Hollow Hills Discussion

This is part 3 of 3 in SamoaPhoenix and my joint review/discussion of Mary Stewart's The Hollow Hills.  My review can be found here and SamoaPhoenix's review can be found here.



After reading each others reviews the previous night, SamoaPhoenix and I finally sat down today to discuss the second book in Mary Stewart's Merlin Trilogy.

Warning for Spoilers

SamoaPhoenix Guest Review: The Hollow Hills

Part 2 of 3. My review can be found here and the discussion of the book between myself and SamoaPhoenix can be found here.

 ~Storyteller Knight

Title: The Hollow Hills Author: Mary Stewart Publisher: William Morrow & Company Inc Pages: 402 Synopsis: (from the publisher) Once again, as she did in her international best seller The Crystal Cave, Mary Stewart uses Arthurian legend to tell a spellbinding story. The Hollow Hills takes place in a fifth-century Britain fraught with superstition and fear, where no life is safe, no law is stable, and where a king risks accusations of murder and adultery to get himself an heir. For his own safety, the boy Arthur, rejected as a bastard by his father, is long kept ignorant of his parentage. Dangerous rides through the deep forests of England and Wales, sudden battles amidst brooding mountains, and retreats into secret hollows in the hills provide the background for this tale of Arthur’s growth into manhood and his discovery of the strange sword that was to test his claim to power. Behind and around Arthur always is the mysterious, strong, yet vulnerable figure of Merlin, who sees and knows so much but who, like Arthur, must also suffer for the sake of a nation being born. In this world of embattled kings and courtiers, hurried journeys, whispered anxieties, and sudden death, we watch Merlin and Arthur follow their common destiny. Merlin is the narrator, and his prophetic voice communicates not only the bristling atmosphere of the ancient setting but also the profound relevance of this age-old tale to our own time.

So I went into this book not expecting much after how deadly dull most of Crystal Cave was. How did this next installment compare? Read on...
    
Warning For Spoilers

The Hollow Hills Review

Review number two in SamoaPhoenix and my five part review series of Mary Stewart's Merlin Trilogy which is actually five books.  SamoaPhoenix's review is found here and our discussion of the book can be found here.

~Storyteller Knight

Title: The Hollow Hills Author: Mary Stewart Publisher: Fawcett Crest Pages: 447 Synopsis: (from the 1973 hardcover published by William Morrow & Company, Inc.) Once again, as she did in her international best seller The Crystal Cave, Mary Stewart uses Arthurian legend to tell a spellbinding story. The Hollow Hills takes place in a fifth-century Britain fraught with superstition and fear, where no life is safe, no law is stable and where a kings risks accusations of murder and adultery to get himself an heir.  For his own safety, the boy Arthur, rejected as a bastard by his father, is long kept ignorant of his parentage. Dangerous rides through the deep forests of England and Wales, sudden battles amidst brooding mountains, and retreats into secret hollows in the hills provide the background for this take of Arthur's growth into manhood and his discovery of the strange sword that was to test his claim to power. Behind and around Arthur always is the mysterious, strong, yet vulnerable figure of Merlin, who sees and knows so much but who, like Arthur, must also suffer for the safe of a nation being born.  In this world of embattled kings and countries, hurried journeys, whispered anxieties and sudden death, we watch Merlin and Arthur follow their common destiny. Merlin is the narrator and his prophetic voice communicates not only the bristling atmosphere of the ancient setting but also the profound relevance of this age-old take of our own time.

So I read the copy of the book picture above but it didn't have a blurb so I had to pull it from this one:

Which I also own because something is wrong with me.

