Book Review: SUNRISE OF AVALON by Anna Elliott

 “Sunrise of Avalon” is a compelling take on the tragically romantic Arthurian legend Tystan and Isolde. This excellent trilogy starts with “Twilight of Avalon” (2009), “Dark Moon of Avalon” (2010), and the conclusion “Sunrise of Avalon” (2011) which was well worth the wait. If you have read previous novels on Trystan and Isolde this is not the same or typical spin on them. This trilogy is historical fiction gold for numerous reasons’ the top of them being my most favorite: a novel of two people who belong together but cannot be together because of outside forces that keep pulling them apart, that makes for good historical fiction reads. I am glad I was lured into this trilogy it is a new favorite of mine. Plus Trystan is literally the sexiest man name ever written down.

Trystan and Isolde were childhood best friends that were brought up into a mess of hate, fighting, and terrible things constantly happening. The days of the great king Arthur were violently coming to a close and both of them young as they were still were dragged into the battles of Camelerd with no choice. The fighting never stopped and the few antagonists like Trystan's father Lord Marche just kept stirring the pot and making it worse with every action. Lord Marche was a vile man he would be what we deem today as a woman beater and he later turned rouge lord and made a pack with the only other man as evil as he was Lord Octa of Kent. Octa was everyone’s enemy and he was planning an invasion he wanted to take everything over. He wanted all of England to himself. But Trystan knew he must do something to stop him and even though he and his father’s feud had turned escaladed to a bloody deadly high he still must risk everything to at least try to prevent the inevitable looming battle. With Octa and Marche everyone’s enemy Trystan had his own personal vendetta’s that demanded retribution against the two men.

In book one Isodle had been forced into marrying Lord Marche but in number Octa also had captured her but in three I really enjoyed the fact that Isolde took things in her own hands and made her own terms. She voluntarily went into her enemy Octa’s camp and not just to foil his attempts to kidnap her from her abbey sanctuary Saint Eucherius. This time Isolde had her own plans to infiltrate Octa’s camp and to secretly find high King Madoc of Gwynned’s five year old son and only heir who had been kidnapped. The child was being held as a form of ransom because Octa was not below hurting a child Isolde was his only hope of a way out.

Trystan had left Isolde at the abbey so she would be safe but with Octa always after her it was only a matter of time before he got to her. Isolde never stayed put but who would have guessed she would cross the line into the most dangerous place for her to go: Octa’s camp. Trystan and Isolde both had their own agenda’s for how they were going to sabatosh Octa and Marche before the whole country went to war. It was kill or be killed at this point and Octa had proven he had no qualms about fighting dirty. Isolde had made her choices and she knew she had to protect what was most important to her in the end. She made her choice she had to try and save Trystan even if it was himself who was bringing about his own downfall. Trystan loved Isolde but have you ever heard that song “your love is like a battlefield”? Trystan's love was like a battlefield and to protect Isolde even from himself he never really allowed his love to show. But trying to push it down and away made his love even stronger and even he could not control it in his darkest moments he would find Isolde was the only one that mattered. Isolde and Trystan have to save England from the blood lust lords before they tear all of England asunder before their very eyes but right when it matters the demons of the past keep all of England from healing and moving forward to better times. They must face it and they must do it together or die trying the scary part is the worst enemy is one who knows all your secrets.

5/5 Wonderful Arthurian legend mix. I do not read much on Tystan and Isolde but I have read some short stories and other things but this one is by far the best I have ever come across. I was elated that Elliott made these novels to her own tune and made a mixture of all the different versions of the legends. The ending in this version is the best to date and I know I am not alone in this thought. I do not want to ruin it for anyone but it way caught me off guard. I really enjoyed this series and really identified with Isolde and her inner strength she was one brave woman. I enjoyed this series and have to recommend it to all historical fiction lovers because if you are a sucker for a good love story then this is right up your alley.

• Rating PG-13 for war violence
• FTC-sent to me by the publisher for review

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~Lizzie~

Giveaway, Twilight of Avalon and Dark Moon of Avalon by Anna Elliott

"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".

"She is a healer, a storyteller, and a warrior. She has fought to preserve Britain’s throne. Now she faces her greatest challenge in turning bitter enemies into allies, saving the life of the man she loves . . . and mending her own wounded heart.

The young former High Queen, Isolde, and her friend and protector, Trystan, are reunited in a new and dangerous quest to keep the usurper, Lord Marche, and his Saxon allies from the throne of Britain. Using Isolde’s cunning wit and talent for healing and Trystan’s strength and bravery, they must act as diplomats, persuading the rulers of the smaller kingdoms, from Ireland to Cornwall, that their allegiance to the High King is needed to keep Britain from a despot’s hands.

Their admissions of love hang in the air, but neither wants to put the other at risk by openly declaring a deeper alliance. When their situation is at its most desperate, Trystan and Isolde must finally confront their true feelings toward each other, in time for a battle that will test the strength of their will and their love.

Steeped in the magic and lore of Arthurian legend, Elliott paints a moving portrait of a timeless romance, fraught with danger, yet with the power to inspire heroism and transcend even the darkest age".

The Rules

The giveaway is open to US and Canada.

What is up for grabs? One paperback copy of "Twilight of Avalon" and one paperback copy of "Dark Moon of Avalon".

For 1 entry leave me a comment with a way to contact you.

For 2 entries follow my blog. If you already do, thank you for following my blog, and please let me know in the comments. You're eligible for the extra entry as well.

For 3 entries blog or tweet this giveaway to spread the word.

Giveaway will end on December 10th at midnight. 

