A review by unabridgedchick
Avalon by Anya Seton
5.0
One-sentence summary: Set in 10th century Britain, the book follows the tumultuous lives of French prince Rumon and Cornish lady-in-waiting Merewyn as they take part in court life and struggle to survive the constant Viking attacks.
Why did you get this book?: I love historical novels; I love Anya Seton; this is a time period I know very little about.
Do you like the cover?: Yes, because I like Pre-Raphaelite art, but I think it is the wrong image for the story; something more medieval would have been better.
Did you enjoy the book?: Very much so -- I found it slow to start, but within a chapter or two, it became very engrossing.
Other thoughts?: This wasn't a romance! There were definitely romantic subplots but the entire story was not built around a romance between Rumon and Merewyn, which I loved. I also enjoyed the two worlds portrayed in this book -- the first half described medieval court life in England while the second half detailed Merewyn's experience in Iceland and Greenland. Fascinating stuff.
Why did you get this book?: I love historical novels; I love Anya Seton; this is a time period I know very little about.
Do you like the cover?: Yes, because I like Pre-Raphaelite art, but I think it is the wrong image for the story; something more medieval would have been better.
Did you enjoy the book?: Very much so -- I found it slow to start, but within a chapter or two, it became very engrossing.
Other thoughts?: This wasn't a romance! There were definitely romantic subplots but the entire story was not built around a romance between Rumon and Merewyn, which I loved. I also enjoyed the two worlds portrayed in this book -- the first half described medieval court life in England while the second half detailed Merewyn's experience in Iceland and Greenland. Fascinating stuff.