Air: Merlin's Chalice

Children of Avalon #1

by Meredith Bond

In one day Scai has gone from an ordinary outcast in her little Welsh village to learning that she is a member of a magical people called the Vallen. Left on the church steps by a strange couple to be raised by the town priest, she knows nothing of her history—or her abilities. Did she really stop the rain just by wishing it to stop? But she is determined to learn all she can. Travelling alone to England to find her family seems to be the only way she’s going to find the answers she seeks.
Her journey leads her to the funny old knight Sir Dagonet, the handsome squire Dylan and the fiery Bridget. Together, Scai, Dylan and Bridget are the long awaited Children of Avalon, destined to save the world from Lady Nimuë, formerly known as the Lady of the Lake—unless she kills them first.
Along the way, Scai finds magic - both in the wind and air that she can control at will, and in the sweet ache of a first love that she cannot.

Genres: Fantasy, Romance, Fairy Tales

322 pages, Paperback

First published January 1, 2004

About the author

Meredith Bond's books straddle that beautiful line between historical romance and fantasy. An award-winning author, she writes fun traditional Regency romances, medieval Arthurian romances, and Regency romances with a touch of magic. Known for her characters “who slip readily into one’s heart,” Meredith loves to take her readers on a journey they won't soon forget. She is currently living in Europe enjoying the Bohemian life. I write a blog on writing and self-publishing that is published every Sunday at www.meredithbond.com/blog/posts

Reviews

[Lorraine · Rating 4 out of 5]

I can never get enough of stories about King Arthur or the characters associated with him. Air: Merlin’s Chalice (Children of Avalon #1) by Meredith Bond is a story connected to Avalon through children who are descendants of Morgan le Fey & Merlin. These three children are now grown into young adulthood and eventually met each other. This first book of this trilogy is about Scai who is connected to the element of air with which she is able to conjure up a strong but short duration of quick wind in order to extinguish a house fire among other things. She has magic, but is no witch. She is one of the children of Avalon, a Vallen. She meets Sir Dragonet, who adds a humorous note to the story, Dylan, who fights as a knight, and Bridget, her actual sister. Lady Nimue is also present although constantly taunted by her sister, Motgen le Fey, Nimue is determined to catch these three for she desires‘Merlin’s Chalice’ and its powers for which the three young people are on a quest. They are a team, a concept that takes a long time for them to realize. Fun read with a varying glance at the future of Avalon and those who call it home.

[Angela Cruz · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is a paranormal suspense with a touch of romance and historical fiction. This is the first book in the Children of Avalon series. This could be read as a stand alone, but there is more to this story. This does have some sexual content so maybe for an older age group. I liked the book but for some reason it just couldn't hold my attention. And even though I know that Sir Dagonet is based on knight/joker from the King Arthur times the way he kept saying wot wot was really aggravating, but other than that he was an awesome kind hearted character. The book has a lot of magic and the story has an happy ending.


This story is about Scai, she was abandoned as an infant outside a church. Growing up she was loved by the priest whom took her in. But he could not protect her any longer from the townspeople suspensions of her being a witch, and told her run far away. Scai has no knowledge of her background or her family ties. But she is determined to find her family in England and get answers to why they left her behind. Will she find her family?

On her journey is meets up with very protective Sir Dagonet, whom she trusts wholeheartedly. Then she meets up with Dylan whom she is very attracted to but she has mixed emotions about him due to the way he treats her and Sir Dagonet. And then finally she meets Bridget, her red hair matches her attitude. Will she ever find love?

Scai learns of her magical gifts and the others teach her how to control her powers. Together the three of them make up the Children of Avalon and they are the future, they must save the chalice from the evil hands of Lady Nimuë (Lady of the Lake). Can they save Avalon before they are killed themselves?

favorite quotes?

