Lady of Avalon (Marion Zimmer Bradley's Avalon #3)

Book Description

New York Times bestselling author Marion Zimmer Bradley brings the mesmerizing world of myth, romance and history to life in the spellbinding novel of epic grandeur!

Before the legend of King Arthur and Camelot, there was Avalon, a beautiful island of golden vales and silver mists. A land where the lives of three powerful priestesses shape the destiny of Roman Britian as they fight to regain the magic and traditions of a once gallant past...

Customer Reviews:

How Lady of Avalon Relates.......2007-07-29

As many have said this was not one of the better works in the Avalon series.

However the three novellas, while in themselves do not give you much time to become attached to the characters each has its own purpose within the series.

For instance the fist section follows Caillean's journey to found Avalon after leaving the Forest House, and to create the world that still captivates readers 20 or so years after Mists was originally published.

The second section ties in to the sequel Priestess of Avalon, which encompasses the entirety of is written in the novella about Dierna.

Lastly the third section recounts the early life of Vivane. So although Lady may not be the best out of the series is it is still an essential part of the collection.

MORE MORE MORE.......2007-01-19

Great writer, great subject, carries you along. I didn't want it to end, I wanted to know more...Well written, Great Story - Timeless Fantasy!

Lady of Avalon.......2007-01-14

Lady of Avalon is a great read. It is 3 stories tied into one.
Starting with Caileen and working towards Viviane. My only disapoinment
was there was not more background on Vivianne. However what is told explains why she is the way she is.

Magnificent!!.......2007-01-10

If you love "Mist of Avalon", you will love Lady of Avalon. Bradley's entire Avalon series is a great read. You can read them out of order and they still flow well. A great series to lose yourself in. Buy them. Read them. Enjoy them.

I really enjoyed this book........2006-08-03

Mists of Avalon is on my list of all-time favourite books, and this book, although not as compelling as that one, is a good one in its own right. It is a prequel to what occured in Mists, and it follows directly after where Forest House left off. The book itself spans 400 years and in it we get a really good look at four of the Ladies of Avalon. We also get a good picture of what life was like in England during the Roman occupation. Like Mists, the women in this book are strong and determined as they fight to keep the secret of Avalon alive. Bradley's writing is spell-binding, and she draws you into her web of fantasy as you read her books about this mystical place. Her world is a world of myth, magic, poetry, romance, life, death and history. I was sorry when I reached the end.

My Lady Mischief (Avalon Historical Romance)

Average customer rating:

what a gem
W-O-W. Don't miss this one!
A sparkling new voice in romance
Carmichael scores big!!
Don't miss this one! It is terrific!

My Lady Mischief (Avalon Historical Romance)
Kathy Carmichael
Manufacturer: Avalon
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Hardcover

General | Romance | Subjects | Books

General | Contemporary | Romance | Subjects | Books

General | Historical | Romance | Subjects | Books

Book Description

Lady Thea knows what she wants in life. Desiring to stay with her widowed father, she's set her cap on a local farmer's son.

When "Hart," the Marquis of Hartingfield, arrives on the scene, he sends her wits reeling and her sense tumbling. Their meddling fathers hope for a suitable marriage. It's up to Hart to convince Thea that their union will be a perfect love match.

But if Thea was wrong about her feelings for the farmer's son, can she trust her growing attraction to Hart? She and her pet pig, Uncle Egbert, lead Hart on a merry chase through the English countryside and glittering London, setting tonnish head abuzz with the question: Will Hart succeed in capturing her heart?

Customer Reviews:

what a gem.......2004-03-25

This was my first book by this author. And I was so impressed. The plotting is strong, the characters are so engaging. Lady Althea was so winning, bright and captiving. Hart, well, he steals your heart. So arrogant and Lady Althea leads him on a merry romp.

For a first book, this is a very impressive story. I look forward to more from this promising writer.

W-O-W. Don't miss this one!.......2004-03-04

William Cavendar "Hart" was the Marquess of Hartingfield. He was happy to escape London, and the scheming mothers, for a bit. Hart escorted his American friend, Paul McCormack "Mack", to Steyne Hall. There, Bremington Candler, the Earl of Steyne, would look over the drill improvements the American had done and perhaps purchase them. Hart met a young lady chasing a piglet through the house and assumed her to be a servant.

