Twilight of Avalon (Twilight of Avalon Trilogy, Book 1) by Anna Elliott

Book One in the Twilight of Avalon Trilogy

She is a healer, a storyteller, a warrior, and a queen without a throne. In the shadow of King Arthur's Britain, one woman knows the truth that could save a kingdom from the hands of a tyrant...

Ancient grudges, old wounds, and the quest for power rule in the newly widowed Queen Isolde's court. Hardly a generation after the downfall of Camelot, Isolde grieves for her slain husband, King Constantine, a man she secretly knows to have been murdered by the scheming Lord Marche -- the man who has just assumed his title as High King. Though her skills as a healer are renowned throughout the kingdom, in the wake of Con's death, accusations of witchcraft and sorcery threaten her freedom and her ability to bring Marche to justice. Burdened by their suspicion and her own grief, Isolde must conquer the court's distrust and superstition to protect her throne and the future of Britain.

One of her few allies is Trystan, a prisoner with a lonely and troubled past. Neither Saxon nor Briton, he is unmoved by the political scheming, rumors, and accusations swirling around the fair queen. Together they escape, and as their companionship turns from friendship to love, they must find a way to prove what they know to be true -- that Marche's deceptions threaten not only their lives but the sovereignty of the British kingdom.

In Twilight of Avalon, Anna Elliott returns to the roots of the legend of Trystan and Isolde to shape a very different story -- one based in the earliest written versions of the Arthurian tales -- a captivating epic brimming with historic authenticity, sweeping romance, and the powerful magic of legend.

From Amazon.ca

My very first buddy review with Melissa from Book Nut.

Melissa's Questions:

1. Did you know the Tristan and Isolde story before reading this? Do you think it worked well her melding of that myth and the Arthurian legends?
- The only thing I really knew about Tristan and Isolde was from watching the movie that came out sometime in the last few years. This is the first time I have read a book where the legend showcases so heavily. One of these days I will have to give Rosalind Miles trilogy a try, but in the meantime I thought this was really well-done. For someone who loves Arthurian legends, I love how Elliott combined the two! It was done very plausibly, so I appreciated that. I can't wait to see where the second book goes.

2. Do you have a favorite character?
- My favourite character would probably be Isolde. I thought she was written really well and I felt that you got to know her quite well during the course of the book. There were other secondary characters that were really good, too, but she was my favourite. I was a bit worried about her in the beginning because you never know what an author is going to do with a female character. She could be very strong, independant character or the author could play the helpless role. Isolde fit her time period, but she also went a bit above and beyond. I look forward to her more in the future.

3. I liked Isolde's role as a healer; it was feminine but not subservient.... what did you think?
- I suppose this is sort of addressed above. I think this was a very good addition. The world needs to remember once in a while that the first doctors were women. I don't think it was subservient at all. Isolde did what had to be done and she did it well. I don't think women should be looked down on as healers because we don't look down on doctors of today. If anything, she should be admired because she worked under some very extreme circumstances and medicine was not like it is today.

4. What did you think of the "romance"?
- Obviously, anyone that knows the legend of Tristan and Isolde knows there is going to be romance. As soon as I determined which character was Tristan, it was all just a matter of time. Obviously Elliott could have left the romance out, because this is a retelling, but I didn't think she would. Everything is just starting out in this book, so not much happened. I imagine it will be developed further throughout the trilogy, but you cannot really say for sure what will happen. It depends on how closely she follows the legend.

My Questions:

5. What lead you to pick up this book? Will you be reading the rest of the trilogy?
- I had been seeing a lot of good reviews of this book around and it sounded right up my alley. I had planned to buy it, but then the author offered to send me a copy! I read it almost immediately because I love Arthurian legends and thought that combined with Tristan and Isolde would make for a good read. I plan to read book two when it comes out next year.

6. What was your favourite scene?
- The problem for me is that I read this book a while ago, so it is not as fresh in my head as it could be. I liked a lot of scenes. I liked when Tristan and Isolde met for the first time (even if the circumstances were not very good), I liked the scene in the church where Isolde is saying good bye to her husband, I enjoyed learning about Isolde's healing work and how she accomplishes it, and I liked the scenes where Tristan and Isolde are on the run together. They have a good repetoire and chemistry. I look forward to seeing where all the scenes in this book go in the next book in terms of development.

