Rating: 
Summary: A truly captivating novel
Review: Set in the Roman era, this book tells the story of the lives of the Priestesses who lived in The Forest House, a religious compound. This book provides excellent insight into the spirituality of the Celtic people and the holidays of the Druids. This was the first of the books in the Avalon series that I read, and it really touched me. Reading this book caused me to spend many hours wondering what was fact and what was fiction since the amount of historical detail is so immense.
Rating: 
Summary: Disappointing after The Mists Of Avalon
Review: By the time I read this, I had read Mists of Avalon at least three times. This was such a dsappointment by comparison. I found whole passages tedious and over-blown in a melodramatic, soap-operish way. Bradley had such a phenomenal success with Mists, this reads as if she was cashing in.
Rating: 
Summary: Couldn't be any worse
Review: Had i been given the option, i would have given this book zero stars, or prefferably negative number. The only reason i read this book past the third page was because it was assigned by my high school english teacher. This book was terribly assembled, the characters were unrealistic, and poorly portrayed, the plot was uderly ludicrous, not to mention the climax. My recommendation to anyone considering this book is to think again. This book ruined the series for me and although i have heard great reviews about the mists of avalon, the sequel, I refuse to even look at it after reading The Forest House garbage.
Rating: 
Summary: A good book - historically interesting but at times too long
Review: "The Forest House" (or "The Forests of Avalon") is a good book, no doubt - but it is not as good as "The Mists Of Avalon", by any means. The book is too long compaired to the content of the story, but it is written very well - if not as good as "The Mists...". The characters are very well described, but not always totally realistic. The force of the book is the historical facts about the Roman occupation, and it gives a new perspective to "The Mists..." because the celtic religion is described. Also, a lot of information about the religious background of the characters in "The Mists..." is given. Should be read if you liked "The Mists...".I post this again to get it linked to my memberpage.
Rating: 
Summary: A worthy sequel
Review: Written just as well as "The Mists of Avalon," "The Forest House" was far more depressing. Heart-wrenching, even. It was a worthwhile and compelling read, however, and gives you a dose of genuine Arthurian emotion if you're craving it.
Rating:
Summary: good, but . . . the ending was the best.
Review: I read the book in less than 2 days, and foudn it very interesting. Definatley not as good as "the Mists", though. I loved the ending especially. That was the best part.
Rating:
Summary: All fans of The Mists of Avalon,stay away from this book!
Review: I read the Mists of Avalon,thought it was wonderful,and then I was overjoyed to see that Marion Zimmer Bradley had written 2 prequels.After reading the Forest House,this was not the case.This was an awful,awful book.The characters were not believable or realistic.By the end of the Mists of Avalon,I cared so much about what happened to the charachters that I was sad to see the book end.With the Forest House this was not the case when many of the main charachters died,I couln't have cared less.The story just didn't draw you in like a good story should.So.I repeat again,for all the fans of the Mists of Avalon,don't bother wating your time or your money on this horrible book!
Rating:
Summary: Interesting characters, good history lesson.
Review: I don't suppose anything else MZB writes will ever top "The Mists of Avalon," but "The Forest House" is a good story in its own right. I loved how the characters change and develop, not always for the better. I learned a lot about Roman occupation of Britain, pagan and early Christian religion, and how society functioned at that time. The ending was tragic, but any other kind of ending would have seemed washed-up.
Rating:
Summary: Drivel, pure and commercial.
Review: M. Z. B. wrote a seminal book in The Mists Of Avalon. Well researched, well written, and utterly absorbing. The whole book hangs together as a complex tale covering three generations, don't read it once, read it three times. The Forest House is a prequel leading nowhere. A promising beginning, a middling middle,... and no ending, it just sorts of tails off... The last page is not a disappointment, it's a relief - and thank the Goddess that I read The Mists Of Avalon first. I can't help feeling that this book, and others she has written in the same vein, lack the passion, the vision, and are only written with one thing in mind, to milk the market after a truly brilliant novel. Read Mists Of Avalon first and avoid all her other offerings or risk disappointment.
Rating:
Summary: Pure Beauty
Review: Bradely has out done herself with this book. The characters were so alive, all of them. When they went through their hard times I felt like I was right there with them. I cheered on Eilan and booed Ardanos. And in the end I felt the pain they went through. This whole series has been so spell binding that's it's uncanny. To think that a mere mortal or human wrote this series, is simply unfathomable. I feel they have given me inspiration and happiness among many other feelings. Marion Zimmer Bradley has made me laugh, cry, love, and hurt with her series of books, and I can only pray that there's more where this has come from. The woman behind these books should be more recognized. I hope there is a day when the name Marion Zimmer Bradley is a name that is known in every family. I would also recomend this book to anyone who likes to read Arthurian Legend. And for these people I have one more piece of advice. I read this series out of order. I would suggest that you read Forest House first. Then Lady of Avalon, then Mists. I praise Bradley for the hundreds of pages of joy and amazment she has given me. Thank you very much.
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