Warning for Spoilers

Muppet King Arthur Chapter One Review

Title: Muppet King Arthur, Chapter One Written By: Paul Benjamin and Patrick Storck Artist: Dave Alvarez Colors: Digikore Studios Letterer: Deron Bennett Assistant Editor: Jason Long Editor: Aaron Sparrow Designer: Erika Terriquez Cover: David Petersen Publisher: Boom Kids! Pages: 22 Synopsis: (from the publisher trade) A Tale of Chivalry, adventure, chickens, and magic!  The tale of King Arthur has been told many times over the centuries, but never before has it included robots, knock-knock jokes, and boomerang fish!  The Muppets bring you this beloved classic in their signature style, adding twists and turns to the quest for the Holy Grail that would make a sane driver pull over and ask for directions!  Will the Frog King save his beloved England from the curmudgeonly Sam of Eagle?  Will the Lady of the Lake get back on the festival circuit?  Will they find a carpenter capable of making a round table?  Find out in MUPPET KING ARTHUR!

I own the trade, but I'm going to review all four chapters of this book separately because I think it would be fun.  And I ditched the normal format because, um, Muppets.

Warning for Spoilers and General Silliness.

Crystal Cave Discussion

This is part 3 of 3 in SamoaPhoenix and my joint review/discussion of Mary Stewart's The Crystal Cave.  My review can be found here and SamoaPhoenix's review can be found here.

Our discussion begins right after I sent my review to SamoaPhoenix and she finished reading it.  I had already read her review earlier in the day to prep it for posting.

Warning for Spoilers

Samoa Phoenix Guest Review: The Crystal Cave

Part 2 of 3.  My review can be found here and the discussion of the book between myself and SamoaPhoenix can be found here.

~Storyteller Knight

Title: The Crystal Cave Author: Mary Stewart Publisher: William & Morrow Pages: 527 Synopsis: (from the publisher) Almost everyone knows Merlin as the dark, brooding figure mysteriously associated with Camelot and King Arthur’s court. But who, really, was Merlin? Was he the enchanter of fairy tales, the magician of the black robe and pointed hat and wand? Or was he the king and prophet of old legends of Brittany and Wales? How did a man reputed to be the bastard son of the Prince of Darkness, and condemned to death as a child of the Devil, become the chief architect of the first united Britain? Mary Stewart’s answers to these provocative questions form a spell-binding novel that catapults the reader into fifth-century Britain—a land uncertainly divided by conflicting loyalties, political and spiritual; a land riddled with rumor real and planted, and spear-alert with superstitious fear. Into this strange world was born Merlin, bastard son of Niniane, daughter of the King of South Wales, and an unknown father. The novel opens in Wales when Merlin is seven, and closes in Cornwall, at Tintagel, with the begetting of Arthur.

My aunt and uncle were moving to a smaller place and my uncle gave me his copies of Mary Stewart's Arthurian books. I mentioned it to Story, who suggested the joint project we are on now.

Spoilers!, etc…

The Crystal Cave Review

So, not wholly on accident, SamoaPhoenix and I ended up reading the same Arthurian retelling at the same time.  So we decided to have some fun with this.  SamoaPhoenix and I have both written up a review of this book (to be posted separately) and then we're going to to have a discussion about the book.  So consider this Part 1 of 3.  SamoaPhoenix's guest review can be found here and our discussion of the book here.

~Storyteller Knight

Title: The Crystal Cave Author: Mary Stewart Publisher: Fawcett Crest Pages: 385 Synopsis: (from the publisher) Who was Merlin?  Was the famed magician of Camelot and King Arthur's court really a sinister, all-powerful being from another world?  Was he truly a prince of Darkness? Or was he a man with the passions of other mortals?  A man with unique intelligence and unusual gifts? Why was he so feared?  How did he come by his occult powers?  Why was the crystal cave so important to him? Mary Stewart's novel brings to vibrant life one of the world's great legends and sheds a fascinating new light on the turbulence and mystery of 5th-century Britain. In This enthralling work, Mary Steward once more shows her own great wizardry.  Again she reveals those qualities of suspense and romantic adventure which have made her one of the world's most widely read novelists.

