Tuesday, October 18, 2016

Review of Child of the Dark Prophecy: Great Tree of Avalon by T.A. Barron

Read for: Mount TBR Print
 
Synopsis: "THE FATE OF AVALON...

Long ago, Merlin planted a magical seed that grew into the Great Tree of Avalon. And for centuries, Avalon flourished. But Now Avalon reels from brutal attacks, mysterious droughts, and strange evils. And then one night, all the stars in the sky suddenly go dark. Now the fate of Avalon rests with three young people: Tamwyn, a homeless wilderness guide; Elli, an escaped slave turned priestess; and Scree, an eagleman with a secret. One is the true heir of Merlin - the only person who can save Avalon - and one is fated to destroy it."


My Review: I found this book in a used bookstore, I had never heard of it or the series but wanted to give it a shot. You kind of have to throw everything you ever thought about Merlin and Avalon out the window, so it was a good thing it had been so long since I read any Arthurian legend books. This is definitely not a book for new fantasy readers, there is a lot to wrap your head around and quite a bit that you are left in the dark about (at least for now). With that said, there is quite a variety of characters and they are all very interesting. One thing I did notice is that the characters all act much younger than I picture them being, it almost seems as if this book was written for a YA audience but it is much more complex than most YA fantasy books. It was enjoyable but it was not an easy breeze through read. I do have the next book that I will read but we will have to see after that if I continue with the series.
 
My Rating: I really have mixed feelings about this book, it is a weird combination of complex world building but not complex characters or storyline which leave it in an odd place for reader audience. I give it a rating of Two Paws and a Stump Wag.

2 comments:

  1. Hmm, sounds like maybe the author was having more fun creating a complicated world and forgot to flesh out the characters?

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    1. It was very weird in the fact that it seems written for a much younger audience, the storyline and characters seem appropriate for a later Middle Grade to early YA level but the world building could potentially bore them stiff.

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