Out of Avalon: An Anthology of Old Magic & New Myths

by Jennifer Roberson (Editor), Tricia Sullivan (Contributor), Diana Gabaldon (Contributor)

WHERE MAGIC WAS BORN AND LEGEND LIVES ON...

Avalon. Mist-shrouded, wrapped in magic. The legendary island of the Goddess, resting place of Arthur. This mystical island's legacy has remained strong over the centuries, becoming a symbol of hope and wonder.

Out of Avalon presents fifteen original stories of magic, adventure, and romance from an era lost to history - yet always remembered by those with imagination...

Genres: Fantasy, Arthurian, Short Stories, Fiction, Anthologies, Historical Fiction, Magic

336 pages, Mass Market Paperback

First published January 1, 1998

About the author

Over a 40-year career (so far), Jennifer Roberson has published four fantasy series, including the Sword-Dancer Saga, Chronicles of the Cheysuli, the Karavans universe, and urban fantasy series Blood & Bone. Other novels include historicals LADY OF THE GLEN, plus two Robin Hood novels, LADY OF THE FOREST, and LADY OF SHERWOOD.

New novels are percolating in her always-active imagination.

Hobbies include showing dogs, and creating mosaic and resin artwork and jewelry.  She lives in Arizona with a collection of cats and Cardigan Welsh Corgis.

Reviews

[Kieran Alexander · Rating 3 out of 5]

"The Heart of the Hill" • Diana L. Paxson and Marion Zimmer Bradley ...wasn't that good; it was rather plotless and lacked the kind of drive MZB's works usually have in their characters and events. Plus, not very much happened, and the plot that existed was very simple.

"The Fourth Concealment of the Island of Britain" • Katharine Kerr ...I couldn't get through all of this one.

"Prince of Exiles" • Rosemary Edghill ...was quite confusing, but I loved the narrator's accusing tone, and they also seemed true to the kind of mindset that was there, at the time. However, I had no idea who was who, and RE mixed up Igraine and Morgaine, and half the time, I only knew what was going on by guesswork and previous knowledge.

"The Secret Leaves" • Tricia Sullivan ...was surprisingly good. It did not offer a plot very different from the usual kind concerning Nimue, but rather elaborated her character into someone the reader could be sympathetic to, and made her thoughts and desires very real indeed. Merlin, too was quite complex, and I loved that he was written as being seen as 'evil', at first, by most people, because he had led to something that Arthur did not like, but when he became 'good' because he was gone and the peoples' opinions softened, Nimue's actions were seen then as 'evil'. This was quite an intelligent work, and was both tragic and hopeful. I enjoyed it immensely.

"The Castellan" • Diana Gabaldon and Samuel Watkins...had nothing to do with the Arthurian legends (why put it in the anthology, then? Really) but had a plot that was OK, though not as good as the previous short story. The end was a bit confusing, because it did not state who the woman was, and so all value of what happened was lost.

"Lady of the Lake" • Michelle West [as by Michelle Sagara West ...was okay, though as with 'Prince of Exiles', I had no idea if they were talking about Uther or Arthur or some other man. But Morganne was extremely 2-dimensional, it seemed, and the events lacked planning on both the characters' and the authors' parts.

"The Mooncalfe" • David Farland ...was much better than 'Lady of the Lake'. It was a highly unlikely happening, being very much NOT factual and based more on magic, but the curse on Merlin made so much sense.

"Avalonia" • Kristen Britain ...I loved this. It was very interesting, talking about a scientist and skeptic's view on King Arthur that gradually, with fact and mysterious events, became more sympathetic.

"Finding the Grail" • Judith Tarr ...the usual 'lady dresses as a knight and does valiant, unexpected things that the men wouldn't think of' story.

"Me and Galahad" • Mike Resnick and Adrienne Gormley ...the voice narrating was quite amusing, though it seemed to be much more modern than the time being written about. I was confused about the significance of the wine glass, however. Might that have been the Grail?

"A Lesser Working" • Jennifer Roberson ...was not that amazing.

"Grievous Wounds" • Laura Resnick ...was a tragic and original viewpoint: the narrator was Arthur as he lay dying. Beautifully sad.

"Black Dogs" • Lorelei Shannon ...combined other myths with this one.