7. What do you think of the mixing of fantasy and historical fiction? Was it believable?
- I thought the book was very believable. The fantasy is more mythology than anything, but I think Elliott wove the historical fiction in very well. Nothing seemed impossible while I was reading it. The characters may not have been entirely perfect for their times, but Elliott didn't push things too far. The Arthurian legends have always pushed the norm a little bit, but not so much that you don't believe in them. I think this book could be marketed as both very easily. I have never checked the shelves at the store, though, so I am not sure what section it is normally found in.

8. What are your thoughts on the cover and the title?
- It's the title that caught my attention. If I see the word 'Avalon' I have to know what the book is about. Sometimes it has really no connection to Arthurian legends at all, but this time it turned out to be exactly what I wanted to read! I also really like the cover. I think the trilogy will look really good lined up together on my shelves provided there are not drastic changes in the future releases.

Overall, this book was really well-done! As it stands right now, it will likely make my best of list for the end of the year. I really loved it and cannot wait to read more! I also look forward to another buddy review with Melissa in the future!

The Winter Prince by Elizabeth E. Wein

Let's be frank. I really didn't care for this book. The only reason I am reviewing it is because it was supposedly one of my reads for the Once Upon a Time III challenge. It also means that I hardly remember it, so not sure how this review will go!

Medraut is the eldest son of Artos, high king of Britain and, but for an accident of birth, would be heir to the throne. Instead, his younger half-brother, Lleu, fragile and inexperienced, is chosen. Medraut cannot bear to be commanded and contradicted by this weakling brother who he feels has usurped both his birthright and his father's favor. Torn and bitter, he joins Morgause, the high king's treacherous sister, in a plot to force Artos to forfeit his power and kingdom in exchange for Lleu's life. But this plot soon proves to be much more-a battlefield on which Medraut is forced to decide, for good or evil, where his own allegiance truly lies.

Title and author of book: The Winter Prince by Elizabeth E. Wein

Fiction or non-fiction? Genre? Young Adult Fiction. Fantasy; Arthurian Retelling.

What led you to pick up this book? I saw it on a blog. I can't remember which blog now, but the fact that it was an Arthurian retelling drew me to it. I think I had too high of an expectation.

Summarize the plot, but don’t give away the ending! See above...

What did you like most about the book? The fact that it was an Arthurian retelling that was a bit different than the regular ones. I liked that it was a fresh take on an old story.

What did you like least? Everything. I couldn't get wrapped up in this story. It took me a few days to read it and it is a really short book! I don't like Wein's writing style. I found myself skimming a lot of the time because I just didn't care to read everything that she had written. I also didn't really feel a connection with the characters. When you write such a short book you need to include things that catch the readers attention very quickly, but really I wanted to stop reading every step of the way. I just stuck with it because I thought it was just me and that if I kept at it she might start to grow on me, but that never happened.

Have you read any other books by this author? What did you think of those books? Nope! I had the sequel out from the library, but I brought it back unread. I find there are lots of other books that are calling to me more than trying to figure out what happens next in this series.

What did you think of the main character? The characters were not memorable. If I really like a book, I will remember the characters even if I cannot remember their names. With this book, I only have vague memories about who the characters were and what their purpose to the story was. Wein did not write characters that stuck with me at all.

What about the ending? I was happy to get to the ending and be finished with it! You know there is going to be a sequel, but I do not find myself rushing out to read it. It just ended and I moved on to the next and better book.

The Eagles' Brood by Jack Whyte

Books Completed: 32
Completion Date: February 25, 2007
Publication Year: 1994
Pages: 639
Owned Prior to 2007
Book 3 to A Dream of Eagles cycle or The Camulod Chronicles

Born of the chaos of the Dark Ages, the Dream of Eagles produced a king, a country and an everlasting legend—Camelot

Most know him as Merlyn; all call him Commander. Caius Merlyn Britannicus is responsible for the safety of the colony known as Camulod, and for the welfare of the colonists who look to him for guidance, leadership, justice and salvation. Uther Pendragon, the man who will father the legendary Arthur, is the cousin Merlyn has known and loved since their births—four hours apart on the same day, the year the legions left Britain. As different as can be, they are inseparable: two faces of the same coin. In a world torn apart by warfare and upheaval, each is the other’s certainty until a vicious crime—one that strikes at the roots of Merlyn’s own life—drives a wedge between them.

