title: The Book of the Cauldron (The Hallowed Isle, Book 3)
author:  Diana L. Paxson 
description: YA-This series, a vivid four-part retelling of the legend of King Arthur, portrays fifth-century Britain as a tapestry woven from richly multicultural strands. The Book of the Sword and The Book of the Spear (both Avon, 1999) revealed Merlin's secrets and described key episodes in the years of war that established Arthur as High King. Here, several enigmas are addressed, including his failed relationship with Guinevere and his problems with his evil sister (called here Morgause). Often lyrical, with frequent moments of startling beauty, Cauldron places the Old Religion at the center of the story, touching on questions of sexuality and spirituality inherent in the saga-and providing a plausible resolution to some of its mysteries. Fans of Marion Zimmer Bradley's The Mists of Avalon (Del Rey, 1985) can be steered directly to this book (the author acknowledges her debt to Bradley), though the earlier volumes also offer much to interest these readers. Others who are simply intrigued by the classic Arthurian legends, or who are fans of fantasy in general, can also enjoy Paxson's fresh take on the classic tale, but probably should be advised to read the volumes in order. Readers who find themselves confused by the spellings and usages (e.g., Alba for Scotland, Gualchmai for Gawain) can refer to helpful lists of people and places that conclude the book.<BR><I>Christine C. Menefee, Fairfax County Public Library, VA </I><BR>Copyright 2000 Reed Business Information, Inc.
zlib_text: ALSO BY VICTORIA LAURIE
  
   _Oracles of Delphi Keep_
  
  ![](Images/image00195.jpeg)
  
  **Contents**
  
  >  _Cover_
  
  >  _Other Books by this Author_
  
  >  _Title Page_
  
  >  _Dedication_
  
  >  _The Crone: City of Phoenicia 1331 BC_
  
  >  _The Dial: Dover, England, July 1939_
  
  >  _Black, Cold, and Terrible_
  
  >  _Secret Passages_
  
  >  _A Dark Meeting_
  
  >  _Madrid_
  
  >  _The Secret Keeper_
  
  >  _The Ties That Bind_
  
  >  _Océanne_
  
  >  _Consequences_
  
  >  _An Unwelcome Visitor_
  
  >  _The Serpent_
  
  >  _The Witch of Versailles_
  
  >  _The Hedge Maze_
  
  >  _Chess Moves_
  
  >  _Deadman’s Forest_
  
  >  _Shelter in the Trees_
  
  >  _Checkmate_
  
  >  _Loam of Ground No Longer Tamed_
  
  >  _Those You Leave Cannot Be Saved_
  
  >  _Ynys Môn_
  
  >  _The Mist_
  
  >  _The Tomb_
  
  >  _Endings and Beginnings_
  
  >  _Acknowledgments_
  
  >  _About the Author_
  
  >  _Copyright_
  
   _For my grandparents_ ,  
   _Carl and Ruth Laurie_
  
   **THE CRONE**  
   _ **City of Phoenicia 1331 BC**_
  
  The great Phoenician Oracle Laodamia stood, pensive and troubled, on the
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