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Stonewylde #2
Moondance of Stonewylde
The cracks are beginning to show in the idyllic Stonewylde community. As Yul and Sylvie's forbidden friendship grows into something deeper, Magus' true nature starts to emerge through his charming façade. Ever since Yul defied him at the Summer Solstice, his power has been waning, and his mood darkening. Yul is the problem - and Magus is going to deal with him. Nobody challenges his authority and survives.Sylvie is in danger too. Magus has discovered her secret and now, for all its beauty, her magical gift and Magus' desire to possess it is putting her life at risk. As each full moon rises Sylvie is made to suffer more, and the agony she endures as her magic is stolen leaves her increasingly exhausted, sapping her will to fight back. Unless Magus can be stopped, every full moon could be Sylvie's last.As glorious summer turns to golden autumn, the magic of Stonewylde is becoming a curse to the very people it should nurture ... Are Yul and Sylvie the only ones who see the truth behind Magus' mask of kindness? Why is everyone so deceived by his charm - and why is Mother Heggy, the mysterious wise-woman the only one who will help them? The darkness of winter is coming, and as it does Sylvie and Yul's lives hang by a whisker. Either they will save each other, or history will repeat itself at the sinister standing stone above the cliffs.
353 pages, Kindle Edition
First published November 29, 2006
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247 people want to read
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June 23, 2018
Hey Readers,
How are you all? I hope you’re great!
I’ve just finished “Moondance at Stonewylde” by Kit Berry, and I really, really loved it! It’s the second book in the "Stonewylde" series. The books have to be read in order so please read “Magus of Stonewylde” (book 1) first. Here’s my review of it: http://foreverbooks18.blogspot.com/20....
“Moondance of Stonewylde” continues the events of “Magus at Stonewylde”, where our main characters Yul and Sylvie are trying to find ways to be together, without getting in trouble with Magus or Sylvie’s mother, Miranda. Added to this, Sylvie’s Moondancing is far more prominent in this novel, as the title and cover suggests.
Sylvie and Yul start to develop deeper feelings for each other, which only incenses Magus and makes him more determined to keep them apart, no matter what the cost, even the lives of them. Magus’s brother, Clip plays a bigger role here, too. He actually helps Magus torture Sylvie to get her energy a number of times throughout the novel, without knowing what he’s doing. Does Magus succeed in silencing Yul, Sylvie and Mother Heggy from telling anyone about how tortuous and evil he actually is or do they start to plan a way to destroy him, once and for all? You’ll need to read to find out!
“Moondance at Stonewylde” starts in late Spring and goes forward into Autumn so we have a lot of seasonal descriptions.
“October had come to Stonewylde and the leaves were changing colour.” is one of these descriptions, where in the second half of the book the season changes from Summer to Autumn.
There is violence, talk of sex, as well as rape, and persuasion in “Moondance At Stonewylde”, so I wouldn’t recommend this to anyone younger than 17 years old, as it might be triggering.
I was reading “Moondance of Stonewylde” for a few readathons again: 🙂.
• For Reading Rivalry, I read it for a book with a season represented on the cover because there are trees, a rabbit as well as a full moon on it. This gives me the feels of Spring, Summer and Autumn, which all take place in the book.
• For the Popsugar year long challenge, I read the book for “A book about or involving a sport” because the characters have a cricket match. There is some rivalry here between the male characters, although the cricket game isn’t a main plot point in the book.
• For the Book Bingo for June on Facebook, the prompt I read it for was to read a book that’s set in the summer, as it goes from Spring through to Autumn, as I’ve said above.
• For the Fae Readathon, hosted by a Facebook friend, I again read it for the magical creatures prompt because Sylvie is magical. When I say “again”, I actually started the challenge in May because I thought that’s when it started. I read the first book for this challenge last month, so it wasn’t hard to read this book for it this month.
There are a lot of abusive elements as well as some more mature themes in “Moondance Of Stonewylde” but if you can handle abuse in books I highly suggest picking it up, as it’s a magical, brilliant story.
Spoilers Below...
“Yesterday, the summer solstice should have been a day of glory. Instead – ruined.”
is what Magus thinks about the summer solstice, when Yul took his power. This is what starts the novel, the summer solstice having happened in “Magus at Stonewylde,” book 1. Magus wanted power, which he didn’t get because Yul took it away from him. Magus is still an evil character throughout the events of “Moondance of Stonewylde.” He’s actually even worse, if that’s possible. I hated him throughout. He’s the worst villain I think I’ve ever read about, even. I think that’s because he’s so normal and ordinary sometimes but then so not good at other times. This makes this series so good, though. I love a good villain.
“It seemed the village brat had stolen his earth magic this Solstice; Magus didn’t intend to let him steal Sylvie as well.”
This is significant because Yul, the village brat from Magus’s perspective won’t let Magus “steal” or be with Sylvie, the damsel in distress in this series, in any way. Yul has already taken Magus’s magic, he can’t have Sylvie as well, in Magus’s eyes. Throughout though as I wrote above, Sol and Sylvie still want each other, even more in “Moondance of Stonewylde,” than they did in “Solstice At Stonewylde.” This point again shows how truly evil Magus is. It also demonstrates how creepy Magus is, as does,
“Sylvie you really are the most beautiful girl at Stonewylde.” thinking that Sylvie could one day be his. Especially as Sylvie’s mother, Miranda is pregnant with his baby.
