Customer Reviews

Lady of the Trillium

5 star:		(4)
4 star:		(4)
3 star:		(1)
2 star:		(2)
1 star:		(1)

 

 

This is a branch off of a book Bradley wrote with two other authors, The Black Trillium. Haramis is now faced with the rebellious Mikayla and her unwillingness to separate from a friend. Haramis means for Mikayla to be the next Archimage, but the princess has a mind of her own. Against the wishes of Haramis, she continues to have contact with her childhood friend. With the help of her friend she learns her lessons from the Archimage, but some of the results of that contact are very unexpected and at times amusing. I enjoyed this book very much due to its plot, wording, ending and just about everything else. There are a few slow points, but the twist in the end is worth it. I highly recommend getting this book, it is one of Marion's good pieces of writing.

I think what must have happened here is that Marion Bradley and Julian May had different ideas when it came to a sequel for Black Trillum.
And this IS a sequel to 'Black Trillium, not to the other two books in the series, Blood Trillium and Sky Trillium.
In terms of the direction the series takes I much prefer the direction taken in May's sequels rather that this one.

This book focuses on Haramis needing a replacement archimage, being old, and near the end of her days. She finds some of what she is looking for in a decsendant of Anigel, however she finds her work to be cut out for her in that Mikhayla has other ideas than becoming an traditional archimage.

This is a good book, well written, but the reason why I rated it 3 stars is because the other sequels written by May fit the original story more suitably and are, I think, better.
This is a good book to read if you are a fan of Bradley's work.

Hello Everyone,

I am basing my rating on my personal enjoyment and perception of each story, and how well it fits with each of the other four books in the 'Trillium Saga'. I am also not basing my rating by comparing it to other books written by each of the 3 authors' other works (Bradley, Norton, May).

For this review/rating, I will not bump any stars off for bad service from Amazon/seller, or for any issues pertaining to the Publisher's presentations of these books.

For the record, I think the cover artist and the interior maps illustrator did a great job! FYI: I have never read any other books by Bradley, Norton, or May - either before, or since the five Trilliums, so this is my only reading experience with them.


I am outlining the chronology of the 5 novels below, because I have noted many people are somewhat confused or unaware of the series as a quintet, and some have asked what reading order, which book directly sequels this or that one, etc. I do not mean to throw any "spoilers" out here, so I apologize if anything I say is undesired.


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The series goes like this:

1990 - BLACK TRILLIUM - by Marion Zimmer Bradley, Andre Norton, and Julian May (focuses on the lives of the Three Sisters and their efforts to defend Ruwenda from invaders from Labornok and Orgastus) ** {Note: 'Haramis' was M. Z. Bradley's character, 'Kadiya' was Ms. Norton's character, and 'Anigel' was Ms. May's character}. ~ Chronologically is #1

1992 - BLOOD TRILLIUM - by Julian May (direct sequel: precisely follows the plots and characters of 'Black Trillium', although it begins 12 years later. It follows the storyline of a strange new evil wizard from the far north named "Portolanus" - who might be Orgastus arisen from the dead? Ms. May uses all 3 sisters nearly equally in the story, along w/ all other key players from the prior novel). ~ Chronologically is #3

{{{{{Observation between 'Blood' and 'Golden' --- Although written first, the saga's internal timeline of "Blood Trillium" takes place after "Golden Trillium". The issue is that the character growth/development of 'Kadyia' as written by Andre Norton, is not followed-through with in 'Blood'. This is not to say Julian May did anything wrong or wrote badly, it just implies that the 2 authors did not coordinate their character-arcs between these 2 installments}}}}}

1993 - GOLDEN TRILLIUM - by Andre Norton (very loose sequel...more of a "follow-up" to 'Black'; it can be read without reading the first two novels. Ms. Norton mentions the other sisters and events from 'Black Trillium', but this novel is 100% Kadiya's story and what she and her companions do in the time following "Black Trillium"; written in such a way that it does not contradict what would happen in the (to-be) "future chronology" of 'Blood Trillium'). ~ Chronologically is #2

1995 - LADY OF THE TRILLIUM - by Marion Zimmer Bradley (storywise, a long-term "in the future" follow-up to 'Black Trillium', but not directly a sequel to any of the Trillium novels. Bradley focuses on the latter years of eldest sister Haramis, Archimage of the Land, and her efforts to secure & train a successor. Bradley alludes to events in "Black", but in such a way that this could be a stand-alone story to read, but it is probably better to have read the others first. This takes place some 150-200 years after the closing of 'Black Trillium', so all the other characters are long-since "dead"). ~ Chronologically is #5

