I originally read this series of novels back in high school, when I was deeply obsessed with the Arthurian mythos, and immediately loved Rosalind Miles’ feminist take on these classic tales of knights and ladies. To a more mature eye, her language is a touch stilted in comparison to many other books, but the slightly lofty tone takes on the verbage of mythology itself and still works to tell the story in an engaging way. This style gives readers a bit more distance from the characters than we’re used to, even though Miles uses a varying narrative perspective to explore the minds and motivations of a vast number of the characters. Most importantly, she explores the titular Isolde, Princess of Ireland and later Queen of Cornwall, and her lover, Tristan of Lyonesse. Their story is expectedly tragic (we all know the outcome that is forthcoming unfortunately), and even though we can see that in some instances it is the sheer human stupidity and happenstance that causes their misfortune we can’t help but be swept up in their epic romance. Miles grounds their story in relatively realistic family drama (taken to an occasional overdramatic height, because, well, royalty) and a wonderfully fantastic historicity that while definitely fictitious harkens back to the Goddess-worshipping days before the domination of Christianity on the British Isles. Overall, Miles tells a very intriguing and engaging tale, and I might finish a full re-read of the trilogy later this summer if I’m feeling it! ( )

This book had potential to be good, but it was incredibly predictable and over-dramatized. Would not recommend it. ( )

I wouldn't exactly say this book is bad, but it's not very good either. If you are looking for a better book about the Arthurian legend - I recommend "Mists of Avalon" instead. ( )

Before the story of Lancelot and Guenevere there was the timeless love of Tristan and Isolde...

An interesting update to a classic tale dating as far back as the 13th C. La Belle Isolde and the loyal Tristan fall in love against all odds and have to live with the consequences. Isolde is a princess in Ireland while Tristan is nephew to King Mark of Cornwall, they are separated by more than a mere ocean. Will a marriage between the two lands unite the two conutries and end the feud?

Part one of a three part series, I look forward to reading the rest. While the original by Gottfried von Strassburg will always be my favorite this is a good remake for a fun read. Tristan and Isolde is so much more fun to read than the tales of King Arthur- for me at least ;) ( )

The story of the other major romance in the Arthurian Mythology. This begins the tale of the ill fated Tristan and Isolde. They meet under unforatunate circumstances. Sir Tristan has feld to Ireland, the home of his enemies, as he is dangerously injured. While there he is nursed by Isolde, the daughter of the Queen of Ireland. There they follow the Mother Rule and so Isolde is the next in line to rule. Tristan would be a good match for her being a Prince himself.

Sadly things are not to be so simple. The Queen has her own plans for her daughter and so does Tristan's uncle, King Mark back in Cornwall. Tristan is sworn to him and has made enemies at court by those who see his sudden return as a threat to their own schemes. Looks like the path of true love does not run smooth.

I loved the romance and the drama of the tale. I really like Rosalind's writing style (I have read her fantastic Camelot series and a novel on Queen Elizabeth) and thought this was no exception. I liked both the main characters and am interested to get to know the Queen and Andred more in the following two books. My only issue so far is that the characters seem to have longer life expectancies than I thought from other tales. I am sure there will be a suitably unhappy ending by the end of the final book! ( )