History from a Woman's Perspective- A Book Blog

Clytemnestra’s Bind (The House of Atreus #1) Author: Susan C. Wilson  Genre: Historical Fiction, Fantasy  Publisher: Neem Tree Books Publication Date: 2024 Pages: 288 Source: Netgalley/Publisher in exchange for an honest review  Synopsis: Clytemnestra’s Bind is a bold and brutal first-person retelling that redefines her story, unveiling the untold depths of her soul and the legacy she forged as a mother, wife, and queen.      Queen Clytemnestra's world shatters when Agamemnon, a rival to the throne of Mycenae, storms her palace, destroys her family and claims not only the throne but Clytemnestra herself. Tormented by her loss, she vows to do all she can to protect the children born from her unhappy marriage to him. But when her husband casts his ruthless gaze towards the wealthy citadel of Troy, his ambitions threaten to once more destroy the family Clytemnestra loves.      From one of Greek mythology's most reviled chara...

Return to Avalon Author: Jennifer Roberson (Editor) Genre: Historical Fiction, Fantasy, Anthology Publisher: DAW Publication Date: 1996 Pages: 400 Source: Personal collection  Synopsis: Retellings of several Arthurian tales follow such plots as Merlin's defeat of Vortigern and Guinevere's sacrifice to a grail-seeking knight, and include the works of such writers as Melanie Rawn, Judith Tarr, and Katherine Kerr.         My Review: Marion Zimmer Bradley is renowned for her classic novel, The Mists of Avalon . Return to Avalon is an anthology that pays homage to Marion Zimmer Bradley by having twenty original tales. Most of these tales are told from a female perspective set in medieval time periods. Some of the tales are retellings of famous Arthurian legends. Some of the authors include Diana L. Paxson, Kate Elliot, Katherine Kerr, Laura Resnick, Jennifer Roberson, and many more.      I was intrigued by this anthology becau...

Sword of a Valkyrie (The Vinland to Valhalla Saga #2) Author: Melanie Karsak Genre: Historical Fiction, Fantasy  Publisher: Clockpunk Press Release Date: March 13, 2025 Pages: 400 Source: This book was given to me by the author in exchange for an honest review. Synopsis:       Born hearing the call of Valkyries.     Dreaming of distant shores.    Torn between the past and the future.     Destined to become a legend.     Iceland, 985—      When Eirik the Red sailed from Iceland to journey west, everyone knew he was mad. Everyone knew Jörmungandr would swallow him and his crew whole. Everyone lost faith in him, including his wife, who turned to her Christian friends for solace.     Everyone gave up on Eirik the Red, except his daughter.     When Eirik went west, so did Brien, the man Freydis loved. But Freydis knew her father’s determ...

  The Mists of Avalon (Avalon #1) Author: Marion Zimmer Bradley Genre: Historical Fiction, Fantasy  Publisher: Ballantine Books Release Date: 2001 Pages: 912 Source: Personal Collection  Synopsis: The magical saga of the women behind King Arthur’s throne.       In Marion Zimmer Bradley's masterpiece, we see the tumult and adventures of Camelot's court through the eyes of the women who bolstered the king's rise and schemed for his fall. From their childhoods through the ultimate fulfillment of their destinies, we follow these women and the diverse cast of characters that surrounds them as the great Arthurian epic unfolds stunningly before us. As Morgaine and Gwenhwyfar struggle for control over the fate of Arthur's kingdom, as the Knights of the Round Table take on their infamous quest, as Merlin and Viviane wield their magics for the future of Old Britain, the Isle of Avalon slips further into the impenetrable mists of memory, until the fissure be...

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 my...

  Priestess of Avalon (Avalon #4) Author: Marion Zimmer Bradley and Diana L. Paxson  Genre: Historical Fiction, Fantasy Publisher: Ace Release Date: 2008 Pages: 418 Source: Personal Collection Synopsis: In the long-awaited return to Avalon by the beloved author of The Mists of Avalon and her collaborator, bestselling author Diana L. Paxson, Marion Zimmer Bradley fuses myth, magic and romance in a spectacular unfolding of one woman's role in the making of history and spirit...        My Review: Priestess of Avalon is the prequel to The Mists of Avalon . It follows the life of Helena Augusta, the mother of Emperor Constantine. In Priestess of Avalon , Helena is a British princess called Eilan. She trains to be a priestess of Avalon. Eilan eventually learns that she is destined to give birth to a child who will change the world. Therefore, Eilan walks a journey that no priestess of Avalon has ever walked before.      Eilan ...

  Lady of Avalon (Avalon #3) Author: Marion Zimmer Bradley Genre: Historical Fiction, Fantasy Publisher: Ace Release Date: 2007 Pages: 404 Source: Personal Collection Synopsis: Journey to a time before King Arthur in this prequel to The Mists of Avalon —a spellbinding story of three remarkable women who alter the fortunes of Roman Britain as they fight to reclaim the magic and traditions of a once glorious past.        Caillean, the young priestess fated to become Lady of Avalon, who rescues and raises the orphaned Gawen—heir to a mystic and dangerous royal line...Dierna, who must use all her strength, wisdom, and love to guide Avalon through treacherous political waters and veil the island from a hostile world...Viviane, Lady of the Lake and keeper of the Grail, destined for true greatness as she prepares Avalon for the coming of a legendary king...      Bestselling author Marion Zimmer Bradley brings the mesmerizing world of ...

The Forest House (Avalon #2) Author: Marion Zimmer Bradley Genre: Historical Fiction, Fantasy Publisher: Ace Release Date: 1995 Pages: 434 Source: Personal Collection Synopsis: The New York Times bestselling science fiction and fantasy author of the Avalon series introduces the prequel to the beloved and enduring classic The Mists of Avalon in this mesmerizing epic of one woman’s legendary role at a turning point in history.      In a Britain struggling to survive Roman invasion, Eilan is the daughter of a Druidic warleader, gifted with visions and marked by fate to become a priestess of the Forest House.      But fate also led Eilan to Gaius, a soldier of mixed blood, son of the Romans sent to subdue the native British. For Gaius, Eilan felt forbidden love, and her terrible secret will haunt her even as she is anointed as the new High Priestess. With mighty enemies poised to destroy the magic the Forest House shelters, Eilan must tr...