What do you think?
Rate this book
The Song of Albion #2
The Silver Hand
The second in a trilogy patterned on the classic "myth" and set in present day Oxford, Scotland and the Celtic otherworld. The bard Tegid takes up the story after the death of King Meldryn Mawr. The author has also written "The Pendragon Cycle".
Paperback
First published January 1, 1991
122 people are currently reading
2797 people want to read
About the author
Stephen R. Lawhead
103 books2,754 followersStephen R. Lawhead is an internationally acclaimed author of mythic history and imaginative fiction. His works include Byzantium, Patrick, and the series The Pendragon Cycle, The Celtic Crusades, and The Song of Albion.
Also see his fanpage at Myspace:
http://www.myspace.com/stephenlawhead...
Stephen was born in 1950, in Nebraska in the USA. Most of his early life was spent in America where he earned a university degree in Fine Arts and attended theological college for two years. His first professional writing was done at Campus Life magazine in Chicago, where he was an editor and staff writer. During his five years at Campus Life he wrote hundreds of articles and several non-fiction books.
After a brief foray into the music business—as president of his own record company—he began full-time freelance writing in 1981. He moved to England in order to research Celtic legend and history. His first novel, In the Hall of the Dragon King, became the first in a series of three books (The Dragon King Trilogy) and was followed by the two-volume Empyrion saga, Dream Thief and then the Pendragon Cycle, now in five volumes: Taliesin, Merlin, Arthur, Pendragon, and Grail. This was followed by the award-winning Song of Albion series which consists of The Paradise War, The Silver Hand, and The Endless Knot.
He has written nine children's books, many of them originally offered to his two sons, Drake and Ross. He is married to Alice Slaikeu Lawhead, also a writer, with whom he has collaborated on some books and articles. They make their home in Oxford, England.
Stephen's non-fiction, fiction and children's titles have been published in twenty-one foreign languages. All of his novels have remained continuously in print in the United States and Britain since they were first published. He has won numereous industry awards for his novels and children's books, and in 2003 was awarded an Honorary Doctorate of Humane Letters by the University of Nebraska.
also write under the name Steve Lawhead
Also see his fanpage at Myspace:
http://www.myspace.com/stephenlawhead...
Stephen was born in 1950, in Nebraska in the USA. Most of his early life was spent in America where he earned a university degree in Fine Arts and attended theological college for two years. His first professional writing was done at Campus Life magazine in Chicago, where he was an editor and staff writer. During his five years at Campus Life he wrote hundreds of articles and several non-fiction books.
After a brief foray into the music business—as president of his own record company—he began full-time freelance writing in 1981. He moved to England in order to research Celtic legend and history. His first novel, In the Hall of the Dragon King, became the first in a series of three books (The Dragon King Trilogy) and was followed by the two-volume Empyrion saga, Dream Thief and then the Pendragon Cycle, now in five volumes: Taliesin, Merlin, Arthur, Pendragon, and Grail. This was followed by the award-winning Song of Albion series which consists of The Paradise War, The Silver Hand, and The Endless Knot.
He has written nine children's books, many of them originally offered to his two sons, Drake and Ross. He is married to Alice Slaikeu Lawhead, also a writer, with whom he has collaborated on some books and articles. They make their home in Oxford, England.
Stephen's non-fiction, fiction and children's titles have been published in twenty-one foreign languages. All of his novels have remained continuously in print in the United States and Britain since they were first published. He has won numereous industry awards for his novels and children's books, and in 2003 was awarded an Honorary Doctorate of Humane Letters by the University of Nebraska.
also write under the name Steve Lawhead
Ratings & Reviews
Friends & Following
Create a free account to discover what your friends think of this book!
Community Reviews
Displaying 1 - 30 of 240 reviews
April 6, 2021
Book 2 in The Song of Albion series published 1991
A recommended 4 star read
For some time now I’ve been re-visiting my youthful fascination for all things fantasy and for the most part have been left wondering why I used to be so enamoured with the genre.
Well The Silver Hand has just reminded me why I became so engrossed with all things magic.
A world, in this case Albion, where your ability to survive and to help others for the greater good was more important than your gender, colour, race, sexual orientation or any of the other thing that we in real world deem important. A world where good will always prevail. In short, a land where anything is possible.
This is a fantasy of course but it gives you a taste of what could be.
So, I have to say, that I really enjoyed my time in Albion. For a few hours each day I was able to escape the riggers of this modern world and enjoy a little fantasy.
Such is the power of books.
A recommended 4 star read
For some time now I’ve been re-visiting my youthful fascination for all things fantasy and for the most part have been left wondering why I used to be so enamoured with the genre.
Well The Silver Hand has just reminded me why I became so engrossed with all things magic.
A world, in this case Albion, where your ability to survive and to help others for the greater good was more important than your gender, colour, race, sexual orientation or any of the other thing that we in real world deem important. A world where good will always prevail. In short, a land where anything is possible.