“And still no sign of your period?”
She looked up at him quickly.
“No, I’m never usually late. I really think I am pregnant.”
Magus asks the question pertaining to Miranda’s cycle because he wants her to be dependant on him, and not in a good way. He wants to keep an eye on Sylvie so he suggests that Miranda and Sylvie move up to the Halls, where the Hallfolk, the people that Magus truly wants at Stonewylde, reside so that he watch them more easily. Of course Miranda, jumps at the chance to live closer to Magus, so both her and Sylvie move from their cottage, much to both Yul and Sylvie’s displeasure.
“Now come back inside and dance with me again, my beautiful princess. I think we make a rather striking couple together, don’t you?”
Again, this shows how manipulative Magus is. He wants a child to be with him, sexually, which is sickening, although he has already impregnated Rowan, a sixteen year old in book 1, which is legal in Stonewylde.
All Yul wants is to protect Sylvie at all costs. “He loved Sylvie but how would they ever find a chance to be together...” shows this. When Yul sees Magus treating Sylvie, like she’s nothing it gets him angry.
“Yul was sickened by the way magus spoke as if she were nothing, just a commodity to be used.”
These quotes show Yul’s devotion to Sylvie as well, and not to other girls at Stonewylde, like Holly, who hates her because she doesn’t think she doesn’t acts like Hallfolk should. Add to this that Holly now wants Yul because Sylvie loves him and that Holly doesn’t intend to back down getting him and you have a very bitter rivalry. “...believe me, you will partner me at our Rite Of Adulthood.” is what Holly says to Yul when she realises she may not get Magus for her Rite. The italics just display how conniving Holly truly is. If she doesn’t get her way then the whole of Stonewylde hears about it, literally. Yul is planning to be with Sylvie for her Rite, as she’s younger than him. Every child has their Rite when they’re 16, in the world of Stonewylde. Sylvie is younger than Yul so he wants to remain untouched until she’s ready.
Buzz, the bully from Book 1, is still trying his damnedest to be with Sylvie. When she says “Leave me alone, Buzz! I don’t like your attitude or your values,” she means it. He’s
in trouble with Magus, his father for being promiscuous with Sylvie and some other girls, Yul’s sister, Rosie, for example. “He’s a madman. You should banish him not me.” is Buzz’s attempt at trying to stay at Stonewylde. He’s saying that Yul is the one Magus should exclude, not him. Does he get to stay and cause even more trouble for Yul and Sylvie? You’ll have to read to find out.
Sylvie meets Professor Siskin, a Stonewylder who lives in the outside world. “Everyone here is inter-related and Raven must have had a great deal of relations, one of whom was undoubtably your father,” is what Siskin says when Sylvie and him get chatting about Sol (the current Magus) and Clip’s mother. Raven was Sol and Clip’s mother, meaning that Sylvie is somehow related to Magus. Mother Heggy can remember Raven, as we learnt in Book 1. She stops Alwyn, Yul’s father’s abuse from book 1 by basically putting him into a coma that he won’t get out of near the beginning of “Moondance Of Stonewylde”. Alwyn severely abused Yul in book 1, and Magus tells him that although he’s now free of his father, he’s still going to be watching him and making sure he behaves. “You may be free of Alwyn now, but you’re not free of me.”
Mother Heggy has a bigger role to play in “Moondance of Stonewylde,” as she tries to stop Magus from using Sylvie to get her Moon Magic. “He’ll destroy her if you don’t stop him,” is what Mother Heggy says to Yul when he goes to see her. All Yul wants, is to stop Magus and Clip, Sol’s brother from stealing Sylvie’s power and using it for their own gain.
Mother Heggy sees that both Sylvie and Miranda have been spellbound by Magus and Clip, when you speaks to Yul in one of their clandestine moments. “Mother and daughter both spellbound by that evil pair of half-brothers.” She sees that this isn’t fair.
“You love to dance at Mooncliffe for Magus. You want to give him your magic up on that stone. Isn’t that right, Sylvie?”
is how Clip spellbounds or hypnotises Sylvie into thinking she wants to give her power to greedy Magus. Clip is a shaman, so has special abilities. Sylvie really wants to dance for Yul at Moonrise, however she’s being told to say that she wants to dance for Magus, instead. Magus even goes so far as to get Sylvie to charge eggs that hold her power for him so that he can stay euphoric throughout the month, as Moonrise only happens once a month. She says that she enjoys it, not really knowing what she’s doing. All of this makes her sick, though. This again demonstrates how evil and in control Magus is, in that he forces her to be at Mooncliffe, enchanting the Stone Circle as well as the eggs for him.
Yul watches Sylvie a couple of times at Mooncliffe doing this for Magus. He’s so furious, watching the one he loves more than anything else in the world, in the thrall to an immoral man.
“You must watch but you must be hidden,” is what Mother Heggy tells Yul before he goes to watch Magus take Sylvie’s energy.
“He’d had to endure watching Sylvie being abused by Magus, used for the man’s own gratification, and then laughed at in her weakness.” This clearly angers Yul, as Magus is again being so evil in getting Sylvie to do any of this, just for him.
There are literally so many twists and turns in this book that I didn’t see coming (I first read this over 10 years ago, so I’d forgotten them). For example, there’s one moment to do with Maizie, Yul’s mother’s, past that completely twists the events of the story. I don’t want to mention anything more, but if you want a shocker, then please read this series! There are plenty of them!