So, just as a heads up-- I have already read book four of this series (The Wicked Day).  I'm going to try and not spoil anything that goes on and will put up warnings if I get into anything about that book.  But do know that I read it several years ago and my memory of what on is a little fuzzy, so some stuff might slip in.

Also, I'm not even going to touch on the covers of this series because it has been reprinted so many times with so many pretty covers.  

Warning for Spoilers 

Guinevere, The Legend in Autumn Review

Title: Guinevere: The Legend in Autumn Author: Persia Woolley Publisher: Pocket Books Pages: 423 Synopsis: (from the publisher) Surrounded by traitors, trapped by destiny, Britain's spirited Queen Guinevere recounts the last, dramatic years of Camelot.  At King Arthur's side, she reigned over the fabled heroes of the Round Table while the restless and impassioned knights undertook the Quest for the Holy Grail.  Even as her favored men set off on their perilous journey.  Guinevere's heartbreaking honesty, courage and integrity were challenged by those she loved most.  Mordred, the stepson she raised, waged a primal battle against Arthur-- and brought the kingdom to a shattering end.  Torn between duty and desire as he rescued his Queen, condemned to the stake for treason, Lancelot swept her into a forbidden idyll at Joyous Gard.  And with Morgan le Fay, the evil beauty she feared most in all of Britain, Guinevere bartered her soul to save Arthur and Camelot from the furies of fate.

Variant Covers:

I love the new cover of this book.  I may buy it just to have it, because that is gorgeous.  Unfortunately, I currently own the cover that I was embarrassed to be seen out in public with.

Warning for Spoilers.  Also, longest review yet.

Queen of the Summer Stars Review

Title: Queen of the Summer Stars  Author: Persia Woolley  Publisher: Poseidon Press Pages: 415 Synopsis: (From Sourcebooks) In a country still reeling from the collapse of the Roman Empire, the young King Arthur and his wife Guinevere struggle to keep the barbarians at bay even as they establish the Fellowship of the Round Table. The spirited and outspoken Guinevere skillfully combats an accusation of planning to poison Arthur in a country simmering with unrest and scandal. But Guinevere’s greatest battles are dangers Arthur cannot see—ones she’ll have to fight on her own. And all the while, she must reconcile her thirst for freedom with her duties as queen, and her growing love for Lancelot with her loyalty to her husband. Vibrantly human and touchingly real, Guinevere reigns as a woman poised to discover the true peril and promise of the human heart.

So what I'm doing, when I post a review, is post the book using the cover that I own.  Of course, several Arthurian retellings have gone through multiple prints.  The Guinevere Triology has three different cover sets as of right now. 

Here are the covers for Child of the Northern Spring:

And the two remaining covers for Queen of the Summer Stars:

See what I meant in the Child of the Northern Spring review about the romance and fantasy covers?  I hope this latest set is more to Woolley's liking.

Warning for Spoilers

Child of the Northern Spring Review

Title: Child of the Northern Spring Author: Persia Woolley Publisher: Sourcebooks Pages: 537 Synopsis: (from the publisher) Among the first took look at the story of Camelot through Guinevere's eyes, Woolley sets the traditional tale in the time of its origin, after Britain has shattered into warring fiefdoms.  Hampered by neither fantasy nor medieval romance, this young Guinevere is a feisty Celtic tomboy who sees no reason why she must learn to speak Latin, wear dresses, and go south to marry that king.  But legends being what they are, the story of Arthur's rise to power soon intrigues her, and when they finally meet, Guinevere and Arthur form a partnership that has lasted for 1500 years. This is Arthurian epic at its best-- filled with romance, adventure, authentic Dark Ages detail, and wonderfully human people.

Every time I read that blurb, I find myself kinda turned-off by Persia Woolley’s rather high-and-mighty attitude towards fantasy and romance (this isn’t just the blurb, I’ve seen this sentiment in her interviews and in the author’s notes and reader questions). I mean, I get it that she’s writing historical fiction, but there’s no reason to get down fantasy or romance.

