BOOK REVIEW: SHADES OF AVALON by Carol Oates

Shades of Avalon, by Carol Oates
Omnific Publishing, April 2014

About the Book (from Goodreads):

Ben Pryor grew up as an average kid in Camden, Maine, unaware of the supernatural storm brewing in his Celtic blood. However, at nineteen, as the last born in the royal line of the beings that once ruled Atlantis, Ben has eagerly embraced his newfound abilities and birthright.

When Caleb, his sister’s mate, goes missing under suspicious circumstances, the prime suspect is the last remaining member of the overthrown corrupt Guardian Council.

With the discovery that an old acquaintance has been keeping secrets and the future Ben was so sure of shifting before his eyes, the situation becomes more complicated, the ransom for Caleb too high.

In the sequel to Shades of Atlantis, Ben will delve deeper than he ever imagined into the magical old ways of the Guardians, the secrets of Excalibur, and the truth behind the legend of King Arthur.

MY TAKE:

SHADES OF AVALON is the second book in this YA/NA series about Guardians, weaving Celtic mythology with Arthurian legend and modern paranormal adventure together into one tight package. I worried a little about "sophomore slump," but author Carol Oates did not disappoint. 

This second tale in the series is told exclusively from Ben Pryor's POV. He gives a slightly different perspective looking back on the events of the first book (Shades of Atlantis) as well as a more action-packed and hormone-laden point of view as the action moves forward.

He and his older sister Triona recently came into their inheritance of their powers as Guardians, a separate race of beings, and defeated the corrupt ruling Council - if you missed book one, go back and read it now. (My review is HERE.) But in the battle that ended the Council's rule, Triona allowed one of the corrupt Guardians to escape. That was her first mistake. Now Caleb is missing and their world is again on the brink of chaos.Ben is torn between the need of the Guardians for action and fighting, and his personal, deeply emotional need to keep his girl out of danger.

The twists and turns of the tightly plotted storyline will keep you on the edge of your seat as you try to unravel the mysteries surrounding their world and their connections with Arthurian legends. By turns adventurous and romantic, this is a great followup to the first book and a satisfying continuation of the Guardian legend.

Buy SHADES OF AVALON on Amazon Here.

About the Author:

Carol Oates came into the world on Christmas morning, in an elevator. Raised just across the street from the childhood home of Bram Stoker, author of Dracula, it was only a matter of time before Carol’s love of all things supernatural would emerge.
 
She began experimenting with fiction at school and keeps the notebook containing her first unpublished novel in her desk drawer. Over three decades later, all her stories still begin life scrawled on paper.
 
When not writing, Carol can be found exploring history with her son. Luckily, he shares her love of old buildings, castles, and tombs.