Sunrise of Avalon (Twilight of Avalon, #3)

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Sunrise of Avalon (Twilight of Avalon #3)

by Anna Elliott (Goodreads Author)

4.09 of 5 stars 4.09 · rating details · 69 ratings · 14 reviews

She is a healer, a storyteller, and a warrior. When Britain is faced with threats both old and new, the strength of her love may be the kingdom’s downfall . . . or salvation. Their love has overcome endless obstacles. Never ones to shy away from danger, former High Queen Isolde and Trystan, a mercenary with a lonely and troubled past, have already endured a perilous journ...more

Paperback, 448 pages

Published September 13th 2011 by Touchstone

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Feb 19, 2013 Carina rated it 2 of 5 stars

FINALLY it's over! No more of this crappy series!

This final book made me want to tear my hair out several times. If the previous books had too many boring and unnecessary scenes, then this one had way too much MELODRAMA.

I wanted to slap the main couple... repeatedly. Trystan was dead set on being a "Noble Idiot" and Isolde let him brood and mope all he wanted. Then we had a hundred scenes of "push and pull" between these two almost on the level of a Twilight book.

In short:

Trystan - "I can't be w...more

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Oct 27, 2011 Amy Lignor rated it 5 of 5 stars

When an author saves the best for last, her fans are not only exceedingly happy, but they also experience some deep-seeded disappointment that this is the very last book about what has become their favorite story. This is what Anna Elliott has accomplished. Being the final book of the Twilight of Avalon trilogy, Sunrise offers a wealth of adventure, action, deception, and one of the most beautiful romances in history - the love of Trystan and Isolde.

Isolde is the daughter of Morgan (King Arthur’...more When an author saves the best for last, her fans are not only exceedingly happy, but they also experience some deep-seeded disappointment that this is the very last book about what has become their favorite story. This is what Anna Elliott has accomplished. Being the final book of the Twilight of Avalon trilogy, Sunrise offers a wealth of adventure, action, deception, and one of the most beautiful romances in history - the love of Trystan and Isolde.

Isolde is the daughter of Morgan (King Arthur’s sister). Morgan is a dying sorceress at the beginning of our novel, tending to Isolde who is the daughter of Arthur’s wife - who betrayed him and slept with his son, Modred, to become his Queen. But this novel brings readers directly to the side of former High Queen Isolde, as she worries day and night about her beloved hero (although most refer to him as a mercenary). Trystan has already gone through the fiercest fires by having to deal with Lord Marche (his father) at every turn, to keep him off Britain’s throne. And now Marche is allied to the Saxon King.

There is far more fear on the horizon as Britain prepares their army for the final battle. With this, they will either lose their kingdom, or they will finally be able to declare victory against the Saxon King and the hideous Lord Marche. But without Trystan and Isolde, and the power they wield, Britain has absolutely no hope to keep their lands, people and kingdom out of the traitors’ hands.

Add to this, however, the most important part for all readers - the true love that Trystan and Isolde have for each other. Long before there was a ‘Bella & Edward’ that everyone talked about, these two stunning characters had a love that they had to battle for each and every day. And both hold their secrets close to their hearts. In the end, they may just have to make a final decision that they do NOT want to make - give up the kingdom…or give up each other?

History has been told in many ways, and the story of Trystan and Isolde is not a new one. But what this author has managed to do is insert many historical and legendary facts by wrapping them up in a love story that will continue to inspire for millions of generations to come. Ms. Elliott’s ‘pen’ is her sword, and she is one of the top writers of historical fiction. Begin with Twilight of Avalon, thrive on Dark Moon of Avalon, and then watch the Sunrise through Anna Elliott’s amazing storytelling. You will not be disappointed. The only thing you will ask is what beauty Anna Elliott will bring to the world next…and, more importantly, when?!
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Oct 21, 2011 Britni rated it 5 of 5 stars

Impossible love. Fighting and fantasy. A well-known time period but a story that most of us don't know.

The Twilight of Avalon Trilogy is made up of three books - Twilight of Avalon, Dark Moon of Avalon, and Sunrise of Avalon - and is about a story of impossible love between Trystan and Isolde in the time following King Arthur's death. Their story begins when the two of them are childhood best friends and ends, well I won't tell you how their story ends.

Set in a medieval time of turmoil after t...more

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Aug 24, 2011 Sarah rated it 5 of 5 stars · review of another edition

"Whether she was here because she’d known, somehow, that he would be coming, or whether this was some mission of the king’s council. It didn’t matter. She’d have walked straight into any den of wolves, without flinching, without hesitation, if that was what had to be done." - Sunrise of Avalon

Sunrise of Avalon is the third novel in Anna Elliott's Trystan and Isolde trilogy.

The novel begins where Dark Moon of Avalon left us: Britain is still in need of powerful allies to fight back against the th...more "Whether she was here because she’d known, somehow, that he would be coming, or whether this was some mission of the king’s council. It didn’t matter. She’d have walked straight into any den of wolves, without flinching, without hesitation, if that was what had to be done." - Sunrise of Avalon

Sunrise of Avalon is the third novel in Anna Elliott's Trystan and Isolde trilogy.

