A review by conspystery
Gwen and Art Are Not in Love by Lex Croucher

adventurous emotional funny hopeful mysterious medium-paced
  • Plot- or character-driven? A mix
  • Strong character development? Yes
  • Loveable characters? Yes
  • Diverse cast of characters? Yes
  • Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

4.5

 Thank you so much to Netgalley, St. Martin’s Press, and Lex Croucher for allowing me to read an advance copy of this book in exchange for an honest review! Gwen and Art Are Not in Love is such a quick-witted, fun read. Its setting is both satisfyingly Arthurian and exceptionally original, its characters are lovably authentic and funny, and its plot is engaging through its moments of lighthearted courtship and contrasting serious reflections on homophobia and sexism alike-- this book is exactly what I’d hoped it would be. My high expectations were met and surpassed!

This novel’s setting was, for me, a major selling point: an Arthurian backdrop, but not as a mere conduit for a retelling. The way this book weaves in elements of Arthurian legend while also presenting a completely fresh story is absolutely compelling. I love how self-aware of contrivance it is, using the overdone-ness of some of its elements as a commentary on exactly that; Excalibur Nine is my favorite example of this, but I also love the characters’ lighthearted frustration with the persistence of etymologically Arthurian names through generations of children. So many Gawains! 

To have a Camelot setting where King Arthur and his knights are a debated, distant yet overbearing, almost tired part of history in the eyes of the main cast is so interesting-- the audience can feel how heavily that history lays over the characters, how exhausting it is to be defined by ancient tradition and lore without an ounce of consideration for personal identity. I really think the setting is perfect for exploring the plot and themes of expectation and identity and self-actualization that this book presents, and it manages to cover all of this while also being genuinely entertaining to read and learn about. It’s fun: medieval at times, mystical at others, ironic but with just the right amount of sincerity to counter it. 

Much of the vibrance in Gwen and Art are Not in Love’s setting is brought to life by its cast. The two main point of view characters, the titular Gwen and Art, are gloriously witty and endearing-- and their rivalry is all the better for it. The way the characters interact with each other and the world is authentic and relevant despite its setting; self-exploration in the face of a society that refuses to allow it is a timeless theme, and this book handles it with a grace and realism that only characters with this level of authenticity can convey. Every character gave their own sense of charm to the lighthearted parts of the plot, and in turn each patterned the more serious parts with individual emotional depth. My favorite character arcs to follow were those of the title characters, but I also really enjoyed the less focal ones-- even side characters were afforded attention and care by the narrative. Agnes was definitely a favorite for me in that regard. 

Overall, I really enjoyed Gwen and Art are Not in Love. It tells a fun but genuine story with real emotional impact, handling serious themes and plot beats with sincerity while also committing to its lighter moments’ brightness. The characters are lovable and authentic, and the writing matches their wit in dialogue and worldbuilding alike. There are a few bits of the plot that feel slightly contrived, but for a YA fantasy novel, that isn’t unusual-- and this book carries a sense of self-awareness that makes such scenes not only bearable, but enjoyable, which puts it leagues ahead of others in its genre. I’m so glad this wasn’t simply a retelling; this book is heartwarmingly and intelligently original, and I appreciate it so much for that. 
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