To read my review for this on Twisted Kingdom, click here.
This is the third book I have read by this author. To view the reviews for the other two books click here and here

Authors Gender:
Male: 6
Female: 26

Book Two in the Chunkster Challenge and Book Five in the 12 Months of Fantasy Challenge.

First Knight by Elizabeth Chadwick

Books Completed: 20
Completion Date: February 4, 2007
Publication Year: 1995
Pages: 281
Owned Prior to 2007

All the colorful characters and events of fabled Camelot come vividly together in this unique new account of the legendary King Arthur, Lancelot du Lac, and Guinevere, Lady of Leonesse. Here is a Lancelot never before revealed--a fearless drifter who sold his sword for money until he found something truly worth the battle. Here, too, is a different Guinevere, a warrior queen...and wise King Arthur Pendragon, who would go to any length in order to save his people. Lancelot was First Knight--until his love for Guinevere tested his loyalty for his king. Thrill as this chivalrous trio defends the Round Table from the muderous rogue Malagant in a fantastic rendition of an enduring tale, written with all the fire and passion of the period by Elizabeth Chadwick, winner of the Betty Trask Award for her first novel, The Wild Hunt.

Everyone has been telling me that I should read Elizabeth Chadwick, so when I spotted this at the second hand bookstore one day, I decided to pick it up and give it a try. I am big fan of Arthurian-type works, so I thought this might be interesting because I have never seen the movie before. I am glad that I know that the movie came first, not the book, because I am not sure if I would read Elizabeth Chadwick again based on this book.

It is so bad that I got tied up with school, my reviews are going to suffer a bit because so much time has gone by since I read the books. What I did not like about this book was how fast it moved. I mean, Guinevere comes to Camelot and the next thing you know, Camelot is crashing down. I know that it is going to happen, but it was so fast! The speed is explained, and I suppose that it works, but I found that Guinevere and Lancelot brought the kingdom down too quickly. Everything seems to happen in the space of like a month, there is no time to get over one thing before another thing happens.

I will say that this is one of the better portrayals of Guinvere that I have read. She is a very strong and vibrant character, not as constrained as she is in other novels that I have read about her. It's unfortunate that the time that I like Guinevere has to be a time when I was only slightly impressed with the book. Chadwick, or I suppose the screenwriter, does a very good job of portraying Guinevere as able to take care of herself and even her affair with Lancelot is explained in such a way that you do not feel total hatred for what she does. In other books, Guinevere gets a lot of the blame.

Overall, not the best Arthurian book I have ever read, but it has its good points. I might watch the movie, have to wait and see. I intend to try Chadwick again, just I will pick a book that she wrote without a movie as her guiding post.

3.5/5
Authors Gender:
Female: 19
Male: 1

This is the first time I have ever read this author.

Last three books of August/06

Sadly, the last three books I have to post about were not stellar achievements for me, so I am just going to post about them together and then I can move on to September and brighter pastures. There were great books this month, but as always, there were others that were just okay or even others that I really didn't like.

First up, The Green Knight by Vera Chapman. I started this book at the beginning of the month, and I just could not get into it. I love Arthurian retellings, but this one played more on the myth of the tale. It was not horrible by the end, but at the same time, not one of my favourite retellings. It brings together a blend of magic and mystery, but the characters are not as compelling as others I have read. It didn't really help that I read The Hawk's Gray Feather this month, another Arthurian novel, and loved it. Vera Chapman might have been better if I didn't have such a good book to compare it to. (If anyone knows where I can get a picture of this book I would appreciate it!)

3/5

The other two books I read were Gods in Alabama and West Side Story. I don't think these two books were horrible, just not what I wanted to be reading at the time I chose to read them. West Side Story, sad to say, has been destroyed literature-wise by movies and plays. Sometimes I just can't get into the book if I have seen other mediums of it. I know that lots of people liked Gods in Alabama. I just couldn't get into it, maybe another time I will read it and think it is great, but not on this read through.

West Side Story 3.5/5
Gods in Alabama 3/5

The Singing Sword - Jack Whyte [August/06]

This is the second book in the fantastic Jack Whyte series.