"Marwysgafn (Deathbed Song)" • Eric Van Lustbader ...was extremely confusing and bent the original legends to odd new plots. I couldn't read through all of this one.

"The Mouse's Soul • Nina Kiriki Hoffman ...was very short, and had nothing to do with the legends.

[Arthurianmaiden · Rating 4 out of 5]

The only way I can write a review for this collection of stories is writing mini reviews for each story because the quality is very different. So there will be some spoiler! If you don't want spoiler jump to the end!

1. Marion Zimmer Bradley and Diana L. Paxson, "The Heart of the Hill"
This short (and quite boring) story looks like a post-"Mists of Avalon" story. Morgaine, after Arthur's death, remembers the days of being a novice with her friend Gwenlian. That's the story. There's no real plot, no point, nothing. It is without any doubt an awful start for the collection and the worst story in the book.

2. Katharine Kerr, "The Fourth Concealment of the Island of Britain"
Myrddin dreams about a mysterious map and he thinks it may be a map that the demons called by Saxon's magic will follow to attack Arthur's Camulodd. To save Arthur and Camulodd from the Saxon's magic, Myrddin decides to create a last spell to rename himself Camulodd, take Camulodd's essence and sigil Camulodd and himself into an oak. An original and new explanation that answers to the questions: why is Merlin locked into a tree? Why is Arthur the once and future king? Definitely an original story but a pity because it was too short.

3. Rosemary Edghill, "Prince of Exiles"
This story is very confusing. I liked it because of some elements and among those the final spoiler, but I needed to write down the names to understand what was happening. This is the story of a Mordred-like character and the false Guinevere. Janiffer is Ator's wife but she can't have children so she asks the help of her sister Grainne who is Owl Priestess and brings her a magical Cup. To not taint the Cup it's Grainne who sleeps with Ator and has, as a result, the main Mordred-like narrator. When Grainne is sent away by Ator she asks the Cup back but her sister has given it to the priests of Christianism. Grainne then curses her sister's future child and called it Ancel, like a servant. The rest of the story tells us what happens with Ancel, Janiffer and the revenge of the Mordred-like character.
My favourite sentece was without a doubt: "I called him Saul, and to every Saul there is sent a David."

4. Tricia Sullivan, "The Secret Leaves"
This is quite long-ish and it is narrated by Nimue, called Nina, cousing of Morgen and enchantress at Arthur's court. Nimue remembers how she was treated during her childhood, how she was called a demon, and how she later met Myrddin. Myrddin is quite an interesting character (young in look, irritated with Arthur, enamoured by the freedom magic gives him) and so is Nimue. The story is an original twist (original as in I have never seen anything like this and it's a splendid idea) in the "trapping Merlin in a tree" theme.

5. Diana Gabaldon and Samuel Watkins, "The Castellan"
Not an arthurian story, but cute also if not exceptional.

6. Michelle Sagara West, "Lady of the Lake"
This beautiful short story is a real pearl and I loved it. It's the stort of the nine women of the lake. All nine of them have been taken to the lake from Merlin after they have been abused and raped by the cruel Dragon Lord who goes from woman to woman hoping to have a heir. Morganne is the only who who arrives to the isle pregnant and she decides to kill her baby and send the rests to the Dragon Lord, as revenge. And while Merlin would like to feed their anger and have the revenge, the nine women starts slowly to heal and love the child.

7. David Farland, "The Mooncalfe"
This story is an original twist on the reason why Merlin is destined to be defeated by a woman. It starts the night when Uther, wearing Gorlois's face, sleeps with Igraine. That same night another woman is seduced by a man wearing a false face. She gives birth to a strange fairy girl and decides to give her no name, so she is called Mooncalfe.The rest of the story follows the life of Mooncalfe.

8. Kristen Britain, “Avalonia”
This is a special story for me because it talked about a biologist who is very rational and scientific and goes to Glastonbury and finds out that legends are just legends but so much more. But a part from that I'd say that it was only mediocre.

9. Judith Tarr, “Finding the Grail”
An original story about a lady who decides to leave for the quest of the Holy Grail even if Guinevere disapproves. Beaumanis, even if just a kitchen lad, decides to look for the Grail too and they leave together. They decide to go to Avalon, sure that the Grail is there. But Avalon is just a place for women... and infact Beaumanis is actually a woman. I have mixed feelings about this stort. It started wonderfully but by the end it smelled of sexism (women sees secret things-sexism, like women are not like men etc.) and it was kind of boring.

