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192nd out of 711 books
—
744 voters
Sword of Avalon (Avalon #7)
Marion Zimmer Bradley's legendary saga of Avalon's extraordinary women continues with a tale of fiery visions, a lost king, and a forthcoming destiny...
Epic in its sweep and peopled by the remarkable women who have always inhabited Avalon, Marion Zimmer Bradley's Sword of Avalon expands the legendary saga that has enchanted millions of readers over the years and is sure t...more
Epic in its sweep and peopled by the remarkable women who have always inhabited Avalon, Marion Zimmer Bradley's Sword of Avalon expands the legendary saga that has enchanted millions of readers over the years and is sure t...more
Hardcover, 416 pages
Published
December 1st 2009
by Roc Hardcover
(first published January 1st 1998)
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WOW! What a great book - I couldn't put the book down until I had finished it.
From the "Fall of Alantas" to "Ancestors of Avalon" we learn that tradition is to be passed on when Micail and Tiriki make it to the new land and start the rebuilding of the Temple of Light. Though the "Ancestors of Avalon" ends with Micail and Tiriki's beginning sucess, the continuation to their sucess is clearly represented in "The Sword of Avalon".
"The Sword of Avalon" doesn't pick up where the book "Ancestors of Av...more
From the "Fall of Alantas" to "Ancestors of Avalon" we learn that tradition is to be passed on when Micail and Tiriki make it to the new land and start the rebuilding of the Temple of Light. Though the "Ancestors of Avalon" ends with Micail and Tiriki's beginning sucess, the continuation to their sucess is clearly represented in "The Sword of Avalon".
"The Sword of Avalon" doesn't pick up where the book "Ancestors of Av...more
I was not looking for this specific audiobook when I discovered it amongst the SF/Fantasy shelves at the library. I decided since it was a stand alone in a well known series, I would give it a try.
I actually enjoyed listening to the story mostly because the narrator deftly pronounced the names of the characters and places which where nearly their own dialect. The story takes place before the events of Authur and Camelot, many generations before. The sword that would later become known as Excalib...more
I actually enjoyed listening to the story mostly because the narrator deftly pronounced the names of the characters and places which where nearly their own dialect. The story takes place before the events of Authur and Camelot, many generations before. The sword that would later become known as Excalib...more
In this prequel to Bradley’s most famous book, The Mists of Avalon, we see the origins of elements we’ll find in Bradley’s take on the Matter of Britain.
The priestess of Avalon saves Mikantor, a baby ordained by the gods to become a leader capable of uniting and defending his people during a time of crisis. Mikantor is a small boy at Avalon who falls into danger, is captured, and taken to the Mediterranean and sold into slavery. There, he is befriended by Velanto, a smith; when war destroys Vela...more
I just finished the last book in the Avalon series (Marion Zimmer Bradley & Diana L. Paxson,) and I realize it was not my workload for school that has kept me from diving into the novel head first all these years. It was the all-consuming sadness and finality I've felt at the end of each of the books that held me back. Knowing there will be no more books about Avalon that can touch my soul the way these books do. I tend to live each one, as I read it, in my dreams, both waking and sleeping....more
This book was fairly good, although I didn't find myself as attached to the characters as I had been with Ravens of Avalon. The plot was somewhat predictable - the young king must be hidden for his own safety, is caught and sold into slavery in a foreign land, and eventually makes his triumphant return. It held some unexpected twists, though. I was satisfied with what happened in the end with Mikantor and Tirilan. Velantos' fate was predictable I suppose, but I still shed a tear at his fateful e...more
The latest in the Marion Zimmer Bradley/Diana Paxson Avalon books. Chronologically, this comes after Ancestors of Avalon and before Ravens of Avalon; it's not necessary to have read Ancestors to understand the series, but it might help to read the summary, at least.
I've read all the Avalon books and several of Paxson's historical fantasies (though not her Westria series), and she is generally good at that genre. They are all enjoyable reads, but none have stayed with me in the long run. While I...more
I've read all the Avalon books and several of Paxson's historical fantasies (though not her Westria series), and she is generally good at that genre. They are all enjoyable reads, but none have stayed with me in the long run. While I...more
This book is paced quite oddly and I found it hard to latch onto the story for the first 150-200 pages. Paxson doesn't manage to convey the passing of time all that well, so I often found myself quite lost when exactly time has passed and how much. This gets better in the last half of the book when large periods of time aren't skipped anymore.
Even though the main story is quite predictable most of the time, each character tells his or her own story and I never had the feeling I was reading a pro...more
Even though the main story is quite predictable most of the time, each character tells his or her own story and I never had the feeling I was reading a pro...more
I decided to read this series chronologically rather than publication date. I thought the series would run smoother. Well it didn't. I read Mists of Avalon awhile back. Though the book was one thousand pages long, it flowed well. With Ancestors of Avalon, it was harder to get into but overall, I still liked the book. I think since Diana Paxon has taken over Marion Zimmerman Bradley's legacy, the flow isn't as smooth. For Sword of Avalon, it was incredibly difficult to follow the story. The book...more
Oct 08, 2012
C-Cose Daley
rated it
5 of 5 stars
·
review of another edition
Recommends it for:
everyone
Where do I begin?