The novel begins where Dark Moon of Avalon left us: Britain is still in need of powerful allies to fight back against the threat of the traitor King Marche and his alliance with the Saxon king, Octa of Kent. Trystan has left Isolde in the relative safety of the abbey of Saint Eucherius whilst he attempts to rescue his friend Fidach, who is being held prisoner by the nasty Octa of Kent.

However, a new, more dangerous threat has risen from within the British alliance that must first be quelled in order for them to stand a chance against the combined armies of Marche and Octa. Trystan continues to be plagued by his past and his fear that he will never be good enough for the lovely Isolde, whilst Isolde holds a secret that could put them in even greater danger than what they already are. Miles apart yet seemingly always together, Trystan and Isolde once again risk their lives and their happiness for the greater good: The freedom of Britain and its people.

The legend of Trystan and Isolde has always been a story of love unfulfilled, and Sunrise of Avalon is, at the heart of it, a true love story. Anna Elliott has brilliantly fused the history of Britain with Arthurian legend and created, in my opinion, one of the greatest love stories ever told: At the root of it all - of everything Trystan and Isolde do and are forced to suffer - is an unrelenting desire to be together.

As with all of Elliott's work, Sunrise of Avalon is a beautifully written, well-researched novel that breathes new life into the Arthurian legend of Trystan and Isolde. The ending is so wonderfully poetic it brought tears to my eyes, and makes this novel my favourite of the three.

I highly recommend this trilogy to anyone who enjoys a perfectly constructed story, but especially to those who like historical fiction, fantasy and romance.

(Thanks to the publisher, Simon & Schuster, for allowing me to read and review this novel prior to publication date).(less)

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Apr 26, 2012 Terry (Ter05 TwiMoms/ MundieMoms) rated it 5 of 5 stars Recommends it for: Readers of the first 3, fans of the legend and Arthurian times

Shelves: could-not-put-it-down-books, epic-series

This beautiful five star read is the final chapter of a trilogy starting with Twilight of Avalon, Dark Moon of Avalon, and ending with Sunrise of Avalon. To say the author saved the best for last is an understatement. I love the era of Arthur (this takes place after Arthur's death) and love this bittersweet tragic love story/legend. In these books the author has added many twists that differ from others, but knowing it is all legend and no one knows what or if it happened, it worked for me. She...more This beautiful five star read is the final chapter of a trilogy starting with Twilight of Avalon, Dark Moon of Avalon, and ending with Sunrise of Avalon. To say the author saved the best for last is an understatement. I love the era of Arthur (this takes place after Arthur's death) and love this bittersweet tragic love story/legend. In these books the author has added many twists that differ from others, but knowing it is all legend and no one knows what or if it happened, it worked for me. She definitely brought the times of Britain's post Arthur war with the Saxons to life.

But more than that, in this book Trystan and Isolde really came alive for me. Not only alive, but I loved them both and anguished throughout the book because of course I know this is indeed a TRAGIC impossible love. The story delves deeply into who Trystan is and why. In this rendition of the legend he is the son of king Marche who treated him and his mother viciously. He is outlawed in the first book and remains a hunted man deeply involved trying to save his country by at times playing a double agent. He is brilliant and shot with luck too in the danger he throws himself into. At times when he is about to go down his five friends have his back - at other times the woman he loves, Isolde, finds him with her mind and saves him.

In the end of the second book Isolde and Trystan are married but only have a short time together. It is done secretly and then Trystan is gone on another mission, but even as he leaves, Isolde knows she is carrying his child. She also knows he does not intend to return. She does not tell him about the baby for reasons you need to read the book to understand. As they both put themselves in one dangerous situation after the other, this is a tense read but the sense of their incredible love is so well done by this author. I spent the entire last half of the book hating that I know the way this story ends and wanting it not to be. I stopped reading at midnight last night and went to bed. I couldn't stop thinking about the book so got up and finished it at 2:30 this morning. Still thinking about it. One of those series that got better and better with each book, and the final one was truly beautiful.(less)

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Sep 15, 2011 Laura rated it 5 of 5 stars

Her raven locks caught on the wind.
She calls the magic from her heart
It runs through her fingers,
Like sand, like time.

- Sunrise of Avalon

Sunrise of Avalon picks straight back up from where Dark Moon of Avalon ended; Briton on the verge of an inevitable war with the Saxons and Isolde pregnant with Trystan’s child. Isolde spends her days tending to the sick & wounded, glimpsing what may or will be in the waters through use of The Sight, leaving herself in a state of constant anxiety fearing fo...more Her raven locks caught on the wind.
She calls the magic from her heart
It runs through her fingers,
Like sand, like time.

