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19th out of 297 books
—
875 voters
The Forest House (Avalon #2)
The Forest House—prequel to The Mists of Avalon, Marion Zimmer Bradley’s beloved and enduring classic—is a mesmerizing epic of one woman’s mythic 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 l...more
But fate also l...more
Paperback, 462 pages
Published
April 1st 1995
by Roc Trade
(first published 1993)
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I really enjoyed this book. I was so glad to see that the book picked up where the book "Ravens of Avalon" left off.
The Arch-Druid Ardanos, Lhiannon(High Priestess of Vernemeton - the Forest House), and Caillean (senior priestess assisting Lhiannon - also Lhiannon's adoptive daughter)are characters from the book "Ravens of Avalon" who survived the fire and take over of Mona. These individuals move on to Vernemeton and rebuild the hertiage of the Priestess and Druids with the consent of the Roman...more
The Arch-Druid Ardanos, Lhiannon(High Priestess of Vernemeton - the Forest House), and Caillean (senior priestess assisting Lhiannon - also Lhiannon's adoptive daughter)are characters from the book "Ravens of Avalon" who survived the fire and take over of Mona. These individuals move on to Vernemeton and rebuild the hertiage of the Priestess and Druids with the consent of the Roman...more
I expected to like this book better than I did since I loved Mists of Avalon. The story is pre-Arthur and as a story it had a lot of possibilities. Somehow it seemed kind of disjointed. It is the story of Eilan who is the daughter of a Druid during the time when the conquering Romans are taking over the land. I just could never really connect with Gaius, the soldier that Eilan falls in love with and whose live is entwined with hers. He was a mere human after all and I suppose I wanted him to be...more
good, but too sad/fatalistic/heart wrenching, like "mists"... at least it didn't torture me for as long, since it wasn't as long. liked learning about the druids and romans before the "mists" story, though. and i'm going to read the middle book too, but i don't expect to enjoy it (no matter if it's well-written and gripping, like the others... now that ken follett has shown me the pleasures of good historical fiction with a positive view of history... why keep torturing myself? i don't know... g...more
This review has been hidden because it contains spoilers. To view it,
click here.
very much enjoyed this book, though with most of the Avalon books I can't get over the amount of nearly blind hatred that is more based in modern feminist ideas than in history.
Eilan makes Gaius do many things that go against his wishes, things that she insists are for the best, then hates him for following her orders. There's an evil man for you, he does what you ask him to, like the horrible mysogynist they all are, trying to take the power away from... uh, her father? Who despite being part...more
Eilan makes Gaius do many things that go against his wishes, things that she insists are for the best, then hates him for following her orders. There's an evil man for you, he does what you ask him to, like the horrible mysogynist they all are, trying to take the power away from... uh, her father? Who despite being part...more
Sono stata parecchio riluttante ad iniziare questo libro e, anche una volta iniziato, ingranare un buon ritmo di lettura è stato piuttosto difficile.
Trovo che la storia faccia un po' di fatica ad ingranare, specie per la gran quantità di nomi che viene presentata sin dalle prime pagine, e per gli sbalzi tra narrazione e pensieri che lasciano un po' stordito il lettore.
Una volta preso il ritmo, però, il libro si rivela interessante e la storia piacevole da seguire.
Persino il salto da un personagg...more
Trovo che la storia faccia un po' di fatica ad ingranare, specie per la gran quantità di nomi che viene presentata sin dalle prime pagine, e per gli sbalzi tra narrazione e pensieri che lasciano un po' stordito il lettore.
Una volta preso il ritmo, però, il libro si rivela interessante e la storia piacevole da seguire.
Persino il salto da un personagg...more
Oct 16, 2012
Simone
rated it
4 of 5 stars
·
review of another edition
Shelves:
fantasy,
historical-fiction
Having first watched "The Mists of Avalon" and absolutely loved it, I was thrilled to discover there were more to this story.