This was yet another masterful addition to the world of Avalon that Marion Zimmer Bradley introduced us to so long ago with The Mists of Avalon. Tn this volume we are transported between pre-Roman Britain, ancient Archae (current Greece) and many points throughout Bronze Age Europe.
Morgaine returns to introduce us to what will follow and some much-loved characters return in various forms throughout. I was thrilled to read a possible origin for one of Arthur's Great Swords in a c...more
This was yet another masterful addition to the world of Avalon that Marion Zimmer Bradley introduced us to so long ago with The Mists of Avalon. Tn this volume we are transported between pre-Roman Britain, ancient Archae (current Greece) and many points throughout Bronze Age Europe.
Morgaine returns to introduce us to what will follow and some much-loved characters return in various forms throughout. I was thrilled to read a possible origin for one of Arthur's Great Swords in a c...more
It is always an illusion to believe that the book is written by Marion Zimmer Bradley, but her name is just in the idea behind the book. It is obvious when reading it that the author can't be her: Diana Paxson, for how good is she and how honorable work she is doing is not able to catch the atmosphere that the Bradley was able to recreate.
This book presents the background story behind the "legendary sword of Avalon", that is, Excalibur.
It is interesting that the origin is connected to ancient G...more
This book presents the background story behind the "legendary sword of Avalon", that is, Excalibur.
It is interesting that the origin is connected to ancient G...more
Mar 05, 2012
Georgiana 1792
rated it
4 of 5 stars
·
review of another edition
Shelves:
diario-di-pensieri-persi,
sfida-fantasyosa
La nascita di Excalibur
Ottavo libro del ciclo di Avalon e terzo cronologicamente parlando, La spada di Avalon prosegue il percorso iniziato da Marion Zimmer Bradley con la pubblicazione del suo capolavoro indiscusso, Le nebbie di Avalon, e proseguito, dopo la sua morte — avvenuta nel 1999 — da Diana L. Paxon, che si è accollata il compito di collegare il mito di Avalon con quello di Atlantide — le cui vicende sono narrate in un libro a parte da Marion Zimmer Bradley (Le luci di Atlantide, The fa...more
Ottavo libro del ciclo di Avalon e terzo cronologicamente parlando, La spada di Avalon prosegue il percorso iniziato da Marion Zimmer Bradley con la pubblicazione del suo capolavoro indiscusso, Le nebbie di Avalon, e proseguito, dopo la sua morte — avvenuta nel 1999 — da Diana L. Paxon, che si è accollata il compito di collegare il mito di Avalon con quello di Atlantide — le cui vicende sono narrate in un libro a parte da Marion Zimmer Bradley (Le luci di Atlantide, The fa...more
In general, I like what Paxon has been doing with the Avalon series. Ancestors of Avalon was an engaging read, Ravens of Avalon was visceral and moving, and in as much as Paxon's writing invariably weaves a thick spell transporting the reader through time and space, I didn't love this book as much as I have loved the past books.
While there were parts in which the writing was so vivid and compelling I forgot to breathe for entire pages, the themes common to all of the Avalon books sometimes seeme...more
While there were parts in which the writing was so vivid and compelling I forgot to breathe for entire pages, the themes common to all of the Avalon books sometimes seeme...more
Mais um livro que nos leva a conhecer mais um pouco do caminho desde que se criou Avalon até que ela foi levada para fora do alcance de toda a gente, escondida durante tempo indefinido nas brumas.
Gostei especialmente deste livro não por ser diferente dos outros ou algo do género, infelizmente (ou não) a fórmula utilizada para contar a história é a mesma (Todos os livros sobre Avalon, da MZB, parecem ser repetições atrás de repetições. Histórias tristes que nos mostram a devoção à Deusa e o amor...more
Gostei especialmente deste livro não por ser diferente dos outros ou algo do género, infelizmente (ou não) a fórmula utilizada para contar a história é a mesma (Todos os livros sobre Avalon, da MZB, parecem ser repetições atrás de repetições. Histórias tristes que nos mostram a devoção à Deusa e o amor...more
Ler Marion Zimmer Bradley sempre foi uma experiência bastante mágica para mim. Mesmo havendo livros que não foram exactamente escritos por ela, a sua magia nunca desaparece, havendo sempre um traço da sua presença, da sua marca, ao longo dos livros. A Espada de Avalon não é excepção. Embora tenha sido escrito por Diana L. Paxson, são bem visíveis as característas e os traços de Marion Zimmer Bradley.
