Guinevere books in order

Q: "How many books are in the Guinevere series?"

"There are four books in the Guinevere series, published between 1980 and 1985."

Q: "What is the first book in the Guinevere series?"

"The first book in the Guinevere series is Guinevere, published in 1980."

Q: "How does Sharan Newman's take on Guinevere differ from other Arthurian retellings?"

"Newman focuses on Guinevere as a fully developed character in her own right, grounding the legend in a more realistic, human world and emphasizing her inner life rather than treating her primarily as a figure in Arthur's or Lancelot's story."

Reading order

#	Title	Published	Author	Buy on Amazon
1	Guinevere	1980	Sharan Newman	Buy
2	The Chessboard Queen	1983	Sharan Newman	Buy
3	Guinevere Evermore	1985	Sharan Newman	Buy
4	Guinevere: The Legend in Autumn	1985	Sharan Newman	N/A

Published between 1980 and 1985, Newman’s Guinevere trilogy was among the early wave of Arthurian fiction that tried to reimagine the legend through a female gaze. The first book traces Guinevere’s childhood and her early encounters with the supernatural elements of the world she inhabits, establishing her as someone shaped by her own experiences rather than defined purely by her future marriage.

The series follows Guinevere through her years as queen and into the decline of Camelot, treating the familiar tragedy with real emotional weight. Newman’s approach is closer to Mary Stewart or Rosemary Sutcliff than to high fantasy, and readers who want an Arthurian story with psychological depth will find this trilogy holds up well even decades after publication.

Frequently Asked Questions

How many books are in the Guinevere series?

There are four books in the Guinevere series, published between 1980 and 1985.

What is the first book in the Guinevere series?

The first book in the Guinevere series is Guinevere, published in 1980.

How does Sharan Newman's take on Guinevere differ from other Arthurian retellings?

Newman focuses on Guinevere as a fully developed character in her own right, grounding the legend in a more realistic, human world and emphasizing her inner life rather than treating her primarily as a figure in Arthur’s or Lancelot’s story.

Reading order#

Frequently Asked Questions

Reading order