This is a fantasy of course but it gives you a taste of what could be.
So, I have to say, that I really enjoyed my time in Albion. For a few hours each day I was able to escape the riggers of this modern world and enjoy a little fantasy.
Such is the power of books.
September 20, 2010
I finally finished this, and am SOOOO glad I did. <3 It was really, REALLY good. Very vivid landscapes, and amazing characters. I was mad at first because the main character from the first book, Lewis, ISN'T the main charrie here. Tegid is, and he's *mild spoilers* blind through most of the story. But it actually adds a different view on Lewis's personality, adding to his personality, and it's interesting going from the view of a blind man. And there are twists to his blindness.
Simon was my first favorite, and then I started getting attached to Llew/Lewis. Although, I didn't find my TRUE attachment to him until this book. Poor man; he doesn't get it easy in this book. This plus the new 3rd person perspective adds so much to who he is.
Simon/Siawn Hy... O.o What the...? I have interesting emotions surrounding him, not to mention, he's essentially me as a man. :/
Well, it was hardly difficult to guess what would happen, but the story was amazing anyway. How the end comes to be is the real reason to read.
If you're alright with the occasionally mature/violent material, I completely recommend this book. *nodnod*
Simon was my first favorite, and then I started getting attached to Llew/Lewis. Although, I didn't find my TRUE attachment to him until this book. Poor man; he doesn't get it easy in this book. This plus the new 3rd person perspective adds so much to who he is.
Simon/Siawn Hy... O.o What the...? I have interesting emotions surrounding him, not to mention, he's essentially me as a man. :/
Well, it was hardly difficult to guess what would happen, but the story was amazing anyway. How the end comes to be is the real reason to read.
If you're alright with the occasionally mature/violent material, I completely recommend this book. *nodnod*
did-not-finish
January 1, 2024DNF @ 33%
Don't careee
Don't careee
January 9, 2012
The Silver Hand continues the story of Lewis Gillies, now called Llew a name he earned by noble deeds, and his task righting two worlds that are tied together. Prince Meldron, goaded on by Simon's treacherous words, is seizing all of Albion for himself, and bringing destruction and cruelty wherever he goes. His only quest now, however, is to slay Llew and assert his false claim to the kingship.
It is through the vision of Tegid the bard that we see these events happening. He has his own personal path to fulfill and that is to see Llew as rightful king of Albion. When the two friends are viciously maimed, he still keeps up his hope that Llew will be king, despite the fact that a king must be without blemish.
Also despite their wounds, Llew and Tegid strive to build something out of a vision. Tegid has seen a large city built on the waters of the lake that he and Llew have come to call home. They begin to create the vision in reality, and it is not long before they are joined by many who were driven away by the wicked Prince Meldron. The renown of their vision spreads, and it is not long before there are two groups in Albion. Those with Llew and those coerced to serve the Prince and it is not long before the Prince makes his way to Llew's northern stronghold.
Battle is made. Tegid struggles to make sense of things that have been floating on the edge of his mind, knowing that the culmination of these thoughts could be a deciding factor in the fight. When the battle is lost and all hope has been destroyed, the hope is reborn by the emergence of a silver hand. The Silver Hand
The second book in The Song of Albion Trilogy, I was enthralled with the story for the whole day, and stayed up late into the night to finish. After saying that, at this point in my journey through the trilogy I will say that while I enjoyed this second book, I would rank the first book first in a list. As I also mentioned in my review of The Paradise War, I would certainly not recommend this book for younger readers. It is an intense world, full of intense happenings. While I think that much of what is portrayed is more realistic than what is often portrayed, there were some moments where I felt the events could have been a little more subtly told.
Stephen Lawhead skillfully weaves words together to hold the reader's attention throughout the novel. The only sections that leapt through were the songs and verse, which is my own fault. On the whole, I enjoyed this book greatly, and am excited to read the third installment!
It is through the vision of Tegid the bard that we see these events happening. He has his own personal path to fulfill and that is to see Llew as rightful king of Albion. When the two friends are viciously maimed, he still keeps up his hope that Llew will be king, despite the fact that a king must be without blemish.
Also despite their wounds, Llew and Tegid strive to build something out of a vision. Tegid has seen a large city built on the waters of the lake that he and Llew have come to call home. They begin to create the vision in reality, and it is not long before they are joined by many who were driven away by the wicked Prince Meldron. The renown of their vision spreads, and it is not long before there are two groups in Albion. Those with Llew and those coerced to serve the Prince and it is not long before the Prince makes his way to Llew's northern stronghold.
