If Ever I Would Leave You: Arthurian Stories For A New Generation
by Jessica Jarman, Bronwyn Green, Jenny Trout writing as Abigail Barnette
Release Date: 07/2014Summary from Goodreads:
SurfacingBronwyn GreenA year after Tabby Nolan’s sister vanished from the Lake Michigan shore with her boyfriend, Liam, Tabby visits the spot where the two were last seen– and finds herself pulled into the crumbling world of Avalon.
Since his disappearance, Liam has been trapped in the mythical land, with no link to the world he knew. Now, their shared memories of Tabby’s missing sister are all they can cling to as Avalon dies around them.But Tabby doesn’t want to be a replacement for her sister, and her growing attachment to Liam feels like a betrayal. As Avalon fades around them, Liam and Tabby must rely on each other– or be lost with the ancient kingdom forever.
Albion’s Circle: The Deepest CutJessica JarmanFor nineteen years, Anna has been plagued by dreams of lives lived only in legend. Finally free from the family that believed her hopeless and worthless, she’s ready to start her life over—alone.
When Anna meets an enigmatic stranger claiming to be the legendary wizard Merlin, she is forced to question the very reality she’s struggled to accept. With the mythic figures from her dreams intruding on her waking life, Anna learns that she’s been reborn to fight an ancient evil alongside King Arthur and his Knights of the Round Table.Caught in an ages old conflict, Anna is the key to stopping a dark magic that will destroy the world—and Merlin wants to make sure that this time, Anna isn’t alone.
A Choice Fit For A QueenJenny Troutwriting as Abigail Barnette
For perpetual overachiever Madison Lane, a summer studying Arthurian mythology in the Welsh countryside with professor Thomas Evans is a dream come true, and the adventure of a lifetime.Of course, the enormous crush Madison developed on the professor after a semester of his lectures at U of M has absolutely nothing to do with her desire to learn more about the enduring legend of Camelot. At least, that’s what she’s telling her parents.When Madison meets fellow student Rhys Crewe, sparks fly, throwing her plans for wild fling with Professor Evans completely out of whack—as do her unexpectedly complicated feelings for Thomas. With tales of Arthur and Lancelot haunting her every waking moment, Madison has to make the most difficult choice of her life.
REVIEW
4 STARS
Three different unique stories in one collection. I enjoyed reading these stories that has the Arthurian theme in it. Two of them are fantasy and the other (A Choice Fit For A Queen) is not. Two of them ends with an HEA and the other (Albion's Circle: The Deepest Cut) ends with a cliffhanger.
The Deepest Cut is about the reincarnation of the characters from the Arthurian Legend. They always reincarnate since they started the Circle during the time of Arthur’s reign in Camelot.
There are multiple pov but story kind of centers around Anna (Annwyl) and Merlin. In her currently life as Anna, she thinks she is going crazy because of the memories she’s experiencing and thought they were hallucinations so she results to taking drugs and cutting herself. Meanwhile Merlin has been looking for Annwyl’s reincarnation only that he is always too late to save her except this time. As Merlin rescued Anna from a difficult situation this is where their story begins, where they meet up with the gang, and to save the world.
The first time I’ve read about Anna’s pov I hated her. I wish she could have handled her situation better. When she met up with Merlin I thought it was a good change for her because she seemed happier but then another situation arises. I knew that Mordred was up to no good and I wished she listened to her friends especially Merlin but no she was a stubborn fool and look where it got her.
As far as the story plot goes, it pretty interesting and unique. I got hooked at some point and couldn’t stop reading it. But then I was disappointed on the ending --- cliffhanger to be exact but I should have expected it.
In "Surfacing", the heroine is overshadowed by her (dead) sister who disappeared with her boyfriend at the lake. Although she feels second best to her sister they have a good relationship despite the quarrels they have. As she kept searching for them, an incident happened and when she wakes up in Avalon and to her surprise Liam is alive but could not be said for her sister. Later, secrets are revealed as to why they are in Avalon and that it was no coincidence.
I wasn't much of a fan of Tabby and her decision near the end would have cost them because she still feels as if her sister is the one meant to be with Liam. Even though both Tabby and Liam are in love with each other already. This is why I'm not so much a fan of this kind of relationship although there are exceptions in some cases. But I really like Liam's character and he pretty much made up for Tabby's flaws.