Then I remember that the hardcover of the Guinevere trilogy was published with a fantasy cover and the paperback with a romance cover and how the whole series was pretty much buried under Mists of Avalon and realize that Woolley has every right to be frustrated with fantasy and romance.

Warning for Spoilers

SamoaPhoenix Guest Review: Gawain and Lady Green

Hi all!  ::waves::  I, being the flakiest flake you've ever met, got distracted midway through my review of Child of the Northern Sping by some straight up fantasy books.  And then Camp NaNoWriMo started and free time got sucked down a black hole.  I'll be back in the swing of things come September.

In the meantime!  My good friend and partner in crime, SamoaPhoenix, who can be found on fictionpress but is probably more famously known for her Beauty and the Beast retellings on fanfiction (I highly recommend everything she's ever written).  Also, she has a TV Tropes page (it's empty, but it's there), so you know she must be awesome.  She is a lover of all things Beauty and the Beast, which translates into a great love of Gawain because the Loathly Lady story is basically Beauty and the Beast with the genders reversed.  She is reviewing Gawain and Lady Green by Ann Eliot Crompton, sequel to Merlin's Harp (more of a midquel, actually) which I reviewed here.  Please give her a warm welcome and enjoy her review.

~Storyteller Knight

Title: Gawain and Lady Green Author: Ann Eliot Crompton Publisher: Sourcebooks Fire Pages: 216 Synopsis: (from the book)  Gwyneth wasn’t supposed to fall in love with Gawain. Not like this. Gawain was the May King—a sacrifice offered to the Goddesss for a bountiful harvest in return.  Gwyneth knows this.  His fate has been decided by powers beyond her control. But the warmth of his touch and the taste of his lips have blurred the lines of what she knows to be true. Now Gwyneth is willing to risk everything to keep Gawain alive, even if it means losing him forever…

Hello everyone, I’m SamoaPhoenix. Since Story is busy with NaNo Camp for two months and I just finished an Arthurian retelling, I thought I’d jump in with a review. While I am not the Arthurian expert Story is, I do know a lot about most of the more famous legends.  Especially Gawain (he and Gaheris are my favorites). So you may see a few other reviews from me pop up here and there, because believe it or not there are some Arthurian retellings I’ve read that she hasn’t. Le gasp!

Since Story began her review of Merlin’s Harp (by the same author and set in the same universe as this book) with a comment on the change in covers, I will do so as well. The original cover is a very standard one for an Arthurain tale: plain, with a painting of people in medieval dress. 

The new cover actually has pictures of Gawain and Lady Green on it. The cover is also mostly green!  I am more a fan of the new cover as it led me to purchase the book in the first place and actually has something to do with what happens in the book. However: two problems I see. 1. The new cover looks a little “young” for what I feel the intended audience is. There is a lot of sex in this book. Not graphic, but it is mentioned frequently enough that even in early high school I might have felt uncomfortable reading it (Story will tell me this is because I was a prude). That aside, this cover looks aimed at middle schoolers, not high schoolers. Not sure I want my future middle school child reading this.  2. It peeves me when cover designers don’t bother to read the book they are making a cover for. It is mentioned a lot in the book that Lady Green has red hair. Would it have killed them to actually find a redhead to put on the cover? Yeesh.

Anyway, on to the review! (Spoilers Ahoy!)

The Kevin Of It

I finished reading Persia Woolley’s Child of the Northern Spring, but the review of that probably won’t be up for another week because I also finished writing the Arthurian retelling I’ve been working on for nearly seven years.  So, mostly I’ll be working on typing that up instead of flipping through Child of the Northern Spring.  But first, I want to comment on something I found odd in the book and acknowledge that I may owe Marion Zimmer Bradley an apology (just a small one). 

Folks will remember from my Mists of Avalon review that I had major issues with the character of Kevin.  Mainly because I thought he was a major jerk who got off easy but also because I found the name choice to be a little… odd.  And jarring.  And I soundly mocked that name in my review.

