Skip to main content

The Fall of Atlantis by Marion Zimmer Bradley: A Book Review

The Fall of Atlantis
Author: Marion Zimmer Bradley
Genre: Historical Fiction, Fantasy
Publisher: Baen
Release Date: 1987
Pages: 512
Source: Personal Collection 

Synopsis: A wounded Atlantean prince...a deadly battle between Dark and Light...and the sisters Deoris and Domaris, whose lives are changed utterly by the magic involving them. These are the elements of The Fall of Atlantis, Marion Zimmer Bradley's epic fantasy about that ancient and legendary realm.


     On one side stand the Priests of the White Robe, guardians of powerful natural forces which could threaten the world if misused. Ranged against them are the Black Robes, sorcerers who secretly practice their arts in the labyrinthine caves beneath the very Temple of Light. Caught between are Domaris and Deoris, daughters of the arch-priest Talkannon, trapped in a web of deadly sorcery--the same forbidden sorcery that could bring about the fall of Atlantis. 


     My Review: The Fall of Atlantis is the first in a prequel series that leads up to The Mists of Avalon. It tells the tale of two sisters who are priestesses in a Temple of Light. Domaris, who is the elder sister, is drawn to Light. However, Deoris is drawn to Darkness. The choices that these two girls make leads to the fall of Atlantis.


     Domaris was my favorite character in the novel. I love how she was protective and caring towards those she loved. She is very wise and thoughtful. I also loved that she is a very loyal character. Thus, I admired her striving to protect her sister who is drawn to the darkness. She is willing to give her life for hers which I find very compelling. Thus, I admired Domaris’s strength and love.


     Deoris was also a likable character. Her arc is both fascinating and strange. She is often rebellious and jealous. Deoris is also the type who is willing to do anything for love. Even though Deoris is drawn to the Darkness, I hoped that she would turn away from it. Thus, I was eager to learn her ending.


     Overall, this novel is about sisterhood, love, and motherhood. The characters, including the villain, were all fascinating and complex characters. The world-building is very intricate and feels realistic. Initially, I was disappointed that the setting was not on Atlantis until the end. It was not until the end that I realized why the majority of the book was not set in Atlantis. Afterwards, it made sense, and I found the wait to be worth it. Thus, The Fall of Atlantis was a beautifully written and well-crafted novel. I look forward to reading the other novels in the Avalon series. I can’t wait to read Ancestors of Avalon next because I would like to know what happens to the remaining characters in the Fall of Atlantis. I recommend this novel for fans of Greek mythology! The novel is perfect for those who love Madeline Miller, Amalia Carosella, and Kerry Greenwood!


Rating: 4 out of 5 stars


Comments

Popular posts from this blog

Blog Tour: Daughter of Sparta by Claire M. Andrews

        I am thrilled to be hosting a spot on the DAUGHTER OF SPARTA by Claire M. Andrews Blog Tour hosted by  Rockstar Book Tours . Check out my post and make sure to enter the giveaway!   About the Book: DAUGHTER OF SPARTA (Daughter of Sparta #1) Author:  Claire M. Andrews Pub. Date:  June 8, 2021 Publisher:  Jimmy Patterson Books Formats:  Hardcover, eBook, audiobook Pages:  400 Find it:   Goodreads ,  Amazon ,  Kindle , Audible ,  B&N , iBooks , Kobo , TBD , Bookshop.org      Sparta forged her into a deadly weapon. Now the Gods need her to save the world!       Seventeen-year-old Daphne has spent her entire life honing her body and mind into that of a warrior, hoping to be accepted by the unyielding people of ancient Sparta. But an unexpected encounter with the goddess Artemis—who holds Daphne's brother's fate in her hands—upends the life she's worked so...

The Rose Code by Kate Quinn: A Book Review

The Rose Code Author: Kate Quinn Genre: Historical Fiction Publisher: Harper Collins Release Date: 2021 Pages: 635 Source: Netgalley/Publisher in exchange for an honest review. Synopsis: 1940, Bletchley Park, Buckinghamshire.        Three very different women are recruited to the mysterious Bletchley Park, where the best minds in Britain train to break German military codes.       Vivacious debutante Osla has the dashing Prince Philip of Greece sending her roses – but she burns to prove herself as more than a society girl, working to translate decoded enemy secrets. Self-made Mab masters the legendary codebreaking machines as she conceals old wounds and the poverty of her East-End London upbringing. And shy local girl Beth is the outsider who trains as one of the Park’s few female cryptanalysts.       1947, London.        Seven years after they first meet, on the eve of the roya...

Daughter of Egypt by Marie Benedict: A Book Review

Daughter of Egypt  Author: Marie Benedict  Genre: Historical Fiction  Publisher: St. Martin’s Press Publication Date: March 24, 2026 Pages: 329 Source: Netgalley/Publisher in exchange for an honest review. Synopsis: Known for her “delightful blend of historical fiction and suspense” ( People ), New York Times bestselling author Marie Benedict, returns with a sweeping tale of a young woman who unearths the truth about a forgotten Pharaoh—rewriting both of their legacies forever.       In the 1920s, archeologist Howard Carter and Lord Carnarvon of Highclere Castle made headlines around the world with the discovery of the treasure-filled tomb of the boy Pharaoh Tutankhamun. But behind it all stood Lady Evelyn Herbert—daughter of Lord Carnarvon—whose daring spirit and relentless curiosity made the momentous find possible.       Nearly 3,000 years earlier, another woman defied the expectations of her time: Hatshepsut...