for me to fully engage.

Also, Anna, the main character, didn’t really leave me satisfied. Despite her convincing performance, she lacked a certain kinda spark. Given her prominent role, I expected more depth, complexity, and “wow” moments that distinguished her.

Another challenge for me was the writing style. Barron‘s style purposely reflects the antique tone of Arthurian stories, which is obviously appropriate for the historical fantasy setting. However, this stylistic choice took me away from the tale. At times, I struggled to fully immerse myself because the flowery language overwhelmed the plot and characters.

Barron adds suspenseful sequences to the book’s middle half, and the plot finally picks up pace. Unfortunately, it took too long for me to get those scenes, making the payoff less appealing.

Overall, Queen of None will definitely appeal to readers who appreciate lyrical prose and slow-burn stories rooted in Arthurian legends. Readers who like a fast-paced plot or a more enthusiastic protagonist may find it less pleasant. While I respect Barron‘s ambition and the complexity of the story, the execution lacked spark and drive.

About Natania Barron

Natania Barron believes in monsters and hopes you do, too.

The award-winning fantasy author of Queen of None, Natania Barron is preoccupied with mythology, monsters, mayhem, and magic. From medieval tales to Regency fantasy romance, her often historically-inspired novels are lush with description and vibrant characters. Of her first novel, Pilgrim of the Sky, Library Journal wrote: “Barron’s debut is an sf adventure that mixes high action with exquisitely detailed depictions of everyday existence in these alternate worlds.”

In 2021, Queen of None won the Manly Wade Wellman Award for speculative fiction.

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