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rebzreads100's review against another edition
4.0
i absoluteley loved this. so what if the plot was predictable? in a heroic epic type story they usually have a similar storyline. it was really slow at first, but then again the growing up parts in books usually are. once it began with mikantors current age tale, I was enthralled. an awesome take on the tale of excalibur!
jackirenee's review
4.0
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 us the first defender of the Mighty Isle, the first Son of a Hundred Kings needed to unite the tribes and bring peace to the land. The Lady of Avalon forsees his destiny, as well as the creation of a Sword of the Stars, which will be his weapon and symbol of sovereignty.
Of the first books in the series, this is my favorite. I truly connected to the main characters, finding myself weeping in the end. The creation of Excalibur, through the merging of self with Divine, was a powerful scene which I am likely to never forget.
This story brings us the first defender of the Mighty Isle, the first Son of a Hundred Kings needed to unite the tribes and bring peace to the land. The Lady of Avalon forsees his destiny, as well as the creation of a Sword of the Stars, which will be his weapon and symbol of sovereignty.
Of the first books in the series, this is my favorite. I truly connected to the main characters, finding myself weeping in the end. The creation of Excalibur, through the merging of self with Divine, was a powerful scene which I am likely to never forget.
paintedgiraffe's review against another edition
4.0
Good to see Tiriki/Eilantha and Micail/Osinarmen again. Although I was weirded out when looking at a reincarnation chart, that Morgaine le Fey is the soul of Deoris/Anderle >.< I didn't like those women. They were too controlling and crappy mothers. Oh well. Reading "Ravens" next.
carolachiusi's review against another edition
adventurous
mysterious
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
3.0
taabikamerle's review
adventurous
emotional
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.25
gerypro's review
3.0
I wasn't sure what to expect after I struggled with the first chronological book of the series, but I liked this sequel a lot more! This doesn't mean I didn't cringe at times, because I did - especially when they forged the sword. But the characters are fuller and the storyline is well presented. However, I missed the mystic atmosphere and the philosophy from the sequels.
mtoddweb's review
5.0
Diana L. Paxson adds another tale to the saga of Avalon begun by Marion Zimmer Bradley. Here she steps back to around 1300 B.C.E., when the great early city-states around the Mediterranean were overthrown and climate change cooled and flooded northern Europe. A displaced smith from the city of the Tiryns finds a new purpose in life and a place in myth as the forger of the Sword that later ages will call Excalibur--a revolution in metallurgy, a sword of meteoric iron that, unlike the sharp but brittle bronze blades of the day, can bend without breaking. I would probably read anything Paxson wrote with "Avalon" in the title; she brings careful historical research and a sensitivity to the mystical dimensions of the story to these novels.