The Fall of Atlantis (Hardcover)

by Marion Zimmer Bradley (Author), James Baen (Editor) "At the sound of sandaled feet upon stone, the Priest Rajasta raised his face from the scroll he held open on his knee..." (more)
Key Phrases: dark shrine, grey robe, Grey Temple, Priest of Light, Priest's Caste (more...)

Editorial Reviews

Product Description
A wounded prince washed up on a foreign shore becomes the focal point in an epic conflict between the nature-revering priests of the White Robes and the power-exploiting Black Robes when the full extent of his powers comes to light.

Product Details

• Hardcover: 496 pages
• Publisher: Baen (September 1, 2003)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0743471571
• ISBN-13: 978-0743471572
• Product Dimensions: 9.3 x 6 x 1.6 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1.5 pounds (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.0 out of 5 stars See all reviews (47 customer reviews)
• Amazon.com Sales Rank: #496,137 in Books (See Bestsellers in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

45 of 46 people found the following review helpful:

3.0 out of 5 stars Not what you might expect., November 4, 2002

By	C. Gilbert "frumiousb" (Amsterdam, the Netherlands) - See all my reviews (TOP 100 REVIEWER)    (REAL NAME)

This review is from: The Fall of Atlantis (Mass Market Paperback)

This is not really what we have come to expect from a fantasy novel. It is much more a historical romance which takes place in a fantasy setting. The story is about two sisters who are raised to power with very different temperments and ultimately different destinies. One falls in love with a dying priest of the light. The other gets involved with a priest who leads the darker mysteries. They both have their own long road to walk and their own struggles with their constrained society.

MZB displays, as usual, her adept touch with female characters. Deoris and Domaris are real, Deoris heart-breakingly real. The world she places around them is detailed and compelling, as are the politics and dynamics of power portrayed in the book.

Unfortunately, _The Fall of Atlantis_ lacks the well-balanced plots that make the Darkover novels so wonderful. It really is not much more than a well-written historical romance and lacks the mystery and wonder that characterize the really great fantasies that Bradley has written.

31 of 31 people found the following review helpful:

3.0 out of 5 stars Not one of her best, but IMPORTANT to read nonetheless, October 8, 2004

By	Jamaica Layne (Chicago, Illinois) - See all my reviews

This review is from: The Fall of Atlantis (Mass Market Paperback)

This is one of MZB's earliest novels, and you can tell she wrote it early in her career, because the quality of the writing is not up to par with her later books (e.g., the MISTS trilogy). However, this book is ESSENTIAL reading for someone who wants to get the most out of the MISTS OF AVALON series of books----so much of what is contained in those books, especially THE FOREST HOUSE and LADY OF AVALON, relates directly to the plot of THE FALL OF ATLANTIS. So, pick it up now that it's back in print, and enjoy!

20 of 20 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars another great work from a true master, January 27, 2003

By	Crystal C. Loh (London, ON Canada) - See all my reviews (REAL NAME)

This review is from: The Fall of Atlantis (Mass Market Paperback)

I have owned the Fall of Atlantis for a long time now and everytime I pick it up Bradley never fails to draw me once more into the intricate depth of the story that lays down the heritage of her exquisite Avalon novels. The heartache and pain that the characters in her book go through (from Domaris to Deoris, from Micon to Demira), constantly has your emotions at a boil.

Bradley has a gifted ability to weave intrigue and magic into the complex web of her stories and the Fall of Atlantis is a clear expression of her talent. Every detail concerning the Atlanteans is so perfectly thought out that the reader is easily immersed in this strange, spell-bound realm and its tragic destruction.

The women again figure prominently in this story and through their loves and losses, their actions and consequences, we see again their femininity is laced with a strength and determination that inarguably turns them into the heroines of an epic saga. Despite the dark overtone of the plot, the Fall of Atlantis is a enthralling, enduring story that captivates from the first page to the last.