Battle is made. Tegid struggles to make sense of things that have been floating on the edge of his mind, knowing that the culmination of these thoughts could be a deciding factor in the fight. When the battle is lost and all hope has been destroyed, the hope is reborn by the emergence of a silver hand. The Silver Hand
The second book in The Song of Albion Trilogy, I was enthralled with the story for the whole day, and stayed up late into the night to finish. After saying that, at this point in my journey through the trilogy I will say that while I enjoyed this second book, I would rank the first book first in a list. As I also mentioned in my review of The Paradise War, I would certainly not recommend this book for younger readers. It is an intense world, full of intense happenings. While I think that much of what is portrayed is more realistic than what is often portrayed, there were some moments where I felt the events could have been a little more subtly told.
Stephen Lawhead skillfully weaves words together to hold the reader's attention throughout the novel. The only sections that leapt through were the songs and verse, which is my own fault. On the whole, I enjoyed this book greatly, and am excited to read the third installment!
May 9, 2024
In. Cred. Ible.
The Silver Hand picks right up where The Paradise War ended, and takes the story further than I expected. It's deeper, darker, and more intense, while still being a beautiful tale with great themes and great characters. The decision to switch perspectives is a bit jarring at first, but it ends up working really well.
I don't want to leave this world, but I also can't wait to finish this amazing series!
The Silver Hand picks right up where The Paradise War ended, and takes the story further than I expected. It's deeper, darker, and more intense, while still being a beautiful tale with great themes and great characters. The decision to switch perspectives is a bit jarring at first, but it ends up working really well.
I don't want to leave this world, but I also can't wait to finish this amazing series!
August 28, 2018
Tragic. Brutal. Dark. Masterful.
Very satisfying ending (for a midway book) but justice still has ways to go (R.I.P. Ynys Sci).
> The Endless Knot.
Very satisfying ending (for a midway book) but justice still has ways to go (R.I.P. Ynys Sci).
> The Endless Knot.
October 25, 2021
Followig on the heels of my re-read of The Paradise War, the second book in the Song of Albion has a better flow to it than the first book, and the genericness of the first book's many tropes are lessened here, though still present in a couple of places.
Lawhead's signature flowing narrative is present; he's an easy author to read, in that his work is fast-paced and always pushing forward. I like to consider this "lean" writing, in the sense that there's not a lot of wasted fat on the bones. It's just good dialogue and description pushing things forward.
There's a lot more violence in this book compared to the first, and the stakes are a lot higher. It takes a bit of adjusting to get used to the new POV, since we're in Tegid's shoes this time around, not those of Lewis, but the result is a glimpse inside the more mystical side of Albion compared to the first entry into the series.
All in all, a solid read. On to the next!
Lawhead's signature flowing narrative is present; he's an easy author to read, in that his work is fast-paced and always pushing forward. I like to consider this "lean" writing, in the sense that there's not a lot of wasted fat on the bones. It's just good dialogue and description pushing things forward.
There's a lot more violence in this book compared to the first, and the stakes are a lot higher. It takes a bit of adjusting to get used to the new POV, since we're in Tegid's shoes this time around, not those of Lewis, but the result is a glimpse inside the more mystical side of Albion compared to the first entry into the series.
All in all, a solid read. On to the next!
May 15, 2011
Great premise! A lot more suspenseful than the first book--especially towards the end. And I like that we get the bard's POV in this one--he's blind! The scene with Meldron was so well written--I thought he wasn't really going to hurt them, but he actually did--which was brilliant! [I swear I'm not a sadist, I just liked that it defied my expectations!]
I didn't like the cop out with cutting Llew's hand off and then letting him have it back...same with blinding Tegid and then giving him his sight back--kind of lame and ruined the ending a little for me
And what is with Llew's relationship with Goewyn? Their development got all of two lines in the first book and now they're in love? What? I get wanting to focus on the actual plot, but I feel like Goewyn is nothing but an accessory/prize at this point--her characterization is completely flat.
I didn't like the cop out with cutting Llew's hand off and then letting him have it back...same with blinding Tegid and then giving him his sight back--kind of lame and ruined the ending a little for me
And what is with Llew's relationship with Goewyn? Their development got all of two lines in the first book and now they're in love? What? I get wanting to focus on the actual plot, but I feel like Goewyn is nothing but an accessory/prize at this point--her characterization is completely flat.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
January 30, 2019
If you loved the prose and detailed fantasy world of the first book in this series, be pleased to know this second book contains more of the same. Although the point-of-view character switches to the bard, Tegid, the story continues to be about Lewis/Llew, and the style continues to be about the same.
In this book, Lewis has to deal with Prince Meldron, who has ascended to the thrown, with Simon/Slawn at his side.
Quite a bit of violence on the part of the evil prince and his fellows, so not for younger readers, but appropriate for older teens. Certainly a must read if one has read The Paradise Wars, but not a stand-alone book, needs to be read in the context of the series.
In this book, Lewis has to deal with Prince Meldron, who has ascended to the thrown, with Simon/Slawn at his side.
