INCREDIBLE FICTION
Book reviews are by Lady Bridget, unless otherwise noted.
INCREDIBLE FICTION
The Archer King, by Reyna Thera Lorele
One of the best books I have read on the legends of Robin Hood. The story is told from a Wiccan viewpoint and excellently portrays the conflicts that existed between the Christian Church and the Old Religion at that time. The author has taken certain poetic liberties in the story, like using modern invocations for some of the rituals, but this in no way detracts from the story. I was especially moved by the tender love scenes, which were erotic and sensual. Her descriptions of Esbats, Sabbats, Druid training, magickal techniques, and daily life are vivid and have the ring of truth to them. This is a book I highly recommend and could not put down until I finished it. I look forward to reading more from this author in the future.
The Mists of Avalon, by Marion Zimmer Bradley
I consider this to be one of her most fantastic novels! I know many witches today who searched for the Craft after reading this, convinced that this was the telling of a past life for them. You will be spellbound from the first page, and in love with this story. This is one that I enjoy reading again and again, and always find new enjoyment in it. Pay special attention to the running of the stag and the accompanying festival - this book has historical value as well as a teriffic story.
The Forest House, by Marion Zimmer Bradley
The "pre-quel" to the "Mists of Avalon", she again has done an outstanding job of telling a Pagan oriented tale. One of the Priestesses falls in love with a Roman legionaire, and the intrigue, festivals, and magick that follow will entertain and enlighten you.
Lady of Avalon, by Marion Zimmer Bradley
A wonderful bridge from Forest House to Mists of Avalon, this book foreshadows the birth of King Arthur, and again, is wonderful reading. I enjoy reading of the lives of these early Pagan Priestesses and how they lived the magick of their religion on a daily basis.
Clan of the Cave Bear, by Jean M. Auel
A classic tale from the begginning of the human journey into civilization, this author dramatizes the nomadic lives of the first people. How they lived, loved, worshipped, and died is clearly told in this first book of a marvelous series. While this is clearly a work of fiction because we have no way of knowing for sure, this story feels so close to how they must have lived that I wondered if the author had done past life regressions to tell this. All through this book my heart's "truth sense" kept telling me that this is very close to the way things happened. A great read, very compelling.
The Valley of Horses, by Jean M. Auel
The second book in this series, where our heroine now lives alone, learning herb lore, animal lore, and how to survive on her own. She does fall in love however, but I don't want to give away the whole story... suffice it to say that if you loved Clan of the Cave Bear, you will love this one as well.
The Mammoth Hunters, by Jean M. Auel
Again Jean Auel has worked her magic pen, and we are transported back to the time of the ice ages and the mammoth hunting tribes. Third in the series, this book continues the story with new locations, new tribes, and new loves. I love this whole series and highly recommend it to all, not just history buffs.
The Plains of Passage by Jean M. Auel
So far this is the last book in this series, though I have heard rumors that Ms. Auel is coming out with a fifth book. I have all of these in hard cover and love to read these again and again. This last book paints the picture of life on the plains, and the ever evolving story of the main character again takes a new turn.