I must skip much here or spoil the highly amusing happenings. The reader knew from the beginning that the servant was really Lady Althea "Thea", the Earl's daughter. Hart ended up compromising Thea, even after all the hilarious things Thea had done to make Hart think her wanton and leave in disgust! Once compromised, Thea refused marriage! She wanted a local lad.

Lord Steyne sent Thea, chaperoned by her friend named Emma, to London for a Season. Thea would stay with Aunt Prunella who would present her at Court and to society. Lord Steyne made Hart VERY aware that Thea would wed for only love. Since Hart compromised her, Hart had one Season to convince Thea that she loved him and agree to marriage.

***** To sum this book up, Hart was not looking to fall in love, but did. However, Thea did NOT want him! The author, Kathy Carmichael, made Thea a total delight to watch in action. Thea was anything but predictable! I read this book while it was slow at work. (I work third shifts.) I found myself actually laughing aloud! Three times I spied fellow third-shifters peering into my department to see what was going on. I let them read a few parts and they left with the author's name and book title so they could order copies for themselves.

I found this romance to be a rip-roaring-romp of hilarious chaos and I cannot recommend it highly enough. DO NOT MISS THIS STORY! You will NOT be disappointed! *****

Reviewed by Detra Fitch of Huntress Reviews.

A sparkling new voice in romance.......2004-03-04

Kathy Carmichael is a RIO (Reviewers International Organization) Award of Excellence winner for 2003 with his short contemporary romance "Here Comes Trouble". Well, guess what? She is a two-time award winner, second year in a row!! In 2002, she won best short historical romance for this book. Since one is a contemporary and the other a historical, it shows the range of this new talent! I mean, to win one RIO is astounding for a new writers - but two years in a row, this says sit up and take notice.

This novel is a super delight, with Carmichael's special sparkling humor! The characters were a so much fun! The Marques of Hartingfield, William Cavendar - known to his fellow rakes as "Hart" - quickly finds he has a heart and himself in hot water! More than delighted to escape the ton's scheming mums for a spell, he goes to the country with his friend from America, Paul McCormack. They arrive at Steyne Hall, hoping to have the Earl of Steyne look over improvements the Yanks have implemented in drilling, with eye for financing from the Earl, or an actual sell of the new techniques. Hart meets a young lady chasing a pig through the house and immediately assumes her to be a servant, for no lady would act in such a manner.

Naturally, before Hart finds out she is Lady Thea, they are found in a compromising position. Hart tries to do the honorable thing, when he finds out she is Lady Thea, the daughter of the Earl. But surprise to his arrogant ego - she refuses to marry him! She wanted to wed a local lad she grew up with.

Over her protests, the Earl sends Thea to stay with her friend, Emma. She's to have a proper season. Her Aunt would present her at Court, and see she is brought out in society in the manner befitting and Earl's daughter. By this time, Hart is determined to woo Thea, but the Earl has made it clear to him he will not approve a match. He loves his daughter and wishes to her marry where her heart will. So, it is up to the determined Hart to win Thea before she falls for someone else.

It's funny it's warm and it's touching. You will smile, you will laugh out loud. So find out why this author won a RIO Award of Excellence two years in a row!! Get this and then get "Here Comes Trouble" and find a new voice in romance.

Carmichael scores big!!.......2004-03-03

Don't miss this one! It is terrific!.......2002-09-04

I found this romance to be a rip-roaring-romp of hilarious chaos and I cannot recommend it highly enough. DO NOT MISS THIS STORY! You will NOT be disappointed! *****

Customer Reviews:

MAGICO Y MISTICO.......2005-02-24

Sencillamente maravilloso, los personajes y escenarios recrean en la mente un mundo oculto tras las nieblas del tiempo pero que sigue alli para quienes en realidad lo busquen.Los mundos paralelos siempre han estado alli mezclandose con el nuestro de vez en cuando y permitiendonos ver destellos de su realidad, la trama nos muestra que la rueda de muerte y renacimiento sigue, solo tenemos que hacer nuestra mision lo que mejor podamos.

