Kathryn Rose

Review courtesy of Dark Faerie Tales

Quick & Dirty: A stunning sequel and beautiful retelling complete with steampunk!

Opening Sentence: “Frost has the good sense not to test my patience by settling on my tools.”

The Review:

Vivienne is back and working desperately to build the aeroship for the knights. Camelot lays in ruins from the war Morgan Le Fay brought upon them. Arthur is dead and Lancelot is broken. Guiverene and the others have fled to stay safe. The knights are searching the whole world for the Holy Grail. Vivienne is building the aeroship under the orders of the Lady of the Lake and having trouble figuring out how to infuse it with the right magic to make it fly. Merlin is imprisoned, and Azur won’t tell her how to do it.

Then one night she follows the blacksmith and discovers that not only does he know the secret, he is also Marcus’s father. When Vivienne learns that Marcus and her brother have disappeared she makes a dangerous choice and enlists Rufus the blacksmith to help her find Marcus, and Avalon. The lady informs her that choice will lead to Marcus’s death or betrayal. That his fate is unsure now. Rufus and Vivienne set off to the kingdom of the Fisher King where she hopes to pass the three tests.

Will Vivienne be able to find Marcus and Avalon? Will she be able to find the Holy Grail and save them from the Black Knight?

As you all know, Steampunk is hit or miss for me and this series is a definite hit for me. I read Camelot Burning before this so I wouldn’t be confused and I heartily recommend that you read Camelot Burning before Avalon Rising, otherwise you will have no clue what’s going on. Oddly enough, I am funny about my retellings like I am steampunk, so in that aspect this is a double hit for me. I love the Arthurian legends and I have enjoyed other retellings that I have come across. This one is superb, except in one little aspect. There is a map in book 2, which is helpful, however the world isn’t always clear the relation between places. On the map it appears to be Britain, and that is how it seems in the book except there are a lot of references to the Holy Land and Jerusalem, but the distance isn’t always explained well so it can be confusing.

However, that is my only issue with these books. I think I really love the infusion of magic with the steampunk elements. It really enhances the story and really adds an exciting aspect to it all. Especially since it is dangerous. Vivienne is an amazing main character, I am not sure I am quite on board with the love interest, but this book ended on a massive heartbreaking cliffhanger! Massive, even I was shocked and thrilled at the prospect of book 3. This is a wonderful book filled with magic, betrayal, death, mechanical devices, legends and myths. If you like your steampunk infused with a retelling and dash of fantasy, this series is for you!

Notable Scenes:

“I hesitate in the ruins that have evolved into a strange sort of sanctuary.”

“Like a legend or a fairy tale Owen might have told me as a little girl.”

“Merlin did say that there were sleeping demons in my brother.”

“A necessary confinement Merlin would agree to, surely, lest uncontrollable, dragonesque soul were to attack his old friend or others.”

“Because if Marcus won’t soon die, it means his betrayal is inevitable.”

“Certainly, insanity has found me instead.”

“The Black Knight steps toward me, the girl he cannot hurt.”

FTC Advisory: Flux provided me with a copy of Avalon Rising. No goody bags, sponsorships, “material connections,” or bribes were exchanged for my review.… (más)

Review courtesy of Dark Faerie Tales

Quick & Dirty: This is a story of Camelot like you have never heard before. Add all the characters from the original story and then add alchemy and steam punk to it. Plus a wonderful heroine in Vivienne who may have to sacrifice all she has ever wanted to keep the kingdom safe.

Opening Sentence: When a mechanical falcon takes flight from Merlin’s tower, it means the sorcerer is bored or drunk on absinthe.

Excerpt: Yes

The Review:

This was a very unique twist to the tale of King Arthur and his kingdom, Camelot. Vivienne the handmaid to Guinevere and the secret apprentice to the one time sorcerer Merlin, must use all her skills with alchemy and machines to save Camelot from King Arthur’s sister Morgan le Fay. Morgan will do all in her magical powers to take the kingdom from her brother and put their son Mordred on the throne. Vivienne may have to give up all she holds dear, including the love of her life or her life itself to stop Morgan’s evil plans.

At first I wasn’t sure if I would like Vivienne. She never seemed happy with her life. She is a girl from a well to do family but bemoans her status because it comes with obligations. In a way I can understand, because who wants to have no control of her life and have to do whatever is asked of her. On the other hand she has a family who cares for her, a secure place as the queen’s handmaid and a secret job that she loves. As the story progressed though I came to like Vivienne. Throughout the story Vivienne wants out of Camelot and dreams of finding her way out, but when Camelot needs her she stays and fights for what she believes in even when it might mean losing everything. Also in the face of danger she did not run and hide, instead she stands her ground and fights Morgan even though Morgan wants nothing more than to get her hands on Vivienne.

