The Book of the Cauldron - (Hallowed Isle) by Diana L Paxson (Paperback)

Book Synopsis

The Romans came, conquered, and departed, leaving behind them a strange new religion called Christianity. The princes of Britannia have driven back the invading Saxons and dream of a return to bygone days, while others on the island invoke the magic of a time older still. For the revered ancient goddesses Eve on in the hearts and memories of the proud royal women of the old British tribes. And now, King Artor -- wounded in body and spirit -- proclaims that the sword and the spear must be put to rest, and summons his mother Igierne, Lady of the Lake, to use the powers of the Cauldron to heal a troubled, wartorn land. But old jealousies and new power struggles threaten disaster, as Artor's sister Morgause hides a deadly secretand a darker magic. It is Guendivar the queen who holds the key to their survival, if she can master her own power in time.

For a darkness is emanating from high places -- and it threatens to devastate a realm.

From the Back Cover

The Arthurian saga is one of the most enduring legends of Western civilization -- a stirring tale of destiny, duty, faith, and majesty that has been told and retold by some of the greatest storytellers of all time. In her sweeping and magnificent multi-volume work THE HALLOWED ISLE, acclaimed author Diana L. Paxson brilliantly reinvents the classic myth -- by reimagining the great king, his life and legacy from the unique perspectives of four distinct tribal cultures that shaped Britain in the violent days of the sixth century.

THE BOOK OF THE CAULDRON

The Romans came, conquered, and departed, leaving behind them a strange new religion called Christianity. The princes of Britannia have driven back the invading Saxons and dream of a return to bygone days, while others on the island invoke the magic of a time older still. For the revered ancient goddesses live on in the hearts and memories of the proud royal women of the old British tribes. And now, King Artor -- wounded in body and spirit -- proclaims that the sword and the spear must be put to rest, and summons his mother Igierne, Lady of the Lake, to use the powers of the Cauldron to heal a troubled, wartorn land. But old jealousies and new power struggles threaten disaster, as Artor's sister Morgause hides a deadly secret -- and a darker magic. It is Guendivar the queen who holds the key to their survival, if she can master her own power in time.

For a darkness is emanating from high places -- and it threatens to devastate a realm.

Review Quotes

"An accomplished writer... I look forward to reading any of Diana Paxson's work."-- Marion Zimmer Bradley