Reentrar no mundo fantástico que é Avalon, foi como regressar a casa após um longo período de aus...more
Reentrar no mundo fantástico que é Avalon, foi como regressar a casa após um longo período de aus...more
I've read all the Avalon books so far, this one is the latest volume placed after Ancestors Of Avalon and before Ravens Of Avalon, telling how the legendary sword, Excalibur was made. As much as I enjoyed reading this one, it was far not as good as Marion Zimmer Bradley's books in the Avalon saga, of course. I somehow couldn't really connect with the characters except maybe Velantos, and as in all Avalon-books, it was the usual "priestess-having-the-vision-of-something-holy-so-she-is-using-every...more
When reading the Avalon series in chronological order (rather than date of publication) Sword of Avalon is the third book in the series. Set many years after Ancestors of Avalon, this book begins to create a stronger connection between the individuals of Atlantis and those of King Arthur's time. The characters within this book are still aware of their descendancy from Atlantis and that their ways are a mingling of Atlantean beliefs and the ways of the people of the Mighty Isle.
This story brings...more
This story brings...more
I'm a big fan of MZB and have only reluctantly read some of Paxson's Avalon books which are just OK by comparison in my opinion. And this is not one of her better efforts. It especially drags in the middle. I also had trouble placing the time period and it wasn't until I got to the Afterward that I saw it was set in about 1200 BCE. In fact, I think my suggestion would be to read the Afterward FIRST, although maybe I was at a disadvantage for listening to it on CD rather than reading a print vers...more
This one is the newest one in the series and meant to fit in between Ancestors of Avalon and Ravens of Avalon. I might be being a touch generous with my stars but it was much closer to 4 than to 3. The plot had some twists and tension. It had some battles (probably it's weakest factor though) and some new geography (Greece!). I saw alot of Mists reflected in this volume and it worked. Next up is Ravens and it features Boudica...admittedly my first book with her, I'm kinda extra excited :)
Plot driven, contrived, and full of one dimensional characters; this is a version of the origin of Excalibur. I want so much to like these extensions of the MZB's story, but they've mostly been terrible. This is too bad as some of Diana Paxson's earlier novels have been very enjoyable.
If you
If you
I'm not too disappointed with Paxson's efforts. She's still not Marion Zimmer Bradley, but it was a pretty good read and lots of historical detail as always. Interesting story on the forging of Excaliber, she's keeping up the series pretty well.
Voltar a Avalon é como voltar a adolescência e reviver a experiência de ter lido "As Brumas de Avalon" pela primeira vez (foram livros que me marcaram).
Apesar de traços comuns com todos os livros de Avalon, como o amor sofrido, o livro não desilude. E é muito interessante como é neste livro que ficámos a conhecer como surgiram certos rituais, como as tatuagens de dragão nos braços do rei, o Rei Veado e até mesmo sobre a Excalibur.
No entanto, nem todo o livro me despertou interesse, pois a parte...more
Apesar de traços comuns com todos os livros de Avalon, como o amor sofrido, o livro não desilude. E é muito interessante como é neste livro que ficámos a conhecer como surgiram certos rituais, como as tatuagens de dragão nos braços do rei, o Rei Veado e até mesmo sobre a Excalibur.
No entanto, nem todo o livro me despertou interesse, pois a parte...more
I know I like a book and really want to know how it ends when I stay up past midnight on a work night to finish it. I enjoyed the story of how Excalibur was made, and it was fun to see the connections between all the other books. The Avalon series is fun to read!
Interesting version of how excalber came to be made. History of Briton pre Arthur. Some of the events paralleled the arthor stories by the Zimmer Bradley
This wasn't one of my favorites, but the story ofthe forging of the sword was passionate, almost erotic. It was beautifully written and compelling.
I couldn't even get through this one. I rarely put a book down that I've started reading -- I like to self-inflict pain like that, I guess -- but this one just never caught my attention and the writing was not as good as others in the series. Disappointing.
This is an excellent continuation of the Mists of Avalon series telling about the creation of ex caliber.
Truly a brilliant sequel to M.Z. Bradley's Avalon series. It's the series I reread over and over again.
I enjoyed the story of the forging of Excaliber, but this book just did not have the magic that the other Avalon books have. I would have liked to see a little more of the Atlantean magic or some explanation of why/how they were starting to lose the Atlantean ways. I did enjoy the way the rituals/magic of the natives were introduced and the story tied in to Arthur's story. Perhaps if I read this in a chronological order I might enjoy it more, but it just seemed to lack the depth of the other boo...more
Vi si trovano temi già trattati anche il altre "serie" della zimmer Bradley. Nulla di che.
If anyone could continue this series it is Diana Paxon. Wonderful read; could not put it down.
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Diana L. Paxson (born 1943) is a novelist and author of nonfiction, primarily in the fields of Paganism and Heathenism. Her published works include fantasy and historical fiction novels, as well as numerous short stories. More recently she has also published nonfiction books about Pagan and Heathen religions and practices.
In addition to her multiple novels and collaborations, she has written over...more
More about Diana L. Paxson...
In addition to her multiple novels and collaborations, she has written over...more
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I'm must say you have excellent reviews for all the Avalon books so far. I'm glad you liked this one, I wasn't sure how good it was.
I'm jus...more
Dec 29, 2009 01:31pm
updated Dec 29, 2009 03:35pm
updated Dec 30, 2009 04:38am