I usually do not like books that deal with predefined stories but I really liked this story. Adding the steampunk made it seem new and exciting. Also the fact that King Arthur or one of the Major characters is not the main character also helps. You get to see the fall of Camelot through someone else’s eyes. I also thought that with the magic involved it was a very unique concept to add alchemy to what caused the downfall. At first I thought that would take from the story but it made the story new. I am now hoping that there is going to be a new book and I can’t wait to read it if there is one. I recommend this book to lovers of the King Arthur legend and also to steampunk lovers. If you have a fondness for alchemy this book is full of it.

Notable Scene:

“This is the birthplace of Camelot. A geographical crossroads between the old age of magic and the new era of mechanical arts. The founders lie in the caskets around these walls. Here is also the origin of the greatest weapon Camelot will ever know.” He regards the iron dragon’s skeleton.

FTC Advisory: Flux provided me with a copy of Camelot Burning. No goody bags, sponsorships, “material connections,” or bribes were exchanged for my review.… (más)

**ARC provided by NetGalley in exchanged of a honest review.

Actual Rating: 3/5 stars

I seriously didn't know anything about Arthurian legend so I researched about it while reading the book. And guess what? It captures my interest. Especially when it involved alchemy and steampunk theme.

I liked the heroine, Vivienne. She has a pretty name! Lol but that wasn't the reason why I liked her. She serves as a lady-in-waiting or handmaid to Guinevere. I liked that she has this curious mind, the feeling that she'll never get comfortable until she learns a particular information. She is a heroine that can actually kick ass. I will just ignore the fact that she pretty much liked Marcus at first sight and he didn't even do anything.

The hero, Marcus, I don't know what to feel. Ugh. I don't know okay? Don't pressure me. Hmm. I liked how the story doesn't actually evolved in the romance aspect. But I think Marcus didn't quite deliver the kind of hero I was aiming for. He didn't make my heart beat faster. He hadn't bring butterflies in my stomach. You get what I mean.

I disliked Arthur in the story. He's mad. Letting in to their kingdom his sister, Morgan, an evil witch. Okay he was his sister but she had caused an attack to some parts of the world because she became addicted to magic. She was totally dangerous. But i didn't see why he was so insistent in forgiving and accepting her. And ahhhh. There's a deeper reason for it, you fool. Eww. They had an affair that brought out a heir. Lol that rhymes. Illegitimate but still.

I actually pity Mordred. Gaah. Who wouldn't when you have a mother like that? Morgan, his mother, was pretty much the villain in the story. And she used him to be a weapon. That's just sick.

I think that the characters all really played an important part in the story and none of them just stood in the background. Every person was given justice, except maybe for Marcus.

The climax where MORGAN's GOING TO BE KILLED didn't quite deliver. I mean, SHE'S DEAD ALREADY? WHAT THE HELL? I only did blink once and then that happened. That was fast. So much for having casualties and expecting myself to cry.

The ending was actually good if you didn't mind that last paragraph and it actually made me have something to look forward, too. If you were given a chance to make the world you live in a better place, why wouldn't you grab it?

I gave it a 3-star rating because there were some parts that I got bored. But this was really a great debut.… (más)

**ARC provided by NetGalley in exchanged of a honest review.

Actual Rating: 3/5 stars

I seriously didn't know anything about Arthurian legend so I researched about it while reading the book. And guess what? It captures my interest. Especially when it involved alchemy and steampunk theme.

I liked the heroine, Vivienne. She has a pretty name! Lol but that wasn't the reason why I liked her. She serves as a lady-in-waiting or handmaid to Guinevere. I liked that she has this curious mind, the feeling that she'll never get comfortable until she learns a particular information. She is a heroine that can actually kick ass. I will just ignore the fact that she pretty much liked Marcus at first sight and he didn't even do anything.

The hero, Marcus, I don't know what to feel. Ugh. I don't know okay? Don't pressure me. Hmm. I liked how the story doesn't actually evolved in the romance aspect. But I think Marcus didn't quite deliver the kind of hero I was aiming for. He didn't make my heart beat faster. He hadn't bring butterflies in my stomach. You get what I mean.

I disliked Arthur in the story. He's mad. Letting in to their kingdom his sister, Morgan, an evil witch. Okay he was his sister but she had caused an attack to some parts of the world because she became addicted to magic. She was totally dangerous. But i didn't see why he was so insistent in forgiving and accepting her. And ahhhh. There's a deeper reason for it, you fool. Eww. They had an affair that brought out a heir. Lol that rhymes. Illegitimate but still.

I actually pity Mordred. Gaah. Who wouldn't when you have a mother like that? Morgan, his mother, was pretty much the villain in the story. And she used him to be a weapon. That's just sick.

I think that the characters all really played an important part in the story and none of them just stood in the background. Every person was given justice, except maybe for Marcus.

The climax where MORGAN's GOING TO BE KILLED didn't quite deliver. I mean, SHE'S DEAD ALREADY? WHAT THE HELL? I only did blink once and then that happened. That was fast. So much for having casualties and expecting myself to cry.

The ending was actually good if you didn't mind that last paragraph and it actually made me have something to look forward, too. If you were given a chance to make the world you live in a better place, why wouldn't you grab it?

I gave it a 3-star rating because there were some parts that I got bored. But this was really a great debut.… (más)