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Twilight of Avalon #1
Twilight of Avalon
She is a healer, a storyteller, a warrior, and a queen without a throne. In the shadow of King Arthur's Britain, one woman knows the truth that could save a kingdom from the hands of a tyrant...
Ancient grudges, old wounds, and the quest for power rule in the newly widowed Queen Isolde's court. Hardly a generation after the downfall of Camelot, Isolde grieves for her slain husband, King Constantine, a man she secretly knows to have been murdered by the scheming Lord Marche -- the man who has just assumed his title as High King. Though her skills as a healer are renowned throughout the kingdom, in the wake of Con's death, accusations of witchcraft and sorcery threaten her freedom and her ability to bring Marche to justice. Burdened by their suspicion and her own grief, Isolde must conquer the court's distrust and superstition to protect her throne and the future of Britain.
One of her few allies is Trystan, a prisoner with a lonely and troubled past. Neither Saxon nor Briton, he is unmoved by the political scheming, rumors, and accusations swirling around the fair queen. Together they escape, and as their companionship turns from friendship to love, they must find a way to prove what they know to be true -- that Marche's deceptions threaten not only their lives but the sovereignty of the British kingdom.
In Twilight of Avalon , Anna Elliott returns to the roots of the legend of Trystan and Isolde to shape a very different story -- one based in the earliest written versions of the Arthurian tales -- a captivating epic brimming with historic authenticity, sweeping romance, and the powerful magic of legend.
Ancient grudges, old wounds, and the quest for power rule in the newly widowed Queen Isolde's court. Hardly a generation after the downfall of Camelot, Isolde grieves for her slain husband, King Constantine, a man she secretly knows to have been murdered by the scheming Lord Marche -- the man who has just assumed his title as High King. Though her skills as a healer are renowned throughout the kingdom, in the wake of Con's death, accusations of witchcraft and sorcery threaten her freedom and her ability to bring Marche to justice. Burdened by their suspicion and her own grief, Isolde must conquer the court's distrust and superstition to protect her throne and the future of Britain.
One of her few allies is Trystan, a prisoner with a lonely and troubled past. Neither Saxon nor Briton, he is unmoved by the political scheming, rumors, and accusations swirling around the fair queen. Together they escape, and as their companionship turns from friendship to love, they must find a way to prove what they know to be true -- that Marche's deceptions threaten not only their lives but the sovereignty of the British kingdom.
In Twilight of Avalon , Anna Elliott returns to the roots of the legend of Trystan and Isolde to shape a very different story -- one based in the earliest written versions of the Arthurian tales -- a captivating epic brimming with historic authenticity, sweeping romance, and the powerful magic of legend.
448 pages, Paperback
First published January 1, 2009
20 people are currently reading
2954 people want to read
About the author
Anna Elliott
81 books416 followersAnna Elliott is an author of historical fiction and fantasy. She enjoys stories about strong women, and loves exploring the multitude of ways women can find their unique strengths. She was delighted to lend a hand with the Sherlock & Lucy series, and thrilled to continue a new spin-off series featuring Becky and Flynn. Her first series, the Twilight of Avalon trilogy, is a retelling of the Trystan & Isolde legend. She wrote her second series, The Pride & Prejudice Chronicles , chiefly to satisfy her own curiosity about what might have happened to Elizabeth Bennet, Mr. Darcy, and all the other wonderful cast of characters after the official end of Jane Austen’s classic work.
WEBSITE: http://sherlockandlucy.com
INSTAGRAM: https://www.instagram.com/sherlockand...
FACEBOOK READER GROUP: https://www.facebook.com/groups/77782...
AMAZON: https://www.amazon.com/stores/Anna-El...
Anna lives in Pennsylvania with her husband and five children.
WEBSITE: http://sherlockandlucy.com
INSTAGRAM: https://www.instagram.com/sherlockand...
FACEBOOK READER GROUP: https://www.facebook.com/groups/77782...
AMAZON: https://www.amazon.com/stores/Anna-El...
Anna lives in Pennsylvania with her husband and five children.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 102 reviews
February 24, 2011
Twilight of Avalon was sent to me when I won a giveaway done by a friend, and I've been meaning to read it for quite a while before that. It's a version of the story of Tristan and Isolde, with a mostly historical background -- based on bits from Geoffrey of Monmouth's history, and the few snippets we may know about the "real" Tristan -- and with a few hints at what may or may not be magic. It's very different to most other Arthurian interpretations I've read, starting with the family tree. Isolde is the daughter of Mordred and Guinevere. Mordred is the son of Morgan, after she was raped by Arthur. Isolde's husband is Constantine, Arthur's successor -- or was, since as the story opens, Constantine has already died.
The story mostly focuses on Isolde's attempts to get away from the traitor in the council, who forces her to marry him. The plot is kind of repetitive, in that sense: she has to escape, gets caught, has to escape, gets caught... Still, it flows along smoothly and is easy to read -- I'd read two hundred pages without stopping, when I first picked it up.
Tristan is not a fully developed character in this book, with only Isolde really clear as a character to me, I think. There are certainly glimpses at others, both bad and good, but Isolde is the only one who is really developed. It's a pretty interesting process, as she has caused herself to forget a part of her life, and therefore in a way she has to learn herself as well.
One warning: rape is a plot device here. If there's a woman, she's probably been raped, going to be raped, or threatened with rape. Which may well have been true enough, historically, but it can grate and/or be upsetting.
The story mostly focuses on Isolde's attempts to get away from the traitor in the council, who forces her to marry him. The plot is kind of repetitive, in that sense: she has to escape, gets caught, has to escape, gets caught... Still, it flows along smoothly and is easy to read -- I'd read two hundred pages without stopping, when I first picked it up.
Tristan is not a fully developed character in this book, with only Isolde really clear as a character to me, I think. There are certainly glimpses at others, both bad and good, but Isolde is the only one who is really developed. It's a pretty interesting process, as she has caused herself to forget a part of her life, and therefore in a way she has to learn herself as well.
One warning: rape is a plot device here. If there's a woman, she's probably been raped, going to be raped, or threatened with rape. Which may well have been true enough, historically, but it can grate and/or be upsetting.
June 14, 2009
I just read Marion Zimmer Bradley's "The Mists of Avalon" for the first time about six months ago, and "Twilight of Avalon" was the perfect complement. It came just at the right time, just as I was missing "Mists." It picks up after Morgan's death and imagines the next generation struggling with the fallout of Arthur's death and the continuing Saxon invasions.
But this book is not merely another add-on to "Mists" - Elliott creates her own story and her own characters here. They're all interesting, except perhaps the somewhat one-dimensional villain. I particularly liked Isolde, who risks all by deliberately fostering her reputation as a witch in order to maintain her power and independence. Good writing & a quick read. I'm looking forward to a potential romance in the next book in the series.
But this book is not merely another add-on to "Mists" - Elliott creates her own story and her own characters here. They're all interesting, except perhaps the somewhat one-dimensional villain. I particularly liked Isolde, who risks all by deliberately fostering her reputation as a witch in order to maintain her power and independence. Good writing & a quick read. I'm looking forward to a potential romance in the next book in the series.
August 12, 2022
4,5 stars - English Ebook
Quote: Isolde stood still, her eyes adjusting to the dimness of the place. Even the chapel at Tintagel smelled of the sea; the stones even here thrummed like a bard's harp with the echo of all the fortress's walls had seen.
Of Uther the Pendragon defeating Duke Gorlois and winning the duke's wife Ygraine for his queen. Of the birth of Arthur, Lord of Battles. Arthur, who had ridden out from these walls to drive the Saxons back with blow after crushing blow, and so won peace in Britain, for a time.
And all of that, Isolde thought, ended here, now, with the death of this king. Constantine, Arthur's heir.
She had seen fighting men with spear or sword wounds turned putrid, so far gone that the arm or leg had to be taken off if the soldier's life was to be saved. She'd made the cuts herself, had held the hot knives to cauterize the severed limbs and stop the bleeding. And seen how, for a brief, blessed moment after the glowing metal touched their skin, the men were numb, immune from pain, before they fainted or started to scream.
It was the same with her now.
The autumn dusk was drawing in, carrying with it the salt-laden mist that drifted up jagged cliffs from the ocean below, and the chapel felt dank and chill. And maybe, Isolde thought, the peace was ended long ago, when Arthur himself fell. And all these last seven years have only been part of that same long, crumbling fall-
She is a healer, a storyteller, a warrior, and a queen without a throne. In the shadow of King Arthur's Britain, one woman knows the truth that could save a kingdom from the hands of a tyrant...