10. Mike Resnick and Adrienne Gormley, “Me and Galahad”
A weird story- I am not sure I understood it or liked it. It's western arthuriana.

11. Jennifer Roberson, “A Lesser Working”
A very short story. The son of an innkeeper meet Merlin the night Igraine conceives Arthur. It was nice, but I think it would have been better if Merlin had told us the name of the guy he was talking to because it felt like that was the point... obviously it wasn't.

12. Laura Resnick, “Grievous Wounds”
Arthur is diying at Camlann and he is full of regrets. Merlin gives him the possibility to see himself younger, to meet a hopeful Igraine pregnant with him and finally to meet his friend Lancelot just before the boy left for Camelot. An amazing story which truly made me cry. A real gem. The book would be worth buying just for this story alone.

14. Eric Van Lustbader, "Marwysgafn (Deathbed Song)"
Err. I don't know what to say. The story is about a race of creatures that come from Avalon and lived from a time before humanity. Igraine is one of these creatures and so are her daughters Morgana, Morgause and Elaine and so is Merlin. Igraine hates humans but wants to mix her own race with them to spread her own race and she asks Merlin to bring Uther to her. The part that I found interesting was the story of Elaine who is usually forgotten in arthuriana, but the story was a bit boring.

15. Nina Kiriki Hoffman, "The Mouse’s Soul"
A poem about... I don't even know.


There were some very good stories and some very bad stories.
In particular I'd say that The Heart of the Hill, Me and Galahad and The Mouse’s Soul were quite bad. Truly bad.
The Castellan, Marwysgafn (Deathbed Song), Avalonia, Finding the Grail, A Lesser Working were okay.
The Fourth Concealment of the Island of Britain, The Mooncalfe, Prince of Exiles were quite good and with some nice twists.
Instead Lady of the Lake, The Secret Leaves and Grievous Wounds were the real starts of the collection. In particular, Grevous Wounds was TRULY good and, in my opinion, worth the all collection.

[Kara · Rating 5 out of 5]

Excellent collection of King Arthur stories in all shapes and sizes, some funny, some sad, and most with so very cool twists to the tales.

Loved, loved, loved, seeing all the writers take the exact same cast of characters and all present them completely differently.

[Kythe42 · Rating 4 out of 5]

Out of Avalon edited by Jennifer Roberson is a collection of Arthurian short stories by various authors. One story entitled The Heart of the Hill is set in Marion Zimmer Bradley's version of Avalon and takes place sometime in the middle of The Mists of Avalon during Morgaine's training to be a priestess. This story was the sole reason I purchased this book and I definitely enjoyed reading it. It should be noted that none of the other stories in this collection have anything to do with Marion Zimmer Bradley's Avalon, which I was aware of before reading this collection. Many of the other stories are retellings of familiar Arthurian tales, though sometimes the focus is on original characters within those tales. Other stories are merely inspired by Arthurian legends and that particular time period.



Of course some stories I enjoyed more than others, but I would rate most of them as three or four stars. Besides The Heart of the Hill, I also particularly enjoyed The Secret Leaves which is about a young girl that becomes Myrddin's(Merlin's) apprentice and lover, and The Mooncalfe which is about a child with strange abilities born of a human mother and an otherworldly father. The only story that I really didn't care for at all was Me and Galahad which was a search for the holy grail story taking place in an American Western setting. I enjoyed this collection overall, but at times it was a bit confusing just because the stories were all written by different authors, and as such there were many details that were inconsistent from story to story. It was mostly things like differences in character's names and differences in how characters were related to each other, but of course there were even plot details that varied from story to story. After the first few stories though, it was easier for me to go with the flow and not worry so much about the details. I'd definitely recommend this collection to fans of Arthurian or medieval fantasy.

[Brenda · Rating 3 out of 5]

I only read the story by Diana Gabaldon in this book of 15 short stories. Hers is called The Castellan. This is proof she CAN write a short story. LOL. Only 26 pages. I did like it. She can write magical dragon stories too.