From the back of the book:

It is 395 A.D., and as the Roman armies withdraw from Britain, anarchy threatens the colony that will one day be known as Camelot. Creating their own army and joining with the Celtic people of King Ullic Pendragon, the colonists emerge as a new breed of Britons, ready to forge the government that will be the Round Table and its Knights and to prepare the groundwork for the future coronation of Arthur, first Hight King of Britain.

With all the drama, passion and violence of England's most vibrant history, THE SINGING SWORD continues Jack Whyte's bestselling chronicle of the dream that gave birth to an enduring legend.

I think most people think I am crazy when I tell them I am in love with Jack Whyte. It is his writing I love of course. It is very rare that I can read a book by the same author in a row. It is taking all my will-power to wait until next month to start the next one.

Lots of people look at Jack Whyte as a male-orientated author. I will start off firstly by saying, if you are looking for a romance novel you are not going to find one here. There are a couple brief scenes where their is some action, but I don't think it is enough to attract someone that is looking for a great deal of romance. The majority of the cast of characters are men, which normally would turn me off from the book entirely, because I like to know that women are important. The woman in the novel, as well as book one, though, make it all worthwhile.

The narrator is once again Plautus. He started out with limited beginnings, but then he met Caius, the man who put this new community into action, and suddenly he was someone. I was so impressed with this book because the characters seem so real to me. When something would happen to Plautus, I could feel for the suffering of his wife, Luceiia. She was a strong character, but her husband seemed to bring trouble to himself wherever he went. Plautus, though, would do anything for the safety of this community they call home. I thought he was a wonderful narrator for both novels, but since he is getting older, I am assuming someone else will take the reins in the book 3.

There are so many things that happen in this book that I just can't talk about, because this novel lays so much framework for the story of Camelot and the young king that will one day rule it. You will notice from the blurb I posted above that the Pendragon's are already in position. In this novel, Ullic Pendragon's son marries Plautus's daughter. Then, on practically the same day, Ullic's sister marries Caius's son. So, the union has been struck, the name is in existence, soon will be the time for Arthur to be born. The groundwork has been laid in this novel, as things were explained you could see their bearing on the Arthurian stories you already know.

I think this series is very well-written. It catches my attention and holds on to it for large periods of time. I find myself drawn into this world and that is a good thing because series also end up boring me, I hope that this never happens with this one. I have my fingers crossed that I make it to the end with the same level of wow I start it with. I just can't say enough good things about this series.

4.5/5

The Hawk's Gray Feather - Patricia Kennealy [August/06]

I first came across this trilogy on the blog, Chappy's Mom. It is an out of print author, so it was hard to track down, but worth it.

From the flap:

With her bestselling Keltiad trilogy, Patricia Kennealy wove a magical tapestry of Celtic mythology, science fiction, and fantasy to create a future tale of chivalry and warfare, love and honor, among star systems far distant from earth.

Now Kennealy takes us to an earlier age in the history of the worlds and people of Keltia, a time out of legend, when Arthur himself fought to regain the throne for the royal House of Don. Arthur's enemy was the usurper Edeyrn, more than a mortal man greatest of Druids, who has sworn to detroy the House of Don. And Edeyrn has all but fulfilled his vow. After seizing power than two hundred years earlier, he sought to cut the people off from their greatest strengths-from the ancient lore and training of true warriors, bards, and druids.

Yet down through the centuries there were those who kept the secret knowledge alive, training chosen ones of each new generation in the skills they would need when the time of prophecy came upon them, the time of destiny when the House of Don would strike openly against the hated enemy.

Told by Taliesin, Arthur's beloved foster brother, and the greatest bard Keltia would ever know, THE HAWK'S GRAY FEATHER is the opening volume of a trilogy that both recaptures all the wonder and reveals as well still mor of the spellbinding tale of Patricia Kennealy's own magnificent Keltia.

I love Arthurian retellings. It has been one of my favourite type of things to read for quite some time. This one is not your typical novel about Arthur. It has many different aspects to it. Instead of taking place in the past, it takes place in the future with historical aspects. It was just amazing, I wish it would be reprinted so future generations can enjoy it. I personally had never even heard of it before, and I am very excited to not only read the othe two book sin the trilogy but to track down her other trilogy.