Ancient grudges, old wounds, and the quest for power rule in the newly widowed Queen Isolde's court. Hardly a generation after the downfall of Camelot, Isolde grieves for her slain husband, King Constantine, a man she secretly knows to have been murdered by the scheming Lord Marche -- the man who has just assumed his title as High King. Though her skills as a healer are renowned throughout the kingdom, in the wake of Con's death, accusations of witchcraft and sorcery threaten her freedom and her ability to bring Marche to justice. Burdened by their suspicion and her own grief, Isolde must conquer the court's distrust and superstition to protect her throne and the future of Britain.
One of her few allies is Trystan, a prisoner with a lonely and troubled past. Neither Saxon nor Briton, he is unmoved by the political scheming, rumors, and accusations swirling around the fair queen. Together they escape, and as their companionship turns from friendship to love, they must find a way to prove what they know to be true -- that Marche's deceptions threaten not only their lives but the sovereignty of the British kingdom.
In Twilight of Avalon, Anna Elliott returns to the roots of the legend of Trystan and Isolde to shape a very different story -- one based in the earliest written versions of the Arthurian tales -- a captivating epic brimming with historic authenticity, sweeping romance, and the powerful magic of legend.
Quote: Isolde stood still, her eyes adjusting to the dimness of the place. Even the chapel at Tintagel smelled of the sea; the stones even here thrummed like a bard's harp with the echo of all the fortress's walls had seen.
Of Uther the Pendragon defeating Duke Gorlois and winning the duke's wife Ygraine for his queen. Of the birth of Arthur, Lord of Battles. Arthur, who had ridden out from these walls to drive the Saxons back with blow after crushing blow, and so won peace in Britain, for a time.
And all of that, Isolde thought, ended here, now, with the death of this king. Constantine, Arthur's heir.
She had seen fighting men with spear or sword wounds turned putrid, so far gone that the arm or leg had to be taken off if the soldier's life was to be saved. She'd made the cuts herself, had held the hot knives to cauterize the severed limbs and stop the bleeding. And seen how, for a brief, blessed moment after the glowing metal touched their skin, the men were numb, immune from pain, before they fainted or started to scream.
It was the same with her now.
The autumn dusk was drawing in, carrying with it the salt-laden mist that drifted up jagged cliffs from the ocean below, and the chapel felt dank and chill. And maybe, Isolde thought, the peace was ended long ago, when Arthur himself fell. And all these last seven years have only been part of that same long, crumbling fall-
She is a healer, a storyteller, a warrior, and a queen without a throne. In the shadow of King Arthur's Britain, one woman knows the truth that could save a kingdom from the hands of a tyrant...
Ancient grudges, old wounds, and the quest for power rule in the newly widowed Queen Isolde's court. Hardly a generation after the downfall of Camelot, Isolde grieves for her slain husband, King Constantine, a man she secretly knows to have been murdered by the scheming Lord Marche -- the man who has just assumed his title as High King. Though her skills as a healer are renowned throughout the kingdom, in the wake of Con's death, accusations of witchcraft and sorcery threaten her freedom and her ability to bring Marche to justice. Burdened by their suspicion and her own grief, Isolde must conquer the court's distrust and superstition to protect her throne and the future of Britain.
One of her few allies is Trystan, a prisoner with a lonely and troubled past. Neither Saxon nor Briton, he is unmoved by the political scheming, rumors, and accusations swirling around the fair queen. Together they escape, and as their companionship turns from friendship to love, they must find a way to prove what they know to be true -- that Marche's deceptions threaten not only their lives but the sovereignty of the British kingdom.
In Twilight of Avalon, Anna Elliott returns to the roots of the legend of Trystan and Isolde to shape a very different story -- one based in the earliest written versions of the Arthurian tales -- a captivating epic brimming with historic authenticity, sweeping romance, and the powerful magic of legend.
didn-t-finish
August 9, 2020
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I was very excited for this book, because I've never read anything that incorporated both the retelling of Tristan and Isolde, and the Arthurian legends. The prologue told by Morgan and the way Anna Elliott joined all of these characters was absolutely intriguing, but having read about 20% of the book, I decided that's it's not for me, after all.
I've also read the short story prequel to this series, focusing on Merlin and Morgan, and didn't really like it, so I think this series just isn't for me. Apart from the prologue, the story didn't really grab me, and I didn't connect with the characters. The story felt quite dark, with a lot of gory details, but it wasn't engaging to me. I also felt the same way about the writing, as I did while reading Dawn of Avalon - very often the long, complicated sentences sounded strange for me, and made for a confusing reading experience.
I know that this series has its fans, but I will just move on to another one, as unfortunately, it's not my cup of tea.
June 2, 2009
Not a real review, just stating why I gave up with only 50-60 pages left. I liked the premise a lot, but the execution failed, at least for me. I didn't find any chemistry between the two, and while I understand it wasn't written as a love story I still wanted to see something. I didn't get why Trystan was calling her by her first name on practically the first meeting (worse yet, but a nickname "Isa") when they are strangers and she's the High Queen FGS. I couldn't ascertain whether Trystan was Pagen or Christian, but either way I couldn't see someone in that period cursing by saying "Jesus Mary and Joseph" and "Christ" to name two. By the end I was beginning to feel I was in an action/adventure movie with Butch, Sundance and Etta (who were really really good) battling the bad guys (who were really really bad).
March 23, 2010
Twilight of Avalon was one of the best books I have read in months. It is a very readable, lightly-paced story in the tradition of 20th century Arthurian literature. If you like Mary Stewart, Nancy McKenzie or Rosemary Sutcliff, you may like Anna Elliott.
This book has a mystical feel without having a heavy fantasy storyline. In this volume so far, we see Merlin, Morgan and Isolde with the power to "see," but is that magic or simply a gift? Isolde questions this herself as she also struggles with an unclear past. She has blocked away the view into her own history. She is a complicated woman born of a complicated plot -- Arthur's granddaughter, but born to his unfaithful wife Gwynefar. Her father was Arthur's son and enemy Modred. As you can see, Elliott put no stops on the possibility that life among these Dark Age legends was more complicated than we thought. Isolde knows the sorrow of events past, but she also has fleeting memories of happiness around her father.
Elliott's Isolde story varies from tradition, but her departure is unique and the plot doesn't seem forced. We find out some important things about Trystan, but not much so far. There is a connection between him and Isolde from the past and we see a brief glimpse that their stories will be woven together. I like the location and circumstance of their first meeting here in volume one.
This story also gives a feel of Isolde's isolation. She is 20 years old, orphaned, a political bride, and she learns that the untrustworthy are all around. Men turn their loyalties to overtake a country and women from above and below stairs greedily seek power from these men. She also struggles to understand her magic and the faith of the Christian world, and has lived with the label of witch.
This is a great first installment in the series. It carries enough substance and doesn't feel like a wasted prelude as some parts of a series can do. The story holds your attention as mysteries are still to be solved and Isolde will still in some way battle the evil Marche in the story to come.
This book has a mystical feel without having a heavy fantasy storyline. In this volume so far, we see Merlin, Morgan and Isolde with the power to "see," but is that magic or simply a gift? Isolde questions this herself as she also struggles with an unclear past. She has blocked away the view into her own history. She is a complicated woman born of a complicated plot -- Arthur's granddaughter, but born to his unfaithful wife Gwynefar. Her father was Arthur's son and enemy Modred. As you can see, Elliott put no stops on the possibility that life among these Dark Age legends was more complicated than we thought. Isolde knows the sorrow of events past, but she also has fleeting memories of happiness around her father.
Elliott's Isolde story varies from tradition, but her departure is unique and the plot doesn't seem forced. We find out some important things about Trystan, but not much so far. There is a connection between him and Isolde from the past and we see a brief glimpse that their stories will be woven together. I like the location and circumstance of their first meeting here in volume one.
This story also gives a feel of Isolde's isolation. She is 20 years old, orphaned, a political bride, and she learns that the untrustworthy are all around. Men turn their loyalties to overtake a country and women from above and below stairs greedily seek power from these men. She also struggles to understand her magic and the faith of the Christian world, and has lived with the label of witch.
This is a great first installment in the series. It carries enough substance and doesn't feel like a wasted prelude as some parts of a series can do. The story holds your attention as mysteries are still to be solved and Isolde will still in some way battle the evil Marche in the story to come.
May 7, 2021
Twilight of Avalon (Twilight of Avalon #1) by Anna Elliott was such a pleasant surprise. I loved every second of this novel. I'm always on the look out for new to me historical fantasy and Arthurian retellings, and when I just happened to spot all three books in this series at a local Friends of the Library sale I couldn't resist taking them home with me. I mean, just look at that cover - it just begs you to read it. This novel follows the next generation after the fall of Arthur and Camelot and features the story of Trystan and Isolde. Isolde is a fantastic character. I loved where this author takes the story and the cast and I can't wait to dive into book two, Dark Moon of Avalon.