Well, Persia Woolley also has a character named Kevin in her Guinevere Trilogy.  He is also crippled (born that way instead of injured like Bradley’s Kevin).  And while less jarring in Woolley’s book than in Bradley’s (Woolley uses the more modern spellings of the characters as opposed to Bradley who used the older ones and Woolley’s Kevin is actually Irish while I don’t think it’s ever said for Bradley’s), the whole thing got me thinking that maybe there was a character in the Arthurian Mythos named Kevin whom I wasn’t aware of.

Mists of Avalon was published in 1982.  Child of the Northern Spring was published in 1987.  Woolley says in an interview that she was disappointed that her trilogy was published so close to Mists that it caused her books to not only be overshadowed, but printed as sci-fi/fantasy or woman’s romance when it was intended to be historical fiction.  So, from that and the fact that the books were published within five years of each other, I can’t imagine that Woolley drew much of anything from Mists of Avalon for the first book (There’s a note in the preface of the second about drawing from Mists in regards to Morgan Le Fay’s character).  Maybe, maybe I could see the publisher asking that the character be renamed to jump on the success of Bradley’s book, but that’s just far-fetched speculation on my part drawn from my jaded cynicism of the publishing industry after what happened with the Twilight ‘phenomenon’. 

So, Kevin.  Before mocking that choice of name in my Mists of Avalon review, I checked to make sure that there was no minor Arthurian character named Kevin whom I had simply never heard of.  I searched the internet (Christopher Bruce’s Arthurian Name Dictionary, Early British Kingdoms and general Googling).  I searched my books (The New Encyclopedia of Arthurian Legends, The Oxford Guide to Arthurian Legends, The Encyclopedia of Arthurian Legends and the Arthurian Companion).  I searched for Kevin, Caoimhín, Caoimhghín, Cóemgein and Coemgenus.  Nothing.  That was when I decided it was safe to puzzle over (with mocking overtones) why Bradley had gone with that name when a- it was really out of place with how she was naming the rest of her characters and b- had no ties to any form of the original legend. 

Seeing the name appear again in a book which was published so soon after Mists of Avalon got me wondering again.  And after double checking, I still can’t find anyone in the Arthurian myth with any name resembling Kevin.  I even shifted gears and searched to see if there was any Kevin in Irish Mythology who had been transplanted to Britain.  The best I could come up with was St. Kevin of Glendalough who, as far as I can tell, never travelled to Britain (unlike St. Patrick) and was very much a Christian unlike the Kevins in Bradley and Woolley’s books, who are both pagans.  So, that seems unlikely.

I’m thinking I may learn more about this character as I read either Mary Stewart’s Merlin Trilogy or Rosemary Sutcliff’s Sword at Sunset.  My best guess is that the character was introduced in one of the modern retellings that are so often hailed as greats or inspiration by authors writing from Mists of Avalon and onwards.  If not, then it will simply remain a mystery—like who first wrote Morgan Le Fay as Mordred’s mother instead of Morgause.  One that I look forward to answering as I read and expand my Master List.

King Maker: Knights of the Breton Court I Review

Title: King Maker: The Knights of the Breton Court I Author: Maurice Broaddus Publisher: Angry Robot Pages: 385 Synopsis: (from the publisher) From the drug gangs of downtown Indianapolis, the one true king will arise.  The King Arthur myth gets dramatically replayed through the destiny of street hustler King, as he tried to unite the crack dealers, gangbangers, and the very real monsters lurking amongst them, to do the right thing.  This is an edgy, fantastical debut, genuinely unlike anything you've ever read before.

I feel the need to add this disclaimer: I spent a lot of time while reading this book examining my privilege as a white, middle class female.  A lot of times I had to stop myself and ask ‘Is this character really as horrible as I think or am I just making bad assumptions’.  A lot of times, I concluded the later.  I changed my mind a lot when it came to my sympathies for character (you will not see that change reflected in the review because it mostly happened with characters not related to the legend).  That said, I still didn’t like this book. 