Can Yul and Mother Heggy stop Magus from taking Sylvie’s energy? Does Miranda really love Magus, as she says? Does Holly get to be with Yul after her threats? What happened to Maizie in the past? You’ll have to read the Stonewylde series to find out...
What did I like about “Moondance of Stonewylde”?
• I loved seeing Yul and Sylvie grow as characters and as a couple, even though their relationship is forbidden. I love the forbidden love trope so whenever I read it, I’m happy but I think the author did a great job of writing it here, especially.
I loved ALL of the twists and turns the story took. When I felt the story was going in one direction, it suddenly changed ways and went in another. It kept surprising me throughout just like any good book should.
• I liked how there is a clear villain in this series, or at least in the first three books. Magus is one of the most evil and manipulative villains I’ve read about, as I typed above. I just love to hate him.
• I liked how the settings continued to be described in detail. In book 1 I noticed this also and it continues here.
• I liked how slightly more characters got a main role in “Moondance of Stonewylde”. Our main 4 are still Yul, Sylvie, Magus and Miranda but Clip has more of a role here, as do Buzz and Holly, as well as Professor Siskin and some of Holly’s friends.
• I liked learning more about the world of Stonewylde. The settings are very well described, as is the magic.
What didn’t I like about "Moondance of Stonewylde”?
• Just a few moments were a little slow. As this was a reread, I knew events at the end would get me interested again.
• This didn’t bother me but for some people, I think that some of the abusive scenes carried out by Magus might be too much them, as there are a lot of them, to multiple characters and they’re quite nasty. This goes for book 1 as well, though.
Overall then, I absolutely LOVED rereading this book! It had everything I love from a sweet but forbidden romance, to an interesting setting, to an evil villain out to hurt anyone who gets in his way!
Stand by for my next review coming soon...
How are you all? I hope you’re great!
I’ve just finished “Moondance at Stonewylde” by Kit Berry, and I really, really loved it! It’s the second book in the "Stonewylde" series. The books have to be read in order so please read “Magus of Stonewylde” (book 1) first. Here’s my review of it: http://foreverbooks18.blogspot.com/20....
“Moondance of Stonewylde” continues the events of “Magus at Stonewylde”, where our main characters Yul and Sylvie are trying to find ways to be together, without getting in trouble with Magus or Sylvie’s mother, Miranda. Added to this, Sylvie’s Moondancing is far more prominent in this novel, as the title and cover suggests.
Sylvie and Yul start to develop deeper feelings for each other, which only incenses Magus and makes him more determined to keep them apart, no matter what the cost, even the lives of them. Magus’s brother, Clip plays a bigger role here, too. He actually helps Magus torture Sylvie to get her energy a number of times throughout the novel, without knowing what he’s doing. Does Magus succeed in silencing Yul, Sylvie and Mother Heggy from telling anyone about how tortuous and evil he actually is or do they start to plan a way to destroy him, once and for all? You’ll need to read to find out!
“Moondance at Stonewylde” starts in late Spring and goes forward into Autumn so we have a lot of seasonal descriptions.
“October had come to Stonewylde and the leaves were changing colour.” is one of these descriptions, where in the second half of the book the season changes from Summer to Autumn.
There is violence, talk of sex, as well as rape, and persuasion in “Moondance At Stonewylde”, so I wouldn’t recommend this to anyone younger than 17 years old, as it might be triggering.
I was reading “Moondance of Stonewylde” for a few readathons again: 🙂.
• For Reading Rivalry, I read it for a book with a season represented on the cover because there are trees, a rabbit as well as a full moon on it. This gives me the feels of Spring, Summer and Autumn, which all take place in the book.
• For the Popsugar year long challenge, I read the book for “A book about or involving a sport” because the characters have a cricket match. There is some rivalry here between the male characters, although the cricket game isn’t a main plot point in the book.
• For the Book Bingo for June on Facebook, the prompt I read it for was to read a book that’s set in the summer, as it goes from Spring through to Autumn, as I’ve said above.
• For the Fae Readathon, hosted by a Facebook friend, I again read it for the magical creatures prompt because Sylvie is magical. When I say “again”, I actually started the challenge in May because I thought that’s when it started. I read the first book for this challenge last month, so it wasn’t hard to read this book for it this month.
There are a lot of abusive elements as well as some more mature themes in “Moondance Of Stonewylde” but if you can handle abuse in books I highly suggest picking it up, as it’s a magical, brilliant story.
Spoilers Below...
“Yesterday, the summer solstice should have been a day of glory. Instead – ruined.”
is what Magus thinks about the summer solstice, when Yul took his power. This is what starts the novel, the summer solstice having happened in “Magus at Stonewylde,” book 1. Magus wanted power, which he didn’t get because Yul took it away from him. Magus is still an evil character throughout the events of “Moondance of Stonewylde.” He’s actually even worse, if that’s possible. I hated him throughout. He’s the worst villain I think I’ve ever read about, even. I think that’s because he’s so normal and ordinary sometimes but then so not good at other times. This makes this series so good, though. I love a good villain.
“It seemed the village brat had stolen his earth magic this Solstice; Magus didn’t intend to let him steal Sylvie as well.”
