Wed. Open: The veil between the worlds grows thin

I finished the novel this afternoon.  Well...we all know the ending, right?  Boadicea dies.  Diana put a nice twist on it, so if it isn't exactly a happy ending, it's happi*er*.

From the Afterword:

In this book...I struggled with a number of problems that the writer of fantasy is usually free to ignore.  No matter how bravely Boudica fought, or how powerfully the Druids worked their magic, history tells us that they failed....

The events in the novel are based on historical and archaeological evidence, where known.  The Claudian invasion of Britain took place in 43 CE.  Boudica's rebellion and the Roman attack on the Druids occurred simultaneously sometime in 60 CE.  For photos of some of the sites, a timeline, and further background information on how I worked it all out, and information on the other Avalon novels, see my Web site -- www.avalonbooks.net.

Diana has a master's degree in medieval history and knows how to do her research.  I have always trusted her to get the details right (and to know which historians are reliable, and which are not).

English usage is sometimes more than mere taste, judgment and education - sometimes it's sheer luck, like getting across the street.
E. B. White  

So I think I'm justifiably proud about having furthered her career -- although Diana's talent speaks for itself.

I think you'll enjoy Ravens of Avalon.  Just keep a box of Kleenex nearby once you're halfway through....

English usage is sometimes more than mere taste, judgment and education - sometimes it's sheer luck, like getting across the street.
E. B. White  

it did cool down the miserable 102⁰ days we've been having all week though....

we are expecting high temps (99-102) all week... & also storms
so if i'm not here you'll know why!

"Indeed, if a poor man will spend a year in prison for stealing out of hunger,
how high would the gallows need to be to hang the rich man?"
~The Patrician in 'Snuff' by Terry Pratchett

Poor guy got a direct hit & was blown out of his shoes.  Dead instantly.  With girlfriend & other friends still standing there as witnesses.

Don't remember anymore where he lived or whether there were taller buildings around -- I was never stupid enough to go stand on the roof during an electrical storm.

English usage is sometimes more than mere taste, judgment and education - sometimes it's sheer luck, like getting across the street.
E. B. White  

Diana has written some trilogies.  It's just...she's written many more novels than I have read.  So I'm not sure which ones anyone here is referring to.

Well, and it's about time for me to email her again -- we've lost touch -- and let her know how truly large is her fan base.

English usage is sometimes more than mere taste, judgment and education - sometimes it's sheer luck, like getting across the street.
E. B. White  

Diana and Marion were friends from the 1960s until Marion's death in 1999.  So it's not too surprising that Diana would pick up the reins, as it were.  But I'm not sure "piggybacks" is the right term -- iirc, Marion did the original "XYZ of Avalon" series after Mists was such a hit, and now Diana is continuing the series.  In her Afterword, she says that they discussed this book while Marion was still alive.

English usage is sometimes more than mere taste, judgment and education - sometimes it's sheer luck, like getting across the street.
E. B. White