And then things start falling apart. Because, as we already know before starting an Arthurian novel or series, the legend is ultimately a tragedy.

In Guinevere Evermore, the third and final volume of Sharan Newman's trilogy, Arthur's Britain is thriving. He is getting older but he has put in place a solid system of governance that keeps his people, for the most part, safe. But the illicit romance between Guinevere and Arthur's best friend Lancelot continues as a well-known secret, and that is the leverage needed by Arthur's old foes, half-sisters Morgan and Morgause, to thrust the vile and ambitious Modred into the mix. Modred, who unknown to Arthur is his bastard son after a brief fling years before he knew who Morgan was, has a grudge against his father and a desire to rule in his place.

And, let's face it, Arthur's court is already in a weakened state when Modred begins his push for power, what with the whole mess involving Percival, Galahad and the mysterious Grail quest.

Anyone with even a passing familiarity with the Arthurian legends knows where this book is going, but getting to the end is a painful process -- not in any way a slight against Newman's writing, but in fact a testament to it. She has written very solid, real-seeming characters in a world of magic and unicorns, and watching their happiness unfold -- and seeing familiar characters die in an attempt to preserve it -- hurts.

Arthur's story ends as you expect it will, although it's a bitter pill to swallow, as always. But Newman doesn't end the book there; she follows through with a few more chapters, following the major characters through to their various ends, showing also the course of Britain as it changes in the years after the high king's fall.

I have read many Arthurian novels over the years. Some are great, some not so much. Sharan Newman's version is a powerful, well-told tale that focuses on Guinevere, a character who often suffers under the pen of some writers. Newman's interpretation is a good one, and her trilogy is a joy to read.