Quite a bit of violence on the part of the evil prince and his fellows, so not for younger readers, but appropriate for older teens. Certainly a must read if one has read The Paradise Wars, but not a stand-alone book, needs to be read in the context of the series.
August 31, 2022
Brutal story but outstanding. This is Lawhead at his finest.
November 7, 2024
Thoughts upon second read:
I love how we get to see the character of Llew and the world of Albion through Tegid’s perspective in this book. For the reader, it deepens the understanding of Llew and sets up for the conclusion of the last book.
There are so many layers to this story, and Stephen Lawhead is underrated. More people should be obsessed with these books.
I love how we get to see the character of Llew and the world of Albion through Tegid’s perspective in this book. For the reader, it deepens the understanding of Llew and sets up for the conclusion of the last book.
There are so many layers to this story, and Stephen Lawhead is underrated. More people should be obsessed with these books.
November 17, 2024
This series has such rich imagery and meaning as evil is seemingly victorious for a season in Albion. Yet the faithful press onward doing what they can to combat the overwhelming forces of darkness and death in the land.
This installment dragged in places, but that added to the sense of dread and despair of its theme. I still walked with the characters and reveled in the final ending.
This installment dragged in places, but that added to the sense of dread and despair of its theme. I still walked with the characters and reveled in the final ending.
April 1, 2018
The best of the trilogy.
November 4, 2024
Re-read from the 90's when I first read it. Solid 4/5 enjoying the Welsh) Celtic feel and spiritual feel.
January 29, 2025
Utterly blown away by this series... could not put it down.
July 22, 2023
Just a really phenomenal book
July 17, 2018
The pace slows down in this, the second of the trilogy, or seems to, but when things speed up, they really shock, stun and leave you in need of a rest. I was moved to tears more than once, was shaken more than once and intrigued frequently. And I've read this book before, albeit a good quarter century ago!
There are only a handful of books that come along in a lifetime you can pick up and read again so many years later and read with equal fascination. There was much I didn't remember, but I'm not exactly trying to because I don't want to spoil it for myself! The Song of Albion trilogy is both exactly the same and completely different after 25 years.
It's interesting to read the trilogy again so many years later and take so much more from it on second reading. I certainly recommend you hold on to it and revisit much further down the line to see how differently it affects you - the accessibility doesn't change, but our level of appreciation does.
It's an intricate story with a mystical overtone, keeping its eye firmly fixed on the hero myths and legends of ancient times whilst never pretending to be any such thing. That much I had remembered.
The rich and vivid detail I'd remembered was an important part, but not so much that I knew what was coming, except where the tale itself prompts us to think we're one step ahead. It's cleverly done, sowing seeds of answers, but no sooner do we think we're ahead than the protagonists discover what we're willing them to.
I can't fault this trilogy and never could. In my youth, it inspired a great deal in me. In my 40s it appeals on a whole new level. I find myself smiling at beautifully crafted sentences, laughing at banter between characters, crying at poignant moments and gripping my Kindle so hard I could snap it with the tension at others. At no point did I want to put The Silver Hand down.
Highly recommended!
There are only a handful of books that come along in a lifetime you can pick up and read again so many years later and read with equal fascination. There was much I didn't remember, but I'm not exactly trying to because I don't want to spoil it for myself! The Song of Albion trilogy is both exactly the same and completely different after 25 years.
It's interesting to read the trilogy again so many years later and take so much more from it on second reading. I certainly recommend you hold on to it and revisit much further down the line to see how differently it affects you - the accessibility doesn't change, but our level of appreciation does.
It's an intricate story with a mystical overtone, keeping its eye firmly fixed on the hero myths and legends of ancient times whilst never pretending to be any such thing. That much I had remembered.
The rich and vivid detail I'd remembered was an important part, but not so much that I knew what was coming, except where the tale itself prompts us to think we're one step ahead. It's cleverly done, sowing seeds of answers, but no sooner do we think we're ahead than the protagonists discover what we're willing them to.
I can't fault this trilogy and never could. In my youth, it inspired a great deal in me. In my 40s it appeals on a whole new level. I find myself smiling at beautifully crafted sentences, laughing at banter between characters, crying at poignant moments and gripping my Kindle so hard I could snap it with the tension at others. At no point did I want to put The Silver Hand down.
Highly recommended!
April 16, 2019
Somewhat predictable but enjoyable nonetheless. Since the first book was told from Llew’s perspective it was a little difficult for me to get use to this book being told from Tegid’s perspective. Overall I am enjoying this series. I would say it is kind of a cross between Chronicles of Narnia and Lord of the Rings. This series does have some graphic violence but no sexual content (at least not in the first two books) which I appreciate. The series also has some subtle parallels to Christianity. I’m looking forward to reading the conclusion in The Endless Knot.
April 16, 2009
So many times a sequel doesn't satisfy, but this one does. Lawhead's story is interesting and exciting, and extremely well-written. I'm learning a lot about ancient celtic culture, too. He's done his research well.
