Marion Zimmer Bradley's Sword of Avalon

Starred review from October 12, 2009
Paxson, Marion Zimmer Bradley's long time coauthor, delivers a gripping Bronze Age tale in this seventh installment of the Avalon series. Long before the events of Bradley's epic Mists of Avalon
, young Mikantor, destined to be a king, is kidnapped from Avalon and sold into slavery. Mikantor learns much of leadership after being bought by a blacksmith prince. Evil sorcerer Galid is determined to dominate the land in the rightful ruler's absence, but Anderle, the Lady of Avalon, holds him at bay. Anderle's daughter, Tirilan, loves Mikantor, but believing him lost, she accepts the power—and celibacy—of priestesshood. Paxson's eloquent, strongly visual writing enhances a familiar but compelling story line; fascinating historical detail enhances the tale throughout. Fans of the series will be well pleased with this volume.

Diana Paxson continues the Avalon series with this prequel, set at the end of the Bronze Age. The Lady of Avalon rescues the baby Mikantor, the son of a hundred kings and subject of a prophecy that makes him a target of the evil sorcerer Galid. Some of Lorna Raver's male voices, particularly that of Galid, sound a bit strained, but they're effective portrayals and do not detract from the overall quality of the performance. The intensity of her narration rises and falls with the drama of the plot. Raver clearly reflects the reverence of those who consider the Lady of Avalon their holy priestess and the passionate contempt shown to the lady by Galid. J.E.M. (c) AudioFile 2010, Portland, Maine

February 22, 2010
Anyone familiar with Arthurian lore knows of the magical sword given to Arthur by the Lady of the Lake, but the origins of the sword itself have been a mystery until now. Paxon continues Marion Zimmer Bradley's beloved Arthurian saga in this sprawling epic that traces the provenance of the sword to the iron of a meteor—and the gods themselves. It's a detailed plot and a long listen, but Lorna Raver reads with the immediacy and intimacy of a fireside storyteller. She creates believable characters, juggles the diverse cast, adds pulsing momentum—all while staying ethereal enough to convey all the romance and magic of the legend. A Roc hardcover (Reviews, Oct. 12).