When the young Roman boy Gaius (who is, in fact, half Roman and half British) is rescued from an animal trap by a Druid family, he uses his British name Gawin in order to stay safe as the common people of "Britannia" are not very fond of the Romans who are trying to dominate their entire country and culture. Staying as a guest of the Druid family until his wounds are heal...more
When the young Roman boy Gaius (who is, in fact, half Roman and half British) is rescued from an animal trap by a Druid family, he uses his British name Gawin in order to stay safe as the common people of "Britannia" are not very fond of the Romans who are trying to dominate their entire country and culture. Staying as a guest of the Druid family until his wounds are heal...more
Nov 15, 2012
Elisabeth
rated it
3 of 5 stars
·
review of another edition
Shelves:
fantasy,
historical-fiction
Let me start of by saying, that like many I probably started reading this book because I loved The Mists of Avalon. MZB has been criticized a lot, but in spite of the fact that I probably agree with a lot of that criticism, the way she tells her stories has always spellbound me.
So after all these years I finally got my hands on this book and read it. Right from the beginning though, this book had a very tragic feel about it and I realized it was based on Norma I understood why I felt that. Eila...more
So after all these years I finally got my hands on this book and read it. Right from the beginning though, this book had a very tragic feel about it and I realized it was based on Norma I understood why I felt that. Eila...more
Pleasantly surprising. Pre-dates "Mists" and King Arthur. All about the war between Romans and Druids - made me want to read the "real" history of this time period! Eilan, grand-daughter of Arch Druid, falls in love with Gauis, son of bigwig Roman.
Would probably give this 3 and a half stars. I liked it, but had a harder time getting into it than I expected, given how much I remember loving The Mists of Avalon. That's one of my all-time favorites and one I've read several times. However, my most recent re-read was probably 20 years ago, so maybe my tastes have changed a bit since then. Or maybe this one just wasn't quite as good. Or maybe I'm just pickier now. :)
I had mixed feelings about the characters in this one; they didn't all seem co...more
I had mixed feelings about the characters in this one; they didn't all seem co...more
I found the clash of the Romans and Druids to be what interested me the most. Tragedy filled this story and did so with stunning visuals. A bit dry at parts, and towards the middle to end of the book, both Eilan and Gaius (and perhaps Ardanos) were beginning to unnerve me with their actions. So often in the book I found myself rooting with the characters and the situations they faced but rarely was I ever appeased - so I was definitely kept on my toes hoping that something good would come to the...more
i guess because i loved 'mists' so much i expected more from 'forest house' and 'lady of avalon' and i was alittle disappointed. but the books were good, just not great.
Aug 09, 2011
Nicole Acheson
added it
The forest house is a good book and the characters are very realistic. I realized something though while readiing this book after reading lady of avalon. The first story in lady of avalon is a continuation of the story in the forest house. I suggest that anyone who is thinking of reading lady of avalon should read the forest house first. The story has a little bit of everything in it, life and death, suspense, romance and of course some religion ie; Celtic religion, mithraism and some mention of...more
In 'the Forest House' Marion Zimmer Bradley weavers history and fantasy to create the foundation on which Avalon would be built.
Set in Roman Britain at a time when Druids and the priestesses of the Great Goddess, are no more than tolerated by the Roman authorities.
The remnants of priestesses now dwell in the sanctuary of 'the Forest House'. At this time Lhiannon is high priestess, Lady of the Forest House and Caillean a senior priestess and her devoted assistant.
Eilan daughter of a prominent an...more
Set in Roman Britain at a time when Druids and the priestesses of the Great Goddess, are no more than tolerated by the Roman authorities.
The remnants of priestesses now dwell in the sanctuary of 'the Forest House'. At this time Lhiannon is high priestess, Lady of the Forest House and Caillean a senior priestess and her devoted assistant.
Eilan daughter of a prominent an...more
While it's not an epic adventure like The Mists of Avalon, it does have a lot of Bradley's trademark beautiful visuals and it makes an enjoyable prequel.
