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

The Lost Sisterhood by Anne Fortier: A Book Review

The Lost Sisterhood Author: Anne Fortier Genre: Historical Fiction, Mystery, Adventure, Thriller Publisher: Ballantine Books Release Date: 2014 Pages: 608 Source: Netgalley/Publisher in exchange for an honest review. Synopsis: From the author of the New York Times bestseller Juliet comes a mesmerizing novel about a young scholar who risks her reputation—and her life—on a thrilling journey to prove that the legendary warrior women known as the Amazons actually existed.      Oxford lecturer Diana Morgan is an expert on Greek mythology. Her obsession with the Amazons started in childhood when her eccentric grandmother claimed to be one herself—before vanishing without a trace. Diana’s colleagues shake their heads at her Amazon fixation. But then a mysterious, well-financed foundation makes Diana an offer she cannot refuse.      Traveling to North Africa, Diana teams up with Nick Barran, an enigmatic Middle Eastern guide, and begins deciphering an u...
4 comments
Read more

The Haunting of Hecate Cavendish (Hecate Cavendish #1) by Paula Brackston: A Book Review

The Haunting of Hecate Cavendish (Hecate Cavendish #1) Author: Paula Brackston Genre: Historical Fiction, Paranormal, Fantasy Publisher: St. Martin’s Press Book Release Date: 2024 Pages: 359 Source: Netgalley/Publisher in exchange for an honest review. Synopsis: The Haunting of Hecate Cavendish is book one in New York Times bestselling author Paula Brackston's new, magic-infused series about Hecate Cavendish, an eccentric and feisty young woman who can see ghosts.          England, 1881. Hereford cathedral stands sentinel over the city, keeping its secrets, holding long forgotten souls in its stony embrace. Hecate Cavendish speeds through the cobbled streets on her bicycle, skirts hitched daringly high, heading for her new life as Assistant Librarian. But this is no ordinary collection of books. The cathedral houses an ancient chained library, wisdom guarded for centuries, mysteries and stories locked onto its worn, humble shelves. The mos...
Post a Comment
Read more

Olympias: Mother of Alexander the Great by Elizabeth Carney: A Book Review

Olympias: Mother of Alexander the Great (Women in Antiquity) Author: Elizabeth Carney Genre: Nonfiction, History, Biography Publisher: Routledge Release Date: 2006 Pages: 240 Source: Personal Collection Synopsis: The definitive guide to the life of the first woman to play a major role in Greek political history, this is the first modern biography of Olympias.      Presenting a critical assessment of a fascinating and wholly misunderstood figure, Elizabeth Carney penetrates myth, fiction and sexual politics and conducts a close examination of Olympias through historical and literary sources, and brings her to life as she places the figure in the context of her own ancient, brutal political world.      Individual examinations look at: the role of Greek religion in Olympias' life literary and artistic traditions about Olympias found throughout the later ancient periods varying representations of Olympias found in the major ancient sources. ...
Post a Comment
Read more