Skip to main content

Out of Avalon: An Anthology of Old Magic and New Myths edited by Jennifer Roberson: A Book Review

Out of Avalon: An Anthology of Old Magic and New Myths

Author: Jennifer Roberson (editor)

Genre: Historical Fiction, Fantasy, Anthology 

Publisher: ROC 

Release Date: 2001

Pages: 336

Source: Personal Collection 

Synopsis: Where Magic Was Born and Legend Lives On…


     Avalon. Mist-shrouded, wrapped in magic. The legendary island of the Goddess, resting place of Arthur. This mystical island’s legacy has remained strong over the centuries, becoming a symbol of hope and wonder.


     Out of Avalon presents fifteen original stories of magic, adventure, and romance from an era lost to history—yet always remembered by those with imagination…


     My Review: The legend of King Arthur is one of the most enduring literature of all time. This anthology pays homage to the King Arthur legend by creating fifteen original stories based on the tales. Most of the stories are told from a female perspective. The mythical island of Avalon is the heart of these fifteen stories. Some of the authors are Marion Zimmer Bradley, Diana L. Paxson, Diana Gabaldon, Jennifer Roberson, and many more!


    I was intrigued by this anthology because I had a love of the King Arthur legend. It also featured a new “Avalon” story from Marion Zimmer Bradley and Diana L. Paxson. Therefore, I could not wait to read it! However, most of the stories in the book did not captivate me. I did not care for Marion Zimmer Bradley’s and Diana L. Paxson’s new “Avalon” story. It provided no depth to the characters I loved in Mists of Avalon. My favorite story was “Secret Leaves” by Tricia Sullivan which tells of the doomed romance between Niniane and Merlin. I also liked “Lady of the Lake” by Michelle Sahara West which tells the origins of the Lady of the Lake. “The Mooncalfe” by David Farland was also a very compelling read. As for the other stories, I liked it but it did not really captivate me. 


    Overall, these stories are about loss, love, and friendship. While I liked all of the stories, only a few of them wowed me. I did find them all to be an easy read. Thus, I enjoyed this Avalon anthology. I can’t wait to read the next Avalon anthology, Return to Avalon next! I recommend this for those who love reading everything about King Arthur! I also recommend this for fans of Marion Zimmer Bradley, Diana Gabaldon, and Jennifer Roberson!


Rating: 3 out of 5 stars

 

Labels:

Comments

Post a Comment

Popular posts from this blog

Blog Tour: A Daughter's Journey by Myra Lee Glass: A Book Review

  Book Details: Book Title :   A Daughter's Journey  by Myra Lee Glass Category :   YA Fiction (Ages 13-17) ,  132 pages Genre :  YA Historical Fiction / Adventure Publisher :  Coleche Press Release date:    Feb 2023 Source:  This book was given to me by iRead Book Tours in exchange for an honest review. Content Rating :  G:  Written for a high school school project :) by a highschooler Book Description:      The year is 1938 and a family in the small South Carolina town of Beaufort faces serious adversity. After the birth of her long-awaited son, Mary Banks dives into a dark postpartum period, throwing her into a deep depression. Thinking that her sister, Rose, is offering her a helping hand, Mary leaves her family and goes to Boston in search of a medical cure, not to be heard from again. ​     Where is Mary Banks? What has Rose done with the much-loved mother and wife of the Banks fami...
2 comments
Read more

A Most Magical Girl by Karen Foxlee: A Book Review

A Most Magical Girl Author: Karen Foxlee Genre: Children's, Historical Fiction, Fantasy Publisher: Knopf Books for Young Readers Release Date: August 2, 2016 Pages: 304 Source: Netgalley/Publisher in exchange for an honest review. Synopsis: From the author of Ophelia and the Marvelous Boy comes the story of a friendship between two girls set in Victorian England, with magical machines, wizards, witches, a mysterious underworld, and a race against time.      Annabel Grey is primed for a proper life as a young lady in Victorian England. But when her mother suddenly disappears, she’s put in the care of two eccentric aunts who thrust her into a decidedly un-ladylike life, full of potions and flying broomsticks and wizards who eat nothing but crackers. Magic, indeed! Who ever heard of such a thing?       Before Annabel can assess the most ladylike way to respond to her current predicament, she is swept up in an urgent quest. Annabel is pitted ag...
Post a Comment
Read more

The Peasant King by Tessa Afshar: A Book Review

The Peasant King Author: Tessa Afshar Genre: Historical Fiction, Christian, Biblical Fiction, Romance  Publisher: Tyndale House Publishing  Release Date: 2023 Pages: 376 Source: Netgalley/Publisher in exchange for an honest review.  Synopsis: Jemmah has always thought of herself as perfectly ordinary . . . until she faces extraordinary circumstances.     When her mother, the Persian king’s famous senior scribe, is kidnapped, Jemmah and her sister must sneak undetected into enemy territory to rescue her. But infiltrating their adversary’s lands proves easier than escaping them. Fleeing through dangerous mountain passes, their survival depends on the skills of a stranger they free from prison: a mysterious prince named Asher.      Asher is not who the world believes he is. Despite his royal blood, he has had to climb his way out of poverty to forge success from nothing. A manufacturer of some of the best weaponry in th...
Post a Comment
Read more