Read more Stephen Lawhead book reviews at Fantasy literature.
Read more Stephen Lawhead book reviews at Fantasy literature.
November 21, 2021
Almost gave this a 1/5.
The sole reason is you have this great writing that keeps being smacked down by Lewis insisting he needs to bring Simon back and all will be good.
Just can't believe someone who has seen and felt and changed as much as Lewis has is still so 1 dimensional to focus on this like a 5 year old.
The sole reason is you have this great writing that keeps being smacked down by Lewis insisting he needs to bring Simon back and all will be good.
Just can't believe someone who has seen and felt and changed as much as Lewis has is still so 1 dimensional to focus on this like a 5 year old.
October 6, 2014
This is, in my opinion one of Stephen Lawhead's best series. This was my third reading of Silver Hand, last years 10 years ago, and it was still just as captivating. If you like Celtic lore check out. The Song of Albion trilogy.
December 22, 2016
I love that there was a strong blind character. I liked the little community their lake town created. I didn't like the ending. I didn't like that two main characters were crippled. And I don't like that they brought more people from Earth to the realm.
May 21, 2012
Major step down from the first novel
April 14, 2015
Thoroughly enjoying this trilogy. Book #2 was so good I couldn't put it down, which means I read it in mostly one sitting with only breaks for laundry duty. Looking forward to #3!
November 25, 2017
Better than the first book, which was amazing. S. Lawhead is my new favorite author.
September 25, 2024
Having enjoyed the opening novel to Stephen Lawhead’s “Song of Albion” trilogy far more than I had enjoyed any of his “Dragon King Saga”, I was happy to have the second novel available to immediately continue with. It was far better written than that earlier work and had more engaging characters as well as better pacing
Carrying on immediately from the events of “The Paradise War”, this second novel, “The Silver Hand” takes up the story of the bard Tegid and his growing friendship with Llew, who was Lewis in our world, but is now fully established in Albion. So established, in fact, that Tegid has determined that he will be the new King after Meldryn Mawr, a decision that does not sit well with Prince Meldron, who has been told by Siawn Hy, formerly Simon, that he is entitled to the throne, but Tegid has seen him treat the King with a lack of respect that shows he is not deserving to rule.
After the two men escape from captivity, Prince Meldron takes his revenge on all who may assist them, committing a mass murder of all the remaining bards so that there are none to speak out against his rule. He then removes sight from Tegid and a hand from Llew, as a man with such a blemish could never be King and sets both adrift in a boat so that the seas will kill them and he will be blameless. However, the prophecy of Albion has not finished with either men and through the assistance of both men and gods, the survive and start to rebuild not only themselves, but Albion.
As good as the previous novel was, this one was even better, although it was a tougher read in some ways. For one thing, the writing is improved and this is helped by the story being told almost entirely by Tegid using a first-person narrative. As Tegid spends much of the novel without his eyesight, he is restricted on how much he can see and has to experience events differently from everyone else. This is a brave decision the part of the author, but he writes this different approach incredibly well and it doesn’t take much adjustment on the part of the reader.
There is also a heart of cooperation in the novel which is rare to find, as whilst fantasy frequently has stories of companions on a quest and they work together, it’s not often focussed on collaborating over a new home. When this is combined with characters who are well written and have a plausible backstory and motivation, it gives the story a new heart and direction which are incredibly welcome. Despite parts of the plot being rather static, it also means that there is always something going on and the pace of the novel is surprisingly high considering how the story progresses at points.
This does lead to the one difficulty in the novel, in that the antagonists are particularly nasty people. Whilst their portrayal as such is again very well written, it does make for some disturbing scenes as they commit several atrocities and as you’ve become engaged with the characters, this feels the worse for that. It’s a technique that has made Stephen King’s writing so effective for many years, in making you care about the characters before visiting unspeakable horrors on them and whilst Lawhead isn’t that kind of writer, it does make for some disturbing moments.
Perhaps another minor issue is that you do need to have read “The Paradise War” to fully appreciate the events of “The Silver Hand”, as there is no introduction to the world of Albion, as there are no newcomers in this novel. But what there is here is a well-written novel with a fast-moving plot and characters you can genuinely care about before long. It has a slightly darker undertone than many fantasy novels in some ways, as the antagonists can be deliberately cruel, but there is a good heart that counterbalances this and it makes for what is overall a great read.
Carrying on immediately from the events of “The Paradise War”, this second novel, “The Silver Hand” takes up the story of the bard Tegid and his growing friendship with Llew, who was Lewis in our world, but is now fully established in Albion. So established, in fact, that Tegid has determined that he will be the new King after Meldryn Mawr, a decision that does not sit well with Prince Meldron, who has been told by Siawn Hy, formerly Simon, that he is entitled to the throne, but Tegid has seen him treat the King with a lack of respect that shows he is not deserving to rule.
