Marion Zimmer Bradley's Ravens of Avalon: Diana L. Paxson & Marion Zimmer Bradley

When Marion Zimmer Bradley first published The Mists of Avalon in 1983 it was an instant success for the unusual viewpoint of the Arthurian myth from the side of the women involved. Though some derided it as nothing more then thinly-veiled feminist propaganda, it remained a popular book and over the last twenty-plus years it spawned a number of sequels. Even now, almost ten years after the death of M.Z. Bradley, Diana Paxson has constructed a new novel, inspired by conversations with Bradley and written in her style. The novel is a fine addition to the previous books and a fabulous rendering of the Boudica myth.

The novel follows the legend of Queen Boudica very faithfully, adding magic where necessary and filling in the blanks with a liberal sprinkling of the druids and priestesses we've come to expect from these books. Her story begins on the Isle of Mona, where she is to be trained among the druids. As a daughter of a king, Boudica is expected to be educated as it is assumed that she will marry a king. Though she is a stubborn and willful girl, it is obvious that Boudica is not fit to be a priestess. As the Roman incursions grow, a marriage is proposed between Boudica and King Prasutagos to unite the Iceni tribes.

Though rebellion is rising over much of Britain, Prasutagos keeps a firm hand on his people. He and Boudica reign with a firm hand and share a loving marriage, producing two daughters. Prasutagos however is considerably older then his queen. Before he dies he wills all of his lands and property between his daughters and the Roman emporor, with his wife as regent. Rome doesn't deal with queens however. The ensuing brutality molds Boudica into a vengeful force that will leave little in her wake.

The legend of "The Killer Queen" is ugly and brutal no matter how you slice it. Paxson has done a beautiful job though, of weaving together an early history for Boudica, of happiness and joy. The story is believable, even with the druids and priestesses and their calling on the Lady of Ravens and the obscuring fogs. This book is a worthy ending to an amazing series.
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Hardcover: 416 pages
Publisher: Viking Adult (August 2, 2007)
Language: English
ISBN-10: 0670038709
ISBN-13: 978-0670038701
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