July 31, 2009
"All about them, the dusk was drawing in. Twilight, the time of
changing, when the selkies swam in from the ocean and shed their sealskins to become the fairest of men." pg. 240
Take most of what you know about King Arthur and Camelot and forget about it. This is a grim and gritty story about the struggle for power during one of Britain's most turbulent times. Change is a constant theme in this story. It takes place in 6th centuray Britain, a time of great change. There is the continual threat of Saxon invasion, accompanied by the usual burning and pillaging of villages. The ruling class is in upheavel, due in no small part to what happens between Arthur, Gwynefar, and Modred. Isolde, the last of this ruling family, is not looked upon very kindly, even though she is married to the current High King, Constantine.
Isolde must learn to deal with her family's legacy to Britain. In doing so, Isolde eventually becomes as strong and independent as she can be. It's the 6th century, women can only do so much because they don't have any rights. Bear in mind that strong women tend to be labeled as witches also, whether there is truth to it or not. Isolde fights back against persecution and injustice, not only for herself but for Britain as well. Isolde becomes a leader, reminding the other feudal kings of their responsibility to the land and their people. In doing so, Isolde gradually wins some people to her cause.
With respect to the tragic love story between Isolde and Trystan, there are hints of it towards the end of the story. Maybe by book two or three this may be explored. Trystan also has some issues of his own to sort through, and this will probably be further delineated in the future as well. Right now there is too much upheavel occurring for a romance to develop, although there may have been some feelings between these in the past. It's at lease hinted at.
Elliott's writing brings all of her characters to life, both the principal and supporting cast. You despise the ones you should, and empathize with the ones who need the most love and understanding. There are a few scenes which were emotional for me, but remember these were brutal times. Elliott never forgets that and describes it as such.
Overall this was a very enjoyable book. This is book one of a planned trilogy, therefore most of this story is laying the groundwork for Books two and three. Regardless, the story moved quickly and was quite interesting. This is not a romance story, at least not yet. This is an epic and tragic retelling of turbulent times in Britain's long history, with an extremely strong and accomplished young woman at it's center. According to Elliott this story is a blend of legend and truth, and she is quite right. Isolde is certainly legendary in her own right.
"The stars will shine tomorrow, whatever happens to me here." pg. 15
My Rating: 95/100 I throughly enjoyed this darker re-telling of these legendary characters.
changing, when the selkies swam in from the ocean and shed their sealskins to become the fairest of men." pg. 240
Take most of what you know about King Arthur and Camelot and forget about it. This is a grim and gritty story about the struggle for power during one of Britain's most turbulent times. Change is a constant theme in this story. It takes place in 6th centuray Britain, a time of great change. There is the continual threat of Saxon invasion, accompanied by the usual burning and pillaging of villages. The ruling class is in upheavel, due in no small part to what happens between Arthur, Gwynefar, and Modred. Isolde, the last of this ruling family, is not looked upon very kindly, even though she is married to the current High King, Constantine.
Isolde must learn to deal with her family's legacy to Britain. In doing so, Isolde eventually becomes as strong and independent as she can be. It's the 6th century, women can only do so much because they don't have any rights. Bear in mind that strong women tend to be labeled as witches also, whether there is truth to it or not. Isolde fights back against persecution and injustice, not only for herself but for Britain as well. Isolde becomes a leader, reminding the other feudal kings of their responsibility to the land and their people. In doing so, Isolde gradually wins some people to her cause.
With respect to the tragic love story between Isolde and Trystan, there are hints of it towards the end of the story. Maybe by book two or three this may be explored. Trystan also has some issues of his own to sort through, and this will probably be further delineated in the future as well. Right now there is too much upheavel occurring for a romance to develop, although there may have been some feelings between these in the past. It's at lease hinted at.
Elliott's writing brings all of her characters to life, both the principal and supporting cast. You despise the ones you should, and empathize with the ones who need the most love and understanding. There are a few scenes which were emotional for me, but remember these were brutal times. Elliott never forgets that and describes it as such.
Overall this was a very enjoyable book. This is book one of a planned trilogy, therefore most of this story is laying the groundwork for Books two and three. Regardless, the story moved quickly and was quite interesting. This is not a romance story, at least not yet. This is an epic and tragic retelling of turbulent times in Britain's long history, with an extremely strong and accomplished young woman at it's center. According to Elliott this story is a blend of legend and truth, and she is quite right. Isolde is certainly legendary in her own right.
"The stars will shine tomorrow, whatever happens to me here." pg. 15
My Rating: 95/100 I throughly enjoyed this darker re-telling of these legendary characters.
October 17, 2024
Full review to follow but in brief:
This was not a badly written book but overall I found it to be a plodding read. It feels like a grey winter morning which doesn’t make it the most enjoyable read - made further worse by the actual weather
We follow Isolde in a tight POV focused narrative - which means that despite all the exciting political events happening we are kept out of the action. It reflects the helplessness of women and the isolation of Isolde in particular. I get it but I also don’t like it.
But the hardest thing for me was that the plot was quite repetitive in its actual events. We didn’t learn much more about Isolde as a character so by the end I really wanted to get this book over with. A shame.
Despite my issues with the plotting of the books there were some lovely moments which made me tear up. And as I said, the writing itself was pleasant. Overall, an ok book - which makes me wonder if I should continue with the series.
This was not a badly written book but overall I found it to be a plodding read. It feels like a grey winter morning which doesn’t make it the most enjoyable read - made further worse by the actual weather
We follow Isolde in a tight POV focused narrative - which means that despite all the exciting political events happening we are kept out of the action. It reflects the helplessness of women and the isolation of Isolde in particular. I get it but I also don’t like it.
But the hardest thing for me was that the plot was quite repetitive in its actual events. We didn’t learn much more about Isolde as a character so by the end I really wanted to get this book over with. A shame.
Despite my issues with the plotting of the books there were some lovely moments which made me tear up. And as I said, the writing itself was pleasant. Overall, an ok book - which makes me wonder if I should continue with the series.
February 19, 2013
I was very excited to read this book because I've enjoyed stories with similar themes by Juliet Marillier and Marion Zimmer Bradley. Oh, and I also love the tale of Tristan and Isolde!
In theory this book had all the elements that would make me love it... but the execution ultimately failed.
The book dragged on too much. I could have cut out one third of its pages by removing all the boring unnecessary stuff. It took a long time for me to find an emotional thread to the story and that's something that should have happened right away. I felt cold reading the entire first half.
Usually I pick up a book and read it until the end right away. In 1 or 2 days I read it from start to finish. But with this book I could barely get through a couple of pages before putting it down and going something else. It took me over 20 tries over the past couple of months for me to finish reading it.
In theory this book had all the elements that would make me love it... but the execution ultimately failed.
The book dragged on too much. I could have cut out one third of its pages by removing all the boring unnecessary stuff. It took a long time for me to find an emotional thread to the story and that's something that should have happened right away. I felt cold reading the entire first half.
Usually I pick up a book and read it until the end right away. In 1 or 2 days I read it from start to finish. But with this book I could barely get through a couple of pages before putting it down and going something else. It took me over 20 tries over the past couple of months for me to finish reading it.
July 11, 2021
There are always new versions of the Arthurian legend. In this one, when Mordred took over and captured Guenevere as his queen their child was Isolde. Guenevere still went in a nunnery, and Isolde was raised by Morgan.
(The above is backstory, not spoilers.)
This book starts seven years after the defeat of Arthur. Isolde had been married to the new High King, Constantine, and has been the High Queen. However, with Constantine's death, the leadership of Britain is up for grabs while the Saxon threat returns.
It's an interesting interpretation, but I never was really pulled into the story. It's told as third person from Isolde's perspective, interspersed with unidentified voices in italics that are not always clear whether they are flashbacks or current and whether Isolde is hearing them or if they are for the reader.
(The above is backstory, not spoilers.)
This book starts seven years after the defeat of Arthur. Isolde had been married to the new High King, Constantine, and has been the High Queen. However, with Constantine's death, the leadership of Britain is up for grabs while the Saxon threat returns.
It's an interesting interpretation, but I never was really pulled into the story. It's told as third person from Isolde's perspective, interspersed with unidentified voices in italics that are not always clear whether they are flashbacks or current and whether Isolde is hearing them or if they are for the reader.
December 13, 2009
The wonderful thing about Arthurian legends is they’re all so different. Some versions want to approach characters, that are by now well familiar to many of us, from a historical perspective, as if they really existed. The creative license to execute such a fiction is left to assembling their dialogue, their mannerisms and behaviors--the idea that Arthur, Guinevere, Merlin, and Morgan le Fay need only the imaginative coaxing of an Author’s talent to be released once again into a world they inhabited long ago. Other versions take great advantage of the legend as a fairy tale, something that at one point may have been based in reality, but has now risen above the mundane and into the powerfully magical and fantastical.
