The New Camelot

3 stars for the first half of the book, 5 stars for the second. Mild spoilers ahead. I hate when an established couple whose relationship is strong after the first two books of a trilogy have a Dark Moment in the third that erases almost everything they've built together. I especially hate it when this Dark Moment occurs because one of the MCs acts completely out of character. In this case, Arthur shockingly throws his chief wizard/girlfriend Emry under the bus and breaks her heart. Okay, he has Reasons (as if being a 19 year old boy isn't enough), and he more than makes up for his betrayal in the book's second half. Still, it was hard to read 200 pages of Arthur and Emry estranged, unable to snark at, playfully insult, or kiss each other. But once that huge error is rectified, the couple is stronger than ever, and the book hurtles towards the inevitable conflict between Good and Evil. The climax got me in the feelz even though I was pretty sure that Schneider wouldn't pull a [a:David Nicholls 46118 David Nicholls https://images.gr-assets.com/authors/1283277096p2/46118.jpg] on me (IYKYK). Everyone in this delightful Beverly Hills 90210 crossed with [b:The Mists of Avalon 40605251 The Mists of Avalon (Avalon, #1) Marion Zimmer Bradley https://i.gr-assets.com/images/S/compressed.photo.goodreads.com/books/1529610467l/40605251.SX50.jpg 806813]* gang of friends gets a perfect ending - loyal Lancelot, himbo Emmett, butter-wouldn't-melt-in-her-mouth Guinevere, and charming scoundrel Gawain. Arthur, who has struggled with his royal responsibilities and Emry, who has chafed against traditional feminine roles, find a way to be true to themselves and their kingdom. Please note that The New Camelot follows [b:The Other Merlin 56631877 The Other Merlin (Emry Merlin, #1) Robyn Schneider https://i.gr-assets.com/images/S/compressed.photo.goodreads.com/books/1622045573l/56631877.SY75.jpg 86681465] and [b:The Future King 60524226 The Future King (Emry Merlin, #2) Robyn Schneider https://i.gr-assets.com/images/S/compressed.photo.goodreads.com/books/1678307200l/60524226.SY75.jpg 93377449], and doesn't work as a standalone. The trilogy is YA with fade-to-black sex, numerous queer characters, irreverent humor, and cinema-ready action. I'm gradually weaning myself off YA novels (because Reasons) but I'm glad I saw this series through to its satisfying end.*Yes, I know the author is problematic