"Left on the church steps as a baby, she knows nothing of her history-or her abilities."
"He smelled of the water-ever so slightly fishy, but clean and fresh."
"I took a deep breath and closed my eyes against the brightness of the morning, just smelling the sunshine."
"Like a cold breeze, Father's serious expression blew the happiness right out of me."
"I pulled the warmth of the sunshine around me and continued on."
"As it's scent wafted up to her, her senses were overwhelmed with memories of home." <3
"Her brilliant blue eyes stared out at Nimuë, laughing, full of love and happiness."
"How do you always turn everything around to see the positive?"
"Silence surrounded me lie a stifling blanket of cool air."
"You are an inspiration to me and my solace."
"Now I just missed him immensely."
"I open my arms wide and welcomed the rain."
"Yep, she is our sister all right."
"I sent up a silent prayer he was all right."
"I wouldn't trust him. He sounds slippery,"
"Such a feeling of love washed over me."
"The water's spray reached out, cooling me and making my feathers sparkle in the sunlight as if covered with diamonds."
"His lips, though, were a soft, soothing counterpoint to the fury of heat and light."
"But as long as I had my family around me, I would be able to face anything."<3

[Lisa Rector · Rating 3 out of 5]

The story was a fascinating concept. The magic tied into the elements was great. But I never bonded with the characters. The whole time, I'm thinking I picked up a book written for a ten year old. But the cover of the half naked chick suggested otherwise, so I was really confused. The writing was too simplistic with everything wrong with it. Everything that I was taught not to include in my writing was in this. Use of adverbs, similes, empty words like really, very, so, etc., even cliches. I almost considered letting my daughter read it, until I got to page 216 where their was a sex scene. Which was completely ridiculous. The emotional connection between the characters just was not there. Not only did the characters lack in depth, but the whole story lacked in tension. Take out the two sex scenes, and this is a story for a child. Anticlimactic at the end, but I could have just been so put off by the whole thing. What can I say that was positive? It was a bit humorous, with an annoying knight that kept repeating, wot,wot? I mean, what does that mean? And Nimue was wishy-washy. I thought she was a bad arse villain, but at one point, during her thoughts, she mentioned that she had never killed and was uncomfortable with killing the children of Avalon. I mean come on? Kill! The main characters were supposed to be in their twenties, but the way they talked to each other, I kept thinking of them as fifteen year olds. Oh, sorry I could not have said anything more positive. Okay, I will say, I don't read that many romances, are they all like this? Shallow, shallow, shallow, sex, shallow, sex, anticlimactic and then, the end. Sorry.

[B.C. Deeks · Rating 5 out of 5]

My favorite stories, whether they are told through movies or books, are most often inspired by Arthurian legends. Meredith Bond has skillfully woven those threads into a new series about the descendants of those well-loved characters from Camelot, and called it, Children of Avalon.

Book One is Air: Merlin’s Chalice . Set in medieval times, a magical race of people is threatened by witch hunts, and a 200-year-old prophecy that foretells of a threat to all humanity and, specifically, to the Children of Avalon. A young woman, who was left on the doorstep of a church as a baby, is driven from the only home she has ever known for being a witch. She begins a quest to find her true identity, only to discover she is one of the trio mentioned in Merlin’s prophecy. On her journey, she encounters risks to her life and her heart, knights in shining armor, and a powerful mortal enemy who will stop at nothing to kill her. Fortunately, she also finds several allies, two of whom are the other Children of Avalon.
Romance, intrigue, magic–what’s not to love about this book! It’s wonderful and I’m definitely going to pick up the next book in the series.

[Arlena · Rating 4 out of 5]

Title: Air: Merlin's Chalice Children of Avalon, Book One
Author: Meredith Bond
Publisher: Anessa Books
Reviewed By: Arlena Dean
Rating: 4
Review:

"Air Merlin's Chalice" by Meredith Bond was a beautifully told fantasy and oh what magic will appear. I found this read a very easy well written one that will appeal to any fan of fantasy giving the reader a read packed with a lots of action as well as magic, romance and even some historical fiction. This was a good read of the 'King Arthur's Legends' featuring Scar, Bridget and Dylan descended from the "Lady of the Lake" searching for the Merlin's goblet. This will be a non stop read...once starting you will find it hard to put down until the end. Now, for the younger readers please be aware that that there will be a few scenes that are intimate as well as 'knights, sorcerers, magic and a grand quest of good and evil.' If you are a fantasy reader this one would be for you as there will be sequels that will further explain the rest of this story.

