Avalon Rising
by Kathryn Rose
Flux (May 8, 2015)
IndieBound | WorldCat
"In the aftermath of Morgan le Fay’s war on Camelot, the once great kingdom struggles to rebuild. Vivienne, Merlin's former apprentice, toils in secret day and night on orders from the Lady of the Lake to build an aeroship. The Lady has seen the future and promises that the ship will ensure Camelot’s knights triumph over the Black Knight in the quest for Avalon and the Holy Grail.
But when a company of knights goes missing—including Owen, Vivienne’s brother, and Marcus, her beloved—Vivienne changes the plan and commandeers the aeroship for a rescue mission, altering the fates of all involved. Now, the Lady sees danger in Vivienne’s future. And for Marcus: either betrayal or death."
Carolyn's thoughts on the book:
Once again, Vivienne is forced to choose between the life expected of her and the life of adventure she is destined to live. While the world is Avalon Rising is in many regards similar to the world of Camelot Burning, the effects of Morgan le Fay's attack are far reaching; in addition to the death toll, the once great kingdom of Camelot has been practically emptied. However, while Vivienne's work isn't necessarily respected, she no longer needs to hide her former involvement with Merlin and her work in the mechanical arts. The political situation is vastly different, and seeing how Vivienne clashes with some of the knights now that she doesn't have to hide is fairly entertaining. But Vivienne shines brightest when she finally leaves Camelot to find Marcus, and more importantly, find the Holy Grail. The elaborate steampunk medieval world is as fascinating as ever, and the meticulous details of all the equipment and weapons add a depth to such a fantastic world. Flashbacks add a nice touch, continuing the romance despite Marcus' absence; additionally, the exploration of Marcus' family is one of many interesting facets of the story. While aspects of Arthurian legend are easily more identifiable in the first book, Avalon Rising continues the fantastic story without slowing. Fans of Camelot Burning will not be disappointed with this excellent sequel. I'm already looking forward to the release of the the third book!
Carolyn is a teen blogger who shares her favorite YA reads and favorite book related finds with readers on Fridays.