[Lauralee · Rating 3 out of 5]

The legend of King Arthur is one of the most enduring literature of all time. This anthology pays homage to the King Arthur legend by creating fifteen original stories based on the tales. Most of the stories are told from a female perspective. The mythical island of Avalon is the heart of these fifteen stories. Some of the authors are Marion Zimmer Bradley, Diana L. Paxson, Diana Gabaldon, Jennifer Roberson, and many more!

I was intrigued by this anthology because I had a love of the King Arthur legend. It also featured a new “Avalon” story from Marion Zimmer Bradley and Diana L. Paxson. Therefore, I could not wait to read it! However, most of the stories in the book did not captivate me. I did not care for Marion Zimmer Bradley’s and Diana L. Paxson’s new “Avalon” story. It provided no depth to the characters I loved in Mists of Avalon. My favorite story was “Secret Leaves” by Tricia Sullivan which tells of the doomed romance between Niniane and Merlin. I also liked “Lady of the Lake” by Michelle Sahara West which tells the origins of the Lady of the Lake. “The Mooncalfe” by David Farland was also a very compelling read. As for the other stories, I liked it but it did not really captivate me.

Overall, these stories are about loss, love, and friendship. While I liked all of the stories, only a few of them wowed me. I did find them all to be an easy read. Thus, I enjoyed this Avalon anthology. I can’t wait to read the next Avalon anthology, Return to Avalon next! I recommend this for those who love reading everything about King Arthur! I also recommend this for fans of Marion Zimmer Bradley, Diana Gabaldon, and Jennifer Roberson!

[Carla · Rating 5 out of 5]

This review is only for Diana Gabaldon's story (The Castellan). I really enjoyed this story. It was interesting to see what she can do in a different genre. I think it is really cool that she wrote this story with her son, Sam--he has since been published on his own under the pen name Samuel Sykes.

[Angie Curtis · Rating 5 out of 5]

Great book new myths created from the old. There is even a story about Morgaine ( from MZB Mists of Avalon). It takes place in she is still in training, her relationship with raven and a new trainee. I really enjoyed the book and I hope others will too.

[Leslie · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book of short stories is a lot of fun to read.
There are many threads woven together to make the King Arthur legend. Each story takes some of them and weaves them to add to the richness of the tale.
Since there are various authors, there are various points of view.
Interesting

[Georgene · Rating 3 out of 5]

An anthology of short stories all based on the myths and legends of King Arthur. Some were better than others as is almost always true of anthologies. It kept my attention and I enjoyed the stories and the views of the different authors.

[Dana · Rating 5 out of 5]

Includes stories by Marion Zimmer Bradley and Diana Gabaldon, among other writers. Enjoyable, particularly for medieval/fantasy/King Arthur buffs.

[Angie · Rating 3 out of 5]

Very short ones so far. Good authors included, so I'm excited about finishing...

[Abigail · Rating 3 out of 5]

Short story compilations. *sigh* Some were pretty good others were horrible. At least it was entertaining. Would make an excellent airplane book.

[Kim · Rating 4 out of 5]

Such a lovely anthology of stories! I loved almost all of them! The authors, for the most part, did really well, and Roberson chose well in how she put the collection together.

[Becky · Rating 3 out of 5]

This is the first time I've read a collection of short stories. I liked it!

[Dena · Rating 4 out of 5]

Enjoyable, bunch of short stories about Avalon mainly from a female perspective.

[Jeri · Rating 5 out of 5]

I feel utterly bereft of words to properly describe my complete delight in this book.

[Karen · Rating 3 out of 5]

A moderately good collection of short stories involving various views of the Arthurian legend. I didn't find it a strong collection, and wouldn't re-read it. Vaguely disappointing.

[Rita · Rating 4 out of 5]

Good stories. I like the 'wild west' story.

[Katerina · Rating 3 out of 5]

Out of Avalon è una raccolta di quindici racconti, scritta da vari autori che includono Marion Zimmer Bradley e Diana Gabaldon.
Dare un voto ad una raccolta non è mai semplice, perché per sua natura questo tipo di libro ha una qualità altalenante visto che non viene scritto da un'unica persona, e poiché alcuni racconti mi sono piaciuti molto più degli altri ho finito per dargli tre stelline.