The third story,I must admit that when I learned that it was going to be some sort of love triangle I checked the ending to know whom she ended up with. I felt kind of stupid because the title says it all. It's your modern Arthur/Guinevere/Lancelot and there are some qualities that are kind of the same to the modern ones. Of course, Madison would pick the modern Lancelot. But I find Madison's feelings fickle. She likes Thomas (her professor) but her heart races for Rhys too. Then, she would have a relationship with Thomas at the same time she also kind of have an affair with Rhys. Although I do get the theme of the story. I'm just saying how it is. But in the end, all's well that ends well because her relationship with Thomas wouldn't continue for reasons.
The Deepest Cut is about the reincarnation of the characters from the Arthurian Legend. They always reincarnate since they started the Circle during the time of Arthur’s reign in Camelot.
There are multiple pov but story kind of centers around Anna (Annwyl) and Merlin. In her currently life as Anna, she thinks she is going crazy because of the memories she’s experiencing and thought they were hallucinations so she results to taking drugs and cutting herself. Meanwhile Merlin has been looking for Annwyl’s reincarnation only that he is always too late to save her except this time. As Merlin rescued Anna from a difficult situation this is where their story begins, where they meet up with the gang, and to save the world.
The first time I’ve read about Anna’s pov I hated her. I wish she could have handled her situation better. When she met up with Merlin I thought it was a good change for her because she seemed happier but then another situation arises. I knew that Mordred was up to no good and I wished she listened to her friends especially Merlin but no she was a stubborn fool and look where it got her.
As far as the story plot goes, it pretty interesting and unique. I got hooked at some point and couldn’t stop reading it. But then I was disappointed on the ending --- cliffhanger to be exact but I should have expected it.
In "Surfacing", the heroine is overshadowed by her (dead) sister who disappeared with her boyfriend at the lake. Although she feels second best to her sister they have a good relationship despite the quarrels they have. As she kept searching for them, an incident happened and when she wakes up in Avalon and to her surprise Liam is alive but could not be said for her sister. Later, secrets are revealed as to why they are in Avalon and that it was no coincidence.
I wasn't much of a fan of Tabby and her decision near the end would have cost them because she still feels as if her sister is the one meant to be with Liam. Even though both Tabby and Liam are in love with each other already. This is why I'm not so much a fan of this kind of relationship although there are exceptions in some cases. But I really like Liam's character and he pretty much made up for Tabby's flaws.
The third story,I must admit that when I learned that it was going to be some sort of love triangle I checked the ending to know whom she ended up with. I felt kind of stupid because the title says it all. It's your modern Arthur/Guinevere/Lancelot and there are some qualities that are kind of the same to the modern ones. Of course, Madison would pick the modern Lancelot. But I find Madison's feelings fickle. She likes Thomas (her professor) but her heart races for Rhys too. Then, she would have a relationship with Thomas at the same time she also kind of have an affair with Rhys. Although I do get the theme of the story. I'm just saying how it is. But in the end, all's well that ends well because her relationship with Thomas wouldn't continue for reasons.
About the Authors
Jessica Jarman is an author, blogger,
and rather
obsessive fangirl. Having grown up in Upper Michigan and currently living in Minnesota, she is a Midwestern girl through and through. And wouldn’t have it any other way.
obsessive fangirl. Having grown up in Upper Michigan and currently living in Minnesota, she is a Midwestern girl through and through. And wouldn’t have it any other way.
When Jessica isn’t working to get words on the page, she passes the
time with her amazing husband and four children, attempting to be crafty
(and failing miserably), squeeing uncontrollably over her favorite shows
or curling up with a good book.
Bronwyn Green is an author, blogger
and compulsive crafter. She lives Michigan with her husband, two sons and
three somewhat psychotic cats. When not frantically writing, she can be
found helping in her youngest son’s classroom or binge-watching Netflix
while working on her latest craft project.
Blog Tour Organized by:
I too reviewed this book and I really liked it. Of course it wasn't perfect but all considered all three stories were unique even if they were about the same theme. I didn't know that the first story is part of a series, I know shame on me because it was kind of obvious from the Part 1 sign but I never read the things listed on the beginning of a book. I was so disappointed in Anna, she wasn't my favorite character by far but I loved Merlin. I didn't have a problem with Tabby, I can see where she came from with her parents never seeing her. I liked the last novel too but it wasn't a question I think who she'll choose, I liked that there wasn't a huge drama in the end.
ReplyDeleteGreat review. :))
If you're interested, here's mine: http://reading-is-dreaming-with-open-eyes.blogspot.hu/2014/08/blog-tour-if-ever-i-would-leave-you-by.html