I enjoy reading both types of Arthurian legends. Each side has something to offer, something new to share, some other perspective to explore, or some new twist to alter the way we may have thought about the turn of events or the roles we’ve come to expect of the characters. Anna Elliott’s Twilight of Avalon, the first in a new Twilight of Avalon Trilogy, is a book that takes its cue from the historical, and one might say cynical, perspective. Like every other author, Elliott shows us a new way to spell everyone’s names (although Arthur’s is woefully always the same): Mordred is Modred; Guinevere is Gwenyfar; Merlin, like most versions, is a title, the real name being Myrddin. This, though, is a novel about Trystan and Isolde. As we are reminded several times in the narrative, “Camlann was over. Arthur and Modred, Myrddin and Morgan and Gwynefar lingering now only as voices in the wind. One age is ended...And another, perhaps, begun.” (p. 425)
Camlann, mind you, isn’t referring to Camelot (albeit here is Camelerd). It’s the rumored historical site of the battle between Arthur and Mordred--Arthur’s final resting place. When the narrative begins, it’s been seven years since Arthur and Camelerd’s demise. Isolde, daughter of Gwynefar and Modred--Arthur’s son with his half sister Morgan--is mourning the sudden death of her husband, and Arthur’s heir after Modred, Constantine. Britain is without a leader and in danger of being overrun by Saxons eager to take over the countryside. Stuck in the middle is Isolde and Camelerd, all that she has left of her family. War is ongoing and now, thrown into the bid for power is Isolde and her land. As the smaller kings fight amongst themselves to win the High Kingship, Isolde is fearful of the man who may win the battle. Even worse than Marche’s temperment and penchant for torture, is the easy way he has with his soldiers. Marche’s ability to persuade and to lead are dangerous when combined with his ambition: Camelerd is not safe, nor does he have its best interests at heart.
Twilight of Avalon is a dark, brooding novel. The magic that’s come to be understood as an integral part of Arthurian legend is instead the stuff of stories. As Coel relates to Isolde, “There are plenty of tales about Arthur these days. But I doubt any of us who knew the man himself would find much to recognize in the stories you hear told and retold.” (p. 138) Magic and witchcraft and very feared things and the people of Britain are nothing if not terribly superstitious here. There are frequent references from the characters themselves to the tall tales already being told of people they once knew, of what they would delight in having said of them when they are gone.
The land has changed and so has Isolde. She has lost her Sight, her ability to see into the past and future at will--oddly enough, this is the only magic that’s even remotely referred to as real. Instead her visions come to her sporadically and function narratively to fill in the gaps of a willed amnesia that has blocked out a good portion of Isolde’s painful past. Elliott’s writing is enchanting and lyrical, the kind that slows a reader down to absorb the pages in at length and gorge on the richness and beauty of the narrative. Nothing particularly happens, except one or two things, over and over again: Isolde runs free and is captured, twice; Isolde is held on trial for witchcraft, twice; Trystan is beaten, many times.
I felt pretty bad for Trystan. He was never without bruises, lash wounds, or blood. Isolde was constantly referred to as the “Witch Queen” and made to suffer under the obstinate ignorance of the men around her who used her as a scapegoat for many deaths, and accusations of witchcraft over what they could not do or did not understand. Like always, Isolde’s “witchcraft” is presented as a very feminine thing woven tightly together with healing. For all intents and purposes to the men of Constantine’s remaining army, the two are inseparable; Isolde’s bedside ministrations are a highly suspicious thing to behold under the utmost scrutiny and wariness. These characters clearly had their assigned roles and little would be done to tear them free, until the end of the novel that is. In less than the course of a week, so much despair and frustration made Isolde’s mission appear hopeless. Combined with her inability to cope with the tumult of misfortune she’s experienced in a short period of time, save for pushing it all to the back of her mind, there’s something depressingly urgent fueling the momentum of the story. We want to see Isolde succeed, if only to allow her time to breathe, time to mourn.
While she isn’t a terribly dynamic character, I have to remind myself this is the first in a trilogy. Isolde has to go through her trials here in order to--hopefully--grow in the next book. She heals others and tells stories now to push back the time when she has to remember to heal from her own stories. She’s a wounded animal. I think with the novel being as dark and despairing as it is, there’s still a beauty found in Isolde and the other character’s efforts to continue fighting for a cause greater than themselves as everything dies off around them. In their perseverance is found something of the grandness of Arthur’s court. There is hope.
I do want to say one last thing, before anyone walks away wanting to pick this up. The jacket copy refers to this book in passing as something of a romance novel. Let me clear this up for you: it’s nowhere near a romance novel. If there is romance, it waits on the other side, in the pages of the second or third book, but not here.
Overall, I really, really enjoyed this novel. Plus, the cover is a gorgeous John William Waterhouse painting (Boreas; he also did the infamous Lady of Shalott painting). Who doesn’t love John William Waterhouse? His artwork is so hauntingly beautiful and this one in particular fits the novel well. But of the book, I think Anna Elliot has a talent suited well for this type of historical-mythological novel and I can’t wait for The Dark Moon of Avalon and Sunrise of Avalon to be released. Arthur, Mordred, Morgan, and Merlin are all larger than life figures that loom out of their place in history to affect even the characters they once walked alongside, lingering like ghosts. While Elliott did approach Twilight of Avalon from a historical perspective, she also pays tribute to the fairy tale. For that, I think, she did a wonderful job! My thanks go out to Ally Glynn at Simon & Schuster UK for generously providing me with this review copy.
I enjoy reading both types of Arthurian legends. Each side has something to offer, something new to share, some other perspective to explore, or some new twist to alter the way we may have thought about the turn of events or the roles we’ve come to expect of the characters. Anna Elliott’s Twilight of Avalon, the first in a new Twilight of Avalon Trilogy, is a book that takes its cue from the historical, and one might say cynical, perspective. Like every other author, Elliott shows us a new way to spell everyone’s names (although Arthur’s is woefully always the same): Mordred is Modred; Guinevere is Gwenyfar; Merlin, like most versions, is a title, the real name being Myrddin. This, though, is a novel about Trystan and Isolde. As we are reminded several times in the narrative, “Camlann was over. Arthur and Modred, Myrddin and Morgan and Gwynefar lingering now only as voices in the wind. One age is ended...And another, perhaps, begun.” (p. 425)
Camlann, mind you, isn’t referring to Camelot (albeit here is Camelerd). It’s the rumored historical site of the battle between Arthur and Mordred--Arthur’s final resting place. When the narrative begins, it’s been seven years since Arthur and Camelerd’s demise. Isolde, daughter of Gwynefar and Modred--Arthur’s son with his half sister Morgan--is mourning the sudden death of her husband, and Arthur’s heir after Modred, Constantine. Britain is without a leader and in danger of being overrun by Saxons eager to take over the countryside. Stuck in the middle is Isolde and Camelerd, all that she has left of her family. War is ongoing and now, thrown into the bid for power is Isolde and her land. As the smaller kings fight amongst themselves to win the High Kingship, Isolde is fearful of the man who may win the battle. Even worse than Marche’s temperment and penchant for torture, is the easy way he has with his soldiers. Marche’s ability to persuade and to lead are dangerous when combined with his ambition: Camelerd is not safe, nor does he have its best interests at heart.
Twilight of Avalon is a dark, brooding novel. The magic that’s come to be understood as an integral part of Arthurian legend is instead the stuff of stories. As Coel relates to Isolde, “There are plenty of tales about Arthur these days. But I doubt any of us who knew the man himself would find much to recognize in the stories you hear told and retold.” (p. 138) Magic and witchcraft and very feared things and the people of Britain are nothing if not terribly superstitious here. There are frequent references from the characters themselves to the tall tales already being told of people they once knew, of what they would delight in having said of them when they are gone.
The land has changed and so has Isolde. She has lost her Sight, her ability to see into the past and future at will--oddly enough, this is the only magic that’s even remotely referred to as real. Instead her visions come to her sporadically and function narratively to fill in the gaps of a willed amnesia that has blocked out a good portion of Isolde’s painful past. Elliott’s writing is enchanting and lyrical, the kind that slows a reader down to absorb the pages in at length and gorge on the richness and beauty of the narrative. Nothing particularly happens, except one or two things, over and over again: Isolde runs free and is captured, twice; Isolde is held on trial for witchcraft, twice; Trystan is beaten, many times.