After the two men escape from captivity, Prince Meldron takes his revenge on all who may assist them, committing a mass murder of all the remaining bards so that there are none to speak out against his rule. He then removes sight from Tegid and a hand from Llew, as a man with such a blemish could never be King and sets both adrift in a boat so that the seas will kill them and he will be blameless. However, the prophecy of Albion has not finished with either men and through the assistance of both men and gods, the survive and start to rebuild not only themselves, but Albion.
As good as the previous novel was, this one was even better, although it was a tougher read in some ways. For one thing, the writing is improved and this is helped by the story being told almost entirely by Tegid using a first-person narrative. As Tegid spends much of the novel without his eyesight, he is restricted on how much he can see and has to experience events differently from everyone else. This is a brave decision the part of the author, but he writes this different approach incredibly well and it doesn’t take much adjustment on the part of the reader.
There is also a heart of cooperation in the novel which is rare to find, as whilst fantasy frequently has stories of companions on a quest and they work together, it’s not often focussed on collaborating over a new home. When this is combined with characters who are well written and have a plausible backstory and motivation, it gives the story a new heart and direction which are incredibly welcome. Despite parts of the plot being rather static, it also means that there is always something going on and the pace of the novel is surprisingly high considering how the story progresses at points.
This does lead to the one difficulty in the novel, in that the antagonists are particularly nasty people. Whilst their portrayal as such is again very well written, it does make for some disturbing scenes as they commit several atrocities and as you’ve become engaged with the characters, this feels the worse for that. It’s a technique that has made Stephen King’s writing so effective for many years, in making you care about the characters before visiting unspeakable horrors on them and whilst Lawhead isn’t that kind of writer, it does make for some disturbing moments.
Perhaps another minor issue is that you do need to have read “The Paradise War” to fully appreciate the events of “The Silver Hand”, as there is no introduction to the world of Albion, as there are no newcomers in this novel. But what there is here is a well-written novel with a fast-moving plot and characters you can genuinely care about before long. It has a slightly darker undertone than many fantasy novels in some ways, as the antagonists can be deliberately cruel, but there is a good heart that counterbalances this and it makes for what is overall a great read.
March 29, 2024
Lawhead’s pen keeps singing! (5 stars)
Lawhead continues his stunning “Song of Albion” series with this terrific sequel to “The Paradise War”. But unlike the story of the first book, in “The Silver Hand” the modern world doesn’t really enter the picture, and all the focus is on events in the other world of Albion. After the cruel murder of Meldryn Mawr, Llew (student Lewis Gillies in the real world) is chosen by the bard Tegid Tathal as the new king. But Llew’s kingship is challenged by Meldryn’s son Meldron, who is allied with the king’s former champion Paladyr and Llew’s former friend Siawn (Simon in the real world). After Meldron slaughters Albion’s bards, all of Albion is threatened by his rebellion, enslaved by his depraved desire for dominion, and plunged into civil war. Left for dead by Melron, Llew and Tegid regroup and build Dinas Dwr, a city on a lake, to where the faithful remnant of Albion come and pledge their allegiance. Will Llew prevail and will the true kingdom be restored over against the evil that threatens it?
While the first book in the series was narrated by Llew, this novel sees a disturbing shift in perspective as the bard Tegid assumes the role of narrator. This inexplicable shift takes some getting used to, as we have identified with Llew and grown to love him and see the other world through his eyes, but in the end it doesn’t detract from the story.
Once again this novel bears all the hallmarks of good literature: articulate language, imaginative worlds, mystery and suspense, fairy-tale magic, noble kings and princesses, and enduring themes of justice, sovereignty, truth and right. Lawhead creates a fantastic atmosphere similar to the 1001 Arabian Nights, but on a grander and more glorious scale. While fantastic fiction, the passions of sorrow and joy Lawhead arouses with his story are very real. Lawhead has the ability to draw a reader to heights of joy and exuberance, and dash them to the depths of tragedy and tears. Few writers can make readers cry with joy or with sorrow, but Lawhead is certainly one in this class. There are depths of sadness that make you weep, and heights of glory that make you cry out! The moment when Llew’s hand is cut off, and Tegid is blinded stands out as a striking example of literary fiction with the power to create passion.
Just as he did with the previous book, Lawhead draws on much Biblical imagery, as the following allusions illustrate: The Psalms: “The Goodly-Wise heard our song and reached down with his Swift Sure Hand and plucked us out of the sea - and out of the grave Meldron intended.” (p93); God’s providence: “there surged within me a sudden conviction that we had been led to this place; the Goodly-Wise had directed our steps.” (p100); The sabbath rest: “In my world, people are granted a day of rest from their labours - one day in every seven. In past times it was a jealously guarded gift, though now it is no longer recognized as such.” (p192); The meeting of the three Old Testament strands of prophet, priest and king in a Messiah figure: “Prydain, Meldryn Mawr, Ollathir, in these three did the essence of Albion reside. And now these three strands met in one person: Llew” (p344); Dependence on God: “I raised my staff as they passed and called upon the Swift Sure Hand to uphold them through the fight; I invoked the Goodly-Wise to guide their steps; I entreated the Gifting Giver to grant them the victory.” (p351)
All in all, it’s classic Lawhead, a thoroughly worthy sequel as the magnificent Song of Albion continues! Lawhead, please keep that pen singing!