I will draw one winner who will win both books using Random.org 

Good luck to everyone!

Book Review: DARK MOON OF AVALON by Anna Elliott

Book two in the Trystan and Isolde trilogy by Anna Elliott recently hit bookstores everywhere. I loved the first book “Twilight of Avalon”, “Dark Moon of Avalon was a wondrous complement to the first book. I am really bereaved I will have to wait until the final book “Sunrise of Avalon” comes out, which is slated for publication in September of 2011. That is such a long way away but I am sure it will be well worth the wait.

One thing about this read that irritated me was how the second book did not immediately pick up where the first book left off. Instead it fast forwarded to five months or so ahead and then gave up the info in bits of flashbacks.  I have to admit that once I got past that part it was fantastic. I love it when the feel of the first book carries over into the second book.

Isolde once high queen now only Lady of Camelerd found that her future was interlaced with her sworn enemy the dredged Lord Marche King of Cornwall. He was a nasty self-serving man that was impeached as high king and was on the run after Isolde unfolded his treasonous plots to hand Brittan over to the Saxons.  Not to mention the harm he did to Isolde personally. In book one he forced her into marriage and almost got her killed on trumped of charges of being a witch.  Since she had him on the run things took a big turn when Marche decided to make new allies with the Saxon King Octa of Kent. Both men were vile and both had one goal in mind and that was to invade Brittan. Their plan was to pillage and kill anyone and everything that stood in their way.

Isolde had to put a plan into action; since she now shared this weird uncontrollable link with Marche. She could see him in the waters and using her gift of sight she just might be able to stop him. Trystan had sought out Isolde right when everything was about to go down because his companion and Isolde’s friend Hereric was gravely hurt and Trystan had no one else he could count to help him. Isolde was the only hope for saving him and Trystan knew it. It was joining of fate that the two of them just happened to cross paths when they did because it was the time that they both needed each other more than they wanted to admit even to themselves. Brittan’s only hope lay with Isolde making an alliance with King Cederic of Wessex but that meant trudging through enemy territory with Trystan. Her only soul desire was to protect Brittan from the invading Octa and Marche but when overwhelming emotions surface for Trystan Isolde finds herself not only trying to save Brittan but the other half to her soul; Trystan.

4/5 liked it, enjoyed it and cannot wait for the last one because everything went down in this one. I can only imagine what is to come in the next one. This one was way more romantic than the first one which I enjoyed but I have to admit the first one is my favorite so far. I do have to add though that Trystan is now on my list of hot historical fiction men.  Would defiantly recommend read both books back to back.

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Book Review: TWILIGHT OF AVALON by Anna Elliott

A must read of Arthurian legend. You know it is a really good book when you read 300+ pages in one day. I love the beautiful cover and the fast paced trail of deceit that legendary Isolde found herself running down at break neck speed.

Isolde, brave and mystical also possessed that intangible gift of courage that many other people are drawn to. Like moths on a lamp it seemed almost everyone could not help but be drawn into her but many found out if you get too close you might get burned. Isolde was alone in this life everyone she ever knew or cared about was dead. Isolde was the granddaughter of Morgan, friend of Myrddin, daughter of Gwynefar, and so many others who were lost to her. The pain still continued and was started anew with the loss of her husband Constantine. When her husband Con died it started a domino effect in the Kings council. Now that Constantine the high king was gone it was now time for the council to vote for a new high king. Refusing to remember the past Isolde buried it deep inside her with the gift of sight that her grandmother Morgan her was the gift that came from the ancient ones. They never really left her and when the wind shifted she could her them, Morgan, Arthur, Gwynefar and Myrddin.

Some considered her a witch because even though her grandmother had been gone for some time it does not mean that the past had not been forgotten. People knew Isolde had been raised by Morgan and that her grandmother had taught her everything she knew of the old ways. It was how she became a healer, Morgan made sure that she was taught the many secrets of using the earth’s natural remedies for treatment. She made sure to put it to good use and since Brittan was constantly at war with the Saxons it was a calling of Isolde to heal the sick and wounded the best she could. They still called her a witch even while she cleaned and dressed the men’s battle wounds. The king’s council that consisted of all the kings of the surrounding areas ran into so major problems when the vile Lord Marche King of Cornwall started traitorously climbing his way over other to win exalted position of high king where Con once had sat. He forced Isolde into marriage by blackmailing her and after less than one day with him she had no other choice but to run while she still could.

On the run Isolde had no one to turn to for help, no one she could trust and it seemed like everyone close to her was slowly being eliminated. During her first night alone in the woods she was startled to awake to her hands tied with a man and a child saying they needed a “healer”. The curious pair of outlaws led her eventually to who really needed her help. Coincidence as it was it was one of the escaped Saxon prisoners she had treated at the castle before she ran. I think it was fate that Isolde was brought to him because Arthurian legends are anything but simple and nothing ever went as planned. As fate would have it the Saxon escapee Trystan became her only hope of survival.

5/5+ A magically delightful adventure that is a jewel of Arthurian legends that any historical fiction lover would die for. I really loved this one; Isoldes memories were mesmerizing and all so real at the same time. This is one of those books that if you do not know the legend than you are easily brought up to speed. I knew hardly anything but the basics of King Arthur and really I was not lost in this story. I am really looking forward to the next one “Dark Moon of Avalon” because Anna Elliott based it off of the earliest version of the Arthurian legend recounted by Geoffrey of Monmouth. The third book in the series will be releasing some time in 2012 and will be titled "Sunrise of Avalon". A highly recommended good read a must for historical fiction lovers.

FTC- Sent to me by publisher

R-Rating for Blood and gore

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