This is significant because Yul, the village brat from Magus’s perspective won’t let Magus “steal” or be with Sylvie, the damsel in distress in this series, in any way. Yul has already taken Magus’s magic, he can’t have Sylvie as well, in Magus’s eyes. Throughout though as I wrote above, Sol and Sylvie still want each other, even more in “Moondance of Stonewylde,” than they did in “Solstice At Stonewylde.” This point again shows how truly evil Magus is. It also demonstrates how creepy Magus is, as does,
“Sylvie you really are the most beautiful girl at Stonewylde.” thinking that Sylvie could one day be his. Especially as Sylvie’s mother, Miranda is pregnant with his baby.
“And still no sign of your period?”
She looked up at him quickly.
“No, I’m never usually late. I really think I am pregnant.”
Magus asks the question pertaining to Miranda’s cycle because he wants her to be dependant on him, and not in a good way. He wants to keep an eye on Sylvie so he suggests that Miranda and Sylvie move up to the Halls, where the Hallfolk, the people that Magus truly wants at Stonewylde, reside so that he watch them more easily. Of course Miranda, jumps at the chance to live closer to Magus, so both her and Sylvie move from their cottage, much to both Yul and Sylvie’s displeasure.
“Now come back inside and dance with me again, my beautiful princess. I think we make a rather striking couple together, don’t you?”
Again, this shows how manipulative Magus is. He wants a child to be with him, sexually, which is sickening, although he has already impregnated Rowan, a sixteen year old in book 1, which is legal in Stonewylde.
All Yul wants is to protect Sylvie at all costs. “He loved Sylvie but how would they ever find a chance to be together...” shows this. When Yul sees Magus treating Sylvie, like she’s nothing it gets him angry.
“Yul was sickened by the way magus spoke as if she were nothing, just a commodity to be used.”
These quotes show Yul’s devotion to Sylvie as well, and not to other girls at Stonewylde, like Holly, who hates her because she doesn’t think she doesn’t acts like Hallfolk should. Add to this that Holly now wants Yul because Sylvie loves him and that Holly doesn’t intend to back down getting him and you have a very bitter rivalry. “...believe me, you will partner me at our Rite Of Adulthood.” is what Holly says to Yul when she realises she may not get Magus for her Rite. The italics just display how conniving Holly truly is. If she doesn’t get her way then the whole of Stonewylde hears about it, literally. Yul is planning to be with Sylvie for her Rite, as she’s younger than him. Every child has their Rite when they’re 16, in the world of Stonewylde. Sylvie is younger than Yul so he wants to remain untouched until she’s ready.
Buzz, the bully from Book 1, is still trying his damnedest to be with Sylvie. When she says “Leave me alone, Buzz! I don’t like your attitude or your values,” she means it. He’s
in trouble with Magus, his father for being promiscuous with Sylvie and some other girls, Yul’s sister, Rosie, for example. “He’s a madman. You should banish him not me.” is Buzz’s attempt at trying to stay at Stonewylde. He’s saying that Yul is the one Magus should exclude, not him. Does he get to stay and cause even more trouble for Yul and Sylvie? You’ll have to read to find out.
Sylvie meets Professor Siskin, a Stonewylder who lives in the outside world. “Everyone here is inter-related and Raven must have had a great deal of relations, one of whom was undoubtably your father,” is what Siskin says when Sylvie and him get chatting about Sol (the current Magus) and Clip’s mother. Raven was Sol and Clip’s mother, meaning that Sylvie is somehow related to Magus. Mother Heggy can remember Raven, as we learnt in Book 1. She stops Alwyn, Yul’s father’s abuse from book 1 by basically putting him into a coma that he won’t get out of near the beginning of “Moondance Of Stonewylde”. Alwyn severely abused Yul in book 1, and Magus tells him that although he’s now free of his father, he’s still going to be watching him and making sure he behaves. “You may be free of Alwyn now, but you’re not free of me.”
Mother Heggy has a bigger role to play in “Moondance of Stonewylde,” as she tries to stop Magus from using Sylvie to get her Moon Magic. “He’ll destroy her if you don’t stop him,” is what Mother Heggy says to Yul when he goes to see her. All Yul wants, is to stop Magus and Clip, Sol’s brother from stealing Sylvie’s power and using it for their own gain.
Mother Heggy sees that both Sylvie and Miranda have been spellbound by Magus and Clip, when you speaks to Yul in one of their clandestine moments. “Mother and daughter both spellbound by that evil pair of half-brothers.” She sees that this isn’t fair.
“You love to dance at Mooncliffe for Magus. You want to give him your magic up on that stone. Isn’t that right, Sylvie?”
is how Clip spellbounds or hypnotises Sylvie into thinking she wants to give her power to greedy Magus. Clip is a shaman, so has special abilities. Sylvie really wants to dance for Yul at Moonrise, however she’s being told to say that she wants to dance for Magus, instead. Magus even goes so far as to get Sylvie to charge eggs that hold her power for him so that he can stay euphoric throughout the month, as Moonrise only happens once a month. She says that she enjoys it, not really knowing what she’s doing. All of this makes her sick, though. This again demonstrates how evil and in control Magus is, in that he forces her to be at Mooncliffe, enchanting the Stone Circle as well as the eggs for him.
Yul watches Sylvie a couple of times at Mooncliffe doing this for Magus. He’s so furious, watching the one he loves more than anything else in the world, in the thrall to an immoral man.
