The Fall of Atlantis: Web of Light / Web of Darkness

Although, The Fall of Atlantis has elements of fantasy incorporated into it, the novel is mostly just a romance pretending to be a fantasy. This is a tale of two sisters, Deoris and Domaris, who have taken very different paths, Deoris falling for a dying priest, and Domaris following a priest who is pushing into mysterious dark areas of magic. Perhaps the reason I didn't care for this novel is that it is merely a romance novel, a genre I'm allergic to, or perhaps it was because the story just meanders and doesn't seem to go anywhere. This is a novel that could have been cut in half and not lose anything. The prose was fine, but the characters fell flat. Mostly there was nothing in this story that wowed me or made me want to sink my show more teeth into. It was an all together less than mediocre novel that I would avoid.
Carl Alves - author of Blood Street show less

This is actually a book combining what were two different novels, Web of Light, centered on Domaris, Web of Light, and the sequel about her sister Deoris, Web of Darkness. Reviews claim this forms the backstory for Bradley's Avalon series. Not really. When this book came out in 1983, there was no mention or tie to Mists of Avalon within it, I only heard about such a tie when I saw reviews for The Fall of Atlantis. For that matter, the book that ties this in with her Avalon series wasn't even credited to MZB, but Diana Paxson. (And by the way despite the title this isn't set in Atlantis, but a supposedly even earlier civilization.)

So this book should stand on its own terms. And on its own terms, while I find it entertaining I don't think show more (or Avalon) it can light a candle next to MZB's Darkover books. Still, it does say something that I can still remember a book I first read in my teens decades later. I was particularly taken by the relationship between the sisters. I found Deoris, the "dark" one of the pair, by far the most interesting. show less

I truly enjoyed Bradley's "Firebrand" which took place during the Trojan War. Here she takes readers to the mythical Atlantis, but makes it come alive as real place. This time her protagonist is an Atlantean Prince caught up in a conflict between two sects of priests, the White and Black Robes. The story is fast-paced with a richly developed setting and magic system. Great for fans of historical fiction and fantasy.

The Fall of Atlantis by Marion Zimmer Bradley is the story of two sisters who grow up in the temple of light in the Ancient Land and tells about the difficult decisions and struggles they face and how their relationship is strained as they go down different paths. The story does contain elements of romance and mystery, but it is ultimately about the struggle between the light and the dark, good and evil. Romance isn't really my thing but I did not feel that the romantic elements in this story were overwhelming and I enjoyed the story overall even if was a bit slow paced at times. The only small peeve I have is that the title is misleading.

The story really isn't about Atlantis being destroyed and in fact most of the story doesn't even show more take place in Atlantis. A better title might have been "The Events Leading Up to the Fall of Atlantis", but I suppose that title would be too long and awkward. The Fall of Atlantis was not the original title though. It was originally published as two separate books, The Web of Light and the Web of Darkness, and then republished as one book under its current title. Another thing that people might not know is that this book is actually a part of Marion Zimmer Bradley's Avalon series. Originally it was only connected to the series by one minor detail that most would overlook, but then the book Ancestors of Avalon was published which is a direct sequel to The Fall of Atlantis. I would recommend this book to anyone who has enjoyed other books in the Avalon series. show less

he premise of this book was terrible. It’s titled The Fall of Atlantis, but it doesn’t even take place on Atlantis. I was expecting a story of a world unlike any we have ever known and how they got carried away with their powers, causing their downfall. It was nothing like that. I definitely think this is the worst MZB book I’ve read to date.
The characters and the story in the book were really lovely though. I enjoyed the mysticism of the magic system, and the relationship between the two sisters. I also found the sexual tension to be fascinating.

Definitely one of her earlier books. Not as well connected or spun. Characters swing between emotions and exclamation points are too frequent.

Both well-conceived and well-written, this book is somewhat melodramatic in places but serves the Avalon series well.