Warning for Spoilers and a 3000 Word Review

In Which Story Contemplates the Possibility of King Arthur Star Wars Style

So, I'm reading Maurice Broaddus' King Maker, which is a modern day, reincarnation retelling.  And there is this fantastic line that I cannot stop thinking about (pg 39).

Merle waved his fingers in front of him as if with a sudden display of jazz hands.  "These are not the droids you are looking for."

Warning for small spoilers and Story's insanity under the cut

Lionors: King Arthur's Uncrowned Queen Review

Title: Lionors: King Arthur's Uncrowned Queen Author: Barbara Ferry Johnson Publisher: Avon Pages: 291 Synopsis: (from the publisher) When she was thirteen, Lionors first saw Arthur.  Little did she know the consequences of that meeting.  The handsome young knight would be declared King of Britain, marry the beautiful Guinevere, and fall to the treachery of his court while Lionors, secretly married to him, would bear his child and wait for him to leave his palace to be at her side in fulfillment of the old prophecy: "You will be a queen, but you will die uncrowned and unknown."

I was super psyched when I recently found this book.  As I have stated before, I love books about side characters.  And unlike Viviane or Galahad, who usually appear in retellings but only in small roles, Lisanor is pretty much all but forgotten.  And here’s this book all about her!  I couldn’t wait to finish Merlin’s Harp so I could start reading this book. 

My feelings for Lionors went thus: In the beginning I was happy, in the middle I was bored and at the end I was really angry.

Warning for Spoilers and another 2000 word review

Merlin's Harp Review

Title: Merlin's Harp Author: Anne Eliot Crompton Publisher: Roc Pages: 298 Synopsis: (from the book) Among the towering trees of magical Avalon, where humans dare not tread, lives Niviene, daughter of the Lady of the Lake and apprentice to Merlin the mage.  Her people, the Fey, are folk of the wood and avoid the violence and avarice of man.  But when the strife of King Arthur's realm threatens even Avalon's peace, and Merlin needs his apprentice to thwart the chaos devouring Camelot.  And so Niviene will use her special talents to help save a kingdom and discover the treachery of men and the beauty of love.  This is a wondrous story of danger, enchantment, and charm... and of the greatest mystery of all, the power of the human heart.  Presented in a flowing musical prose, Merlin's Harp is a joy for followers of the legend-- and for anyone who appreciates a magical tale.

Merlin's Harp was recently republished by Sourcebooks Fire.  Cue standard YA cover. 

Oh look!  The promise of the too stupid to live heroine, a plotless tale and a sexy bady boy monster.  This book includes none of these.  The original cover is truer to the story Crompton tells. 

Warning for Spoilers under the cut

Not there yet...

I find myself not liking the way the first two reviews came out.  I reviewed them like books when I said I was going to review how the legend turned out.  It's going to take me a few more days than I anticipated to get the review of Merlin's Harp up while I try to figure out how I actually want to review these stories.  I'm still trying to find my voice in all of this (I know my voice when talking about things I hate and am good with the voices of characters my books-- my own voice when talking something I love?  Not so much).  Please bear with me as I try to figure this own.  It may be a few reviews before you see any sort of pattern in the formatting.