“You must watch but you must be hidden,” is what Mother Heggy tells Yul before he goes to watch Magus take Sylvie’s energy.
“He’d had to endure watching Sylvie being abused by Magus, used for the man’s own gratification, and then laughed at in her weakness.” This clearly angers Yul, as Magus is again being so evil in getting Sylvie to do any of this, just for him.
There are literally so many twists and turns in this book that I didn’t see coming (I first read this over 10 years ago, so I’d forgotten them). For example, there’s one moment to do with Maizie, Yul’s mother’s, past that completely twists the events of the story. I don’t want to mention anything more, but if you want a shocker, then please read this series! There are plenty of them!
Can Yul and Mother Heggy stop Magus from taking Sylvie’s energy? Does Miranda really love Magus, as she says? Does Holly get to be with Yul after her threats? What happened to Maizie in the past? You’ll have to read the Stonewylde series to find out...
What did I like about “Moondance of Stonewylde”?
• I loved seeing Yul and Sylvie grow as characters and as a couple, even though their relationship is forbidden. I love the forbidden love trope so whenever I read it, I’m happy but I think the author did a great job of writing it here, especially.
I loved ALL of the twists and turns the story took. When I felt the story was going in one direction, it suddenly changed ways and went in another. It kept surprising me throughout just like any good book should.
• I liked how there is a clear villain in this series, or at least in the first three books. Magus is one of the most evil and manipulative villains I’ve read about, as I typed above. I just love to hate him.
• I liked how the settings continued to be described in detail. In book 1 I noticed this also and it continues here.
• I liked how slightly more characters got a main role in “Moondance of Stonewylde”. Our main 4 are still Yul, Sylvie, Magus and Miranda but Clip has more of a role here, as do Buzz and Holly, as well as Professor Siskin and some of Holly’s friends.
• I liked learning more about the world of Stonewylde. The settings are very well described, as is the magic.
What didn’t I like about "Moondance of Stonewylde”?
• Just a few moments were a little slow. As this was a reread, I knew events at the end would get me interested again.
• This didn’t bother me but for some people, I think that some of the abusive scenes carried out by Magus might be too much them, as there are a lot of them, to multiple characters and they’re quite nasty. This goes for book 1 as well, though.
Overall then, I absolutely LOVED rereading this book! It had everything I love from a sweet but forbidden romance, to an interesting setting, to an evil villain out to hurt anyone who gets in his way!
Stand by for my next review coming soon...
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
September 8, 2014
Moondance of Stonewylde continues straight after the events of Magus of Stonewylde and sees our heroes of Yul and Sylvie continuing to struggle to overcome the evilness that is the Magus! :D As in the previous book the characterisation is spot on with many characters that are fundamentally decent which is used to contrast many of the characters that are pure evil! :D Throughout the book though we get to see some more shades of grey with many other characters somewhat on the fence about what is going on! :D Throughout the book you are shown many characters perspectives in addition to the main ones which you can see lines being drawn between those who support magus and those who support Yul and Sylvie in the later books! :D
Many of the scenes in the book are somewhat horrific nature and you were there you would be stepping in order to save the day and the ending is particularly chilling reinforcing the pure evil of the ruling party so to speak! :D As again with the first book you get to see much of the Hallfolk and the Villagers lives and how they contrast and dovetail throughout the events that take place in Stonewylde! :D This leads to many competitions between the characters as well as seeing some surprising mixing of the two separate groups which include throughout the book to the fact that at one point Hallfolk and Villagers actually got along a lot better with each other than is presently seen at Stonewylde which would clearly imply that some point things may get back to that assuming that Yul and Sylvie are capable of pulling the proverbial rabbit out of the hat! :D
Throughout the book the outside world also starts to subtly creepy and a little bit more which seem to be developing and I am sure will have a bigger bearing in future books! :D There is also as ever a bane of humour that runs through even when it is twisted! :D A clear example of this is the special cakes that are often served at ceremonies! :D Then of course there is the new secret ingredient is brought in from the outside world and a bit more kit to them! :D Lol
Throughout the book you can see that there are changes afoot but they are delivered in a very fluid and subtle way which you had to keep track of in order to guess which way the book is going! :D You get to see the genuine use of magic as well and it also picks up on the fact that many others have noticed that Yul and Sylvie are a little bit different to many of the other people around and that they represent a future challenge to the current the establishment! :D
Moondance at Stonewylde is full of mystery and adventure with many things been laid out in this book which are sure to have repercussions in other and the next books! :D Fast-paced with well defined characters, big events and highly recommended! :D
Many of the scenes in the book are somewhat horrific nature and you were there you would be stepping in order to save the day and the ending is particularly chilling reinforcing the pure evil of the ruling party so to speak! :D As again with the first book you get to see much of the Hallfolk and the Villagers lives and how they contrast and dovetail throughout the events that take place in Stonewylde! :D This leads to many competitions between the characters as well as seeing some surprising mixing of the two separate groups which include throughout the book to the fact that at one point Hallfolk and Villagers actually got along a lot better with each other than is presently seen at Stonewylde which would clearly imply that some point things may get back to that assuming that Yul and Sylvie are capable of pulling the proverbial rabbit out of the hat! :D
Throughout the book the outside world also starts to subtly creepy and a little bit more which seem to be developing and I am sure will have a bigger bearing in future books! :D There is also as ever a bane of humour that runs through even when it is twisted! :D A clear example of this is the special cakes that are often served at ceremonies! :D Then of course there is the new secret ingredient is brought in from the outside world and a bit more kit to them! :D Lol
Throughout the book you can see that there are changes afoot but they are delivered in a very fluid and subtle way which you had to keep track of in order to guess which way the book is going! :D You get to see the genuine use of magic as well and it also picks up on the fact that many others have noticed that Yul and Sylvie are a little bit different to many of the other people around and that they represent a future challenge to the current the establishment! :D
Moondance at Stonewylde is full of mystery and adventure with many things been laid out in this book which are sure to have repercussions in other and the next books! :D Fast-paced with well defined characters, big events and highly recommended! :D
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
October 10, 2012
That glimmer of hope I spoke of in my previous review, well that did not turn out well. There will be spoilers here as I have to talk about book 1.
