The story was a fascinating concept. The magic tied into the elements was great. But I never bonded with the characters. The whole time, I'm thinking I picked up a book written for a ten year old. But the cover of the half naked chick suggested otherwise, so I was really confused. The writing was too simplistic with everything wrong with it. Everything that I was taught not to include in my writing was in this. Use of adverbs, similes, empty words like really, very, so, etc., even cliches. I almost considered letting my daughter read it, until I got to page 216 where their was a sex scene. Which was completely ridiculous. The emotional connection between the characters just was not there. Not only did the characters lack in depth, but the whole story lacked in tension. Take out the two sex scenes, and this is a story for a child. Anticlimactic at the end, but I could have just been so put off by the whole thing. What can I say that was positive? It was a bit humorous, with an annoying knight that kept repeating, wot,wot? I mean, what does that mean? And Nimue was wishy-washy. I thought she was a bad arse villain, but at one point, during her thoughts, she mentioned that she had never killed and was uncomfortable with killing the children of Avalon. I mean come on? Kill! The main characters were supposed to be in their twenties, but the way they talked to each other, I kept thinking of them as fifteen year olds. Oh, sorry I could not have said anything more positive. Okay, I will say, I don't read that many romances, are they all like this? Shallow, shallow, shallow, sex, shallow, sex, anticlimactic and then, the end. Sorry. ( )

Recommended by: Meredith Bond
Recommended for: Everyone that enjoys Fairytales with quite abit of adventure thrown in
Read from March 20 to 23, 2014

I would like to say a real big thanks to you Merideth for inviting me to your event, and giving me this opportunity to read such a magical fantasy.

And what a fantasy this was, you certainly get thrown into the world of magic. We get to meet some of the nicest Vallen people, the Children of Avalon and the most bravest and gentlest knight that ever lived, Sir Dagonet. The fight that he encountered was so amusing, it's just a tad bit loud but that's only to be expected.
This is such a magical world; with lots of amazing sights like flying rocks, Dylan changing into a fish because he's connected to water. Skai, who is connected to air, being able to change into a bird and Bridget whose a healer, is strongly tied to the element of fire.

Plenty of action, plenty of twists and loads of magic.
Who is Lady Nimuë and how did she become the Lady of the Lake? Who will find the fabled Merlin's Chalice first? Who will eventually be the ruler of the world of Vallen and maybe the human world as well?
Cannot wait to see what happens next to the Children of Avalon, will they survive? Will they ever find peace?

"Kisses can be dangerous, kisses can be empowering, it only takes one small kiss to be lethal"

"Love conquers all. When you are in love, you will always know how each other feels, especially if they are your soul mate." ( )

Title: Air: Merlin's Chalice Children of Avalon, Book One
Author: Meredith Bond
Publisher: Anessa Books
Reviewed By: Arlena Dean
Rating: 4
Review:

"Air Merlin's Chalice" by Meredith Bond was a beautifully told fantasy and oh what magic will appear. I found this read a very easy well written one that will appeal to any fan of fantasy giving the reader a read packed with a lots of action as well as magic. This was a good read of the 'King Arthur's Legends' featuring Scar, Bridget and Dylan descended from the "Lady of the Lake" searching for the Merlin's goblet. This will be a non stop read...once starting you will find it hard to put down until the end. Now, for the younger readers please be aware that that there will be a few scenes that are intimate as well as 'knights, sorcerers, magic and a grand quest of good and evil.' If you are a fantasy reader this one would be for you as there will be sequels that will further explain the rest of this story. ( )