~Storyteller Knight

Grail Prince Review

Title: Grail Prince   Author: Nancy McKenzie   Publisher: Ballantine Books Pages: 510 Synopsis: (from the publisher) "The wheel is turning and the world will change... And a son of Lancelot, with a bloody sword and a righteous heart, shall renew the Light in Britain before the descent of save dark." So spoke the Lady of the Lake.  Now her grim prophecy is coming true.  King Arthur lies dead, struck down along with Mordred, his son and heir, and the greatest knights of Camelot.  Of that peerless company, only Lancelot survives, a broken man who has turned his back on Britain and on his forbidden love of Guinevere.  Yet one knight, scarcely more tha a boy, fights amid the ruins to keep Arthur's dream alive: Galahad, the son of Lancelot. Before his death, Arthur swore the young knight to undertake a quest: a search for the scattered treasures of an ancient king.  On the recovery of these powerful relics-- a grail, a spear and a sword-- hinges the future of Britain.  But it is the past that torments Galahad.  He cannot forget or forgive his father's betrayal of his king.  Nor can he banish thoughts of the intoxicating Dandrane, sister of his friend Percival, from his mind.  Yet only a man pure in heart can fulfill the prophecy of the Lady of the Lake. Not since The Mists of Avalon has an author so brilliantly reimagined and brought to life the enduring Arthurian legends.  Weaving back and forth through time, from Arthur's mightly reign and commanding influence to Galahad's ultimate quest to preserve the destiny of a nation, Grail Prince is an unforgettable epic of adventure and romance, of clashing swords and hearts set in a magical world as deadly as it is beautiful.

I didn't realize that Nancy McKenzie's books had been compared to Mists of Avalon until I typed up the summary.  They're not anything alike.  These characters are actually likeable. 

Warnings for Spoilers of both Grail Prince and Queen of Camelot under the cut

Mists of Avalon Review

Title: Mists of Avalon   Author: Marion Zimmer Bradley   Publisher: Del Rey (originally Ballantine) Pages: 876 Synopsis: (From GoodReads) Even readers who don't normally enjoy Arthurian legends will love this version, a retelling from the point of view of the women behind the throne. Morgaine (more commonly known as Morgan Le Fay) and Gwenhwyfar (a Welsh spelling of Guinevere) struggle for power, using Arthur as a way to score points and promote their respective worldviews. The Mists of Avalon's Camelot politics and intrigue take place at a time when Christianity is taking over the island-nation of Britain; Christianity vs. Faery, and God vs. Goddess are dominant themes. Young and old alike will enjoy this magical Arthurian reinvention by science fiction and fantasy veteran Marion Zimmer Bradley.

I’m not big on classics.  I’m trying to get over this as I read through my Arthurian collection.  I probably can’t call myself a true King Arthur enthusiast if I never read (at least what I consider to be) the Big Three: Mists of Avalon, The Once and Future King, and Le Morte D’Arthur.  And while I had heard things about Mists of Avalon, things that made me very wary about reading it, it seemed like a good place to start- being the youngest of the three books.  I’m sure my perception of this book was colored by my dislike of books that are hailed as classics, things I had read about the book before ever picking it up and the movie.  I tried to go into this book with an open mind.  I can’t speak to my success or failure on that.  All I know is that I did not like this book.

Warning for Spoilers and Language and over 2,000 words under the cut

Almost Ready

After finishing Mists of Avalon, I find myself holding what is sure to be an unpolular opinion.

I liked the movie better. Like, way better.

First review will go up tomorrow. It's going to be a long one. I have a lot to say about this book. A lot to say (That's why I created this blog- to talk about this book).

Master Book List

At last count (3/2/11 3/13/11 3/18/11 4/1/11 5/1/11 6/4/11 9/4/11 10/11/11 11/13/11 12/30/11 1/26/12 3/5/12 12/30/12), I owned 115 124 127 131 138 142 152 166 169 177 184 205 221 Arthurian retellings and reference books (Not all 219 are listed here because I own multiple editions of some books because something is wrong with me).

Under Construction

Hi all,

I'm Storyteller Knight. You can find me on Fictionpress where I have several novel length stories up for viewing and in my corner at Pardon My Sarcasm where I rage about how the Republicans are ruining all things. I have started this blog for the purpose of reviewing books. Specifically Arthurian retellings. I own over 100 books about King Arthur and the Knights of the Round Table, and I continue to collect them as I find them. So, I thought it would be fun to start reviewing these books as I read/reread them.

Within the next few days I intend to put a master list up of all the books I own, what I have read and what I will be readinging along with the first review or two. So, look forward to things to come.

~Storyteller Knight