Skip to main content

Marion Zimmer Bradley's Ancestors of Avalon: A Novel of Atlantis and The Ancient British Isles (Avalon #5) by Diana L. Paxson: A Book Review

Marion Zimmer Bradley’s Ancestors of Avalon: A Novel of Atlantis and The Ancient British Isles (Avalon #5)
Author: Diana L. Paxson
Genre: Historical Fiction, Fantasy
Publisher: Viking Penguin
Release Date: 2004
Pages: 360
Source: My State Public Library
Synopsis: Marion Zimmer Bradley’s beloved Avalon saga continues the dramatic story of the ancestors of Avalon from their life on the doomed island of Atlantis to their escape to the mist-shrouded isle of Britain.

     My Review: Ancestors of Avalon is the direct sequel to The Fall of Atlantis. It is also a prequel to The Mists of Avalon. Tiriki and her husband, Micail are both the high priestess and high priest of Atlantis. They are also part of the royal family of Atlantis. Yet, their comfortable life is shattered when they feel earthquakes and know that their beloved island is about to fall into the sea. They also learn that they are to found a new temple in a distant land. When Atlantis falls, Tiriki and Micail are separated. Yet, they managed to settle in different parts of Britain. Could Tiriki and Micail find each other again? Also, could  they both fulfill their destiny by building a new temple?


      In The Fall of Atlantis, Tiriki was a very mischievous girl and was very loving. In Ancestors of Avalon, Tiriki has become a mature, young woman. She is deeply devoted and loves her husband. She wants to become a mother. Tiriki must also learn how she can adapt to a new environment. Thus, I really admire Tiriki as she continues to hope to be reunited with her husband. 


     Overall, this novel is about love, loss, and hope. I love revisiting the characters from The Fall of Atlantis. I like the new characters in the book. I really loved the world-building in Ancestors of Avalon, especially the creation of Stonehenge. There were some parts of the book that I thought dragged a bit. Still, there is plenty of magic, romance, and feminism that will make this novel very enthralling. It is an incredible joy getting to know these characters and their journey. I can’t wait to read Sword of Avalon to learn how Tiriki and Micail have impacted the series! Thus, the Avalon series has been a very compelling and enjoyable read so far! I’m excited to get into the world of Avalon!


Rating: 4 out of 5 stars


Comments

Popular posts from this blog

Interview with Melanie Karsak

Today, I have the pleasure of having an interview with Melanie Karsak! I have read and enjoyed her many series of books on some of history's more obscure or misunderstood women. Often, little is known about their true histories, either from not being recorded because of their gender and the unimportance given to women or else intentional character assassination. Mrs. Karsak seeks to bring light where much is shrouded in darkness. As a result, we are enriched by their lives and these fascinating women can speak to us through the centuries. In this interview, Mrs. Karsak talks about what drew her to these women and her writing pro cess! Thank you Mrs. Karsak! You have written books on Lady MacBeth, Hervor, Queen Boudica, Queen Cartimandua, and now Freydis. What drew you to write about these women? I like the unsung and maligned heroines. Hervor is a significant character in the Norse Hervarar Saga . In fact, there are two Hervors in that tale—grandmother and granddaughter. But ...

Marie Von Clausewitz: The Woman Behind The Making Of On War by Vanya Eftimova Bellinger: A Book Review

Marie von Clausewitz: The Woman Behind the Making of On War Author: Vanya Eftimova Bellinger Genre: Nonfiction, Biography, History Publisher: Oxford University Press Release Date: October 1st, 2015 Pages: 312 Source: Netgalley/Publisher in exchange for an honest review. Synopsis: The marriage between Carl von Clausewitz and Countess Marie von Brühl was a remarkable intellectual partnership. Many historians have noted the instrumental role Marie played in the creation, development, and particularly in the posthumous editing and publishing of Clausewitz's opus, On War , which remains the seminal text on military theory and strategic thinking. Highly intelligent and politically engaged, Marie was also deeply involved in her husband's military career and advancement, and in the nationalist politics of 19th-century Prussia. Yet apart from peripheral consideration of her obvious influence on Clausewitz and on the preservation of his legacy, very little has been written...

A Nurse's Tale by Ola Awonubi: A Book Review

A Nurse’s Tale Author: Ola Awonubi Genre: Historical Fiction, Contemporary, Romance  Publisher: One More Chapter  Publication Date: 2023 Pages: 385 Source: Netgalley/Publisher in exchange for an honest review  Synopsis: Born Nigerian royalty, Princess Adenrele Ademola trained as a nurse at Guy’s Hospital in London and stepped up to serve the people of Britain when war broke out – facing both the devastation of the Blitz and the prejudice of some of the people she was trying to help.    80 years later, Ade’s great-niece Yemi arrives in London clutching the Princess’s precious diaries and longs to uncover the mysteries they hold…      A richly-detailed, compelling historical novel shining a light on a hidden voice of WW2 and one woman’s courageous contribution to Britain.        My Review: Princess Adenrele Ademola was a Princess of Egbaland and a nurse during WWII. A Nurse’s Tale chronicles Princess Adenrele...