Book description
The full sweep of the rich history of Avalon - from the fall of
Atlantis to the founding of a new temple on the mist-shrouded isle of
Britain - is finally revealed in this magnificent tale.
The priests and priestesses of Atlantis have known for many years that
the Sea Kingdoms were doomed. But now the final destruction has arrived
they find themselves less prepared than they had thought for what lies ahead.
Micail and Tiriki, prince and princess of the last island to fall, as
well as priest and priestess, are separated during the final escape.
Micail and his cousin, Prince Tjalan, successfully arrive at their
planned destination, a trading post in the Hesperides (the British
Isles) where Tjalan loses no time in taking charge. He dreams of
continuing the traditions of Atlantis and founding a glorious new empire
- whether the local tribes like it or not. Micail and the other priests
dedicate themselves to fulfilling an ancient prophesy that they will
build a great temple in this new land - and set about finding a way to
shift the huge blocks of granite that will become Stonehenge.
Micail's beloved wife Tiriki also arrives in the Hesperides, but, blown
off-course by a storm, her ship lands on the wrong shore. She and the
elderly priest Chedan lead their small group in forming a new community
in harmony with the local population at the sacred Tor (Glastonbury).
Once the two groups become aware of each other, conflict will become inevitable.
A deeply moving and utterly convincing tale of faith in the face of
adversity, filled with memorable characters and haunting landscapes.
'Delightful … richly-detailed characterisation' SFX
'An absorbing read' Starburst
Praise for the Avalon series:
'A most original interpretation of the matter of Britian by way of
Celtic religion and the Great Mother… a remarkable feat of imagination'
Mary Renault
'I loved the book so much I went out and bought it for a friend, and
have told many people about it. Why did no one ever think before to tell
the story of King Arthur from the perspective of the women!'
Jean Auel
'A pillar of the fantasy field, Bradley here combines romance, rich
historical detail, magical dazzlements, grand adventure and feminist
sentiments into the kind of novel her fans have been yearning for'
Publishers Weekly
'The best retelling of the Arthurian saga I have ever read. Completely
compelling' Isaac Asimov Marion Zimmer Bradley is the creator of the
popular Darkover universe as well as the critically acclaimed author of
the bestselling The Mists of Avalon, its sequel, The Forest House, and
Priestess of Avalon with her long-time collaborator Diana L. Paxson. She
died in Berkeley, California on September 25, 1999.
Diana L. Paxson was born in Detroit, Michigan in 1943, but moved to Los
Angeles at the age of three and has been a Californian ever since. After
attending Mills College in 1960, she received a masters degree in
Comparative (Medieval) Literature from U. C. Berkeley. She married and
became the mother of two children. In 1971 she began seriously writing.
Her first short story was published in 1978 and her first novel in 1981.