I felt pretty bad for Trystan. He was never without bruises, lash wounds, or blood. Isolde was constantly referred to as the “Witch Queen” and made to suffer under the obstinate ignorance of the men around her who used her as a scapegoat for many deaths, and accusations of witchcraft over what they could not do or did not understand. Like always, Isolde’s “witchcraft” is presented as a very feminine thing woven tightly together with healing. For all intents and purposes to the men of Constantine’s remaining army, the two are inseparable; Isolde’s bedside ministrations are a highly suspicious thing to behold under the utmost scrutiny and wariness. These characters clearly had their assigned roles and little would be done to tear them free, until the end of the novel that is. In less than the course of a week, so much despair and frustration made Isolde’s mission appear hopeless. Combined with her inability to cope with the tumult of misfortune she’s experienced in a short period of time, save for pushing it all to the back of her mind, there’s something depressingly urgent fueling the momentum of the story. We want to see Isolde succeed, if only to allow her time to breathe, time to mourn.
While she isn’t a terribly dynamic character, I have to remind myself this is the first in a trilogy. Isolde has to go through her trials here in order to--hopefully--grow in the next book. She heals others and tells stories now to push back the time when she has to remember to heal from her own stories. She’s a wounded animal. I think with the novel being as dark and despairing as it is, there’s still a beauty found in Isolde and the other character’s efforts to continue fighting for a cause greater than themselves as everything dies off around them. In their perseverance is found something of the grandness of Arthur’s court. There is hope.
I do want to say one last thing, before anyone walks away wanting to pick this up. The jacket copy refers to this book in passing as something of a romance novel. Let me clear this up for you: it’s nowhere near a romance novel. If there is romance, it waits on the other side, in the pages of the second or third book, but not here.
Overall, I really, really enjoyed this novel. Plus, the cover is a gorgeous John William Waterhouse painting (Boreas; he also did the infamous Lady of Shalott painting). Who doesn’t love John William Waterhouse? His artwork is so hauntingly beautiful and this one in particular fits the novel well. But of the book, I think Anna Elliot has a talent suited well for this type of historical-mythological novel and I can’t wait for The Dark Moon of Avalon and Sunrise of Avalon to be released. Arthur, Mordred, Morgan, and Merlin are all larger than life figures that loom out of their place in history to affect even the characters they once walked alongside, lingering like ghosts. While Elliott did approach Twilight of Avalon from a historical perspective, she also pays tribute to the fairy tale. For that, I think, she did a wonderful job! My thanks go out to Ally Glynn at Simon & Schuster UK for generously providing me with this review copy.
February 22, 2012
Existem lendas que perduram para alem das vidas e do tempo, que se alteram pelos valores e ideias que a época presente lhe adiciona. Mas há coisas como os ideais que não mudam para assim puderem continuar a ensinar e encantar todas as gerações vindouras. A lenda de Artur, com tudo o que ela representa, é assim. Alterável mas intemporal. E por mais adaptações que lhe sejam feitas, perdurará no imaginário de muitos por vários séculos.
A adaptação de Anna Elliott passa-se após a queda de Artur em Camlaan, numa época em que a Bretanha está dividida. Os seus protagonistas têm uma lenda só deles, que inspirou autores por todo o Mundo a escrever sobre o amor nascido do ódio. Tristão e Isolda. A autora une as duas lendas e torna Isolda a descendente de Morgana e Artur, e assim, conta-nos uma nova história repleta de espadas e magia.
Primeiro tenho de fazer o reparo que este livro é originalmente o primeiro de uma trilogia, sendo que os restantes volumes ainda não foram publicados em Portugal e, por isso, vou tratá-lo assim e não como um standalone, o que iria afectar a minha opinião deste livro.
A união das duas histórias foi uma das razões porque queria ler este livro mas acabou por me confundir um bocado talvez porque não conseguia enquadrar estas personagens no imaginário arturiano ou não conseguia associar as ligações pessoais umas às outras e talvez porque me fez muita confusão ser o Modred o pai de Isolda e não o Lancelot. Mas no fundo a ideia é boa e acaba por sair dos cânones habituais, trazendo-nos uma novidade num tema já tão debatido.
Uma das coisas que eu gostei é a autora situar na época histórica e no tema da cavalaria, dando-nos um livro que representa aquilo em que acabou por se tornar a história da Bretanha aos nossos olhos e em que houve um certo respeito pela pouca parte histórica que sabemos ser possivelmente real na altura de Camelot. Por falar na parte histórica, a escritora comete um erro na parte final em que refere que se sabe quem era o Rei Artur. Para aqueles que leram o livro, essa é uma das hipóteses e o livro referido é uma das obras de referência para o estudo do Ciclo Arturiano mas é datado de vários séculos depois e foi escrito com uma intenção especial por isso, tenham em conta que não se sabe quem era Artur e que existem dezenas de hipóteses ainda por comprovar.
Como volume inicial este é o livro onde tudo começa mas o seu desenvolvimento não tem um ritmo certo, ora sendo muito apressado, ora sendo muito lento, e se estão a contar com uma história de amor esqueçam porque neste volume não se passa nada quanto a isso. Sinceramente acabei por me sentir confusa porque a situação da protagonista é deveras estranha e eu não estava a conseguir conciliar as coisas. Acho que a escritora devia ter sido mais detalhada e explicativa porque acaba por se passar muita coisa que não se chega a perceber.
Quanto às personagens estão bem construídas, representativas da época em que vivem mas houve algumas surpresas que pareceram um bocado irreais que foi o caso do Merlin e da Hedda. Já as restantes foram plausíveis e gostava e ter visto um pouco mais de todas elas.
Estava a espera de outra coisa deste livro e sinto que se o resto da trilogia não for editado que li este livro para nada mas pode ser que para aí apareçam. Se vão ler o resto em inglês ou gostam muito de ambas as lendas, leiam que não perdem nada e acabam por conhecer outra vertente das duas histórias.
http://girlinchaiselongue.blogspot.co...
A adaptação de Anna Elliott passa-se após a queda de Artur em Camlaan, numa época em que a Bretanha está dividida. Os seus protagonistas têm uma lenda só deles, que inspirou autores por todo o Mundo a escrever sobre o amor nascido do ódio. Tristão e Isolda. A autora une as duas lendas e torna Isolda a descendente de Morgana e Artur, e assim, conta-nos uma nova história repleta de espadas e magia.
Primeiro tenho de fazer o reparo que este livro é originalmente o primeiro de uma trilogia, sendo que os restantes volumes ainda não foram publicados em Portugal e, por isso, vou tratá-lo assim e não como um standalone, o que iria afectar a minha opinião deste livro.
A união das duas histórias foi uma das razões porque queria ler este livro mas acabou por me confundir um bocado talvez porque não conseguia enquadrar estas personagens no imaginário arturiano ou não conseguia associar as ligações pessoais umas às outras e talvez porque me fez muita confusão ser o Modred o pai de Isolda e não o Lancelot. Mas no fundo a ideia é boa e acaba por sair dos cânones habituais, trazendo-nos uma novidade num tema já tão debatido.
Uma das coisas que eu gostei é a autora situar na época histórica e no tema da cavalaria, dando-nos um livro que representa aquilo em que acabou por se tornar a história da Bretanha aos nossos olhos e em que houve um certo respeito pela pouca parte histórica que sabemos ser possivelmente real na altura de Camelot. Por falar na parte histórica, a escritora comete um erro na parte final em que refere que se sabe quem era o Rei Artur. Para aqueles que leram o livro, essa é uma das hipóteses e o livro referido é uma das obras de referência para o estudo do Ciclo Arturiano mas é datado de vários séculos depois e foi escrito com uma intenção especial por isso, tenham em conta que não se sabe quem era Artur e que existem dezenas de hipóteses ainda por comprovar.
Como volume inicial este é o livro onde tudo começa mas o seu desenvolvimento não tem um ritmo certo, ora sendo muito apressado, ora sendo muito lento, e se estão a contar com uma história de amor esqueçam porque neste volume não se passa nada quanto a isso. Sinceramente acabei por me sentir confusa porque a situação da protagonista é deveras estranha e eu não estava a conseguir conciliar as coisas. Acho que a escritora devia ter sido mais detalhada e explicativa porque acaba por se passar muita coisa que não se chega a perceber.
Quanto às personagens estão bem construídas, representativas da época em que vivem mas houve algumas surpresas que pareceram um bocado irreais que foi o caso do Merlin e da Hedda. Já as restantes foram plausíveis e gostava e ter visto um pouco mais de todas elas.
Estava a espera de outra coisa deste livro e sinto que se o resto da trilogia não for editado que li este livro para nada mas pode ser que para aí apareçam. Se vão ler o resto em inglês ou gostam muito de ambas as lendas, leiam que não perdem nada e acabam por conhecer outra vertente das duas histórias.
http://girlinchaiselongue.blogspot.co...
September 5, 2010
Sculptured from one of the earliest tellings of the legend of King Arthur, Geoffrey Monmouth’s History of the Kings of Britain, author Anna Elliott weaves an enchanting and spell-binding tale of Trystan and Isolde in her debut novel Twilight of Avalon.