Arghhhhhhhh I hate the Magus, hate hate hate hate him! Honestly it has been a while since I hated with such a passion. They is all smiles and sleeps with everyone, yes blesses the women *roll eyes*. He hates poor Yul and torments him. And Sylvie, well I shall not talk about it further since that would be spoilers for this book. But he is horrible. He is one of those evil characters that act all good and is loved by many. Hate! But he makes it worthwhile when reading, I keep hoping he will fall!
As you can get the book gets pretty emotional at times (me hating Magus mostly). There is some real darkness in this one, all cos of Magus. There is heartache, planning and hopelessness in this. Hopelessness would be the theme. I feel so sorry for them all and I wish people would see the sinister depth he has.
A good book that kept me on my toes. The end here, well, there is no glimmer of hope this time. I need more.
Arghhhhhhhh I hate the Magus, hate hate hate hate him! Honestly it has been a while since I hated with such a passion. They is all smiles and sleeps with everyone, yes blesses the women *roll eyes*. He hates poor Yul and torments him. And Sylvie, well I shall not talk about it further since that would be spoilers for this book. But he is horrible. He is one of those evil characters that act all good and is loved by many. Hate! But he makes it worthwhile when reading, I keep hoping he will fall!
As you can get the book gets pretty emotional at times (me hating Magus mostly). There is some real darkness in this one, all cos of Magus. There is heartache, planning and hopelessness in this. Hopelessness would be the theme. I feel so sorry for them all and I wish people would see the sinister depth he has.
A good book that kept me on my toes. The end here, well, there is no glimmer of hope this time. I need more.
Read
August 28, 2020This book is really good in a lot of ways. The character development in this book is done really well, making you never really sure what to think about them.
Magus is very evil and clip makes you feel very conflicted about how you feel about him. At first you like him, then hey betrays a character's trust, but then, suddenly, he becomes likeable again. He is a very confusing character as he seems against Magus' cause, but he still helps Magus anyway.
Sylvie doesn't really change much, but she also manages to keep you on edge. At the beginning of the book, you are led to believe that she is weak, and fragile; but then it turns out that she is strong, brave and rebellious. Sylvie probably fits in the same paragraph as Yul. Yul is a very strange one as well. He seems to have to most focus in the entire story, thought-wise, even though he isn't the main character. The way Magus "breaks him" leads you to believe that he is done for, but then he just proves that he still hasn't lost his spirit.
Magus is very evil and clip makes you feel very conflicted about how you feel about him. At first you like him, then hey betrays a character's trust, but then, suddenly, he becomes likeable again. He is a very confusing character as he seems against Magus' cause, but he still helps Magus anyway.
Sylvie doesn't really change much, but she also manages to keep you on edge. At the beginning of the book, you are led to believe that she is weak, and fragile; but then it turns out that she is strong, brave and rebellious. Sylvie probably fits in the same paragraph as Yul. Yul is a very strange one as well. He seems to have to most focus in the entire story, thought-wise, even though he isn't the main character. The way Magus "breaks him" leads you to believe that he is done for, but then he just proves that he still hasn't lost his spirit.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
Want to read
July 17, 2014DNF at page 42, I don't mean to say it's a bad book but I found myself unable to continue due to utter boredom. Okay, I skipped to read the ending and I was irritated that after the two MCs fought so hard in the previous book, the villain still managed to get the upper hand at the end of Moondance of Stonewylde, I'm so disappointed.
I am also being annoyed by the fact that despite of having outstanding psychic power, the heroine did nothing other than channeling her power to the male lead and . What's the point of a female character to possess amazing power if she never used it to help herself and the others? I'm so fed up by this crap.
I am also being annoyed by the fact that despite of having outstanding psychic power, the heroine did nothing other than channeling her power to the male lead and . What's the point of a female character to possess amazing power if she never used it to help herself and the others? I'm so fed up by this crap.
November 20, 2011
Still not sure whether this should be classed as YA.....but no nasty things happening this time - apart from the avarice of the Magus in wanting Sylvie's magic.....
(NB: unfortunately, I can't understand the 5 star ratings it is getting on Amazon - am I reading a different book? OK, it uses wiccan/pagan tropes which I think is new to a lot of readers, but the penmanship is average, and the story is predictable and I really DON'T think it is amazing!!)
(NB: unfortunately, I can't understand the 5 star ratings it is getting on Amazon - am I reading a different book? OK, it uses wiccan/pagan tropes which I think is new to a lot of readers, but the penmanship is average, and the story is predictable and I really DON'T think it is amazing!!)
