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Hallowed Isle #3
The Book Of The Cauldron
The Romans came, conquered, and departed, leaving behind them a strange new religion called Christianity. The princes of Britannia have driven back the invading Saxons and dream of a return to bygone days, while others on the island invoke the magic of a time older still. For the revered ancient goddesses Eve on in the hearts and memories of the proud royal women of the old British tribes. And now, King Artor -- wounded in body and spirit -- proclaims that the sword and the spear must be put to rest, and summons his mother Igierne, Lady of the Lake, to use the powers of the Cauldron to heal a troubled, wartorn land. But old jealousies and new power struggles threaten disaster, as Artor's sister Morgause hides a deadly secretand a darker magic. It is Guendivar the queen who holds the key to their survival, if she can master her own power in time.
For a darkness is emanating from high places -- and it threatens to devastate a realm.
For a darkness is emanating from high places -- and it threatens to devastate a realm.
194 pages, Kindle Edition
First published November 1, 1999
14 people are currently reading
162 people want to read
About the author
Diana L. Paxson
170 books410 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
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Displaying 1 - 6 of 6 reviews
November 28, 2018
Das Buch ist gut geschrieben und auch die Geschichte ist bekanntermaßen gut. Aber in Summe ist es nur ein weiteres Mal die Artussage erzählt. Es hat mich einfach nicht gefesselt. Eigentlich lässt die Geschichte noch Luft für Variationen, aber mir kam alles bekannt vor. Keine Wendung die nicht irgendwo schon mal vorgekommen ist. Daher habe ich das Buch nicht zu Ende gelesen.
May 17, 2025
Book Three of the Hallowed Isle series. Medraut is born on Beltaine and Morgause raises him to share her lust for power. Igierne discovers Guendivar is Artor’s chosen bride—although half his age. She has had an “affair” with a young nun named Julia. Guendivar is abducted and raped by her abductor. Artor and the Companions ride to her rescue—Artor is given a near fatal wound and healed by the Cauldron. He loves Guendivar, but feels unworthy. The Cauldron is brought to Camelot and stolen by Morgause—resulting in a Grail Quest. Ninive is Gwalchmai’s daughter.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
July 10, 2021
Book 3 in this Arthurian tale introduces us to Guendivar, who later marries the High King, Artor. Artor learns from his half-sister, Morgause, that he is a father. For some reason (maybe magic?) this renders him impotent, even though he still loves Guendivar. Morgause steals the Cauldron from the Lady of the Lake, but the Goddess is having none of it - Morgause cannot control, much less use that power. It remains to be seen if Artor can somehow heal the land, or if it will fall to his son, Medraud. Good read.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
June 3, 2016
I really like this series, I think Diana Paxson has done a wonderful job with the retelling from a different perspective. The characters are fleshed out, have their own motivations and yet their lives intertwine nicely with the traditional tale. I like the focus on the different relics, if you will, showing how they influence each of the main characters and how their power affects the realm and world.
November 7, 2011
3.5 stars
This installment of the Hallowed Isle series centers predominantly on the females of the saga. Familiar, yet different, aspects of the characters I've known over the years. The best of the series, so far...
This installment of the Hallowed Isle series centers predominantly on the females of the saga. Familiar, yet different, aspects of the characters I've known over the years. The best of the series, so far...
January 23, 2015
Artussage Teil 3: Arthur heiratet Gwendivar, aber sie empfangen keine Kinder. Morgause gebirt Mordred, den Sohn von Arthur und dessen Untergang
Displaying 1 - 6 of 6 reviews