Books like Lady of Avalon

Although Bradley set up much of Avalon and Britannia in The Mists of Avalon, the stories in Lady of Avalon actually take place beforehand, and Bradley spends the first third of the book describing Avalon as it was before it was closed off in mists, and Britannia before Christianity had really taken hold. Because there are actually three stories told within the context of one novel, Bradley must introduce the reader to the changes that have taken place over time at the beginning of each new tale. The book moves slowly, focusing much more on characters than on action. Bradley even introduces a puzzle aspect, asking the reader to try to determine which new character is the reincarnate from the first tale. This novel focuses partly on Goddess worship, giving preference to the female point of view, and as with The Mists of Avalon, has a feminist tone. However, she does not degrade men but instead acknowledges the importance of their roles in Avalon and Britannia. Avalon and Britannia are equally important settings, the politics of each affecting the other. Bradley puts a great deal of emphasis on rituals among the Priestesses and Druids in early British history, and the concept of ritual itself could be considered a character element. Although she does occasionally introduce humor and romance, Bradley instead instills a mood that varies from being bright, hopeful and positive to being sad and depressing, only to come back to hope again.