September 3, 2012
So love these books. So dark but the world Kit Berry has created is awesome.
January 14, 2023
AWESOME!
October 21, 2023
What a wonderful second book in this series. Captivating and written beautifully. The story draws the reader in, it grips at the heart and mind. This is a spiritual read and one which is fascinating. I find my imagination searching and observing the descriptive elements of the chapters. I can envisage the scenes, the characters and the feelings surrounding the dilemmas.
This is a beautifully written series so far. I will be starting book three immediately, I must find out what happens!
This is a beautifully written series so far. I will be starting book three immediately, I must find out what happens!
October 17, 2017
This second in the series didn't grab me as much as the first and I found myself skipping through. The mother continued to be annoying. Sylvia's plight was awful, and the fact nothing seemed to be done about it for such a long time annoyed me, so I found myself reaching for a book, that made me feel - annoyed!!!
July 11, 2021
Kit Berry gave complete profile of Stonewylde in such a way tht u will have the urge to redefine the world map n find it conflicting of the fact tht it doesn't really exists.A very narrative and aesthetic feeling is involved here which makes this series quite unique...
April 12, 2019
DNF at 10%. Maybe its been too long since I read the first one but I'm just not feeling this at all.
January 9, 2026
I love everything about this book & the series. I think this is the 5th time I’ve decide to read them again
April 23, 2015
This is one of those books that you absolutely love, but is not easy to read.
Its the kind of book that you keep telling yourself, one more page, just one more sentence, five pages later.
In this one it's clearer what Magus really is, his efforts to keep up pretense has a great deal more. Of course I ABSOLUTELY DESPISE HIM at this point. And I want to take Sylvie's mother and slap her and shake her until she sees sense.
The problem with Magus is that, he doesn't exactly lie...but he does give the impression of what is opposite to how it actually is then he turn around and says " I never really said you were that special or important" and of course then all the women have to say " no you didn't" so then he's off the hook and hasn't done anything wrong. So I hate him even more!
One positive light is that Mother Heggy's magic worked and Alwyn can't hurt Yul anymore. But Magus still hates him and will do what ever he can to hurt him. He's greed shows even more, as despite Sylvie's clear suffering when he drains not just her moon magick but her life force as well, he still wants more. And he convinces everyone that Sylvie is the only problem.
Die Magus Die!!!
Its the kind of book that you keep telling yourself, one more page, just one more sentence, five pages later.
In this one it's clearer what Magus really is, his efforts to keep up pretense has a great deal more. Of course I ABSOLUTELY DESPISE HIM at this point. And I want to take Sylvie's mother and slap her and shake her until she sees sense.
The problem with Magus is that, he doesn't exactly lie...but he does give the impression of what is opposite to how it actually is then he turn around and says " I never really said you were that special or important" and of course then all the women have to say " no you didn't" so then he's off the hook and hasn't done anything wrong. So I hate him even more!
One positive light is that Mother Heggy's magic worked and Alwyn can't hurt Yul anymore. But Magus still hates him and will do what ever he can to hurt him. He's greed shows even more, as despite Sylvie's clear suffering when he drains not just her moon magick but her life force as well, he still wants more. And he convinces everyone that Sylvie is the only problem.
Die Magus Die!!!
September 23, 2009
At the end of Magus of Stonewylde, Yul has become the new recipient of Stonewylde's earth magic, leaving Magus without his unearthly powers. But Magus is still the undisputed ruler of Stonewylde and his hatred of Yul is worse than ever. While he attempts to keep Yul and Sylvie apart, he discovers Sylvie's secret - that she is moongazy, and can channel the moon magic.
As Yul and his allies struggle against Magus' cruel and unfair rule, and to follow the prophecy that will bring about his downfall, there is suffering and secrets hidden behind the high gates and beauty of Stonewylde. Because whilst the earth magic and the moon magic are positive and beautiful, there's another source of energy lurking in the dark at Quarrycleave and Magus is determined that Yul will not live to challenge him.
Moondance of Stonewylde is the second compelling book in Kit Berry's Stonewylde series, and I highly recommend it to readers who enjoyfantasy novels. Kit Berry has created a wonderfully magical world to escape to.
As Yul and his allies struggle against Magus' cruel and unfair rule, and to follow the prophecy that will bring about his downfall, there is suffering and secrets hidden behind the high gates and beauty of Stonewylde. Because whilst the earth magic and the moon magic are positive and beautiful, there's another source of energy lurking in the dark at Quarrycleave and Magus is determined that Yul will not live to challenge him.
Moondance of Stonewylde is the second compelling book in Kit Berry's Stonewylde series, and I highly recommend it to readers who enjoyfantasy novels. Kit Berry has created a wonderfully magical world to escape to.
February 24, 2013
I hated and loved this book at the same time. the book was disturbing and horrific, I wanted to put it down so many times but couldn't, it was written amazingly with stunning descriptions. the characterisation was wonderful, the protagonists Sylvie and Yul had their faults but were brave and you wanted them to be OK. Sol was the perfect antagonist, he had depth and hatred for him was created easily. the book had me hooked and I HAD to know what happened at the end, I think that the book was beautifully written, Berry had great writing skill, however I will not read these books again as they horrified me (I don't mind horror/fighting ect in books but the one sided and twisted abuse in stonewylde appalled me). I would recommend these books to people with strong will and a lot of time (they are hard to put down), I wont read the other two books because apparently they are set in the 'future' and for me the story is finished (I dislike the author trying to string out a trilogy that has already been concluded and don't think I can handle any more of the torture present in these books).