Average customer rating:

Lady of Avalon

Manufacturer: Viking
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Hardcover

Average customer rating:

Lady of Avalon

Manufacturer: Viking
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Hardcover

Average customer rating:

Lady of Avalon
Marion Zimmer Bradley
Manufacturer: Viking
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Hardcover

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The Lady of Avalon
MARION ZIMMER BRADLEY
Manufacturer: Penguin Books Ltd
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Paperback

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Lady of Avalon
Marion Zimmer Bradley
Manufacturer: Penguin Audio
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Paperback

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Lady of Avalon (Mists)
Marion Zimmer Bradley
Manufacturer: Recorded Books LLC
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Audio Cassette

Druidism | Earth-Based Religions | Religion & Spirituality | Subjects | Books

Product Description

12 cassette set. Best-selling author Marion Zimmer Bradley skillfully blends enchanting romance, supernatural ritual, and daring exploits in this eagerly-awaited prelude to the blockbuster fantasy series, The Mists of Avalon (RB# 93310, 93345, 93413, 93434). Foreshadowing the mystical birth of King Arthur, Lady of Avalon paints a lush portrait of the turbulence and grandeur of ancient Britain while Rome ruled the Isles. Throughout Britannia, Roman soldiers are destroying those who follow the Druids time-honored religion. Hoping to save a remnant of the faith, High Priestess Lady Caillean retreats with her band of holy followers to the mist-enshrouded island of Avalon. There she forges a bond with the Sacred King to serve the Great Goddess and to steer Britannias political forces. As the decades turn into centuries, the High Priestess and her inspired successors work their magic to shape the fortunes of humankindbut even their powerful sorcery cannot control the human heart. Each earthy priestess of Avalon steps colorfully from the pages with Marion Zimmer Bradleys dynamic plotting and Davina Porters dramatic narration.

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The Gyrth Chalice Mystery

Manufacturer: Macfadden-Bartell Corp.
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Paperback
ASIN: B000FKKFA0

Product Description

Albert Campion mystery.

Average customer rating:

'I see you take the long road...'
Allingham stands alone in this genre.
One of her best
Rite of Passage
One of Allingham's Finest!

The Gyrth Chalice Mystery
Margery Allingham
Manufacturer: Avon Books (Mm)
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Paperback

General | Mystery | Mystery & Thrillers | Subjects | Books

General | Mystery & Thrillers | Subjects | Books
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ASIN: 0380705729

Customer Reviews:

'I see you take the long road...'.......2006-01-02

Look to the lady.
- response to Lady Macbeth's fainting fit, MACBETH, act II, scene 3

"We can't fight a ring like this forever. It's incredible; they're too strong."
"There is the point which resolves the whole question into a neat 'what should A do?' problem. We've got just one chance, old bird - otherwise the project wouldn't be worth fighting and we should not have met. The rules of this acquisitive society...are few, but they are strict. Roughly, what they amount to is this. All members' commissions - they have to be for things definitely unpurchasable, of course - are treated with equal deference. The best agent is chosen for the job; unlimited money is supplied; and there the work...ends until the treasure is obtained...However - and this is our one loophole - should...the owner of the treasure in question kill [their agent] to save it - then they leave well alone, and they look out for somebody else's family album."
"Who is the agent employed to get the Chalice?"
"That's the difficulty. I don't know...so you see what a mess we're in."
- Val Gyrth and Albert Campion

While the U.S. title - THE GYRTH CHALICE MYSTERY - is easy to associate with the events of this book, it's something of a misnomer; this is more an adventure story or a thriller than a mystery, and in a way, it's the reverse of a mystery. Campion's ultimate goal isn't to *solve* a crime, but to prevent the theft of a national relic by any means necessary, beginning with unearthing and joining forces with Val Gyrth, the estranged only son of the family devoted to protecting the Chalice on behalf of the Crown. Val - destitute to the point of being out on the street in the wake of a failed marriage - is to come of age in a few weeks time and be initiated into the Gyrths' deepest family secrets, and has become a target of the anonymous society of wealthy collectors whose current target is the Chalice. Campion and his valet Lugg together manage to locate Gyrth, establish that he hasn't been corrupted, and explain the danger to the Chalice in an extended sequence that alternates between comedy and suspense, beginning with Val escaping arrest as a vagrant on his own doorstep, identifying himself by the tailor's label in his decrepit suit, and dodging an unsuccessful kidnap attempt before fetching up at Campion's flat in response to a mysterious trail of messages.

