canadiyank's review against another edition
With the Royal Wedding hoopla this week it was interesting seeing what might become of a monarch-less England, per this book. The PM is intent on dissolving the monarchy, and has taken several steps to do so...returning the castles, jewels, etc. to the public domain, and limiting the monarch's "power" even more than it already is. In a few weeks a referendum will dissolve the monarchy completely, likely landing the PM as the first President of the UK, and setting him down in history as the greatest reformer since Oliver Cromwell. Along come James A. Stuart, who claims he's the rightful King and wants to restore the monarchy to an actual ruling power, as a great leader of a great kingdom. Not brought up an aristocrat, and not relying on public funds, he launched a "Save the Monarchy" campaign with some loyal "knights," fighting most of his battles in the media as well as against an ancient enemy. I think this could stand alone as a novel, but there were plenty of references to events from the Pendragon Cycle series. Interesting and timely book!
m3l89's review against another edition
4.0
Avalon begins with an immediately unlikeable man committing suicide. It soon transpires that this was King Edward the Ninth and now, after numerous referendums the Monarchy is looking even closer to being resolved.
We are then introduced to James and his friends who live and work in Scotland. James made me think of Monarch of the Glen.
This was a lot more political than I anticipated with less fantasy, but I really enjoyed it.
We are then introduced to James and his friends who live and work in Scotland. James made me think of Monarch of the Glen.
This was a lot more political than I anticipated with less fantasy, but I really enjoyed it.
launch97's review against another edition
5.0
Absolutely amazing. Why, honestly I have no idea. It started off a tiny bit slow before suddenly hitting the ground running. I thought a book dealing with politics, even one about King Arthur, would be boring but gave it a try. I'm really glad I did. I have actually read this three times already and get something new out of it each time. Definitely worth the read for any King Arthur fanatics.
joanaentrelivros's review against another edition
4.0
Here and also on my blog Ladybug Dots also the English version.
Português:
Este livro surpreendeu-me de várias maneiras. Comecei a ler porque o meu namorado disse que não se lembrava bem da história, mas que tinha gostado muito na altura em que leu. Fiquei curiosa pelo título. Não li nenhum dos anteriores, nem senti necessidade, não sei se para quem leu os outros faz muita diferença. Um dia acabei um outro livro, e retirei este da estante.
O livro não é nada daquilo que eu estava à espera. Habituada às Brumas de Avalon, esperava algo do mesmo género… e é, mas não é ao mesmo tempo. Não digo com isto que fiquei desiludida; pelo contrário, achei extremamente interessante, e dei por mim mais agarrada ao livro do que quando comecei as primeiras páginas.
Algumas personagens podiam ser melhor desenvolvidas, mas nem por isso deixei de sentir empatia por algumas delas. É um bom thriller, com muito suspense, que faz querer virar as páginas mais depressa. Envolve fantasia e política, um mundo real com vislumbres de um mundo mágico.
Se estão à procura de um reino cheio de fantasia, magia, seres fantásticos, não é aqui que o devem procurar. Mas é um bom livro, com uma visão mais moderna dos encantos de Avalon.
English:
This book surprised me in many ways. I started reading it because my boyfriend said he doesn’t quite remember the story, but he liked it very much when he read it a few years ago. I was curious because of the title. I didn’t read any of the previous books, and I didn’t feel I needed it, but I don’t know what’s the opinion of those who did. One day I finished the book I was reading, and I took this one of the shelf.
The books isn’t what I was expecting for. I am used to The Mists of Avalon, and I was expecting something very similar. But it isn’t...but, it is at the same time. I’m not saying I’m disappointed; I’m not, I think it was extremely interesting, and after the first few pages I was completely focused on the book.
Some of the characters could be better developed, but I still felt empathy for some of them. It’s a good thriller, with a lot of suspense, that made me want to turn the pages faster. It has fantasy and politics in a real world, with a glimpse now and then of a magical world.
If you are searching for a book full of magic, fantasy, fantastic beings, this book is not where it can find those. But it is a good book, with a modern vision of the beauty of Avalon.
Português:
Este livro surpreendeu-me de várias maneiras. Comecei a ler porque o meu namorado disse que não se lembrava bem da história, mas que tinha gostado muito na altura em que leu. Fiquei curiosa pelo título. Não li nenhum dos anteriores, nem senti necessidade, não sei se para quem leu os outros faz muita diferença. Um dia acabei um outro livro, e retirei este da estante.
O livro não é nada daquilo que eu estava à espera. Habituada às Brumas de Avalon, esperava algo do mesmo género… e é, mas não é ao mesmo tempo. Não digo com isto que fiquei desiludida; pelo contrário, achei extremamente interessante, e dei por mim mais agarrada ao livro do que quando comecei as primeiras páginas.
Algumas personagens podiam ser melhor desenvolvidas, mas nem por isso deixei de sentir empatia por algumas delas. É um bom thriller, com muito suspense, que faz querer virar as páginas mais depressa. Envolve fantasia e política, um mundo real com vislumbres de um mundo mágico.
Se estão à procura de um reino cheio de fantasia, magia, seres fantásticos, não é aqui que o devem procurar. Mas é um bom livro, com uma visão mais moderna dos encantos de Avalon.
English:
This book surprised me in many ways. I started reading it because my boyfriend said he doesn’t quite remember the story, but he liked it very much when he read it a few years ago. I was curious because of the title. I didn’t read any of the previous books, and I didn’t feel I needed it, but I don’t know what’s the opinion of those who did. One day I finished the book I was reading, and I took this one of the shelf.
The books isn’t what I was expecting for. I am used to The Mists of Avalon, and I was expecting something very similar. But it isn’t...but, it is at the same time. I’m not saying I’m disappointed; I’m not, I think it was extremely interesting, and after the first few pages I was completely focused on the book.
Some of the characters could be better developed, but I still felt empathy for some of them. It’s a good thriller, with a lot of suspense, that made me want to turn the pages faster. It has fantasy and politics in a real world, with a glimpse now and then of a magical world.
If you are searching for a book full of magic, fantasy, fantastic beings, this book is not where it can find those. But it is a good book, with a modern vision of the beauty of Avalon.
notemersyn's review against another edition
adventurous
funny
hopeful
inspiring
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.75
mbeck's review against another edition
4.0
Enjoyed it, but not as much as the Pendragon Cycle. This story deals with more modern politics and issues, and is much less fantasy than other Lawhead works.
rosenectur's review against another edition
4.0
Stephen R Lawhead is one of my top five favorite authors of all time. I fell in love with his books as a teen and never looked back. Avalon is an interesting entry in the Pendragon cycle. I love Taliesin and Merlin, this entry in the series fast-forwards to modern Scotland. The monarchy is in trouble, and about to be disbanded all the royal family either dead or having signed abdications, when a man from Scotland makes a startling claim to the throne. Captain James Arthur Stuart will become the king of England. But there forces of evil out to see that he doesn’t stay king for long. This book blends sword and sorcery tales with Tom Clancy like political intrigue, an interesting mix to be sure.
sednadragon35's review against another edition
A brilliant end to a good set of books, and the most normal one in the set.