June 7, 2011
This fantastic book is a direct continuation of the story started in Magus of Stonewylde and begins exactly where Magus left off. The threats to Sylvie and Yul are still there and Magus himself is rapidly becoming one of the evilest, nastiest villains I have come across.
As before Kit Berry brings the world of Stonewylde to life with her details and characterisation making it, again, a book you can get lost in and the continuing 'forbidden' romance between Sylvie and Yul is the kind of stuff that Twilight etc could only hope to be. The cliffhanger ending had me gripped and I am glad I only have to wait a month to re-enter this magical world.
The festivals and rituals of this Pagan community are all well explained and it is good to be able to follow the year through the eyes of the villagers and hall folk.
A most excellent book, that improves on the first and leaves me wishing there was a 5 star + option for the ratings
As before Kit Berry brings the world of Stonewylde to life with her details and characterisation making it, again, a book you can get lost in and the continuing 'forbidden' romance between Sylvie and Yul is the kind of stuff that Twilight etc could only hope to be. The cliffhanger ending had me gripped and I am glad I only have to wait a month to re-enter this magical world.
The festivals and rituals of this Pagan community are all well explained and it is good to be able to follow the year through the eyes of the villagers and hall folk.
A most excellent book, that improves on the first and leaves me wishing there was a 5 star + option for the ratings
September 2, 2010
I read the first book in this series by Kit Berry "Magus of Stonewylde" recently, and was hooked after reading a few pages. I had to buy the next two. Couldn't put it down - and I love books that make me feel that I must read on to find out what happens. The second book " Moondance of Stonewylde" does not disappoint. The magic continues. There are going to be five books in the series so way to go yet!
I hated Magus right from the start, and felt very protective of Yul and Sylvie. The characters are well drawn and the book is truly magical - you quickly become drawn into the world of Stonewylde.
I recommend this book to all who like a good fantasy story.
I hated Magus right from the start, and felt very protective of Yul and Sylvie. The characters are well drawn and the book is truly magical - you quickly become drawn into the world of Stonewylde.
I recommend this book to all who like a good fantasy story.
November 27, 2011
Wow...
That was my first thought to the ending. Even though it was strong writing and plot, I actually did see some of the things happening, but I really really mad at Clip!! He says hes nothing like Magus/Sol but he's disusing his powers, that he says is a gift, but a curse to everyone else.
In the last book I loved Sylvie and Yul's relationship, but in this book I did find them quite cheesy. However I still love them...
I'm unsure if I will read the next book, as I didn't really like this one. But I loved how the author made the characters seem so...alive! Real! Only a gifted writter can do that :)
That was my first thought to the ending. Even though it was strong writing and plot, I actually did see some of the things happening, but I really really mad at Clip!! He says hes nothing like Magus/Sol but he's disusing his powers, that he says is a gift, but a curse to everyone else.
In the last book I loved Sylvie and Yul's relationship, but in this book I did find them quite cheesy. However I still love them...
I'm unsure if I will read the next book, as I didn't really like this one. But I loved how the author made the characters seem so...alive! Real! Only a gifted writter can do that :)
March 31, 2012
I read the first book in the Stonewylde series as a choice for my book club and found it surprisingly quite a good read. However, the second in the series I enjoyed even more! Oooooh, that evil magus and his dastardly deeds in his attempts to keep sylvie and yul (the star-crossed lovers) apart, made this a compelling and gripping sequel. Looking forward to the third in the series.
October 26, 2012
Another fantastic read in the Stonewylde series! Ms. Berry doesn't disappoint and picks the story up right where it left off in the first novel. I will say that she is once again the master of description, especially of the flora and fauna of Stonewylde. She is also the master of the....cliffhanger! So, I must now go and immediately get the next in the series as I HAVE to know what happens!
April 27, 2013
I thought this sounded like it would be a great read. I love this genre. HOWEVER, I didn't like it at all. It would be really good for a bit and then just slam into a wall. I do not care to get the next in the series. I am glad I didn't pay full for it. The art work on the cover is fantastic. The art work in the book is not.
January 18, 2010
Enjoyed this more than the first one. The end was a bit of a cliffhanger. These books are not stand-a-lone. You couldn't pick one up and read it without reading the one before. You wouldn't know what was going on.
August 13, 2009
Just when book 1 ends with some hope, Moondance seems to take it all away. It is creative storytelling that may get your blood boiling in frustration.
April 21, 2011
Even thought this was more of a teen book i found it hard to put down, the story line was enthralling. a fun book, and a quick read
October 10, 2011
I am in love with these books. I love Stonewylde and my favourite bits are the descriptions of the olde world methods and the festivals. I need the 3rd one now!
December 10, 2012
i ,3 this book also!
January 19, 2013
Loved this book now read for the third time - the story is brilliant - love this series :)
January 27, 2013
What an amazing book!
I was completely gripped.
It also made me meet the author Kit Berry and she is lovely!!
It is one of my favourite books!
I was completely gripped.
It also made me meet the author Kit Berry and she is lovely!!
It is one of my favourite books!
March 28, 2014
Magnus has found out that Syvile is a moongazer and has decided to steal her power every full moon but Yul has other ideas another good read all the old Pagan traditions are in the story.
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