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kairosdreaming's review
3.0
The Forest House is the second book in the Avalon series, coming after Mists of Avalon, but actually preceding it in the timeline.
It tells of the time just after the slaughter of Mona, when the priestesses were confined and controlled by the druids in a small complex in the woods. Rome was still in charge and a rebellion was rising up against them. So when Eilan, a girl born of a druid family, falls in love with a half Roman half British man, their love is denied and she enters the Forest House to be a priestess instead. But fate has bigger plans for her and because of one night of passion, she'll have to form large secrets that could come back to haunt her later.
Eilan is ok. I never really feel like we actually know her. We know some of her desires, but the larger part of her thoughts are kept from us. Her assistant we actually know better and was in many ways a stronger woman. She also seemed to have the best interests of everyone at heart as compared to Eilan. Dieda, Eilan's cousin, I could have done without. She was spiteful and didn't really add anything to the story except to be a source of contention, and even then she was never a real threat. And then there were the Druids. What a sad lot this group was. I couldn't find a redeeming quality in any of them.
The plot moved slowly on this book as well. I normally like Bradley's detail, but in this case it just kept the book from progressing. Well, when it wasn't jumping through time in fits and starts. It would be nothing to spend quite a few chapters on a particular timeline and then all of a sudden have it be four years later. All that being said, it was interesting to hear about the times before the Mists of Avalon, and how the Priestesses were treated differently. It is amazing to think how easily one group can be controlled by another, even though it's something that happens in the real world every day.
I can't say this was a wonderful book. It had some history that was interesting, but that was it. Mists of Avalon was far better.
The Forest House
Copyright 1993
417 pages
Review by M. Reynard 2014
More of my reviews can be found at www.ifithaswords.blogspot.com
It tells of the time just after the slaughter of Mona, when the priestesses were confined and controlled by the druids in a small complex in the woods. Rome was still in charge and a rebellion was rising up against them. So when Eilan, a girl born of a druid family, falls in love with a half Roman half British man, their love is denied and she enters the Forest House to be a priestess instead. But fate has bigger plans for her and because of one night of passion, she'll have to form large secrets that could come back to haunt her later.
Eilan is ok. I never really feel like we actually know her. We know some of her desires, but the larger part of her thoughts are kept from us. Her assistant we actually know better and was in many ways a stronger woman. She also seemed to have the best interests of everyone at heart as compared to Eilan. Dieda, Eilan's cousin, I could have done without. She was spiteful and didn't really add anything to the story except to be a source of contention, and even then she was never a real threat. And then there were the Druids. What a sad lot this group was. I couldn't find a redeeming quality in any of them.
The plot moved slowly on this book as well. I normally like Bradley's detail, but in this case it just kept the book from progressing. Well, when it wasn't jumping through time in fits and starts. It would be nothing to spend quite a few chapters on a particular timeline and then all of a sudden have it be four years later. All that being said, it was interesting to hear about the times before the Mists of Avalon, and how the Priestesses were treated differently. It is amazing to think how easily one group can be controlled by another, even though it's something that happens in the real world every day.
I can't say this was a wonderful book. It had some history that was interesting, but that was it. Mists of Avalon was far better.
The Forest House
Copyright 1993
417 pages
Review by M. Reynard 2014
More of my reviews can be found at www.ifithaswords.blogspot.com
rankkaapina's review against another edition
3.0
Well, what did I think... It took me forever to read this book, even though I generally liked it. At last I think I know why: for a character centric book, this doesn't really go into characters heads. I mean the plot gave so much to work with, but in the end the characters were just kind of distant. I loved the beginning, when we really saw Eilan and even Gaius and why they did what they did, but then it just kind of became a history book. Yes: a history book of these characters, but still (I guess there is a reason I prefer autobiographies).
I think the ending sort of saved a lot, but still there was so much that she could've done with Eilan and Gaius, And not to mention the secondary characters, like Dieda and Cynric, Senara, and Caillean. And Julia, of course. In the end it was all about plot, but then this kind of book is not really plot driven either. I just wish Eilan's experience as a High Priestess would've been explored a bit more from her point of view. In the end I didn't really care about anyone, maybe Eilan and Gaius, since at least in the beginning you got to see them a bit better, but also the whole friendship turned to resentment between Dieda and Eilan: so much potential totally wasted.
