The Forest House (Avalon, Book 2) by Marion Zimmer Bradley
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Book Reviews of The Forest House (Avalon, Book 2)
Book Review: Prequel? Really?
Summary: 4 Stars
While I knew that Marion Zimmer Bradley also wrote the famous (and yet still unread by this reviewer) "Mists of Avalon", I was pretty sure that this book was a standalone when I read it. And it certainly felt like one! Good to know I picked a "prequel" and not a sequel.
"The Forest House" is a really nicely written fantasy/romance sort of novel. It's got this thick, intriguing plot. The plot is pretty complex as are some of the characters (some remain woefully flat throughout the book). I found that while it's not a literary masterpiece, it's certainly an enjoyable read.
What I liked least of all in "The Forest House" was the ending. While dramatic and impressive, I felt that one of the character's behavior was pretty... inappropriate and weird. On the whole, though, the story is cool. It's this big tale of powerful women, goddesses, rituals, and British/Roman politics. There are some cool bits of historical fiction, some neat fantastical parts, but mostly a romance, ethereal sort of tale. It's well-written and descriptive, full of clear images and really creates a good mood.
In the end, it's an enjoyable read. There are flaws in the book, for example among the characters, but despite that and things like the rambling length, it's a nice read. I can't compare it to "The Mists of Avalon", which I haven't read, but as a standalone it's pretty good.
Recommended to fantasy/romance fans who like thick books to disappear in.
Book Review: Second Book in the Avalon Series
Summary: 4 Stars
Marion Zimmer was born in Albany, NY, on June 3, 1930, and married Robert Alden Bradley in 1949. Mrs. Bradley received her B.A. in 1964 from Hardin Simmons University in Abilene, Texas, then did graduate work at the University of California, Berkeley, from 1965-67. Writing for over 4 decades, she is best known for her Darkover science fantasy series and her Arthurian masterpiece, The Mists of Avalon. She also edited anthologies for 14 years and published Marion Zimmer Bradley's FANTASY Magazine.
She died in Berkeley, California on September 25, 1999, four days after suffering a major heart attack.
This is the3 second book in the Avalon series and follows the best selling Mists of Avalon. Inside the wall of the Forest House in a remote part of of Britain, a secret sect of Druidic priestesses guards the ancient rites of learning, healing and magic against the onslaught of the Roman army. Nothing has ever been able to stop the might of Rome's legions, will a few women be any more successful?
Book Review: Reading with Tequila
Summary: 4 Stars
The Mists of Avalon is my favorite book and I had been wanting to read this prequel for years. While nothing could surpass the original, The Forest House is a very good book in its own right. I enjoyed the story of the priestesses but found the focus on both Gaius and Cynric during battles and military maneuvering less interesting. Even though it is a prequel, I could see readers enjoying it without having to have read The Mists of Avalon. A highly entertaining read with less depth than the original.Book Review: The Forest House
Summary: 4 Stars
A faster read than "Mists of Avalon" and less depth of story/character, but all in all the ending was a wonderful payoff. The characters were fairly well-developed, some more than others, but interesting contrasts of character were an interesting part of the story-line. A different perspective on that period of history and a welcome addition to the literature.Book Review: A little underwhelming at points
Summary: 3 Stars
This book is in the same vein as the other Avalon books, with some compelling characters and an interesting opera adaption for the plot. On the whole, however, I was disappointed with the quality of the book. While some sections were fine, there were some that are simply the result of bad editing and poor writing. The initial passages of the book in particular seem overly contrived. Thankfully, the book improves the further the story progresses. If you like Marion Zimmer Bradley, you will likely enjoy this, but if you're new to her, start off with a better example of her work.
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