Isolde’s family tree is quite bewildering. She is the daughter of Gwnefar, who betrayed Arthur with Modred, Arthur’s son with his step-sister Morgan. After Isolde’s birth, Gwen flees to a convent where she dies. Her father Modred is often away fighting his father Arthur for the throne, so she is left in the care of her grandmother Morgan. Morgan is a known healer and seer, though some call her a witch and she passes on her knowledge to Isolde, though the gift of sight has all but left Isolde as the novel opens.
Isolde’s husband and the High King of Britain, King Constantine, has been murdered and rather than give way to grieving she is plotting a way to save her country and herself from the clutches of the new High King, Lord Marche, whom she believes brought about Con’s death. She meets Trystan after they are both able to escape from Marche and combine forces if you will to warn others of Marche’s plans on deceiving Britain to the Saxons. Along their journey they naturally become close and as flashes of Isolde’s memories that she has hidden for so long start to resurface, she begins to remember her past.
This is actually my second time reading Twilight of Avalon and I didn’t think it possible, but I liked it even more this time around! I think the first time I was so eager to keep those pages turning and know what was happening next and this time I was able to slow down and savor it more. Anna Elliott is a remarkable storyteller and has created a world that I could get lost in on a daily basis! Not only are Isolde and Trystan fantastic characters, but I also adored Trystan’s loyal friends Kian and Hereric. With great writing, a strong woman protagonist, a hunky, but broken hero and one really nasty villain you’ve got the perfect formula for one fabulous book!!!
Isolde’s family tree is quite bewildering. She is the daughter of Gwnefar, who betrayed Arthur with Modred, Arthur’s son with his step-sister Morgan. After Isolde’s birth, Gwen flees to a convent where she dies. Her father Modred is often away fighting his father Arthur for the throne, so she is left in the care of her grandmother Morgan. Morgan is a known healer and seer, though some call her a witch and she passes on her knowledge to Isolde, though the gift of sight has all but left Isolde as the novel opens.
Isolde’s husband and the High King of Britain, King Constantine, has been murdered and rather than give way to grieving she is plotting a way to save her country and herself from the clutches of the new High King, Lord Marche, whom she believes brought about Con’s death. She meets Trystan after they are both able to escape from Marche and combine forces if you will to warn others of Marche’s plans on deceiving Britain to the Saxons. Along their journey they naturally become close and as flashes of Isolde’s memories that she has hidden for so long start to resurface, she begins to remember her past.
This is actually my second time reading Twilight of Avalon and I didn’t think it possible, but I liked it even more this time around! I think the first time I was so eager to keep those pages turning and know what was happening next and this time I was able to slow down and savor it more. Anna Elliott is a remarkable storyteller and has created a world that I could get lost in on a daily basis! Not only are Isolde and Trystan fantastic characters, but I also adored Trystan’s loyal friends Kian and Hereric. With great writing, a strong woman protagonist, a hunky, but broken hero and one really nasty villain you’ve got the perfect formula for one fabulous book!!!
February 12, 2016
I admit that this it the first time I've delved into the story of Tristan and Isolde. I enjoy King Arthur legends and retelling so for me, it was a no-brainer to pick up this book and read. However, I encountered a few problems in the beginning and almost turned me off to reading it entirely.
This is the first fantasy novel I've read by Anna Elliot. I thought this book would have been better written in first person POV. Maybe because it had something to do with the choppy sentences and lots of ". Then:" which was then proceeded by people speaking. That got so ridiculously annoying. Also, I thought this book was SLOW. I understand that it is a trilogy but goodness me, only a week a half goes by in this book and some of the stuff got pretty dull afterwards.
I wasn't sure whether or not I liked Isolde at all. Elliot did an interesting retelling with Isolde's past and whose daughter she is. It was quite unexpected for me. I wad confused about Isolde's past though, like the parts she can't remembered. I got this feeling that she deliberately forgot them--as in, made herself forget--but then it was just weird because she didn't remembered hardly anything from seven years ago, and they came to her a very brief flashbacks.
I was also confused when Trystan called her by her pet name. Isolde didn't even do a double take? I mean, really?
Trystan was so brooding and silent up until the latter half of the novel but all that time, he didn't speak a word to Isolde about her past and what he knew. When it was revealed, I shouldn't have been shocked that she didn't even remember him, but I was also disappointed.
I'll be interested to see where the rest of the trilogy goes and how Trystan and Isolde's story will be played out. I originally gave this 4/5 stars but now that I'm actually writing a review, I'm changing it to 3/5 stars because I struggled in some places to finish.
This is the first fantasy novel I've read by Anna Elliot. I thought this book would have been better written in first person POV. Maybe because it had something to do with the choppy sentences and lots of ". Then:" which was then proceeded by people speaking. That got so ridiculously annoying. Also, I thought this book was SLOW. I understand that it is a trilogy but goodness me, only a week a half goes by in this book and some of the stuff got pretty dull afterwards.
I wasn't sure whether or not I liked Isolde at all. Elliot did an interesting retelling with Isolde's past and whose daughter she is. It was quite unexpected for me. I wad confused about Isolde's past though, like the parts she can't remembered. I got this feeling that she deliberately forgot them--as in, made herself forget--but then it was just weird because she didn't remembered hardly anything from seven years ago, and they came to her a very brief flashbacks.
I was also confused when Trystan called her by her pet name. Isolde didn't even do a double take? I mean, really?
Trystan was so brooding and silent up until the latter half of the novel but all that time, he didn't speak a word to Isolde about her past and what he knew. When it was revealed, I shouldn't have been shocked that she didn't even remember him, but I was also disappointed.
I'll be interested to see where the rest of the trilogy goes and how Trystan and Isolde's story will be played out. I originally gave this 4/5 stars but now that I'm actually writing a review, I'm changing it to 3/5 stars because I struggled in some places to finish.
February 21, 2010
O Crepúsculo de Avalon é um romance histórico, tendo como raiz a lenda do rei Artur. A história começa sete anos depois da sua morte quando Isolda chora a morte do seu rei e marido Constantino. Toda a acção tem como protagonista Isolda, filha da traição de Mordred e Ginevra (esposa de Artur).
Depois desta morte é necessária a escolha de um Rei Supremo e aos poucos são apresentadas personagens ambiciosas por este lugar, especialmente Marche. Toda a história se desenrolará, recheada de acção e também alguns (poucos) pontos mortos.
O livro está dividido em três partes ou livros, a primeira não me cativou, cheguei a achá-la aborrecida e só a partir da segunda é que comecei a agarrar-me freneticamente à história, apaixonando-me por esta perspectiva da autora sobre a história de Isolda e Tristão. Surpreendi-me por não haver nenhum ponto romântico na história já que na capa está a seguinte descrição “Isolda e Tristão, um amor intemporal”. Talvez na sequela se desenvolva um romance entre os dois.
Este livro contém um livro abertíssimo e por isso esperarei pela sequela ansiosamente!
Depois desta morte é necessária a escolha de um Rei Supremo e aos poucos são apresentadas personagens ambiciosas por este lugar, especialmente Marche. Toda a história se desenrolará, recheada de acção e também alguns (poucos) pontos mortos.
O livro está dividido em três partes ou livros, a primeira não me cativou, cheguei a achá-la aborrecida e só a partir da segunda é que comecei a agarrar-me freneticamente à história, apaixonando-me por esta perspectiva da autora sobre a história de Isolda e Tristão. Surpreendi-me por não haver nenhum ponto romântico na história já que na capa está a seguinte descrição “Isolda e Tristão, um amor intemporal”. Talvez na sequela se desenvolva um romance entre os dois.
Este livro contém um livro abertíssimo e por isso esperarei pela sequela ansiosamente!
October 20, 2014
It is no wonder I could not finish this book, even though I trudged through 60% of it... I had to let it go. Life is too short to waste time on plodding lousy plots, weak characters, and ZERO passion. I don't just mean romantic passion - these characters were empty. Over 50% of the book is ad-nauseum coverage of her being a misunderstood possible witch, woe is me, flashback, flashback, etc etc-- and when her and Trystan meet they are asexual, uninteresting dead fish for so long, it adds to the boredom of the story and lost me as a reader entirely.
The plot was empty of any soul or interest.
You are suckered in by the "changed names" of Camelot, Merlin, etc. but there is no meat to those lures. Worst, the epic characters of Trystan & Isolde are dull and literally going nowhere. If I am forced to read a 2nd book just to find out what happens to their abysmally spread over too thin plot line.... I'll just imagine it. My imagination is richer than this repetitive waste of good title and cover image.
The plot was empty of any soul or interest.