Lawhead continues his stunning “Song of Albion” series with this terrific sequel to “The Paradise War”. But unlike the story of the first book, in “The Silver Hand” the modern world doesn’t really enter the picture, and all the focus is on events in the other world of Albion. After the cruel murder of Meldryn Mawr, Llew (student Lewis Gillies in the real world) is chosen by the bard Tegid Tathal as the new king. But Llew’s kingship is challenged by Meldryn’s son Meldron, who is allied with the king’s former champion Paladyr and Llew’s former friend Siawn (Simon in the real world). After Meldron slaughters Albion’s bards, all of Albion is threatened by his rebellion, enslaved by his depraved desire for dominion, and plunged into civil war. Left for dead by Melron, Llew and Tegid regroup and build Dinas Dwr, a city on a lake, to where the faithful remnant of Albion come and pledge their allegiance. Will Llew prevail and will the true kingdom be restored over against the evil that threatens it?
While the first book in the series was narrated by Llew, this novel sees a disturbing shift in perspective as the bard Tegid assumes the role of narrator. This inexplicable shift takes some getting used to, as we have identified with Llew and grown to love him and see the other world through his eyes, but in the end it doesn’t detract from the story.
Once again this novel bears all the hallmarks of good literature: articulate language, imaginative worlds, mystery and suspense, fairy-tale magic, noble kings and princesses, and enduring themes of justice, sovereignty, truth and right. Lawhead creates a fantastic atmosphere similar to the 1001 Arabian Nights, but on a grander and more glorious scale. While fantastic fiction, the passions of sorrow and joy Lawhead arouses with his story are very real. Lawhead has the ability to draw a reader to heights of joy and exuberance, and dash them to the depths of tragedy and tears. Few writers can make readers cry with joy or with sorrow, but Lawhead is certainly one in this class. There are depths of sadness that make you weep, and heights of glory that make you cry out! The moment when Llew’s hand is cut off, and Tegid is blinded stands out as a striking example of literary fiction with the power to create passion.
Just as he did with the previous book, Lawhead draws on much Biblical imagery, as the following allusions illustrate: The Psalms: “The Goodly-Wise heard our song and reached down with his Swift Sure Hand and plucked us out of the sea - and out of the grave Meldron intended.” (p93); God’s providence: “there surged within me a sudden conviction that we had been led to this place; the Goodly-Wise had directed our steps.” (p100); The sabbath rest: “In my world, people are granted a day of rest from their labours - one day in every seven. In past times it was a jealously guarded gift, though now it is no longer recognized as such.” (p192); The meeting of the three Old Testament strands of prophet, priest and king in a Messiah figure: “Prydain, Meldryn Mawr, Ollathir, in these three did the essence of Albion reside. And now these three strands met in one person: Llew” (p344); Dependence on God: “I raised my staff as they passed and called upon the Swift Sure Hand to uphold them through the fight; I invoked the Goodly-Wise to guide their steps; I entreated the Gifting Giver to grant them the victory.” (p351)
All in all, it’s classic Lawhead, a thoroughly worthy sequel as the magnificent Song of Albion continues! Lawhead, please keep that pen singing!
July 16, 2017
I got to page 242. I am still in a kind of bleak head space where I'm just not able to put the work into finishing a book I am not enjoying.
This book is incredibly dated. It uses every old, tired, problematic trope in the book. I'll outline a few and then I'm calling it quits. Might go back to it someday when I have a brain again.
Trope 1: that magical fix for disabilities trope. The narrator is blinded early on in the book, but he not only gets visions of the future, but he has an "inner eye" that flairs up and he can see exactly what is happening in front of him when it's happening, just like if he could actually see. This is SUCH a frustrating trope.
Trope 2: so many women in so many refrigerators. I would describe these books as the grown-up version of Alexander's Chronicles of Prydain. They are books about honour, kindness, valour, and what exactly is required of a man to make a good king. They should be excellent books that say wonderful things, but there is absolutely no room for women in either one. In the Alexander's the girl just goes off to train to become a lady. In this one, they are raped and butchered off screen, but don't worry, the good, kind, honorable, men who are full of sovereignty will avenge them.
Trope 3: I'm not actually sure if this is a fantasy trope or just a Christian fiction trope, but it's the one where the outsiders are welcomed, but only if we can make them like us. They're not allowed to retain their own cultural uniqueness, they have to integrate. This is especially annoying when, as is the case in this book, when the "us" that insisted everyone be like "us" still get into fights over whether "they" are as good as "we" are. The example here is when they are building, and there is a challenge issued to see which tribe can outwork the other. What was the point in separating clansmen throughout the camp if you're just going to remind them they are not like you?
