Search - The Forest House (Avalon, Bk 2)

This book was a disappointment. After enjoying _The Mists of Avalon_ when it was first published, I looked forward to getting into the series. MZB died in 1999, and this book was published in 1997 I believe, so perhaps she was relying more on her sister to do the writing by then. Diana Paxson is not credited in any way in the edition of the book I have, though she's listed as co-author on several websites. If this is an indication of the rest of the series, I'll have to say "thanks but no thanks." The last 20 pages or so were good, and would've made a great short story, but the rest of the book was dull and poorly written.

I enjoy the author's style of writing, I always have a great mental painting of the characters and story. I enjoyed this book.

Prequel to The Mists of Avalon. I didn't like it as well. Most prequels are. Eilan has chosen a forbidden path to love. She must hide her secret when she is anointed as the new High Priestess.

Bradley has a long, established reputation in the Fantasy field; the Avalon series are representative of her high quality of writing. This book was second written but is described as a prequel to the first written. If you have read and enjoyed any of the series, you will want them all.

Avalon Series
The Mists of Avalon (1979)
The Forest House (1993) (with Diana L. Paxson) (also now known as The Forests of Avalon)
Lady of Avalon (1997) (with Diana L. Paxson)
Priestess of Avalon (2000) (with Diana L. Paxson)
Ancestors of Avalon (2004) (written by Diana L. Paxson)
Ravens of Avalon (2007) (written by Diana L. Paxson)
Sword of Avalon (2009) (written by Diana L. Paxson)

I do not know Diana Paxson as a writer; the author's dedication in "The Forest House" however is to her, as sister and friend, who "anchored this book firmly in time and space and added Tacitus to the cast of characters".

I didn't expect to like this as much-- as some of the other reviews were not so inviting. Though i did want to try it. I did like the book. I liked that Eilan was gifted with vision and the whole magic of the forest was inticing I thought this was a pretty powerful read.

If you liked the Mysts of Avalon you will like this book as well.