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*A free copy was given by the author in exchange for an honest review. This does not affect my final thoughts and opinions.*

We should only worry about that which we can control; all else is irrelevant.

If there's one thing that stood out in The Camelot Shadow, it's the writing style. It's poetical at best - coupled with flowery descriptive proses and with the use of archaic language here I'd describe the writing as classical too because reading this reminded me to all the classic books I've read.

He raised his eyes to the window to watch as snowflakes fell from the sky with a nonchalance that seemed defiantly at odds with their short lifespans. The blowing wind made him grateful for the warm glow that emanated from the library’s fireplace, an antique structure surrounded by a bronze relief that depicted a parade of ancient gods.

Quite beautiful, isn't it? *jabs eyes with napkin*

I have a secret wish to duplicate the writing but that would get my arse sued into oblivion, for sure.

Then there is the matter of characterization. Oh, this is a good one. In The Camelot Shadow, I have a handful of people I adore and root for. One of my favourites is Will, a certified book seller and dearest friend to Lord Fitzwilliam. He's loyal to a fault and his snarky banters with other people were hi-la-ri-ous. I find it impossible not to be charmed by him. I struggle the most to connect with Lord Alfred Fitzwilliam on a deeper level but there are moments when I adored and looked up to him. He is a wise, compassionate man but there is a barrier around him that seems impenetrable.

In every book, there's almost always the bad guys. So I'm not surprised there's a potential mad man here. While every characters I've came across in the story are all unique and has their own voices - the villain fall very short (for me). Let it be known that I'm a sucker for baaaaad people. I like them complex, I like them mad, I like them psychotic, I like them to especially have a great, legitimate reason behind their evil doings.

Nigel however is the usual type of villain. All he wants to do is to take over the entire world and to achieve that he must obtain a powerful object. Sounds waaaaay too familiar for me to be impressed.

Another one of the biggest problem I find is the pacing. It is also one of the main reasons why I had to knock off some stars from my rating.

The story moves...so... damn... slow. Too slow for my liking.

I'm not a fan of snail-paced books especially not when the book is written in the most word-y way possible. It just makes you want to nod off and fall dead asleep.

I feel that the author focuses too much on pointless descriptions that when he finally get to the peak of the actions (!), I've lost all the care in the world. Yes, there are lots of actions and fightings. Yes, there is bloodshed. Yes, some characters were killed off but did I care? Not that much in the end. I've lost some of my interest in what's happening because the story dragged too much.

At best, I can only give this a solid 3 star. It's not a bad book in any way. It just... lacked. I feel like I could get something much more satisfying from the way the story goes but that expectation was not met.

The Camelot Shadow may not be so original plotline-wise but if I overlook that and the slow paced writing, I was still hugely entertained by the story & was also enlightened by the Arthurian lores which I'm ashamed to admit that I don't know much about.

With all that said, I'm ending this review with a favourite quote from Will.

There is no higher purpose, no mystical world beyond this one to strive for—there is only this. Here. Now. Everyday struggles, the highs and the lows. Nothing more, nothing less. We can try to make the world better, but we cannot do what the world will not allow. You must come to understand that.