This trilogy takes place on Keltaid, for whatever reason the people have had to leave Earth and move on to another planet. The other trilogy also takes place on Keltaid, but doesn't have an Arthurian connection. I can not say enough good things about this book. I was very interested in the rules of the sexes in this book. It has women and men as equals, which interests me. I am always interested in novels that portray men and women equally.

Instead of the Saxons having to be overthrown, there is a race of magical men in power. One in particular who is half human, half a magical fairy-like folk. It means that the leader has special abilities, which means he is harder to overthrow. all your favourite characters are there, though, just with slightly different spellings of their names. The relationships between the characters is different as well. For example, Gwenivere and and Arthur are cousins. It is a much more fictionalized telling of the "typical" Arthurian tale.

I suggest it to anyone that enjoys Arthurian novels. It was a great first book, I hopefully will read the next one soon.

4.5/5

The Skystone - Jack Whyte [July/06]

Jack Whyte is Canadian and rather well known around the globe for his novels that tell the story leading up to and about the legendary King Arthur. This novel is the first book in his A Dream of Eagles series.

Born of the nightmare chaos of the Dark Ages, the Dream of Eagles produced a King, a country, and an everlasting legend - Camelot.

Publius Varrus is a veteran Roman officer and a maker of swords. In the early fifth century, amidst the violent struggles between the people of Britain and the invading Saxons, Picts and Scots, he and his former general, Caius Britannicus, forge the government and military system that will become known as the Round Table, and initiate a chain of events that will lead to the coronation of the High King we know today as Arthur.

Rich in historical detail, brimming with drama, intrigue and passion, The Skystone gives new resonance to an enduring and powerful legend.

Many people might have noticed that I have a very strong desire to support my local authors. I don't even remember where this book came from, judging by the shape I would think a yard sale or flea market. It has been in the to be read pile for a while. I think I thought there was no possible way that I could buy one random book by him and have it be book 1, but low and behold, my one random book is book 1.

I have always had a fascination with the story of Arthur, since I was very little. I heard someone talking about this series the other day, and I decided that it was about time that I give it a try. I really liked it, and you know what, I don't know why. It happens before Arthur even enters the stage, and when I really think about it, not a lot happened in it, but I loved it. I haven't been reading as much as I would like to be, so this was an accomplishment for me this month.

Anyways, the novel follows Publius Varrus. Arthur has not even been born yet, the wars with the Saxons that would mark most of Arthur's life are just getting started, and the Roman Empire is only now starting to feel the breaks. These are the things that Arthur was supposed to fix, even if it didn't happen exactly that way. Publius is an interesting character. You have to take in the time period to get to like him because there are moments in that book that I just can't stand him. He is appropriate for the early fifth century, but one can not always let men and their ways of dealing with things slide.

One of the things I must applaud Whyte for is his two female main characters that are associated with Publius. They are both strong, independant women for their time. That was a risky thing for Whyte to do. Publius's eventual wife even owns her own lands and businesses, which she inherited from an aunt. This was a very rare thing for the time, and it made the novel more compelling. Even when I try to take history into consideration I can not get passed the fact that women are not meant to be treated the way they can be treated at this time. Subordinate to men, it is just my 21st-century thinking that is at times hard to push aside. So, I was impressed with Whyte for not having meek women characters.

This novel touches on the wars that the Romans were having against the Saxons and Picts. It talks about battle strategies and other war-time things that were prevalant at the time. It is so interesting to think that the settlement that Publius and his friends are putting together in this novel is the stepping stones for what will one day be Camelot. The place that everyone has at least heard of, if not having read various Arthurian retellings. But why this book compelled me to read it so much, I don't know. I was so hooked I was reading it slowly, not because it was bad, but because the book store here didn't have book 2 so I wanted to finish it near the arrival of the copy I ordered in.

This book is also a testament to what life was like in the 5th century without technology. Publius is a blacksmith, and he explains the process of making swords and things in such a way that I was actually interested. And then there are his Skystones, what we know as meteroites. I just love how the men back then spend their time trying to understand where these rocks come from and how it is possible with them thinking that they are the only planet and that heaven is the only thing you find when you go up. I really felt like I was inside the mind of a man from this time period. You will find, though, that somethings will never change, but even still, Jack Whyte wrote an excellent start to what I hope is going to be an interesting series of novels.

