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Hallowed Isle #1-4
The Hallowed Isle
The legend of Arthur is brilliantly retold through the four "hallows," or sacred objects of Britain. This omnibus edition collects all four books in the series: The Book of the Sword, The Book of the Spear, The Book of the Cauldron, and The Book of the Stone.
625 pages, Hardcover
First published January 1, 2000
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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 - 5 of 5 reviews
September 12, 2017
I have read several versions of the King Arthur story, so the ending was not a surprise. This author took it in a different direction, the path ending the same.
did-not-finish-or-start
July 13, 2021DNS 7/13/2021
October 20, 2015
This is probably a 2 1/2 start book, there were bits I quite liked, others I didn't, characterisations that I liked and then others I didn't, or the characters changed suddenly, some plot lines fizzled into nothing, and I felt there were some bits just stuck in so to show how much research or reading the author has done. (She has borrowed quite heavily from Zimmer Bradley in some areas)
So, some bits worked well, others I felt didn't...
Its quite hard to pin down my feelings exactly. I read the first two books fairly quickly, and there's really some original ideas there. But book 3 was just weighed down with Morgause being angry and vindictive, and Igraine (who is the Lady of the Lake here) doing priestessy things in great detail. But - we are also introduced to a very young Guendivar, who sees the fairy people and has a physical relationship to a young nun-to-be, Julia. Then book 4 has time jumps everywhere, and a sympathetic Mordred who is determined not to become the thing his mother desired him to be, but then one day kills an old stag and changes his mind. The thing is, Artor (who we never really get a feel for) has been away for 10 years, and shows no sign of returning. Mordred doesn't need to be portrayed as creepily trying to lure Guendivar to bed, or underhanded and devious in the way that he is here.
There is no Lancelot, nor does Guendivar have any lovers - Artor is rendered impotent by the knowledge he sired a son with his sister - until he returns from fighting for 10 years and then magically isn't, and then its all over, Morgause, Guendivar and Nineve take Artor away.
So, some bits worked well, others I felt didn't...
Its quite hard to pin down my feelings exactly. I read the first two books fairly quickly, and there's really some original ideas there. But book 3 was just weighed down with Morgause being angry and vindictive, and Igraine (who is the Lady of the Lake here) doing priestessy things in great detail. But - we are also introduced to a very young Guendivar, who sees the fairy people and has a physical relationship to a young nun-to-be, Julia. Then book 4 has time jumps everywhere, and a sympathetic Mordred who is determined not to become the thing his mother desired him to be, but then one day kills an old stag and changes his mind. The thing is, Artor (who we never really get a feel for) has been away for 10 years, and shows no sign of returning. Mordred doesn't need to be portrayed as creepily trying to lure Guendivar to bed, or underhanded and devious in the way that he is here.
There is no Lancelot, nor does Guendivar have any lovers - Artor is rendered impotent by the knowledge he sired a son with his sister - until he returns from fighting for 10 years and then magically isn't, and then its all over, Morgause, Guendivar and Nineve take Artor away.
August 19, 2016
This was an engrossing read. The blend of historical and mythological research with the familiar tale of Arthur had me constantly flipping back and forth between the text and Wikipedia to brush up on the history of Sub-Roman Britain. This book has a lot to keep track of character-wise but the details are what make it interesting; I wish I had discovered the appendix with the pronunciation and character guide sooner! An annotated version of this book that explained some of the Germanic and Celtic mythology woven throughout would be fascinating.
October 24, 2011
I didn't care for this book at all. It is a retelling of the Arthur saga which is one of my favorite types of stories. It is broken into four sections and the first two were dull as dishwater. It was like reading the driest history book with no heart or fire or passion that is what I love most about the Arthur stories.
The third and forth parts were better but not great. I was very disappointed in this book.
The third and forth parts were better but not great. I was very disappointed in this book.
Displaying 1 - 5 of 5 reviews