In the end I'm not sad I read it and I would say it was more than ok and I did like it, but it was kind of tough to finish.
I think the ending sort of saved a lot, but still there was so much that she could've done with Eilan and Gaius, And not to mention the secondary characters, like Dieda and Cynric, Senara, and Caillean. And Julia, of course. In the end it was all about plot, but then this kind of book is not really plot driven either. I just wish Eilan's experience as a High Priestess would've been explored a bit more from her point of view. In the end I didn't really care about anyone, maybe Eilan and Gaius, since at least in the beginning you got to see them a bit better, but also the whole friendship turned to resentment between Dieda and Eilan: so much potential totally wasted.
In the end I'm not sad I read it and I would say it was more than ok and I did like it, but it was kind of tough to finish.
elisapurtroppo's review
adventurous
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.75
daydreamangel18's review
3.0
I really want to read all the Avalon books having been a Mist of Avalon fan in my teens. I thought the book was somewhat of a chore to get through despite the fact that I loved the whole concept of priestesses and druids, the politics and wars during a Roman conquered Britain. Gaius wasn't a very likable character and even Eilan was annoying at times - I didn't really like any of the characters, except maybe Caillean, so it made it hard to care about anyone but I still have high hopes for the rest of the series.
jonathanfs's review
4.0
I keep reading reviews saying that these books are feminist. I think they present an interesting alternative perspective that any fan of Arthurian/Celtic fantasy should be able to appreciate. I particularly like how Bradley presents the struggles between the native beliefs and the spread of Christianity.
myosotis_author's review
5.0
This book isn't perfect. Far from it, in fact.
But it's among the few books I actually *loved* reading back in the day. I re-read once a year, and each time, I'm in tears.
From beginning to end.
The betrayal. Tragedy. How every character wants to escape predestined fate but keeps falling right back into it... from start to finish, I am hooked each time.
I recommend if you like historic fiction, romance, and a tad of spiritual writing.
I don't if you're looking for an easy read.
But it's among the few books I actually *loved* reading back in the day. I re-read once a year, and each time, I'm in tears.
From beginning to end.
The betrayal. Tragedy. How every character wants to escape predestined fate but keeps falling right back into it... from start to finish, I am hooked each time.
I recommend if you like historic fiction, romance, and a tad of spiritual writing.
I don't if you're looking for an easy read.
zamicha's review
adventurous
dark
mysterious
slow-paced
- 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? No
5.0
outi's review against another edition
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
3.75
jokapy's review
3.0
Tämä kirja kertoo brittiläisen Eilanan ja puoliksi brittiläisen, puoliksi roomalaisen Gaiuksen rakkaustarinan roomalaisten valtaamassa Britanniassa. Kummankaan perheet eivät hyväksy suhdetta vihollisen kanssa, joten Eilana päätyy ylipapitareksi ja Gaius yrittää etsiä onneaan muualta.
Kirjan alku oli mielestäni hyvin mielenkiintoinen, mutta vähitellen tarina alkoi kulkea sellaiseen suuntaan, että mielenkiinto alkoi herpaantua. Joka tapauksessa ihan luettava kirja vaikka ei nyt aivan loistava.
Kirjan alku oli mielestäni hyvin mielenkiintoinen, mutta vähitellen tarina alkoi kulkea sellaiseen suuntaan, että mielenkiinto alkoi herpaantua. Joka tapauksessa ihan luettava kirja vaikka ei nyt aivan loistava.
decembermagpie's review
adventurous
emotional
hopeful
inspiring
mysterious
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
3.0
Content Warnings
Moderate: Classism, Death of parent, Pregnancy, Blood, Death, Violence, Adult/minor relationship, Grief, Miscarriage, Slavery, War, Confinement, Murder, and Sexual content
Minor: Toxic relationship, Child death, Animal death, and Suicidal thoughts