5/5

The Forever King - Molly Cochran and Warren Murphy [May/06]

I was in the second hand bookstore the other day, and I happened to spot a novel titled The Third Magic. It looked like it had never been read before and for some reason seemed to speak to me from the shelves that it was retelling of the Arthur story. Upon closer inspection I discovered that it was book three of a trilogy, with book two beside it. After a search of the older books in the store, I found The Forever King and that really made my shopping trip.

The Forever King was a very interesting read. All I had to go by when I bought it was what it said on the back:

In a darkened house not far from the place where Camelot may once have stood, a madman schemes, plotting toward the day when he will wrest the cup that men call the Holy Grail from the boy who is its guardian.

Arthur Blessing is no ordinary ten-year-old. The Grail is his by chance, this time, but the power to keep it - a power as ancient as time itself - is his by right. Now he must stay alive - battling foul sorcery and indefatigable assassins - long enough to use that power.

Arthur retellings are always books that I like to buy because the Arthurian legend has always been something that interested me. This one is very different from others that I have read, though, because it takes place in the 1990's... A.D. Not in the Medieval period. Taking a chance on this book was helped by the fact that Marion Zimmer Bradley, one of my favourite authors, reviewed it on the back. It is a very original take on Arthur, that is the plain and simple allure to this book.

In this novel, Arthur is a ten-year-old boy living with his aunt after the death of his parents. One day while down by the water he picks up a mysterious cup and suddenly his life is changed forever. There are men that have been searching for that cup for millenium, and they will stop at nothing to have it. There is one man in particular that has held on to that cup many times through the ages and is not about to let a meddlesome boy take it away from him forever. Suddenly, Arthur is introduced to his old mentor, Merlin, and a knight that would do anything for him, even die. In case you are missing this, this young boy has the memories of histories ancient Arthur and he has come again to rule Camelot. The only problem is that people will kill to keep that from happening, because wherever the Grail goes, trouble is sure to find it.

You have to be open-minded to read this book because it is not your general run of the mill fiction. It is fantasy in nature, but in many ways Arthur is just a regular boy blessed with a special right. To rule England once again, we shall see. I must read book two of this trilogy soon and see what further adventures Arthur has.

4/5

Percival's Angel - Anne Eliot Crompton [May/06]

From the back of the book:

Percival's Angel

Lili, an apprentice of the legendary Nimway, the Lady of the Lake, lives among the magical spirits of Fey Forest. Lili has magic in her soul and the knowledge of enchantment and spells. But there is one magic she cannot command - the magic of the Human Heart. Of all those in the world of Fey, there is but one boy who can help her...

Awed by the splendour of King Arthur's knights, seduced by tales of glory, Percival has a fantasy of his own. But to safely embark on a quest for the legendary Holy Grail he will need the help of an angel. Only Lili can take them far beyond the limits of their home, and closter to everything they cherish most. Yet to survive in the Human world it will take more that a passion for adventure, more tha desire to change their destiny, and more than the counsel of the shining giants of Arthur's court.

I bought this book because I like novels that retell the adventures of Arthur and his court, but this book really didn't do anything for me. According to the back of the book, some reviewers found it comparable to Marion Zimmer Bradley. Far from it! It does have an Avalon-like place, like Bradley's novels, but the adventures and the writing style do not hold up to her at all. Percival has been secluded from the rest of the world because his mother already lost her other sons and husband to battle, and does not want the same to happen to Percival. So, with the help of a member of her court, she takes her son and a girl that was like a daughter to her and hides them away from the outside world. She hopes this will be enough to save Percival, but alas you can only keep the outside out so long and then it manages to make itself known. Percival learns about the outside world, and suddenly he wants to see more of it, taking Lili with him.

The problem is that he is not very good, he has never had to know how to save himself, so he is a little lost and naive when he makes his way to the court. It is Lili that really wins the battles for him, and it is her that knows enough about the outside world to survive. She tries to help him, but in the end his head gets too big for his helmet and he decides he will be fine on his own. It is this moment that danger strikes, but in the meantime, this is supposed to be a novel about Arthur in some sense. He does make a couple of appearances, but not enough to make you understand what the point of this book is.

2.5/5