This smoky mix of magic, legend, people both mythic and real, and
the ancient savageries of war supplies a chronological link between
Bradley's The Forest House (1994), set in first-century Britain,
and her Arthurian saga, The Mists of Avalon (1983). Here, again, is
Avalon, seat of the Goddess Mother religion, its artifacts crafted
by those Old Ones from Atlantis. This time, the High Priestesses,
hounded by male-dominated Christianity, wrestle with their powers
as they see visions and seek out incarnations of the Sacred King
who will save Brittania. The boy Gawen (introduced in The Forest
House) will be raised in Avalon by the High Priestess Caillean - it
is she who magically separates Avalon from the world outside -
saluted as the true "Son of a Hundred Kings," be given a miraculous
sword, and ritually unite with his beloved Sianna (none other than
the daughter of the Faerie Queen). Gawen is killed by Romans but
will appear again in other incarnations to fulfill his destiny as
Defender of Brittania. The next Incarnation - the future Emperor of
Brittania, Carausius - is discovered by the High Priestess Dierna,
who should be his Queen/Bride but mistakenly arranges a marriage
for him with one who would help in his defeat. Vortimer, son of the
High King, is the third to swear to save Brittania's ancient ways
and freedom. There are flights and pursuits, carnage on land and
sea, sacred artifacts (cup, lance, etc., later to be Christian
symbols), shuddering visions, and plenty of travel between real and
magical worlds. A treat for the savvy initiate, and intriguing for
Arthurian buffs, but others may find it too cloudy by half. Go with
the flow, though: The prose is as smooth as those sacred stones on
which so many interesting things take place. Bradley also includes
helpful lists of people and places and a map. (Kirkus Reviews)
'Though the world should change entirely, there are places where a little light of the Otherworld shines through to the world of men. And that light shall not be lost to humankind so long as men still seek solace in this holy earth called Avalon.'
In the dark days after the bloodshed at the Forest House, the Britons who guard the old ways retreat ever further from the world. Safe in the mists that protect the sacred isle of Avalon, Druids and priestesses wait and prepare down ten generations for the Defender who will come ...
For Caillean the enemies are twofold: the Romans, with their stone cities and foreign gods; and the growing bigotry of the Christians who share the Lady's sanctuary. And though it is told salvation will come through the union of her beloved Gawen, son of a hundred kings, and Sianna of the old people, the way lies not through victory, but sacrifice.
Two hundred years later, Dierna finds she must turn to the old foe in her struggle against a new threat. Yet in striving to keep Rome's British resources for the country's own protection, may not her meddling in men's affair hasten the fall of the empire itself and damage Avalon?
And Viviane faces desperate times indeed, for the last flicker of Rome is failing fast, and the Saxons ride roughshod over peoples and promises alike. But there is hope even in this extremity, for a Merlin is made among the Druids once more, and the day of the Defender, so long foretold, draws close ...
A spellbinding historical fantasy Lady Of Avalon links Marion Zimmer Bradley's bestselling novels The Forest House and The Mists of Avalon.
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