Campion, with Val and Lugg in tow, is soon installed as a guest at the Tower at Sanctuary, the Gyrth family home in Suffolk, Val's quarrel with his father only having dragged on this long through his own stubbornness. Not that there isn't plenty of conflict and excitement to spice up matters when the Chalice almost immediately goes missing from its supposedly burglar-proof niche in the family chapel. That turns out to be a fairly clever move on the part of one of the family, though it almost immediately backfires (only the first of several such reverses in the story, which is full of alternating comic and dramatic episodes).

"'...it's like a Welsh rarebit nightmare with you as the hero.'
'With me as the *rabbit*,' said Mr. Campion feelingly."

As for the original U.K. title of LOOK TO THE LADY, the story has an unusual number of women in supporting roles, such as: Val's foolish aunt Diana (New Age and fancies herself as a patron of the arts, with a number of suspect hangers-on); his charming and tough sister Penny and her best friend Beth Carey (daughter of an American professor eager to study the Chalice); Mrs. Dick Shannon, an obnoxious local horse-breeder whose shadier racing associates are becoming obtrusive; and Mrs. Sara, an old friend of Campion's who with her family are part of a large group of gypsies camping out near the Tower. Blessedly, none of the players are saddled with ridiculous cooing dialogue as are some of the characters in such stories as THE CASE OF THE LATE PIG.

I highly recommend the unabridged recording narrated by Francis Matthews, who does an amazing job with Lugg and the varying Suffolk accents of the Gyrths' neighbours, though he has a tougher time with the New England accents of the Careys. In either written or audio format, the story is a romp, a comedy and a thriller by turns; just don't expect it to be a conventional mystery.

Drive-in totals:
- Two deaths.
- Three kidnappings with unlawful imprisonment.
- Two riots.
- One "secret room" with family "secret", the existence of which is actually common knowledge, though not the details.
- Two alternate identities of Campion's, complete with their own names.
- One of Allingham's "darkest England" episodes, involving some creepy bits of local superstition (with some *very* funny reactions by Lugg, who disclaims any belief in such stuff despite his obvious discomfort with it). There are also some very moving scenes involving the Gyrths' secrets and their devotion to the relic.
- Some very entertaining and enlightening exchanges between Lugg and the Gyrths' butler Branch, an old acquaintance with an only slightly more respectable background. "You'd be doin' me a service, Mr. Lugg, if you'd refrain from referrin' to me as number 705."

Allingham stands alone in this genre........2004-08-11

Allingham is without a doubt, the best mystery/suspense writer that ever lived. I don't say this lightly. There is absolutely no one that can compare to her and to her hero, Albert Campion! I had read most of the Allingham stories a very long time ago, but when I checked there were some that I missed, so I decided to make up for that oversight. The Gyrth Chalice Mystery is one that I somehow missed. I am very glad that I made up for that oversight now. If you have not read an Allingham mystery, then you do have a treat in store for you. I heartily recommend that you begin to read them all as soon as possible. How else can we have a benchmark to grade the authors that have come afterwards. As far as I'm concerned, Allingham is in a class of her own. Her books are thrillers really more than mysteries, but what wonderful stories they are! In this book Albert connects up with a young kinsman of his to help protect an ancient relic that the young man's family has been responsible for for hundreds of years. We also are treated to large doses of the wonderful Lugg - Albert's man of many talents. I'm not going to say any more about this wonderful book. You must read for yourself, and be prepared to be awed!

One of her best.......2003-01-18

An early entry in the Mr Campion saga. He is young and rather obnoxious, irritating all and sundry with his (often hilarious) brand of humour. The opening of this book is superb - an empty envelope bearing his name leads a downandout toff to a restaurant that just happens to be open at 2 am... The rest of the book contains many superb set pieces and unexpected characters: a witch, a likeable professor, a jewelry expert whose ancestors "talked to the Almighty". The ending is a stunner and a puzzle. What is the Gyrth treasure exactly? Why is Mr. Campion intimately connected with it? Who is its Guardian? The Professor has the tantalising last word.

Rite of Passage.......2002-05-13

"The Gyrth Chalice Mystery" was the first Allingham mystery I read. By coincidence, I was then the same age Allingham was when she wrote it (despite there being several wars in between). I was immediately taken with the story with its heady mix of adventure, English snobbery, humor and the supernatural. When I was done reading I was a British mystery addict and an eternal fan of Albert Campion, Allingham's detective.

