The Once and Future Queen - Deluxe Limited Edition by Paula Lafferty
on December 16, 2025
Published by Kensington Publishing Corp Genres: Fiction / Fantasy / Action & Adventure, Fiction / Fantasy / Arthurian, Fiction / Fantasy / Romance
Format: ARC
Pages: 416 
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Source: NetGalley and the PublisherAs someone who has devoured Arthurian legends since I was a kid, I went into The Once and Future Queen with high hopes, and Paula Lafferty gave me a fresh spin on Camelot that I wasn’t expecting. This is not another retelling where Guinevere is pushed into the background or flattened into a cliche. Here, Vera, our Guinevere, is modern, flawed, and pulled between worlds in a way that makes her both relatable and compelling.
One of the biggest standouts for me was the world building. Lafferty absolutely nailed the sense of place. The Tor, Glastonbury, the Abbey, I could see every detail so vividly in my mind that it felt like I was walking those ancient grounds myself. As a history and Arthurian buff, I appreciated that attention to atmosphere and setting. It is clear she did her research and has the ability to transport readers right into the legend without losing that touch of magic that keeps the story alive.
The character work is another strength. Vera is a Guinevere I could actually root for, even when she is messy or unsure of herself. The supporting cast is also well done, with familiar figures like Arthur, Merlin, Lancelot, Percival and even Gawain, given enough new dimension to feel fresh while still echoing the myths we know. And the romance? It is a proper slow burn, with all the longing and tension you would hope for in a Camelot retelling.
Where the book struggled for me was in the pacing. As much as I enjoyed the story, I found myself skimming through certain sections that dragged on longer than they needed to. Some of the plot threads could have been tightened without losing the emotional weight or the depth of the world. On top of that, the book leaves quite a few questions unexplained and unanswered. Some of them felt like they should have had at least a little resolution within this volume. While I understand it is setting up for the series, it left me a touch unsatisfied in places.
Still, those moments did not overshadow what the book gets right. The Once and Future Queen manages to breathe new life into one of the most retold legends in Western literature, which is no small feat. It is immersive, imaginative, and packed with enough heart to keep me turning pages, even when the pacing slipped. And while it does not wrap everything up neatly, this is clearly the beginning of a larger journey. I am absolutely interested in picking up book two to see where Lafferty takes Guinevere next.
Final Thoughts: If you are a fan of Arthurian retellings, time travel twists, or lush world building that pulls you straight into the heart of legend, this one is worth your time. It is not flawless, but it is ambitious and fresh, and that makes it stand out in a sea of Camelot stories.
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I received this book for free from NetGalley and the Publisher in exchange for an honest review. This does not affect my opinion of the book or the content of my review.
🫶🏼 – Ali
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