Daughter of Destiny: Guinevere's Tale Book 1
Before queenship and Camelot, Guinevere was a priestess of Avalon. She loved another before Arthur, a warrior who would one day betray her.
In the war-torn world of late fifth century Britain, young Guinevere faces a choice: stay with her family to defend her home at Northgallis from the Irish, or go to Avalon to seek help for the horrific visions that haunt her. The Sight calls her to Avalon, where she meets Morgan, a woman of questionable parentage who is destined to become her rival. As Guinevere matures to womanhood, she gains the powers of a priestess, and falls in love with a man who will be both her deepest love and her greatest mistake.
Just when Guinevere is able to envision a future in Avalon, tragedy forces her back home, into a world she barely recognizes, one in which her pagan faith, outspokenness, and proficiency in the magical and military arts are liabilities. When a chance reunion with her lover leads to disaster, she is cast out of Northgallis and into an uncertain future. As a new High King comes to power, Guinevere must navigate a world of political intrigue where unmarried women are valuable commodities and seemingly innocent actions can have life-altering consequences.
You may think you know the story of Guinevere, but you've never heard it like this: in her own words. Listen and you will hear the true story of Camelot and its queen.
Fans of Arthurian legend and the Mists of Avalon will love Daughter of Destiny, the first book in a historical fantasy trilogy that gives Guinevere back her voice and traces her life from an uncertain eleven year old girl to a wise queen in her fifth decade of life.
Earn by promoting books
Earn money by sharing your favorite books through our Affiliate program.
Become an affiliate
Winner:
- Book of the Year - Chanticleer Reviews
- Best New Voice (Silver Award) IBPA Benjamin Franklin Awards
- Winner, North Street Book Prize
- Winner, Missouri Author Project
- Gold Medal - Next Generation Indie Book Awards (fantasy)
- Gold Medal - Readers Favorite Awards (fantasy)
- First Place, Midwest Book Awards (fantasy)
- First Place, Legacy/legend category - 2015 Chatelaine Awards for Romantic Fiction
- First Place Chatelaine Awards for romantic fiction
- First Place, Fairytale/Folklore category, Colorado Independent Publisher's Association (CIPA) EVVY Awards
- Short list - 2015 Chaucer Awards for Historical Fiction
- Short-list - Wishing Shelf Independent Book Awards
"A new twist on an old tale that gives agency, sympathy, and personality to a woman typically cast as a one-dimensional adulteress. Classic characters find their way into Guinevere's orbit in unexpected ways, keeping the novel both familiar and fresh." - Library Journal
"Wonderfully gripping. A stunning first novel." - The Wishing Shelf Book Awards
"Evelina's re-imaginings of this familiar material is unfailingly energetic and innovative, and her version of Guinevere herself is captivating virtually from the first page - no small feat in an overall plot with such well-defined parameters. I thoroughly enjoyed this book and look forward to its sequel." - Historical Novel Society
"This first offering by Evelina is rich and stunning, easily comparable to novels by other bestselling historical fiction authors. She has done her research and created a world that is compelling, historically accurate, and a realistic portrayal of the times balanced with the mystic and the magical." - Chanticleer Book Reviews
"A gripping read that brings a wonderfully depicted Guinevere tumbling out of the shadows of myth." - Anna Belfrage, author of The Graham Saga
"Written in lyrical prose and deposits you right in the middle of medieval times. The writing is fast paced, historically correct for the era, and a page turner. I sympathized with the character whom fictional history buffs branded a lustful harlot ...Great twist at the end. Evelina's 15 years of research are a powerful addition to a fantastic read. Can't wait for Book Two. Prepare to embrace Guinevere. I feel privileged to have read this outstanding novel by a great writer." - Sandra Masters, Readers' Favorite (5 star Review)
"If you are an enthusiast of Arthurian and Avalonia, then you will fall in love Guinevere's story. You may already know it, but Nicole's words put Camelot and its queen into a new and refreshing light. -SeriousReading (4.5 Star Review)
"Daughter of Destiny is an entertaining and well-structured novel...The fate of Nicole Evelina's Guinevere is worth tracing through the rest of the series." - IndieReader
"Colorful and exciting...love all the characters. You will have a ball with this book." - Serena Scott Thomas, actress and audio book narrator
"Nicole Evelina shows a deep and passionate love for the Arthurian world, and her re-weaving of the story of Guinevere and Arthur makes for enjoyable reading. With more volumes to come, if you like stories of Camelot, ancient priesthoods, magical Avalonian dreams and embattled romance, this is for you." - John Matthews, author of 'Arthur of Albion' and 'The Camelot Oracle'.
