REVIEW: The Mists of Avalon by Marion Zimmer Bradley
“And as men believe, so their world goes. And so the worlds which once were one are drifting apart.”
It is not the celebrated retelling of Arthurian legend, or the fact The Mists of Avalon is told from a female perspective that captivated me while reading this book, but rather the marvelous mystical atmosphere found within the many, and I do mean many pages of this novel. From the first page, Morgaine...a Druid devoted to the Old Religion of the Goddess on the misty Isle of Avalon, sets the tone with beautiful prose that although intentions from those involved were for love of home and country...to preserve the old ways, tragedy became unavoidable as the world of the Druids clashed with the new world of Christianity.
The Arthurian legend is a tale spun to tangle the reader in intrigue, lust, betrayal...life and death, as the rise and fall of Camelot is told through Marion Zimmer Bradley’s vision. Morgaine became my favorite character, strong and wise enough to try and understand why her beloved Avalon was changing, and through her eyes and unique voice, empathy from this reader certainly manifested. Vivid descriptions of the earthbound splendor in Avalon combined with personal dilemmas of might and honor, easily pulled me into that fantasy realm and sustained my interest throughout the book. While I immersed myself with the troubles of Morgaine, Viviane...and Irgraine, I couldn’t help but to wonder what it would be like to see the end of life as I knew it. Not only is that a terrible thought, but Igraine’s fate, that of being mother to both Morgaine and Arthur...ensured the plot would thicken with disaster.
Although this impressive fantasy adventure is one of my favorites, I was disappointed with Gwenhwyfar’s portrayal, so I rushed through scenes where she was involved. That’s a shame, because Gwenhwyfar is usually a character who interests me a great deal. In addition, one more round of editing could have cut some filler moments, and that might have attracted even more readers.
Even so, I’d highly recommend this book for anyone longing to travel back in time where duty was the order of the day, and magic floated within The Mists of Avalon.
Publisher: Del Rey
Purchase Link: http://www.amazon.com/dp/0345333853?tag=fictiondb&link_code=as3&creativeASIN=0345333853&creative=373489&camp=211189
Reviewed By:
Nora Weston
Guardian 2632: A dangerous love...a dangerous life. Some men have all the luck.
Bio:
Nora Weston’s fiction and poetry slips in-between and all around science fiction, fantasy, and horror. Her publishing credits include the anthologies Mind Mutations, Cyber Pulp’s Halloween 3.0, and Dark Pleasures. Other venues in print and online include; The Hacker’s Source, The Dream People, and Hoboeye. Recently, Dark Gothic Resurrected Magazine, Worlds Within–Worlds Beyond, Trapeze Magazine, and Four and Twenty published her work. Melange Books has accepted The Twelfth Paladin. Nora has had the pleasure of reaching people through the airwaves on radio stations throughout the US
Author Website: http://www.2noraweston.com
Noracast: http://noraweston.wordpress.com
Book Trailer: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zcCg1wY60YQ
Guardian 2632 Blurb:
Zane Grayson, the most accomplished executive director Guardian TMF has ever seen, is breaking the law…his law against time surfing. Zane has the supreme power, in 2632, to decide which paradoxes in time need altered, or deleted, but he’s frustrated. Something, or someone, is missing from his life.
Time surfing in illegal time zones is the rush Zane can’t live without. As addictive as the Martian dust called kilred, time surfing becomes Zane’s obsession. And knowing full well if caught by the Elite Guardians, he’ll suffer an unwelcome death by Time Mercs, Zane still dives deep into trouble. Soon, he discovers a mission in 2035 left him trapped in a timehole. This timehole places him in Pittsburgh, PA in 1998, instead of home. In Pittsburgh, Zane strolls into a coffee shop to see the bewitching Julia Emerson. From that point on, his life spirals out of control as he fights to protect what he loves most.
It’s possible Zane’s future is no longer in 2632...but actually in 1998. Slip through time with Zane Grayson as Guardian 2632 reveals what he will sacrifice to save a life.
Buy Links: http://www.melange-books.com and
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