You are suckered in by the "changed names" of Camelot, Merlin, etc. but there is no meat to those lures. Worst, the epic characters of Trystan & Isolde are dull and literally going nowhere. If I am forced to read a 2nd book just to find out what happens to their abysmally spread over too thin plot line.... I'll just imagine it. My imagination is richer than this repetitive waste of good title and cover image.
November 8, 2010
At first, I had trouble getting in to this book. After the first chapter though, I had trouble putting it down. Elliot's writing style is beautiful. It reminded me of stories people would tell each other in that time period (which I think is what she was going for so that was awesome). I thought she did a wonderful job developing her characters and you really understood the struggles in the novel.
Isolde is by far one of the best female protagonists I have ever come across. She is so strong but you can see how she has to struggle to find that strength and anyone can connect with that. I can't wait to see how she develops further.
Trystan was the mysterious one. I know this book is suppose to be about the legend of the romance between Isolde and Trystan but I didn't find much romance in this book. Trystan came off as a jerk at times and a friend at others. I think I will understand him better once he has developed more in the next two novels.
I can not wait for the sequels.
Isolde is by far one of the best female protagonists I have ever come across. She is so strong but you can see how she has to struggle to find that strength and anyone can connect with that. I can't wait to see how she develops further.
Trystan was the mysterious one. I know this book is suppose to be about the legend of the romance between Isolde and Trystan but I didn't find much romance in this book. Trystan came off as a jerk at times and a friend at others. I think I will understand him better once he has developed more in the next two novels.
I can not wait for the sequels.
June 18, 2022
I'm not sure if my dislike of this book is due to my unfamiliarity with the genre, but man, I found myself rolling my eyes constantly throughout the book. I take issue with the amount of sexual assault in the book. As a reader, I can understand that the evil warlord is bad because he is an evil warlord- he doesn't have to be a rapist on top of it as well. The characters don't feel fully realized and their actions were often predictable because of this. When Hedda FALLS ON THE KNIFE and 'dies' I truly looked up from the book and went "are you kidding me". It'd truly ridiculous, I guess the two protagonist are not allowed to kill her because then the reader might have conflicted feelings about their inherent goodness? Hated it. Very dumb.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
August 5, 2014
I went 85 pages. Here is what I learned. Something happened SEVEN years ago. They only tell us that about once a page. The only interesting part was the porlogue, featuring Morgan. The whole family tree is whacked, but hey, if someone wants to tie Isolde to Pendragon and Constantine, it seems to be very creative. The worst part was that people DON'T TALK LIKE THAT. She's got these illiterate peasants speaking volumes in prose. I think I encountered an unnamed Tristan around page 90, but I couldn't take it anymore. And since it's a trilogy in waiting, I just don't have that kind of patience.
January 15, 2015
WARNING: Book contains a lot of sexual assault.
Overall impression: depressing
Think All Quiet on the Western Front meets The Crucible.
There’s nothing I can really fault with the author’s technique – but the sheer deluge of just the worst parts of the Dark Ages assaulting the main character left me feeling seriously depressed.
Maybe I’ll go watch Camelot and sing-a-long with Mordred about ‘The Seven Deadly Virtues.’
July 9, 2009
I really enjoyed this and am looking forward to reading the other two books in the trilogy. I liked the twist Elliott put on the story of Trystan and Isolde, especiallys Isolde's parentage. I thought the middle dragged a little bit with too many escapes and receptures, but some of the revelations at the end made up for it.
March 26, 2025
Originally reviewed on StoryGraph: 2.5 ⭐️ rounded up
I'll fully admit that I didn't know what this book was about when I picked it up. I bought it probably a decade ago when I was going through my King Arthur phase and when I saw Avalon, I assumed it was about King Arthur and bought it. I also was going through my "go into books blindly" phase and didn't read the back. Obviously, had I done that, I wouldn't have picked this up.
So from the beginning, I was disappointed to discover that not only does the story not revolve around King Arthur, it actually takes place after he died and it instead revolves around Isolde. I've only watched the 2006 Tristan & Isolde once, so I don't have much of a frame of reference, but figured I was in for a super dramatic, sweeping romance. I sure wasn't.
I didn't enjoy Isolde as a character. I'll also say that historical fiction isn't my go to because of how women are treated. In the beginning, it felt like it was a lot of things happening to her and Isolde not really making a lot of decisions. Also the book is ridiculously slow. The whole thing takes place in just a week or two (I wasn't keeping exact track), but things don't even start coming together until the 50% mark, which is way too long for me to begin to get invested.
Then when Trystan is introduced, I started getting excited that things were going to develop between them. Instead we get these weird conversations where so much is left unsaid, but I was willing to see it through. Then for the part that made me the most angry. So angry in fact, I went back to pull receipts word for word.
When telling Isolde of his plan to pretend to trade her for Hereric, Trystan says, "I'll give you my word that you'll not be actually taken by Marche's guard--and that I'll see you find your goldsmith." Then later when she doesn't believe him because he literally told her that he'd trade her for his freedom, he gets butthurt, gives her a knife, and says, "If I break our agreement and let you come within reach of Marche's guard--or even leave you on your own before you've found your man--you can cut my throat."
Can you guess what happened? He either on purpose or on accident left her alone to get taken by Marche's guard even though he told her that she'd likely be raped by them (she wasn't), thrown into a prison cell, attempted to get raped again (the man was impotent and got called away), got beaten, got put up on trial as a witch, and was sentenced to death. Oh, and he never helped her find the goldsmith, which is what she's trying to do for a good portion of the book. I'd say he broke his vow pretty fucking thoroughly.
And the author only wrote that she wasn't raped so that Trystan can still be a good guy because nothing actually happened. Sorry, but that shit does not and will never fly with me. Then later when they're escaping he doesn't kill the guards because he's just such a good and moral guy. I was rolling my eyes so hard. I guess everyone has their line, but putting a woman in a situation where she will likely get raped and put to death is mine. I don't care how many nameless men you save.
Then later he has the absolute AUDACITY to be offended when she thinks he gave her up on purpose. Like, he said that he wouldn't leave her, then tells her that he saw her get captured, so obviously she's going to assume he had something to do with it since he did absolutely nothing to try to help her. Then after he's captured also, he doesn't apologize or try to explain and says that they're even.
Like, the fuck? She only sold him out because he left her alone. If he'd kept his promise, then there wouldn't have been anything to get even with. Finally, at the end when Isolde asks why he left her alone to get captured, he says, "I thought you'd made up your mind already what I'd done." Literally grow the fuck up bro. You're not cool or mysterious or morally gray because you don't want to explain your actions. Just be a fucking adult and communicate.
I have absolutely zero interest in Trystan as a character and even less in the supposed "romance" happening between them, of which there is none in this book. They actually both refer to the other as being like siblings and this book doesn't set up them working together in the next book, so I'm not really sure what the basis for the romance is or how it's supposed to grow.
I know that I'm a heavy sleeper, but on THREE separate occasions, Isolde woke up to a knife to her throat or being surrounded, once where she was tied up in her sleep. I just don't see how that's possible without being drugged. It was very annoying and made Isolde hard to root for if she can't even have the most basic survival instincts.
Also, there was way too much talk of rape in this book. I know that it happened in that time, but it didn't have to be talked about or alluded to or threatened throughout the whole book. It just felt like a big looming thing and I didn't like it.
I bought the rest of the books in this series, so I will finish it out, but if I hadn't, I probably wouldn't continue it and I don't see myself reading another book by this author, but that's because I don't do historical fiction much. I know that people do like this book, but I can't see myself recommending it because it's such a weird mix of history and different myths that I don't know anyone in my life that would like it.
I'll fully admit that I didn't know what this book was about when I picked it up. I bought it probably a decade ago when I was going through my King Arthur phase and when I saw Avalon, I assumed it was about King Arthur and bought it. I also was going through my "go into books blindly" phase and didn't read the back. Obviously, had I done that, I wouldn't have picked this up.
So from the beginning, I was disappointed to discover that not only does the story not revolve around King Arthur, it actually takes place after he died and it instead revolves around Isolde. I've only watched the 2006 Tristan & Isolde once, so I don't have much of a frame of reference, but figured I was in for a super dramatic, sweeping romance. I sure wasn't.
I didn't enjoy Isolde as a character. I'll also say that historical fiction isn't my go to because of how women are treated. In the beginning, it felt like it was a lot of things happening to her and Isolde not really making a lot of decisions. Also the book is ridiculously slow. The whole thing takes place in just a week or two (I wasn't keeping exact track), but things don't even start coming together until the 50% mark, which is way too long for me to begin to get invested.
Then when Trystan is introduced, I started getting excited that things were going to develop between them. Instead we get these weird conversations where so much is left unsaid, but I was willing to see it through. Then for the part that made me the most angry. So angry in fact, I went back to pull receipts word for word.
