3.5 

Lavondyss

By Robert Holdstock
Lavondyss by Robert Holdstock digital book - Fable

Publisher Description

A haunting entry in the World Fantasy Award-winning Mythago Cycle

In Mythago Wood, Robert Holdstock gave us an intricate world spun from the stories of Irish and English mythology, a great forest steeped in mystery and legend, whose heart contains secrets that will change all who behold them.

Young Tallis is one such seeker. When she was just an infant, she lost her brother Harry to Ryhope Wood. Her adolescent fancies now cause her to suspect that he is still alive---and in grave danger. Tallis follows Harry into the primal Otherworld armed only with magic, masks, and clues left by her grandfather. Eventually the primitive forest gives way to Lavondyss itself, a fascinating and terrible realm where she is forced to confront the mythagos, physical manifestations of the legends of humanity's collective unconscious.

Join Tallis on her quest into the ultimate unknown, and be invited into one of the finest and most compelling mythologies you will ever encounter.

"A stunningly good book . . . conveys the haunting power of old heroes and lost gods."
--Locus

"Magical . . . It is rare to find a sequel which measures up to its original; but Lavondyss surpasses it."
--Times Literary Supplement



At the Publisher's request, this title is being sold without Digital Rights Management Software (DRM) applied.

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Lavondyss Reviews

3.5
“I think this book will stay with me forever! Tallis, the main character, is written so beautifully in her childhood, and following the way her mind works with her stories and her rituals was one of my favourite parts of the book. She reminded me a lot of myself when I was younger, (being a strange kid myself) and reminded me of that part of childhood where you’re just living inside of your own imagination, it’s very sweet to read. Mythago/Ryhope wood is this eerie but mythical and captivating place, with such gorgeous imagery and haunting scenes that stick with you throughout the read. Again, like on the first book, the use of myths and legends layered to create this confusing but enchanting and scary world is brilliant. I really love the concept of the collective unconscious being powerful enough over the collective years to be creating these myths, exploring how they develop over time and how they’re used throughout the story is so so interesting to read, especially satisfying when it’s a myth you’re familiar with or recognise, but told in a different and unique way, which makes it feel like your own unconscious is a part of the story for helping to build these myths! I got to the last third of the book and it did start to fall off a little for me, some relationships which felt off and a bit uncomfortable to read (a bit freudian, but not to the point of dropping the book) and of course Tallis returning to the story after the ‘time skip’ made me feel I missed out on what could have been some interesting character developments and scenes, but I was quickly pulled back in for the final few chapters. The ending of this book was strange, disorienting and unlike anything i’ve read before, the journey through time and archetime was beautiful. I did feel a little unsatisfied at the ending, but I think it’s because I know there is so much more to the woods beyond the last page that left me wanting more, rather then the conclusion to this story, which was very heartwarming. Overall, if you’re a fan of the weird and esoteric, myths and legends, and a darker more raw take on fantasy, this book is a great read for you!”
“I actually thought this would become my favourite book of the year after having read the first 100 pages. I loved Mythago Wood and this book started amazingly. Holdstocks imagination and prose is next level. Unfortunately, the plot just became too weird and it genuinely felt like almost nothing happened for most of the book. I will still continue this series.”

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