I am much older now, and this is the third or fourth time I've reread this novel. I can only report that it gets better with age. Unlike some authors whose work is best remembered rather than reexperienced, Margery Allingham's works are every bit as much fun now as they were then. Perhaps the secret of their long popularity is that they are the highest order of entertainment, full of adventure and humor.

In 'The Gyrth Chalice Mystery' Campion's assignment is the protection of the ancient Gyrth chalice from theft by a nefarious ring of art collectors. The secret of the chalice is passed from fathers to sons on their 25th birthday, and this is the time that the chalice is most vulnerable. Campion must first track down the current heir, Percival, and bring him home for the ceremony. No sooner is this accomplished when Percival's somewhat flaky aunt is frightened to death by the 'chalice monster.' With that we are off and running.

One of Allingham's Finest!.......2001-03-11

"The Gyrth Chalice Mystery" was the first Allingham mystery I read. At that time I was the same age Allingham was when she wrote it (despite there being several wars in between). I was immediately taken with the story with its heady mix of adventure, English snobbery, humor and the supernatural. When I was done reading I was a British mystery addict and an eternal fan of Albert Campion, Allingham's detective.

I am much older now, and this is the third or fourth time if reread this novel. I can only report that it gets better with age. Unlike some authors whose work is best remembered rather than reread, Margery Allingham's works are every bit as much fun now as they were then. Perhaps the secret of their long popularity is that they are the highest order of entertainment, full of adventure and humor.

In "The Gyrth Chalice Mystery" Campion's assignment is the protection of the ancient Gyrth chalice from theft by a nefarious ring of art collectors. The secret of the chalice is passed from fathers to sons on their 25th birthday, and this is the time that the chalice is most vulnerable. Campion must first track down the current heir, Percival, and bring him home for the ceremony. No sooner is this accomplished when Percival's somewhat flaky aunt is frightened to death by the 'chalice monster.' With that we are off and running.

Allingham does her usual best to delight and bemuse, mixing forgers, racing people, gypsies, academics and other English country folks of every sort and form into the heady stew which is a Campion adventure. Campion has matured tremendously since the first novels and is in full possession of his role as the somewhat zany yet brilliant master of the chase. Allingham doesn't write mystery stories as such. Often she gives the villain of the piece away and the real mystery is how Campion will manage to save the day. "The Gyrth Chalice" is just such a tale. The ending comes as a complete surprise and adds a dimension to the tale, which makes it especially remarkable and memorable.

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The Gyrth Chalice Mystery
Margery Allingham
Manufacturer: Manor Books
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Paperback
ASIN: B000OMLL6Q

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The Gyrth Chalice Mystery
margery allingham
Manufacturer: Macfadden Book
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Paperback
ASIN: B000LX78GK

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The Gyrth Chalice Mystery
Allingham. Margery
Manufacturer: Macfadden-Bartell
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Paperback
ASIN: B000KEPGJ6

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The Gyrth Chalice Mystery
Margery Allingham
Manufacturer: Manor Books
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Mass Market Paperback
ASIN: B000LJETSY

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6 Titles in Albert Campion Series By Margery Allingham : They Gyrth Chalice Mystery - Estate of the Beckoning Lady - China Governess - Flowers for the Judge - Fashion in Shrouds - Cargo of Eagles
Margery Allingham
Manufacturer: various
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Mass Market Paperback

General | Mystery | Mystery & Thrillers | Subjects | Books
Allingham, Margery | ( A ) | Authors, A-Z | Mystery & Thrillers | Subjects | Books
ASIN: B000LWJGYI

Product Description

6 massmarket paperback Titles in Albert Campion Series By Margery Allingham : They Gyrth Chalice Mystery - Estate of the Beckoning Lady - China Governess - Flowers for the Judge - Fashion in Shrouds - Cargo of Eagles

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The Gyrth Chalice Mystery
Margery Allingham
Manufacturer: Avon Books
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Mass Market Paperback
ASIN: B000LV9OOG

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The Gyrth Chalice Mystery

Manufacturer: Macfadden
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Mass Market Paperback
ASIN: B000HUXK64

Three Cases for Mr. Campion: The Gyrth Chalice Mystery; The Fashion in Shrouds; Traitor's Purse

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Three Cases for Mr. Campion: The Gyrth Chalice Mystery; The Fashion in Shrouds; Traitor's Purse
Margery Allingham
Manufacturer: Doubleday
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Hardcover
ASIN: B000TZFM6S

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