The Sons of Avalon Saga is a series of Arthurian Legend novels, by American novelist, Dee Marie

Dee Marie

Dee Marie is an American novelist of historical fantasy, as well as a journalist, artist, professional photographer and former magazine editor....

. The first book in the series, Sons of Avalon, Merlin’s Prophecy, begins with the birth of Merlin

Merlin

Merlin is a legendary figure best known as the wizard featured in the Arthurian legend. The standard depiction of the character first appears in Geoffrey of Monmouth's Historia Regum Britanniae, written c. 1136, and is based on an amalgamation of previous historical and legendary figures...

, and ends with the conception of King Arthur

King Arthur

King Arthur is a legendary British leader of the late 5th and early 6th centuries, who, according to Medieval histories and romances, led the defence of Britain against Saxon invaders in the early 6th century. The details of Arthur's story are mainly composed of folklore and literary invention, and...

. Future books in the series explore the birth and life of King Arthur

King Arthur

King Arthur is a legendary British leader of the late 5th and early 6th centuries, who, according to Medieval histories and romances, led the defence of Britain against Saxon invaders in the early 6th century. The details of Arthur's story are mainly composed of folklore and literary invention, and...

 and his court.

Plot summary

Chaos ensues as Rome abandons Britain, leaving native Britons alone to defend their shores from the growing Saxon invasion.

Set in 5th Century Britain, this retelling of the traditional legends of Merlin, King Arthur, and Avalon, blends a mixture of historical fact with Arthurian fantasy.

The tale spans the mysterious birth of Merlin, climaxing with the conception of Arthur, the legendary future king of Britain. A young Merlin advises three High Kings: to fight through the bedlam, fight for the right to rule, fight to save the future treasure of Britain!

Interlacing love, revenge, mystery and murder, with a dash of humor, this coming of age adventure is a guide through the shrouded tales that embrace the Sons of Avalon!

Major Characters

• Merlin: Son of the Lady of the Lake (his father unknown). He was fostered by Sir Arden and Lady Enid in a small village in Wales. As a boy prophet, he advised four High Kings: Vortigern, Ambrosius, Uther, and later Arthur. He was the sworn protector of Britain and manipulated the birth of Arthur, and became infatuated with the nymph, Nimue.

• Sir Lot: Prince, and later king, of the Isles of Orkney. He was the leader of the Young Royal Guard. Sir Lot was an ally to Uther, and adversary to Merlin. He served three High Kings: Vortigern, Ambrosius, and Uther.

• Ambrosius: Son of High King Constantine, and middle brother of Constans and Uther. At the age of five, Ambrosius and his younger brother, Uther, were raised, in Brittany, by their cousin, King Budic I. When the brothers reached their early twenties, they regained their rightful place on the throne of Britain. Ambrosius became High King of Britain after Vortigern’s reign. Merlin was Ambrosius’ prophet, advisor, and protégé.

• Uther: Son of High King Constantine, and youngest brother of Constans and Ambrosius. At the age of four, he and his brother, Ambrosius, were raised, in Brittany by their cousin, King Budic I, until they reached their early twenties. He followed his younger brother Ambrosius, as Britain’s High King. Merlin was Uther’s prophet of war, and rival for his brother’s attentions. Uther was infatuated with Igraine, the wife of Duke Gorlois, and later father a child, Arthur, with Igraine.

Literary Reviews

• “I greatly enjoyed Sons of Avalon, Merlin's Prophecy, by Dee Marie, an Arthurian novel concerning the early days of Merlin,” Martin Millar, (author of “The Good Fairies of New York” and “The Werewolf Girl”) Oct. 2008.

• “Dee Marie knows her history and her legends well. Her novel, Sons of Avalon, Merlin's Prophecy, is a fresh, new interruption of the Arthurian Story.” Michael J. Sullivan
  Michael J. Sullivan (author)
  Michael J. Sullivan is a contemporary American author of epic fantasy as well as an artist. He cites the following major influences on his writing:...
  
  , (author of the "The Riyria Revelations") March, 2009

• “In Sons of Avalon, Merlin’s Prophecy, Dee Marie creates the beginnings of an epic series. Marie’s writing is reminiscent in voice and style to Ken Follett
  Ken Follett
  Ken Follett is a Welsh author of thrillers and historical novels. He has sold more than 100 million copies of his works. Four of his books have reached the number 1 ranking on the New York Times best-seller list: The Key to Rebecca, Lie Down with Lions, Triple, and World Without End.-Early...
  
  ’s World Without End and Pillars of the Earth.” Todd A. Fonseca
  Todd A. Fonseca
  Todd A Fonseca is a contemporary American author of Juvenile Fiction. Mr. Fonseca resides in Andover, Minnesota.-History:Todd Fonseca began writing during his college years at Marquette University in Milwaukee, Wisconsin where he received a Bachelor of Science degree in Electrical Engineering and a...
  
   (author of “The Time Cavern”) May, 2009

• “Stunningly beautiful prose, breathtaking descriptions and investable heroes. It doesn't get much better than this. I couldn't put it down.” Cari Hawks Foulk (Literary Agent, Tribe Literary Agency), May, 2010

Awards and Recognition

• 2008 ForeWord (magazine)
  ForeWord (magazine)
  ForeWord is a trade journal published six times yearly with the tagline, “Reviews of Good Books Independently Published.” The magazine is distributed primarily to librarians and booksellers to familiarize them with upcoming books from small, independent, and university presses, as well as...
  
  Book of the Year, Young Adult Fiction Category, Finalist for The Sons of Avalon, Merlin's Prophecy
• 2009 Teens Read Too, Good Star Award of Excellence for The Sons of Avalon, Merlin's Prophecy