When telling Isolde of his plan to pretend to trade her for Hereric, Trystan says, "I'll give you my word that you'll not be actually taken by Marche's guard--and that I'll see you find your goldsmith." Then later when she doesn't believe him because he literally told her that he'd trade her for his freedom, he gets butthurt, gives her a knife, and says, "If I break our agreement and let you come within reach of Marche's guard--or even leave you on your own before you've found your man--you can cut my throat."
Can you guess what happened? He either on purpose or on accident left her alone to get taken by Marche's guard even though he told her that she'd likely be raped by them (she wasn't), thrown into a prison cell, attempted to get raped again (the man was impotent and got called away), got beaten, got put up on trial as a witch, and was sentenced to death. Oh, and he never helped her find the goldsmith, which is what she's trying to do for a good portion of the book. I'd say he broke his vow pretty fucking thoroughly.
And the author only wrote that she wasn't raped so that Trystan can still be a good guy because nothing actually happened. Sorry, but that shit does not and will never fly with me. Then later when they're escaping he doesn't kill the guards because he's just such a good and moral guy. I was rolling my eyes so hard. I guess everyone has their line, but putting a woman in a situation where she will likely get raped and put to death is mine. I don't care how many nameless men you save.
Then later he has the absolute AUDACITY to be offended when she thinks he gave her up on purpose. Like, he said that he wouldn't leave her, then tells her that he saw her get captured, so obviously she's going to assume he had something to do with it since he did absolutely nothing to try to help her. Then after he's captured also, he doesn't apologize or try to explain and says that they're even.
Like, the fuck? She only sold him out because he left her alone. If he'd kept his promise, then there wouldn't have been anything to get even with. Finally, at the end when Isolde asks why he left her alone to get captured, he says, "I thought you'd made up your mind already what I'd done." Literally grow the fuck up bro. You're not cool or mysterious or morally gray because you don't want to explain your actions. Just be a fucking adult and communicate.
I have absolutely zero interest in Trystan as a character and even less in the supposed "romance" happening between them, of which there is none in this book. They actually both refer to the other as being like siblings and this book doesn't set up them working together in the next book, so I'm not really sure what the basis for the romance is or how it's supposed to grow.
I know that I'm a heavy sleeper, but on THREE separate occasions, Isolde woke up to a knife to her throat or being surrounded, once where she was tied up in her sleep. I just don't see how that's possible without being drugged. It was very annoying and made Isolde hard to root for if she can't even have the most basic survival instincts.
Also, there was way too much talk of rape in this book. I know that it happened in that time, but it didn't have to be talked about or alluded to or threatened throughout the whole book. It just felt like a big looming thing and I didn't like it.
I bought the rest of the books in this series, so I will finish it out, but if I hadn't, I probably wouldn't continue it and I don't see myself reading another book by this author, but that's because I don't do historical fiction much. I know that people do like this book, but I can't see myself recommending it because it's such a weird mix of history and different myths that I don't know anyone in my life that would like it.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
February 22, 2014
I found this to be an interesting take on the Trystan and Isolde story. Isolde embodied the "Avalon sorceress" that I enjoyed so much in The Mists of Avalon. I enjoyed the storytelling and the voices in the wind that created the back story. Well done.
June 10, 2023
A tale of the grandchildren of Arthur and Morgana. Action, witchcraft, herbalism, political machinations, the clash of old and new religion.
Almost five stars (probably would have been if I hadn't really loved the last two books I read). 4.4, let's call it, rounded down.
Because it's about Tristan (here, Trystan) and Isolde, you might think it was a romance, but not in this book. I assume in future books, that's what happens. It's not precisely historical because Arthur wasn't, but it feels true to the time and what happened in England at that time (so far as we know from history and archeology.)
In other reviews people mentioned it being something like Mary Stewart's or MZ Bradley's Arthurian books. There's less magical stuff but that's a fair comparison. I also thought about how it could be seen as a female-centered view of the world of Cornwell's The Last Kingdom.
Definitely will read the next.
Almost five stars (probably would have been if I hadn't really loved the last two books I read). 4.4, let's call it, rounded down.
Because it's about Tristan (here, Trystan) and Isolde, you might think it was a romance, but not in this book. I assume in future books, that's what happens. It's not precisely historical because Arthur wasn't, but it feels true to the time and what happened in England at that time (so far as we know from history and archeology.)
In other reviews people mentioned it being something like Mary Stewart's or MZ Bradley's Arthurian books. There's less magical stuff but that's a fair comparison. I also thought about how it could be seen as a female-centered view of the world of Cornwell's The Last Kingdom.
Definitely will read the next.
January 7, 2022
Twilight of Avalon is a wonderful start to Anna Elliott’s Twilight of Avalon series. I have read and enjoyed previous books by this author in the past and I believe this one is probably my favorite to date. I loved going back in time to the magical place of King Arthur’s rule over Britain. I was fascinated by this retelling of the Trystan and Isolde story. It is full of romance, adventure and mystery. I just could not put it down. I loved it.
I am giving Twilight of Avalon five stars. I recommend it for readers who enjoy reading historical fiction. I am looking forward to reading the next installment from the Twilight of Avalon series, Dark Moon of Avalon.
I received a paperback copy of Twilight of Avalon from the author, but was not required to write a positive review. This review is one hundred percent my own honest opinion.
I am giving Twilight of Avalon five stars. I recommend it for readers who enjoy reading historical fiction. I am looking forward to reading the next installment from the Twilight of Avalon series, Dark Moon of Avalon.
I received a paperback copy of Twilight of Avalon from the author, but was not required to write a positive review. This review is one hundred percent my own honest opinion.
November 9, 2021
I loved it. The adventure/fantasy/Arthurian was easy to follow, and not over complicated in the world building. Isolde’s characterization was great, not fitting into an easy trope. Although this is marketed as a “Tristan and Isolde Story”, this book has very little to do with their relationship to one another, but rather their individual relationships with the war and kings. For me, I liked that, but if you want a romance, this book isn’t it (although it is only the first part of a trilogy).
It wasn’t perfect: I thought some deaths (Bran) were just put in there for shock value, but overall I found Elliot’s writing tasteful when referring to battle/rape. If I can find the other books in the series, I’ll definitely read them!
It wasn’t perfect: I thought some deaths (Bran) were just put in there for shock value, but overall I found Elliot’s writing tasteful when referring to battle/rape. If I can find the other books in the series, I’ll definitely read them!
July 7, 2022
A retelling of the medieval tale of Trystan and Isolde.
As King Constantine lies dead, his wife Isolde must now decide her future. She knows his death was no accident and fears the man she suspects is responsible but also knows that as a woman she has few choices. When a lord proposes marriage many expect her to accept however Isolde has other plans and enlists the help of a once traitor to aid in her escape.
An interesting twist that I sadly didn’t care for. Call me old fashioned, but I much prefer the romanticized version of Tristan and Isolde. I blame the 2006 movie version for my biased view. That movie was perfection and it’s because of that, that I just couldn’t get into this particular tale. Nothing personal..just not my favorite.
As King Constantine lies dead, his wife Isolde must now decide her future. She knows his death was no accident and fears the man she suspects is responsible but also knows that as a woman she has few choices. When a lord proposes marriage many expect her to accept however Isolde has other plans and enlists the help of a once traitor to aid in her escape.
An interesting twist that I sadly didn’t care for. Call me old fashioned, but I much prefer the romanticized version of Tristan and Isolde. I blame the 2006 movie version for my biased view. That movie was perfection and it’s because of that, that I just couldn’t get into this particular tale. Nothing personal..just not my favorite.
May 9, 2021
Para quem, como eu, é fã incondicional das lendas do rei Artur, este é um livro maravilhoso. Esta versão da história de Tristão e Isolda é tão cativante e está tão bem contada que a minha imaginação voou facilmente para o mundo mágico de Avalon.
For anyone who, like me, is an unconditional fan of the legends of King Arthur, this is a wonderful book. This version of the story of Tristan and Isolde is so captivating and so well told that my imagination easily flew into the magical world of Avalon.
For anyone who, like me, is an unconditional fan of the legends of King Arthur, this is a wonderful book. This version of the story of Tristan and Isolde is so captivating and so well told that my imagination easily flew into the magical world of Avalon.
October 21, 2022
Not a bad retelling of the Tristan and Isolde legend. It uses some of the older material, and felt rooted in dark age Britain, in a time when women had little agency. Isolde is trying to get justice for her murdered husband, King Constantine, a murder committed by Marche who she is forced to marry. But she seems to have no allies, despite being a former queen, and ends up in prison a lot. Trystan is more interesting, but he remains somewhat of a mystery even towards the end of the book. Will I read the next one? Not sure.
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