This saga of yearning and mystery travels across oceans and continents to Iceland, Greenland, and North America during the time in history when Ang...
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reviews
Nov 14, 2008
Stella
rated it: 
I decided to read this book because I really enjoyed Anya Seton's book "Katherine". I didn't like this one nearly as well. Toward the end I just didn't care anymore what happened, I just wanted it to be over. I also had a hard time with the pronunciation of the names of some of the people and places. I wasn't sure how some names were pronounced and I would get bogged down in the story trying to figure out how they should sound. It wasn't the worst book I've ever read, but it was f
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Dec 26, 2008
Kathryn
rated it:
I can't honestly bash on the woman who wrote "Katherine" but I didn't really like this book. By the end of the book I felt like I didn't even know Merewyn. She was so fickle and confusing. And Rumon was so conflicting. I don't think I liked either of them. Well I liked Rumon at the end. You can tell the extensive research that went into this book and I found that interesting, but the plot was ineffective. I felt like I was in three different plots by the end: with Alfrida in the beggin
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Apr 18, 2010
Mandy
rated it: 
Avalon was my 3rd Seton novel, and my least favorite of the three.
Even a sub-par Seton is a good read, though :)
Merewyn and Rumon, both orphans of royal descent, are on their way to the court of King Edgar. Merewyn plans to live with her aunt, Abbess of Romsey. Rumon hopes to be given a place at court.
But Rumon carries a secret - the truth of Merewyns birth. She is not the descendant of Arthur, as she was always told by her mother, but the product of rape by a viking raider. H More...
Even a sub-par Seton is a good read, though :)
Merewyn and Rumon, both orphans of royal descent, are on their way to the court of King Edgar. Merewyn plans to live with her aunt, Abbess of Romsey. Rumon hopes to be given a place at court.
But Rumon carries a secret - the truth of Merewyns birth. She is not the descendant of Arthur, as she was always told by her mother, but the product of rape by a viking raider. H More...
May 17, 2009
Susan
rated it: 
This review has been hidden because it contains spoilers.
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May 29, 2009
Carrie
rated it: 
This book is a peculiar one to critique. The historical basis is fascinating and impressive (although Ethelred and the Queen Mother come off [inaccurately:] as cartoonishly evil, for what I can only think of as dramatic effect). Her writing is compelling. But what a sap of a hero and a colorless heroine. As a matter of fact, in such a sweeping drama I can count on one hand the characters that I actually gave a hoot about -- and none of them important! I think part of the problem is the sweep of
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Mar 30, 2011
International Cat Lady
rated it:
Meh. This book was okay, and it did hold my interest all the way through... however, there was a huge emphasis on Catholicism and Catholic guilt that was awfully heavy-handed. The part of the book where one of the main characters lives in Iceland and Greenland (and for a time gives up her religion) was the most engaging for me, as it wasn't beating me over the head with religious issues. I don't mind religious characters, but I don't enjoy religious books, and this was definitely the latter. Als
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Sep 15, 2010
Margaret
rated it:
This historical novel, set mainly in 10th century Britain, tells the story of a young Cornish girl and a Breton knight, who become caught up in English politics and Viking raids. As usual for Seton, it's well researched and convincing, and I liked the first half or so all right, when Merewyn and Rumon are caught up in English politics and the machinations of beautiful Queen Alfrida. Later, though, it became too episodic, skipping years at a time and interrupting character arcs; often, the charac
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Apr 13, 2010
Cat
rated it:
This was good and well-written but rather formulaic: dirt-poor ignorant girl with blue-green or gray eyes gets accepted into English court and becomes lady-in-waiting to a beautiful, manipulative queen; gets married to wrong guy while pining for another; falls into abject poverty when husband dies, only to be redeemed in the end.
What's interesting about this one is that it was written in the 1960s and part of the story is based on the contention that Irish and Viking settlers made it More...
What's interesting about this one is that it was written in the 1960s and part of the story is based on the contention that Irish and Viking settlers made it More...
Mar 04, 2010
Audra (Unabridged Chick)
rated it:
One-sentence summary: Set in 10th century Britain, the book follows the tumultuous lives of French prince Rumon and Cornish lady-in-waiting Merewyn as they take part in court life and struggle to survive the constant Viking attacks.
Why did you get this book?: I love historical novels; I love Anya Seton; this is a time period I know very little about.
Do you like the cover?: Yes, because I like Pre-Raphaelite art, but I think it is the wrong image for the story; something m More...
Why did you get this book?: I love historical novels; I love Anya Seton; this is a time period I know very little about.
Do you like the cover?: Yes, because I like Pre-Raphaelite art, but I think it is the wrong image for the story; something m More...
Apr 02, 2008
Lauren
rated it:
I loved Avalon. It is not the best Anya Seton book (that honor goes to Katherine). However, for a book set in the Dark Ages, it is absolutely fantastic. Anya Seton did a fantastic job transplanting readers into a time about which we know little. I knew nothing going into the novel about the Saxon kings and the Vikings. Seton did a great job in helping readers understand how scary and uncertain this time period was. Seton also gives a fascinating look into Viking society, something I knew little
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May 23, 2010
Brigid
rated it:
Avalon started out strong, guided by Seton's amazing ability to transport the reader back in time to a place with which I was totally unfamiliar. Seton does such a good job of setting the scene that I often found myself distracted by the landscape. The characters are less vital but still somewhat engaging. Many are so stock in their actions and motivations that I found them unconvincing. The two main characters, Rumon and Merewyn, are more complex, but neither are all that memorable in their own
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Jul 26, 2011
Emily
rated it:
I have to say I really enjoyed this novel. There were some problems with it (like the ending which was a little bit to happy-go-lucky for me. I mean it was great that no one in court cared but at the same time would the of really happened.) The viking parts were fun to read and it is heart breaking that the two main characters can't find love with each other when all you want for them is to be happy. I think it is on par with Katherine and is a must read for Seton fans.