- Sunrise of Avalon

Sunrise of Avalon picks straight back up from where Dark Moon of Avalon ended; Briton on the verge of an inevitable war with the Saxons and Isolde pregnant with Trystan’s child. Isolde spends her days tending to the sick & wounded, glimpsing what may or will be in the waters through use of The Sight, leaving herself in a state of constant anxiety fearing for her beloved’s life. Trystan, recently having set out on another quest in order to rescue his friend Fidach from the bloody paws of Octa the Bloody.

Trystan, has always held himself responsible for any ill or death that befalls any of his men and insists to his closest comrades that he is not worthy of Isolde’s love, little does he know that Isolde carries his child and that they are ultimately, each others perfect half. After all they have been through and their personal sacrifices for the greater glory of Briton and her people; the new dawn shines down upon them, banishing the darkness leaving Trystan & Isolde united.

The Legend of Isolde & Trystan is legendary and I’m happy that Anna chose to steer away from the traditional tragic ending to that of the earlier Welsh version, a much happier ending where the lovers remain united. An ending which I had been secretly hoping for all along as I had become quite emotionally attached to the characters and believed they deserved the ending Anna bestowed upon them (I would have settled for nothing less).

Anna is one of those amazing author’s who invoke a sense of place within her novels, you feel as though you’re able to draw back the veil, standing like a wraith watching the story unfold before your eyes, you smell the herbs, the sweat & anxiety of battle, hear the cries of the injured and feel the bond of eternal love between Trystan and Isolde. This had to be my favourite of the three novels, not because it was written any better than the previous two but because it tied the story up with a neat bow; it quenched my thirst for Arthurian legend but at the same time, satisfied my longing for a happily ever after.

The conclusion to a wonderful love story made me laugh and cry and I have no doubt that it will remain forever one of my all time favourite Arthurian series and books read to date. I couldn’t possibly recommend it more, if you love Arthurian Legend, Fantasy and a well researched & written novel, then go no further, for you will not be at all disappointed!

Review copy gifted by the author, Thank you Anna, you know how much it meant to me x
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Mar 08, 2012 Meagan rated it 3 of 5 stars

Shelves: historical-fiction, arthurian, medieval, read-in-2012

This review has been hidden because it contains spoilers. To view it, click here.

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Apr 06, 2012 K rated it 3 of 5 stars

I didn't think this book was quite as good as the first two. It took awhile before I really got into the story but the toward the second half things started to pick up and the relationship between Tristan and Isolde became a lot stronger. The end left me teary.

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Dec 11, 2011 Tamra rated it 3 of 5 stars

Although this was a satisfying and happy ending to a trilogy that I have enjoyed so much, I didn't quite like this book as much as the first two. The first half especially dragged for me and there were several times I was ready to call it quits if I hadn't had a great curiousity to see how everything ended. The second half was much better as the excitement finally began to get rolling. The characters were wonderful and memorable - for good or bad - and I really liked the historical aspects inter...more

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Sep 27, 2011 Marci rated it 5 of 5 stars

As with the first two and a half installments, this was a wonderful telling of a tragic love story. Beautifully written, this book kept me reading non stop until the end. I was so caught up in the story I could not put it down. A very different and surprising retelling of the Trystan/Isolde story, very romantic and heart wrenching. These are the kind of books that leave you thinking about them way after they are finished (those are my favorite kind!). This series has been a great journey! I can...more

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Jun 13, 2012 Laura rated it 5 of 5 stars

This is a great conclusion to Anna Elliott's Trystan and Isolde trilogy. The balance between the excitement and the love story is perfect, and the actual writing maintains the quality of the first two books. I wish there was more to the story simply because I enjoyed reading it so much, though this ending is not one of those that makes the reader feel short-changed. I look forward to more from Anna Elliott in the future. THE TWILIGHT OF AVALON is certainly an awesome beginning!

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Jan 17, 2012 Tanzanite rated it 4 of 5 stars

The final book in Elliott’s Trystan and Isolde trilogy. Beautifully written and often haunting and sad as the pair try to save Britain from her enemies and find a way to be together despite the many obstacles in their way. The pair’s continued romantic tension and failure to communicate effectively gets a little tiring and the plot again drags a bit in the middle, but there is a nice twist to the well know tale.

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Jun 07, 2011 Laura rated it 5 of 5 stars · review of another edition

Review to be posted at a later date...

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Mar 08, 2012 Jessica rated it 5 of 5 stars

As much as I like original tellings of old tales, I couldn't help but love the creative twists in this one, and the ending I have hoped for when reading other versions of the story.

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May 10, 2013 Micki Levin marked it as to-read

Shelves: historical-fiction

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Shelves: ebook, fantasy, historical, legends, modern, series

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Mar 29, 2013 Kristen rated it 4 of 5 stars

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About Anna Elliott

A longtime devotee of historical fiction and Arthurian legend, Anna Elliott was expecting her first child when she woke up from a very vivid dream of telling her mother that she was going to write a book about Modred's daughter, Isolde. She was very grateful to her daughter for being an excellent sleeper even as a newborn and allowing her the time to turn her dream into a finished book! She now li...more

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Sunrise of Avalon (Twilight of Avalon #3)

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