What do you think?
Rate this book
Hallowed Isle #4
The Book of the Stone
After years of conflict, Britannia finally knows peace and Artor reigns from his throne at Camalot. But discontent rumbles through the kingdom. A new generation longs for the glory their fathers knew. Medraut, the son conceived by deceit, lusts for Artor's crown -- and his queen. Dreams of an empire draw the king to Gallia to battle again, leaving the sovereignty of the isle in Guendivar's hands. As Artor's painful absence grows longer, the land cries out for its champion -- and even the queen doubts his return. With the rise of revolt home to a country in turmoil. Only he can heal the land and reclaim the kingdom -- or else the hallowed isle will be ripped asunder once again. A darkness born and bred for revenge shadows the nation. But one hope shines -- the Defender of Britannia.
208 pages, Paperback
First published January 1, 2000
6 people are currently reading
152 people want to read
About the author
Diana L. Paxson
171 books411 followersDiana L. Paxson (born 1943) is a novelist and author of nonfiction, primarily in the fields of Paganism and Heathenism. Her published works include fantasy and historical fiction novels, as well as numerous short stories. More recently she has also published nonfiction books about Pagan and Heathen religions and practices.
In addition to her multiple novels and collaborations, she has written over seventy short stories. Her best-known works are the Westria novels, and the later books in the Avalon series, which she first co-wrote with Marion Zimmer Bradley, then took over sole authorship of after Bradley's death.
Paxson was nominated for the Mythopoeic Fantasy Awards twice, in 1989 for the "White Raven" and in 1983 for "Lady of Light".
Paxson's non-fiction books include Taking Up the Runes, Essential Asatru, and Trance-Portation. She writes a regular column for the women's spirituality magazine, Sagewoman.
Paxson has been active in the leadership of a number of organizations. She hosted the first activities of the Society for Creative Anachronism, and was subsequently among that group's founding Directors and Corporate Officers when it incorporated[1]. She was the western regional director of the Science Fiction & Fantasy Writers of America, and is a frequent panelist at science fiction conventions, especially Baycon, where she was the 2007 Fantasy Guest of Honor.
A leader in the Neopagan and Heathen revivals, Paxson is the founder of the The Fellowship of the Spiral Path and has served as First Officer of the Covenant of the Goddess. She has been Steerswoman of the Heathen group, The Troth, a member of its Board of Directors, and currently edits its journal, Idunna. She is a pioneer in the revival of Oracular Seidh, which she has taught and performed at many Neopagan and heathen festivals and retreats.
She composes and plays music for the harp. She currently lives at her home, Greyhaven, in Berkeley, California.
More can be found on her blog: http://dpaxson.livejournal.com
In addition to her multiple novels and collaborations, she has written over seventy short stories. Her best-known works are the Westria novels, and the later books in the Avalon series, which she first co-wrote with Marion Zimmer Bradley, then took over sole authorship of after Bradley's death.
Paxson was nominated for the Mythopoeic Fantasy Awards twice, in 1989 for the "White Raven" and in 1983 for "Lady of Light".
Paxson's non-fiction books include Taking Up the Runes, Essential Asatru, and Trance-Portation. She writes a regular column for the women's spirituality magazine, Sagewoman.
Paxson has been active in the leadership of a number of organizations. She hosted the first activities of the Society for Creative Anachronism, and was subsequently among that group's founding Directors and Corporate Officers when it incorporated[1]. She was the western regional director of the Science Fiction & Fantasy Writers of America, and is a frequent panelist at science fiction conventions, especially Baycon, where she was the 2007 Fantasy Guest of Honor.
A leader in the Neopagan and Heathen revivals, Paxson is the founder of the The Fellowship of the Spiral Path and has served as First Officer of the Covenant of the Goddess. She has been Steerswoman of the Heathen group, The Troth, a member of its Board of Directors, and currently edits its journal, Idunna. She is a pioneer in the revival of Oracular Seidh, which she has taught and performed at many Neopagan and heathen festivals and retreats.
She composes and plays music for the harp. She currently lives at her home, Greyhaven, in Berkeley, California.
More can be found on her blog: http://dpaxson.livejournal.com
Ratings & Reviews
Friends & Following
Create a free account to discover what your friends think of this book!
Community Reviews
Displaying 1 - 5 of 5 reviews
November 13, 2011
It was a decent series. Not as good as some Arthurian novels I've read, nor as great as others still.
June 4, 2024
Diana Paxson's "Britannien Saga" ist eine der bekannteren Interpretation der Arthus Saga.
Paxson ist die Schwägerin von Marion Zimmer Bradley und hat an deren Avalon Büchern mitgewirkt. Den Einfluss merkt man dieser Arthus Saga an.
Die Reihe besteht aus vier dünnen Bänden. Es tauchen die üblichen Gestalten, wie Arthur, Merlin, Morgase usw auf.
Die Geschichte ist dieses Mal zur Zeit nach der römischen Vertreibung aus Britannien angesiedelt. Die Römer sind weg, haben aber ihren Einfluss hinterlassen.
Die Briten (noch ein Volk ohne eigenen Identität); eine Mischung aus Pikten, Galliern und Römern muss gegen einfallenende Sachsen, Jüten und Angeln bestehen.