1997 - SKY TRILLIUM - by Julian May (direct sequel to "Blood Trillium"; this book does not make notice of anything which transpired in Ms. Norton's "Golden Trillium", and obviously, it takes place before "Lady of the Trillium" thereby rendering zero connection to both of those Trillium entries. This story again hinges on the 3 sisters, and the back-from-the-dead Orgastus, and his dealings with Denby Varcour, Archimage of the Sky. Again, Ms. May makes use of all 3 sisters...even though 'Anigel' was her primary creation/responsibility originally). ~ Chronologically is #4

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Thus, the Publishers and authors never "numbered" this Trillium Saga series. Functionally, I view it as the 'TRILLIUM TRILOGY' consisting of: 1] "Black", 2] "Blood", and 3] "Sky", with "Golden" and "Lady of..." being ancillary/companion pieces which can be read anywhere between the other 3, but most likely are best held until after Black/Blood/Sky.

*(Or read thus: Black, Golden, Blood, Sky, Lady of...)

My pet-peeve is that "Sky Trillium" was released by a different publisher, and so does no have the same cover artist or interior illustrator for the maps; it visually doesn't match the other four books. Also, "Sky" apparently is/was not ever available in the U.S. in hardcover anyway (only Trade PB and standard s/c). You can get the hardcover from sellers in UK or Australia, though it will not be the same cover artwork as the American Dell/Skylark paperback that you'd see stateside.

I had never read any of these author's prior to this Trillium Saga, and have not read any of their other works to this date. Obviously I was well-aware of "Mists of Avalon" and went into the series with a preconceived high regard for these authors, based on their respective reputations. I personally enjoyed Julian May's story-telling the most. I read Black, Blood, and Sky with enjoyment and enthusiasm, while I read 'Golden' and 'Lady of...' more out of curiosity and deference to Bradley/Norton's efforts.


Overall assessment: By all means read this whole series!! If you only like Norton or Bradley, then just read their solo Trillium volumes; if you are wanting an epic, whole world, ensemble cast, adventure/fantasy, then start with Blood/Black/Sky.


~ Scott T. Shier

I was very dissapointed with Lady of the Trillium. Though I have not read the other books in the series, I found that it was not nearly as well written as I would have expected from this superb author. It did have an intriguing story-line, but the synopsis was very misleading, for there were no real enemies trying to ruin things. It also didn't have near as much detail and it skipped from one event to another and from one year to another. Most unordinary of all, M.Z.B. didn't take the time to let you really get to now the characters. I found that this book definitely needs some work.

If you read & liked the other 3 books in this series, don't read this one. It was written as if Ms. Bradley hadn't bothered with considering the story developments within the other sequles to BLACK TRILLUIM. (Blood Trillium & Golden Trillium) There is no continuity between it and the other sequels. I was very disappointed.

I started with this book, not knowing it was a series. You can very well read it by itself, but it helps if you read the previous ones. I love this book! I also love Black Trillium. Golden Trillium and Blood Trillium are good, but they miss the MZB touch. Of the 3 authors (Andre Norton, Julian May and Marion Zimmer Bradley) I prefer MZB

Lady of the Trillium is a good read. I finished it in less than a day. Though some of the characters aren't as well put-together as others, together they make a perfectly decent story. It might help to read Black Trillium first, since some of it's events are referred to. It's not Marion Zimmer Bradley's best book, but it's definitely still worth reading

i ordered this book and another from same vender and had to pay s&h for both. i did inquire as to why and they said it was an Amazon thing. personally i think it's wrong and sends a bad message to folks trying to save a penny. other than that, the book was in nice condition and i'll be enjoying it.

Having not read any of the Trillium series, I was a bit skeptical about being able to get something out of this book. However, as a fan of MZB, I took the chance and was not disappointed. Of particular fascination was the relationship between Mikayla and Fiolon, who share a special psychic bond with each other, and the struggle of each of them to assume their respective magical responsibilities. Definitely worth a read!

Mikayla begins her unwanted life as an Archimage when Haramis says that she's the next Archimage. Mikayla doesn't want it though ... she wants the life that she's had planned. To marry her best friend, Fiolon and live her life as a royal princess.

Mikayla's resistance makes Haramis' life harder. She wonders why Mikayla isn't glad for the training she is receiving; Haramis would have killed for a chance like what she's giving Mikayla.

Mikayla finally sees that Haramis is doing something good ... but now Mikayla's life is in danger. Will Haramis arrive in time and will Fiolon remain as loyal and loving as he ever has?

This is the first of the Trillium series I have read I enjoyed it very much. Even though a lot of reviews have not enjoyed this book I think it's worthwhile and a very good read!!!