Ho dato la caccia a questo libro per anni: costava sempre moltissimo (a quanto pare è fuori catalogo nel mondo intero), per cui quando alla fine sono riuscita a trovarlo ad un prezzo accettabile l'ho preso subito, e pazienza se si vede che ha circa mille anni.
Ovviamente avevo alte aspettative, che sono state in parte disattese non perché il libro non sia bello ma appunto perché le raccolte di racconti non sono proprio il mio genere preferito.
La cosa più interessante è che i vari autori hanno approfittato di questo progetto per andare ad esplorare gli episodi meno conosciuti del mito arturiano, momenti della vita degli eroi che però non si sono mai visti prima. C'è persino un personaggi inventato, che a rigor di logica avrei dovuto detestare perché sul serio ma quando mai... eppure è stato uno dei racconti che mi sono piaciuti di più perché, tanto per cominciare, tramite i suoi occhi si vedeva tutta l'ambientazione storica e mistica di questo particolare mito, ma soprattutto perché riusciva nella rara impresa di essere interessante per i fatti suoi e - allo stesso tempo - mostrare a pieno la crudele ambiguità di uno dei personaggi più conosciuti (Merlino, per la precisione).
Si tratta di un volume che riesce ad essere molto classico e, allo stesso tempo, fonte di quindici retelling (anche se quello di Marion Zimmer Bradley è più che altro una novella de Le Nebbie di Avalon con protagonista Margana ai tempi del suo addestramento ad Avalon) che è già un successo di per sé, ma ci tengo a sottolineare che a mio avviso si sente in pieno quando è stato scritto: al di là dei nomi coinvolti, è proprio il tipo di storie, lo stile di scrittura, a renderlo perfettamente identificabile come un prodotto della fine degli anni '90- inizio 2000, e suppongo sia per questo che è finito fuori cataologo: non essendo i retelling dedicati ad Artù un filone di grido, questo librino qui è destinato a diventare una piccola chicca per noi appassionati più che qualcosa da tenere negli scaffali sperando che faccia il botto.
È il classico libro che puoi trovare nella libreria della nonna, che per me non è una descrizione negativa (fosse solo per i ricordi che mi tornano alla mente) ma quella che uso per i libri un po' antiquati, che hanno vissuto il loro tempo metaforicamente e fisicamente, che però trovo tanto bellini e che mi lasciato tante belle sensazioni.

Insomma, Out of Avalon non è un capolavoro e - a mio modesto avviso - neanche una lettura imperdibile. Ma se come me siete dei fan del ciclo arturiano, può rivelarsi una piacevole sorpresa... oltre che un buon recupero nella lista dei fuori catalogo.

[Keith · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was a great collection of stories--some were shorter, some longer; some more lighthearted, and some a bit darker; but lots of different approaches to stories around Avalon, King Arthur, Merlin, and more. The order of the stories was very well done, too, so you didn't feel like you were diving into the same tone/type of story repeatedly as you went along.

[Amélie · Rating 4 out of 5]

In "Lady of the Lake" by Michelle Sagara West a lord wishing to have a child rapes young women. Merlin gathers them and bring them to the Isle of the Lake.

[Freyja · Rating 4 out of 5]

All of the short stories are engaging and hard to put down. This will be another re-read. This had so many takes on Camelot, Avalon, and magic.

[Sara]

I read to Tricia Sulvan the secret leaves.its intiligant beautiful twist there.and read not here but to Tricia also the quistion eater.talk about languge and thoghts to another spicies.its dangerous life.with gd twist to think about some from evile eyes some from survives eyes with more than sandy thoughts.

[Ginger Vampyre · Rating 2 out of 5]

A collection of stories focusing around Avalon and mostly Merlin. Instead of retelling of the common stories, these authors are showing their alternative ideas featuring characters from the common mythos. It was interesting reading various AUs of Merlin, Camelot, and the families, I found them to be a little too modern romance for the way I think about Camelot. Not bad, but not really to my taste.

[bluetyson]

Out of Avalon: An Anthology of Old Magic & New Myths (2001)

[Kayleigh · Rating 2 out of 5]

A very bad book.
Some stories are lovely others are just strange.
Still I love the cover. ;)

[Kendra · Rating 4 out of 5]

Short stories based out of Arthurian myth.

[Heide · Rating 4 out of 5]

Years ago

[Edina Ribeiro · Rating 4 out of 5]

Gostei muito