Nach dem Tod von Uther Pendragon kommt der junges Arthus an die Macht und versucht Britannien zu einen.
Die Romane konzentrieren sich auf den Werdegang von Arhus und versuchen die Sage in einen historischen Kontext zu setzten.
Leider gelingt dies nur bedingt.
Die Reihe kann sich nicht entscheiden ob sie Historien- oder Fantasy Roman ist.
Für Fantasy sind die Elemente zu spärlich und kaum vorhanden. Für Historische Fiktion wirkt die Geschichte ungenau erzählt.
Dies ist auch die Schwäche. Die Charaktere bleiben irgendwie blass. Obwohl es eine ganze Reihe von Schicksalsschlägen gibt, wirken diese nicht richtig. Man fühlt sich als Leser eher unbeteiligt. Dies hat auch mit dem Schreibstil zu tun. Der ist eher fad und trocken.
Wenn man die Reihe mit anderen Interpretationen der Sage vergleicht fällt diese sehr ab.
Sie kommt weder an das mystische von "Nebel von Avalon" heran noch Mary Stewarts bekannte Reihe.
Vom Setting her, lässt sie sich am ehesten mit Bernard Cornwells Reihe vergleichen. Wobei diese extrem mitreißend ist.
Das hört sich jetzt sehe negativ an. Aber wenn man die bekannte Sage kennt und auch Vergleiche ziehen kann, fällt Paxson"s Versuch leider ab.
Ohne diesen Vergleich ist die Reihe sicherlich immer noch mittelmäßig bis gut.
Paxson ist die Schwägerin von Marion Zimmer Bradley und hat an deren Avalon Büchern mitgewirkt. Den Einfluss merkt man dieser Arthus Saga an.
Die Reihe besteht aus vier dünnen Bänden. Es tauchen die üblichen Gestalten, wie Arthur, Merlin, Morgase usw auf.
Die Geschichte ist dieses Mal zur Zeit nach der römischen Vertreibung aus Britannien angesiedelt. Die Römer sind weg, haben aber ihren Einfluss hinterlassen.
Die Briten (noch ein Volk ohne eigenen Identität); eine Mischung aus Pikten, Galliern und Römern muss gegen einfallenende Sachsen, Jüten und Angeln bestehen.
Nach dem Tod von Uther Pendragon kommt der junges Arthus an die Macht und versucht Britannien zu einen.
Die Romane konzentrieren sich auf den Werdegang von Arhus und versuchen die Sage in einen historischen Kontext zu setzten.
Leider gelingt dies nur bedingt.
Die Reihe kann sich nicht entscheiden ob sie Historien- oder Fantasy Roman ist.
Für Fantasy sind die Elemente zu spärlich und kaum vorhanden. Für Historische Fiktion wirkt die Geschichte ungenau erzählt.
Dies ist auch die Schwäche. Die Charaktere bleiben irgendwie blass. Obwohl es eine ganze Reihe von Schicksalsschlägen gibt, wirken diese nicht richtig. Man fühlt sich als Leser eher unbeteiligt. Dies hat auch mit dem Schreibstil zu tun. Der ist eher fad und trocken.
Wenn man die Reihe mit anderen Interpretationen der Sage vergleicht fällt diese sehr ab.
Sie kommt weder an das mystische von "Nebel von Avalon" heran noch Mary Stewarts bekannte Reihe.
Vom Setting her, lässt sie sich am ehesten mit Bernard Cornwells Reihe vergleichen. Wobei diese extrem mitreißend ist.
Das hört sich jetzt sehe negativ an. Aber wenn man die bekannte Sage kennt und auch Vergleiche ziehen kann, fällt Paxson"s Versuch leider ab.
Ohne diesen Vergleich ist die Reihe sicherlich immer noch mittelmäßig bis gut.
June 3, 2022
Medraut comes to court. No longer Morgause's tool--she's reformed and on Avalon--he's still looking for justice. Artor sends him to the Saxons for his protection, but he resents the move--although he uses it for his advantage. When Artor goes to Gallia to fight the Franks, Medraut gets himself acclaimed king, with Guendivar's approval--until she realizes what a danger he is.
Artor does return, but he comes home to a divided land--not even Merlin's power is enough to save him--though he and Guendivar do find their way to each other. Nice ending with a reincarnated Merlin as bard to Henry II.
Artor does return, but he comes home to a divided land--not even Merlin's power is enough to save him--though he and Guendivar do find their way to each other. Nice ending with a reincarnated Merlin as bard to Henry II.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
June 7, 2016
I read the entire 4-book series in about a week, give or take a day or so. It is a very good retelling of the Arthurian legend from a Northern & Celtic perspective, including their pantheon of deity, beliefs, and sacred relics and how they relate to the story. I think the characters were well fleshed-out, had substance, motivation, and purpose. I loved this retelling and will re-read again in future. I hope you enjoy as much as I did.
January 1, 2022
Nice ending to the 4 book series, with Artor finally able to fulfill his marriage to Gwedivar and the land; also his small war with Mordaut. Not to mention Merlin's transition to the Air and thus immortality. Magical story, on purpose. Good read.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
Displaying 1 - 5 of 5 reviews