[J. · Rating 4 out of 5]

I was given this book in exchange for an honest review by LOP. This story takes place about 200 years after Arthur’s death and Merlin’s imprisonment by Nimue. Nimue and Morgan are still around kept eternally youthful through the magic of Avalon. However, magic is fading in the real world. Those with some of the old magic are hunted and persecuted as witches. We follow the lives of three children of Avalon, descendants of Merlin, Nimue and Morgan who are prophesied to return magic to the world.

The leads are engaging but not always faithful to their characterization. i.e. Scai was raised by a priest but doesn’t hold tight to religious morality and not out of love because she “doesn’t know how she feels”. It’s those motivation things that trip up the story for me. But still a good read.

I would recommend this to any King Arthur/Merlin buff who enjoys a different take on the Avalon mythology. I’ve purchased the second book in the trilogy.

[Elizabeth Alsobrooks · Rating 4 out of 5]

Yes, this is one of my favorite genres, but I also love the premise of this series. The Children of Avalon? Awesome! What fantasy fan hasn't been fascinated by The Lady of the Lake? Just hearing the label brings visions of that sword slicing the surface of the water as she delivers it to Arthur. And yes, you will get your Arthur fix on too!


Tense with young love and the uncertainty of life at any age, this story doesn't smash into you like a sunami, it washes over you in a warm, gentle stream. The current is strong enough to carry you along, to make you anticipate and relish the uninterrupted flow of a magical story.


This is a fast and quite easy read that except that there are a couple intimate moments could easily have been a YA . It will definately appeal to the twentyish fantasy fans, as well as adults of all ages.


BOOK BLING give this story 4 stars!

[Sara · Rating 5 out of 5]

First of all I was given a copy of this book via Lovers of Paranormal for an honest review.

I've read quite a few books based on Arthurian legends, and this certainly deserves a place amongst those works - and it also added a few of its own little twists to the tale.

It is a brilliant mix of fairytale/ historical and adventure, with an engaging writing style that kept me turning the pages and was easy to read.

I will certainly read the next books - although they don't seem to be available via Amazon in the UK?

One warning though, don't be fooled into thinking it is "just" a children's book - it isn't, and there is some adult content. It isn't very explicit, or at all out of context but you might want to be aware before you give it to a child.

Overall, I loved it and would totally recommend that you read it if you get the chance.

[Nyghtengale · Rating 5 out of 5]

I received this book in exchange for an honest review. (LOP or Lovers of Paranormal).

First I would like to say this was a very refreshing take on the Arthurian legends. I enjoyed the trio of main characters that carried you through the story, but I have to say Sir Dagonet stole the show for me.

So many times in the older legends the ones to look out for the most, the strongest chapters were often played as the fool. This is very captivating story that is sure to please. I was sad when the story ended that I didn't have the next book to continue on with the adventure.

This is definitely a series I will not only recommend but I will get the remain books so I can follow the children of avalon on the remainder of the journey,

[Anna · Rating 4 out of 5]

***I was given this book in exchange for an honest review, Lovers of Paranormal.***


I was super excited to read this book because just having that medieval fantasy theme was so intriguing. Now mixing a little of King Arthur lore into the story and bam, you've got my attention.


It was a magical world with interesting characters. I liked Scai, Bridget and Dylan separately. I LOVED Sir Dagonet.

My one criticism is that I was a little unsure of the Dylan's relationship with the two sisters, (meaning I didn't understand for a while) and finally it all started coming together towards the end of the book.

I feel there is so much more to hear about and so I can't wait to read more of this series.

