Book Description
This new collection features 15 stories of magic, adventure and romance surrounding the legend of King Arthur-by an equally legendary host of bestselling authors, including:
¥Marion Zimmer Bradley and Diana L. Peterson
¥Katherine Kerr
¥Rosemary Edghill
¥Tricia Sullivan
¥Diana Gabaldon and Samuel Watkins
¥Michelle West
¥David Farland
¥Kristen Britain
¥Judith Tarr
¥Mike Resnick and Adrienne Gormley
¥Jennifer Roberson
¥Laura Resnick
¥Lorelei Shannon
¥Eric van Lustbader
¥Nina Kiriki Hoffman
Out of Avalon: An Anthology of Old Magic and New Myths FROM THE PUBLISHER
This new collection features 15 stories of magic, adventure and romance surrounding the legend of King Arthur-by an equally legendary host of bestselling authors, including:
ﾽ Marion Zimmer Bradley and Diana L. Peterson
ﾽ Katherine Kerr
ﾽ Rosemary Edghill
ﾽ Tricia Sullivan
ﾽ Diana Gabaldon and Samuel Watkins
ﾽ Michelle West
ﾽ David Farland
ﾽ Kristen Britain
ﾽ Judith Tarr
ﾽ Mike Resnick and Adrienne Gormley
ﾽ Jennifer Roberson
ﾽ Laura Resnick
ﾽ Lorelei Shannon
ﾽ Eric van Lustbader
ﾽ Nina Kiriki Hoffman
FROM THE CRITICS
VOYA
This collection of Avalon tales is edited by an author famous for her Arthurian fantasies and features such brand-name fantasy writers as Judith Tarr, Diana Galbadon, and Katherine Kerr, not to mention the author synonymous with modern Avalon tales, Marion Zimmer Bradley. One's first reaction might be that the publishers were piggybacking on the hoped-for success of Bradley's own posthumous Avalon book coauthored by Diana L. Paxson, Priestess of Avalon (Viking, 2001). Although this initial cynical reaction undoubtedly reflects a marketing factor in title and publication date, the anthology shines through as a literary collection of mostly dark tales set in the world of Arthur, Uther, Merlin, Ygraine, Morgain, Elaine, and all the other popular characters of Arthurian legend. These brand name authors produce reliably entertaining tales, as in Bradley and Paxson's story of a young Morgain on Avalon and in Tarr's unique take on the search for the Grail. Lesser-known authors, however, provide equally intriguing stories, as in Kristen Britain's Avalonia set in modern England and Lorelei Shannon's tale of old and new religions melding during Arthur's reign. The tales might tend toward female protagonists and the darker side of Arthurian legend, but this collection will find an eager audience across genders and ages in any library, especially if the library displays its more famous namesakes. Because the book is a paperback, buy more than one copy. VOYA CODES: 4Q 4P M J S A/YA (Better than most, marred only by occasional lapses; Broad general YA appeal; Middle School, defined as grades 6 to 8; Junior High, defined as grades 7 to 9; Senior High, defined as grades 10 to 12; Adult and YoungAdult). 2001, Roc, 336p, $5.99 pb. Ages 11 to Adult. Reviewer: Beth Karpas
KLIATT
Jennifer Roberson has been winning awards for her fantasy and historical fiction since 1984. Known for her quality writing, she will not disappoint fans with this collection of short stories. Whether friend or foe, this array of kings and knights would gladly die for the adventures they crave. Whether victim or enchantress, the maidens here will ever be the sought-after prize. Merlin, Arthur, Uther, and the whole of the Pendragons and Saxony hordes are joined by elves, dragons, fairies and ladies fair. They cast their spells in this magically faceted book of short tales, replete with battles, lust, deception, and shape shifting. The foundation is laid with forest and mist, bog and moor, from gentle green hills to desolate wastelands littered with the bloody aftermath of battle. Tolkien fans will be spellbound as lord and lady face their nemeses on the field and in the chamber. Time travel and end twists teach reader and protagonist alike that what they see is rarely what they get. The stories are written to keep readers' attention. Although the language is safe for the faint of heart, the sensual nature of some of the scenes may befit a more mature YA audience. Recommended for use in classrooms as a supplement to tales of Camelot, or for general public library fantasy collections. KLIATT Codes: SA—Recommended for senior high school students, advanced students, and adults. 2001, Penguin Putnam, Roc, 336p. 18cm., $5.99. Ages 16 to adult. Reviewer: Kim Harris; YA Libn., Newman Riga Lib., Churchville, NY , July 2001 (Vol. 35, No. 4)
Art & Photography
Book Info