The Forest House was much easier to place in real time, as they reference both the Roman emperors and Joseph of Arimathea (when they reference the queen Livia, wife of Caesar Augustus, I had a much better idea where (when?) both Forest House and Mists of Avalon were set. I was hoping for the births or childhoods of some familiar characters from...more
The Forest House was much easier to place in real time, as they reference both the Roman emperors and Joseph of Arimathea (when they reference the queen Livia, wife of Caesar Augustus, I had a much better idea where (when?) both Forest House and Mists of Avalon were set. I was hoping for the births or childhoods of some familiar characters from...more
This book is a prequel to the Mists of Avalon which I haven't read yet and judging by the rest of the reviews, it's probably just as well. The historical content was what interested me most. I love the Roman era and I'm also really interested in the Druid period so it was interesting to see them clash. Originally, I liked the characters of Eilan and Gaius but as the book progressed, their actions continuously annoyed me and I wanted to smack their heads together. It all seemed pointless at some...more
The Forest House is the dwelling place for the Druid priestesses, a place where they have retreated since the Romans demolished their Holy Isle a generation earlier. The sons of those raped priestesses have grown strong and bitter, wishing to avenge the desecration of their mothers. It is up to the current generation of priestesses to keep the peace, if, indeed, it is peace that the Great Goddess wants.
More on my blog: Book Review: The Forest House by Marion Zimmer Bradley
More on my blog: Book Review: The Forest House by Marion Zimmer Bradley
I really struggled with this book. It felt like I was reading three chapters of "The Mists of Avalon" but spread into a whole novel: with more added having-of-plot-redundant-babies. I think part of the problem was that I only liked one character and she appears quite irregularly. And there are so few meaningful conversations! The main protagonists were a bit meh. It seems like you hardly get to know them, and even though a lot of time is passing in the story, it feels like not much happens.
I did...more
I did...more
Feb 23, 2010
Hayley hemming
rated it
5 of 5 stars
Recommends it for:
everyone who loves a heartbreaking story
Recommended to Hayley by:
my friend and boss! Nicky
This is probably the most heartbreaking one of all the books (with the mists following close behind!) Eilan and Gauis' love was one that could never be and it made you feel for them in such a way that it was hard to put the book down. The ending made me cry and throughout the book i was constantly trying to fight back tears!
I can't add more without giving the plot away but the love between them two is so strong, even though they have to live seperate lives. It makes you want to find the love of...more
I can't add more without giving the plot away but the love between them two is so strong, even though they have to live seperate lives. It makes you want to find the love of...more
The book itself was rather good...but for me it was childish in some points, too much fantasy to be historical, too superficial to become a historical novel. I remember I checked few times if it is intended actually for children. The plot is ok, although predictable, but the characters motivations are somehow superficial,it also lacks the depth necessary when "trying" analysing such amazing culture, such as Roman and Celtic civilisations. As a conclusion, I do not think this particular volume wi...more
This book was the weakest of all of Bradley's books I read. She imagines King Arthur as descended from a Celtic Priestess and a Roman soldier. I was not drawn to either of the main characters and, for a book ostensibly about the Druids there was very little detail about them. She breifly mentions the founding of Avalon, but the one detail that stands out is that the head Priestess put the least intelligent woman in charge of the kitchen. Awful! Details of Roman life were interesting but, overall...more
I enjoyed this book. I like most of the books written by Marion Zimmer Bradley. Having read several of her other "Avalon" books, I feel I have a very good understanding of the culture of the British Ilses as described in her books, and how the ladies of Avalon, influence and relate to the outside communities.
The Forest House does not have the depth or color of The Mists of Avalon, in my view, but of all the "Avalon" themed books, I think this one is the closest.
Very enjoyable read if you enjoy...more
The Forest House does not have the depth or color of The Mists of Avalon, in my view, but of all the "Avalon" themed books, I think this one is the closest.