Along the same lines, there is a joke at the end of a chapter which refers to the incoming of refugees as an invasion.
Like I said, it's just very dated. When people use these tropes nowadays we say it's lazy, inconsiderate writing, and TBH this book is not really old enough to get away with the "well back then..." argument.
Read within your genre, and don't make these kinds of mistakes.
Or better yet, be a better person who doesn't need to be told that the disabled, women, and refugees are all human beings who deserve to be treated as such, even in (perhaps especially in) fiction.
Write something worth reading.
July 24, 2023
everything about this book screams “underdeveloped.” characters are flat and toneless. lewis is a one note hero while meldron and simon are horrible villains without a gram of complexity to be found; even lewis and simon’s previous friendship is thrown out of the window, no room for character development at all. plot lines are resolved too quickly and neatly (with the notable exception of [this is a spoiler, look away!!] the mention that simon … was working for the Bad Guys back on the modern world that never gets explained?! [ok we’re done no more spoiler]) and lewis gains stupid Chosen One powers while the villains pop up everywhere like a wild whack-a-mole. good things: the writing is decently engaging, the celtic setting is interesting, and scatha gets points from me just for being there. a big notable Bad Thing, though: the amount of violence and rape, most of it just offhandedly mentioned. i feel like the author attempted to describe the horrors of war but didn’t have the stomach to follow through on it (which is understandable) but that just leaves us with about a thousand minor characters all suffering rape and death. we are told it affects them, but the consequences are offscreen. the impact of murder is never allowed to get in the way of lewis’s big Chosen One mission, and by the end everyone is stupidly happy anyways, so. simon did make some points in his final speech, which just got glossed over because he was a traitor, but really disrupted the book in a positive way—we are only told that lewis is a good king, after all, and what’s the difference between him and meldron? really, only the extreme violence and disrespect for religion separates them—all the people still live under the same inequal feudal system. (this is perhaps just me recalling my fathers speech about how history consists of people being horrible to other people—i’m being euphemistic here, quite frankly—but those points were not really addressed. i mean, it’s a cheap fantasy, there isn’t really room for complexity, but more nuance would have improved the book greatly for me.)
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
September 30, 2018
This second book of The Song of Albion series tells a complete story. There is at least one unfinished thread.
This books tells a story of exile and strife. The usurper king Meldron abandons all honor and wrecks havoc on all of Albion. The story moves along nicely and reaches a strong climax. This book is narrated by the Bard, Tegid. There is much sorrow both for Albion and individuals. The loss of so many was too much for my enjoyment. Probably close to a 5 star effort but since enjoyment bears on my ratings, I'll deduct a star.
Llew has matured, although he still has moments of stubbornness and even some stupidity.
What I described as supernatural in the previous book is more common here and really fits in the realm of fantasy magic.
Some of the arguments presented by the villains are so realistic in that the logic is completely flawed and statements filled with half-truths which really aren't true at all.
Mature themes: there is no sex other than at least one significant rape and torturous death noted upon finding the body. Other atrocities and mutilations are mentioned, but in all, probably occupy less than a chapter though it is sprinkled over a few chapters. There are vividly described war battles.
I find it interesting that as a Christian author, SRL so carefully avoids any kind of sex among his lead characters that it is remarkable for the genre, but he has no problem exploiting brutal rape, torture and mutilation, not just in this book, but in several. (I have not read one of his books with there is any sex.) If he avoids the one, why so vividly include the other.
This books tells a story of exile and strife. The usurper king Meldron abandons all honor and wrecks havoc on all of Albion. The story moves along nicely and reaches a strong climax. This book is narrated by the Bard, Tegid. There is much sorrow both for Albion and individuals. The loss of so many was too much for my enjoyment. Probably close to a 5 star effort but since enjoyment bears on my ratings, I'll deduct a star.
Llew has matured, although he still has moments of stubbornness and even some stupidity.
What I described as supernatural in the previous book is more common here and really fits in the realm of fantasy magic.
Some of the arguments presented by the villains are so realistic in that the logic is completely flawed and statements filled with half-truths which really aren't true at all.
Mature themes: there is no sex other than at least one significant rape and torturous death noted upon finding the body. Other atrocities and mutilations are mentioned, but in all, probably occupy less than a chapter though it is sprinkled over a few chapters. There are vividly described war battles.
I find it interesting that as a Christian author, SRL so carefully avoids any kind of sex among his lead characters that it is remarkable for the genre, but he has no problem exploiting brutal rape, torture and mutilation, not just in this book, but in several. (I have not read one of his books with there is any sex.) If he avoids the one, why so vividly include the other.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 240 reviews