Audiobook review: Queen of None by Natania Barron
Anna Pendragon, the youngest and only full sister to King Arthur, was married off at twelve. Twenty years later she returns to Carelon, widowed and hopeful for a quiet life at court. However, Arthur has other plans for Anna, and she finds herself once again subject to Merlin’s machinations. Anna’s story is the beginning of the end of Carelon.
I have always been drawn to the Arthurian Legends which are both gripping and filled with tragedy. Queen of None is a new twist on the famous story, with familiar players, although several roles have been changed. The author makes her mark on Arthur and Merlin’s world, while giving the women of Carelon some hope.
Anna knows her life is that of sacrifice for the greater good, as is the life of many of the women close to Arthur. While she is resigned to this fact, Anna finds her own way to create a new order rather than watch Carelon fall under Merlin’s power. I enjoyed the twists that Barron adds to the familiar tale and was engrossed by her version of Anna. Anna knows her place, but finds strength in her mission. However, it was hard to always cheer for Anna. She is lonely and depressed and has no real friends or comfort.
Narration: The bulk of the story is shared via the first person POV of Anna, and as such, Balm’s narrator became familiar as Anna. Using a British accent, Balm narrates the entire story with a slightly deepish voice that has a soft edge. Overall, her performance is soothing and easy to listen to. Giving a partially-voiced reading, she adjusts the dialogue for most characters, albeit just enough to know different characters are speaking. She tends to be a little higher pitched for females, and softer and lower for males. She adjusts appropriately for mood and emotion.
Queen of None ends rather abruptly after Anna completes her mission, however we do get a glimpse as to Anna’s future, which I enjoyed. Queen of None is an entertaining addition to the Arthurian world, and I recommend for fans of King Arthur.
My Ratings
Story: B
Narration: B
Jen
About the Book:
When Anna Pendragon was born, Merlin prophesied: Through all the ages, and in the hearts of men, you will be forgotten.
Married at twelve, and a mother soon after, Anna – the famed King Arthur’s sister – did not live a young life full of promise, myth, and legend. 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 status, her dowry, and her womb.
Twenty years after she left her home, Anna returns to Carelon at Arthur’s bidding, carrying the crown of her now-dead husband, Lot of Orkney. Past her prime and confined to the castle itself, she finds herself yet again a pawn in greater machinations and seemingly helpless to do anything about it. Anna must once again face the demons of her childhood: her sister Morgen, Elaine, and Morgause; Merlin and his scheming Avillion priests; and Bedevere, the man she once loved. To say nothing of new court visitors, like Lanceloch, or the trouble concerning her own sons.
Carelon, and all of Braetan, is changing, though, and Anna must change along with it. New threats, inside and out, lurk in the shadows, and a strange power begins to awaken in her. As she learns to reconcile her dark gift, and struggles to keep the power to herself, she must bargain her own strength, and family, against her ambition and thirst for revenge.
Author: Natania Barron
Narrator: Deborah Balm
Series: Queens of the Fate Trilogy #1
Genre: Fantasy, Arthurian Legion
Audiobook Release Date: May 21, 2024
Publisher: Tantor Audio
Length: 10 hours; 17 mins
Source: Publisher
Audio Speed: 1.45x & 1.75x
Purchase info:
Audible/Amazon (affilate link)