[Vanne · Rating 4 out of 5]

I received this book in exchange for my honest opinion (lovers of paranormal)

I very well enjoyed reading this book. The adventures starting from the very beginning to the very end, don't think I even encountered a dull moment. Meredith bond did an amazing job writing this book, I felt as I was there. The images easily unfolding themselves into a movie for me. Scais and Dylan's intimate encounters even seemed to make me blush, however I wish there was more attraction that led up to it. I am a fool for a good love story.The characters in this book were so easy fall in love with, and after reading the teasers, I cannot wait to read about Bridget and Aron. Hoping it turns out to be a romance for the movies.

[Vanessa · Rating 5 out of 5]

~*~*~BETA READER~*~*~

I loved Air! I have to be honest and say I have never read a book like that before. The genre never really interested me. But after reading Air, I will definitely think twice. I was hooked from the first page. While reading the book I felt like I was transferred right into the book. I liked that the characters read like real people instead of just characters in a book. The chapters flowed very well. I didn't want the book to end and can't wait to read the next one. I can seriously see this book being turned into a movie!!!! I didn't find anything I didn't like about Air.

[Kasey Cocoa · Rating 5 out of 5]

Intelligently written with a good editing job as well. I love the premis for the story and feel it was handled quite well. The world building and research into this is done very well. The characters are well fleshed out and have well thought out flaws and layers. The dialogue feels realistic adding to the overal feel of the book. I enjoyed reading this book and plan to read the rest in the series. I would recommend this to all fantasy readers. I received an evaluation copy through NetGalley in exchange for an honest opinion. No additional compensation was (or will be) received.

[Narges · Rating 5 out of 5]

(I received this eBook in exchange for an honest review. LoP)
A bewitching novel …
This was among the first adventure novels that I read but it was enchanting. Ms. Bond’s narrative style is amazing. Through her minute and clear descriptions I could vividly imagine all the adventure. Although I was a little unsatisfied with a couple of coincidental encounters throughout the novel, but everything else including the ending was perfect. I’m determined to read the next two novels in the series and also to read more about the Arthurian legends. Thank you so much …

[Barb · Rating 4 out of 5]

I received this book in exchange for an honest review LoP (Lovers of Paranormal).
This is a nice story and I enjoyed it very much. Scai, Dylan, and Bridget together along with Sir Dragonet find themselves on a quest to find Merlin’s Chalice. There is also a touch of young love thrown in the mix. I have to say Sir Dragonet is a loveable character, but he got on my nerves after the 50th wot wot!? The story has a good flow and there wasn't any dull moments. The story sets up the second in the trilogy nicely.

[Kishan Paul · Rating 5 out of 5]

If you enjoy a well written historical romance, Air: Merlin's Chalice by Meredith Bond is a great read. The story is about Scai, a beautiful woman who is clueless of the powers she holds. Set during the time of witch trials, she tries to figure out who she is and her place in the world all while avoiding near death situations. Along the way she is forced to redefine what family means and question the truths she has held for most of her life. Meredith Bond has weaved a mystical world full of magic and love and I loved every minute of it.

[Tina Nelson · Rating 3 out of 5]

I was given this book in exchange for an honest review by LoP. Since I can't give it a 3 1/2 stars, I have to give 3.

As always I will not summarize the book, if you are interested just have to read it. (I do recommend it though)
At first when I started to read this book, I felt a little bored. Some parts were slower than others and that made it really hard for me to like it.
As I read on though, I liked it more.
The story is well thought out, the characters are likable. I am curious to see how the story continues, so I WILL read on.

[tami burden · Rating 1 out of 5]

Merlin's Chalice

Captures the attention right off. But the stunted emotional intelligence and development of the main heroine, and the violence and abuse she suffers from the second main character all for the sake of drama is not my idea of entertainment. By the 26th chapter the only thing I was completely sure of was the author's definite need of psychiatric help.

[Kathy · Rating 4 out of 5]

I liked this magical world I entered and the characters living there while reading this book. I look forward to the next title in the series.

[Jane Stewart]

Not a good fit for me.