Oct 29, 2009
Kelly A.
rated it:
This review has been hidden because it contains spoilers.
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Jul 28, 2009
Michelle
rated it:
This is an intelligently written historical fiction account of Great Britain in the 10th century. The book takes some very poorly understood periods of history and crafts a reasonable story around them. The lead female character is a Cornish woman who believes she is descended from King Arthur, and the main lead male character is a Breton-raised man who does not have the characteristics most desired in men of that time--bravery, a willingness to fight and desire for power. He is not a very inpsi
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Jun 23, 2011
HRM Maire
rated it:
I want to give it another half star because I loved the historical parts of this so much. The background story is fascinating--10th century English and Viking history, which includes travellers to Greenland and North America--and I also enjoyed getting to know the characters, but there was something missing for me in the meat of the story about Rumon's searching for his "vision" of Avalon.
Apr 30, 2010
Elizabeth
rated it:
The historical part (late 900s England, Iceland, Greenland, Vikings, Celts, history of English royalty - all stuff I love) of this historical novel/romance is much more interesting than the the story of the main characters. I wish there was a 3 1/2 star option. I prefer Seton's novel Katherine for story and character development, but I found this historical period fascinating.
Mar 04, 2011
I read this in high school and was totally fascinated by the fact that one of the characters was the grandaughter of a character from another book by another author. Okay, so they are both historical figures but not particularly famous ones. This is about a young girl who claims to be a direct descendant of King Arthur, amongst about 500 other plots lines. Anya Seton seems pretty good a the sprawling historical type of novel.
Aug 19, 2010
Allie
rated it:
This story took place in late 10th century England, Iceland, Greenland and a couple other places and tells a sort of "love story" between Merewyn and Rumon. I liked Merewyn and her character development, but I was not impressed with Rumon. I am having trouble deciding between 3 and 4 stars for this one. The "flow" of the book is kind of awkward. There is sort of three parts to this story that are different periods in Merewyn's life. I loved though Seton's descriptions of Icel
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Nov 15, 2010
Rebecca
rated it:
One of my favourites, and I think the one AS that I like the best. Tale of a young girl with ties to the mythical King Arthur, her love for a man she can't have and the adventures that followed for both of them. Great stuff, and very much recommended.
For the complete review, please go here:
http://www.epinions.com/content_24319004...
For the complete review, please go here:
http://www.epinions.com/content_24319004...
Jan 29, 2011
Elaine
rated it:
Anya Seton researches so accurately that her facts can be trusted. She is able to weave these facts seamlessly into a good story that grips the attention and is not the least bit historically tedious. I read her books with a map at hand. try her books! Another good one is The Winthrop Woman, about Colonial Boston.
Oct 26, 2009
Marisella
rated it:
I first read this book as a youngling, and loved it then. Avalon qas one of the first books I read that gave a fairly accurate depiction of early medieval times. I found a copy in a used bookstore, and had to re-read it. I was able to pick up most of her books for a song, so will re-read those also
Jan 10, 2011
Erin
rated it:
I loved this book. I found it well-researched, well-written, fascinating and somewhat a-typical in terms of the main "romance" of the story. I loved Merewyn - found her strong and complex. I'd highly recommend this to anyone interested in this somewhat murky time period. 5 stars.
Jul 23, 2011
Zoella
rated it:
I LOVED this book, it's another historical epic by Seton and it doesn't fail to deliver. The lives of two people are connected by a chance happening which affects their actions for many years to come. If you read and enjoyed Katherine then read this novel too.
Jul 12, 2011
Natasha
rated it:
This book was a little hard to get into at first, but eventually I fell into the rhythm of the book. I really liked Merewyn and I thought she had a great character. I liked a lot of the decisions she made, especially involving Rumon. I liked Rumon too although he could get on my nerves. I loved the historical background, including having Erik and Lief Erikson. Both their lives turned out rather well and the ending was nice.
Sep 14, 2011
Carolyn
rated it:
I wasn't sure I'd enjoy this book. It looked like a romance novel and I am not fond of those. I ended up really enjoying this sweeping saga. Avalon takes place over about 30 or so years of the period known as the Dark Ages. I highly recommend!
Jul 19, 2010
Ashley
rated it:
I remember reading this as a teen and it was my first Seton novel. I enjoyed it more the first time,due more to Seton's writing style than the draw of the characters. This is a bit 'chopped up' when compared to the easy flow of Seton's other work (namely 'Katherine' or 'The Winthrop Woman'). Merewyn isnt a particularly loveable heroine and Rumon seems a bit insipid, especially when compared with some of the Viking supporters in the story. :) Still, a worthy read and she is a great story-tell
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Dec 22, 2011
Shaylaina
rated it:
This story did hold my attention better then Green Darkness. I still like Katherine better. I felt bad for Merewyn. Her life never was happy. Rumon just seemed odd
Apr 11, 2009
Patty
rated it:
Very interesting tale about early England, Vikings and love. Not the highly popularized version of Avalon you might know. Endearing characters and enjoyable writing.
Jan 10, 2009
Christine
rated it:
Another excellent saga from Anya Seton. The only trouble with this was that I thought it was very similar in plot to Katherine.
Jun 08, 2011
BamaGal
rated it:
This is a historical novel that has it all. Why can't modern historicals pay this kind of attention to detail?
