Rating: 
Summary: Girl Power
Review: Usually when you read about history, you hear about the men of the time. But in Marion Zimmer Bradley's books you learn about women who affected history. Most of the characters are fictional, but it still cool to read about people worshiping a goddess, rather then a god. Her books show the power that women hold in this world. I like all of her books about Avalon and such, but I liked the Forest House because it was nice change of scenery. So I recommend this book to anyone who believes in girl power, love, and likes to read fantasies.
Rating: 
Summary: A Tragic and Romantic Tale
Review: "The Forest House" is a very interesting book, but it simply doesn't live up to Marion Zimmer Bradley's great "The Mists of Avalon." For one thing, "The Forest House," is, at times, a bit too melodramatic and over-the-top. It is based on the plot of the Bellini opera, Norma, so that may be the reason why. While "The Mists of Avalon" was an epic, "The Forest House" is definitely more of a romance.Like many fantasies, "The Forest House" begins with a doomed love. Eilan, a daughter of the Druids, falls in love with Gaius, a half-Roman, after she meets him, of all places, in a boar pit. Eilan's father and brother do not see Gaius in the same light as does Eilan, however. To them, his Roman heritage causes him to be tainted, and they believe he poses a threat to the Celtic way of life and to the traditions that have remained unchanged since they were handed down from their ancient ancestors. Heartbroken when she is forbidden to marry Gaius, Eilan retreats to the Forest House, a santuary for Druid priestesses. Eilan, however, does not mourn the loss of Gaius. She firmly believes they will meet again and, so empowered, she enters whole-heartedly into the politics of Forest House. This, I think, is the weakest part of the book, the politic of Forest House. It detracts from the lyricism of the romance. As with Marion Zimmer Bradley's other books, "The Forest House" should not be read for historical accuracy. Indeed, sometimes the late author seems to have been deliberately vague. One example is the lack of dates in the book. This didn't bother me in the slightest, not being an avid fan of historical accuracy, but I do realize it could irk some more precise readers. What bothered me more was the authorial intrusion present in this book. At times, the many characters (there may be too many, at least in the second half), seem to exist simply to expound on Bradley's views regarding current events and the environment. Some of the topics of conversation engaged in by the characters are totally irrelevant to the lovely story in the novel. The flow of time also bothered me, however, not as much as the authorial intrusion. At times, several years pass between the ending of one chapter and the beginning of the next, but Bradley does nothing to immediately alert the reader to this fact. We are kept in the dark until either Eilan or her (twin) cousin Dieda begin a conversation. This is a plot device that is often used very successfully, but in this book, it simply doesn't work and we are often left feeling disoriented instead. Although I found "The Forest House" to be a flawed book, it is one that is both enchanting and mystical. Both Eilan and Gaius have their moments of fantasy and, on this level, the novel works beautifully. We can't, after all, expect everything to equal or exceed, "The Mists of Avalon." "The Forest House," in the final analysis, is both a tragic and a romantic tale. I think some readers will be upset with the ending, but it works quite well. Lovers of fantasy, who do not insist on strict historical accuracy, should find this book very entertaining.
Rating:
Summary: A great story
Review: I loved this book!! To complete the story read the Lady of Avalon.
Rating:
Summary: Bradley's best book ever!!
Review: Wow! This is a tale of epic proportions that I never, ever wanted to put down ... and it has become one of my favourite books of all time. Although I love the other books in the 'Avalon' series, I have to admit that this story outshines them all. The reader cannot help but empathise with the main characters of Eilan and Gaius, and their doomed love for each other, and their son, Gawen. As I read it, I felt as if I was there with them, feeling their passion, and their anguish at the way that the people around them conspired to keep them apart from their soul-mate. I was in tears for days after I had finished reading the ending! On a more personal note - as a young English girl, myself - the story also gave me a greater appreciation of my surroundings, and culture. Reading this book has made me more interested in the Roman occupation of Britain, and I am now looking forward to visiting some of the sights highlighted by MZB. Even though I wish that the book had had a happier ending, I would heartily recommend 'The Forest House' (aka 'The Forests of Avalon') to anybody who is interested in legends, romances, and historical novels. This truly is one of the most beautiful and heart-wrenching books that has EVER been written.
Rating: 
Summary: mixed feelings
Review: mists of avalon was one of the first fantasy novels i ever read and has become one of my favorite books so when i found this one i immediately jumped at it. this prequel to mists is a great stories with wonderful characters but some of the elements of the plot are unbelievable and a little convoluted. the story of girl chosen to be the priestess in roman britain who falls in love with a roman soldier and it all flows from there. but if you are looking for a passionate romance novel look elsewhere, because while there is love there is more suffering and deceit and the couple are only in a few chapters together. while i loved this book for the beautiful story it is a little akward and definetly does not measure up to mists. but if you plan to read mists or the priestess of avalon which is the next book in this remarkable series you must read this to follow these amazing characters.
Rating: 
Summary: Zzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzz
Review: This was truly a disappointment. Mists of Avalon was one of the first books I read on the King Arthur myths, and I loved that book. This one is way beyond dull - difficult to finish. Mists is so chocked full of excitement and plot, with good and evil, the characters kept me riveted. Go straight to that book and pass on this one. (...)
Rating:
Summary: Disappointing
Review: I was very disappointed with this installment of the Avalon history. It dragged and was terribly boring. I normally enjoy the author a great deal, but this one seemed more forced.I probably would not have continued reading the series if I had started with this book.
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Summary: Unabridged audio version is excellent
Review: While no longer available new, the unabridged version of The Forest House is one of the best books on tape you can find. I've listened to many on long commutes, and this one is engaging and compelling, while not being to complex to follow in audio version. I really don't like abridged books (on tape or paper), and this was the only Marion Zimmer Bradley offered unabridged, unfortunately. The story is excellent, and my introduction to the series through this audio book got me interested in the whole series. If you can find a used copy, check it out.
Rating:
Summary: Before Avalon....
Review: This book is in some ways much better than its predecessor, "Mists of Avalon." Bradley was allowed more freedom to develope her own characters in "Forest House" which is evident because many of them have more depth than the characters from the Arthurian legend, and not bound by the legend to portray cetain characters certain ways. The only defect to the story was that it leap-frogged through time and thoughs missing periods could have been fleshed out. Interestingly though, this book does seem to push me toward reading the next one, "Lady of Avalon," more so then most of Bradley's books, which I find very individualistic (stand on their own) even if they are part of a series.
Rating:
Summary: Loved it!
Review: Even though it's not the epic adventure of MOA...it is a beautiful and heart wrenching book. It gives the reader wonderful foundation for LOA and MOA and the characters though not as developed as MOA (although I wish they were!) Are absolutely amazing! I cried..laughed and learned. And I didn't want to stop reading. I read it in a day! This book is def. one of my all time favorites! if not the favorite! I will cherish the characters especially. In reading this book, I also see that the characters revisit us in the other books in this series. Although they take on different shapes and forms...they are the same...see if you can find the similarities as well. In my opinion...this is what makes the books so wonderful and why people have such strong connections with the series. Although I wish the ending was different...I know that we see the main characters in love once again...in every book.
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