Very enjoyable read if you enjoy...more
This review has been hidden because it contains spoilers. To view it,
click here.
This review has been hidden because it contains spoilers. To view it,
click here.
Most people don't like Zimmer's books as much as they do Mists of Avalon but after reading the Forest House I realized that all the other books enrich the entire backdrop that is Avalon. You appreciate Mists more because of the others who've played a part in Avalon's story. I liked Eilan and the role she played though it seemed very much slanted that she had very little chance for happiness. I found myself disliking the priests entirely and felt that Lhiannon allowing them so much power was tota...more
This review has been hidden because it contains spoilers. To view it,
click here.
A beautiful, but frustrating book. The strength of the women characters in the face of an increasingly patriarchal world made me both proud and upset. Character growth was phenomenal--you could feel the two main characters grow older, from an exuberant and naive youth to experienced adults forced to survive (and shaped by) the consequences of their decisions in a difficult world. I would have like more magic, but what was there was believable and satisfying.
his is the sequel to The Mists of Avalon in that it was written later, but a prequel in that it is about a period of time roughly 400 years prior to the first book. It deals with the events that lead up to the founding of Avalon. The historical context is the middle of the 2nd century AD and Britannia is firmly under the yoke of Roman rule.
The story revolves around the lives of Eilan, a local girl and Gaius, a half-Roman boy. You can think of it as a sort of Celtic/Roman West Side Story or Rome...more
The story revolves around the lives of Eilan, a local girl and Gaius, a half-Roman boy. You can think of it as a sort of Celtic/Roman West Side Story or Rome...more
I learned from this book that one shouldn't try to milk a successful concept beyond its possibilities...I was so disappointed by this:
The historical accuracy is all present and correct, but its basically Mill&Boon with cloaks.
For me, that just didn't work, considering the cerebral impact Mists of Avalon had on me when I was about fourteen. This has been done better elsewhere.
So my expectations were high and not met.
The historical accuracy is all present and correct, but its basically Mill&Boon with cloaks.
For me, that just didn't work, considering the cerebral impact Mists of Avalon had on me when I was about fourteen. This has been done better elsewhere.
So my expectations were high and not met.
Jul 23, 2012
Amblingbooks.com
marked it as to-read
·
review of another edition
Shelves:
audiobooks,
fantasy
This prequel to Marion Zimmer Bradley's beloved classic The Mists of Avalon is a mesmerizing epic of one woman's mythic role at a turning point in history, brought to magnificent, unforgettable life.
Listen to The Forest House on your smartphone, notebook or desktop computer.
Listen to The Forest House on your smartphone, notebook or desktop computer.
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Marion Eleanor Zimmer Bradley was an American author of fantasy novels such as The Mists of Avalon and the Darkover series, often with a feminist outlook.
Born on a farm in Albany, New York, during the Great Depression, she began writing in 1949 and sold her first story to Vortex magazine in 1952. In 1965 Bradley graduated with a Bachelor of Arts degree from Hardin-Simmons University in Abilene, Te...more
More about Marion Zimmer Bradley...
Born on a farm in Albany, New York, during the Great Depression, she began writing in 1949 and sold her first story to Vortex magazine in 1952. In 1965 Bradley graduated with a Bachelor of Arts degree from Hardin-Simmons University in Abilene, Te...more
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“Remain true to yourself, child. If you know your own heart, you will always have one friend who does not lie.”
—
16 people liked it
“Rome was mud and smoky skies; the rank smell of the Tiber and the exotically spiced cooking fires of a hundred different nationalities. Rome was white marble and gilding and heady perfumes; the blare of trumpets and the shrieking of market-women and the eternal, sub-aural hum of more people, speaking more languages than Gaius had ever imagined existed, crammed together on seven hills whose contours had long ago disappeared beneath this encrustation if humanity. Rome was the pulsing heart of the world.”
—
4 people liked it
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