The Skull of the World

The Witches of Eileanan #5

by Dr Kate Forsyth

The fifth instalment of Kate Forsyth's compelling Witches of Eileanan series'Sign of the Soul-Sage, a good omen for your quest, so high to the roof of heaven,' the Soul-Sage said. 'A sign of death as well as wisdom, though, remember. Change ahead for you, like the change wrought on a landscape by an avalanche. Dangerous pattern indeed. There are things in your past and in your unknown which shall seize you in their jaws and seek to drag you under.' Isabeau has immersed herself in the life of the Khan'cohbans but she still hopes to return to Eileanan from her self-imposed exile. First, though, she must undertake her journey of initiation to the Skull of the World, where the cruel and enigmatic Gods of White will reveal her destiny to her. On this journey she will face many dangers but by overcoming them, will finally discover her true Talent. - shape-changing. After successfully fulfilling her initiation quest, Isabeau returns to the Pride triumphantly and is given her initiation scar. She is now free to return to Lucescere and the Tower of Two Moons, where she plans to study to be a sorceress. Meanwhile, Iseult and Lachlan face new challenges to their rule. Although peace has been restored to the lands of Eileanan, the young Rìgh and Banrìgh have paid a high price for victory. Lachlan's forces are much depleted by the struggle to win the war and, despite the signing of the Pact of Peace, there are still many pockets of civil unrest, with pirates attacking ships and coastal towns to great cost. Most importantly, the Rìgh's army has marched upon Tìrsoilleir in an attempt to win back the throne for Elfrida's NicHilde. But while Lachlan and Iseult are preoccupied with the invasion of Tìrsoilleir, Margrit NicFóghnan, the deposed banprionnsa of Arran, kidnaps Lachlan's son Donncan, the heir to the throne, and her grandson, Iain's son Neil, from Lucescere. Bitter at the loss of her own throne, her hatred of the MacCuinn clan has become obsessive and she wishes to turn the young prionnsa against his father and use his magic for her own. It is Isabeau, though, who stands accused of treachery when little Doncann and Neil disappear, and yet no-one but she has the power to save the children from their fate at the hands of Margrit. This will be the truest test of Isabeau's Talent, a test which will threaten to destroy her and all she holds dear.

Genres: Fantasy, Fiction, Magic, Witches, Epic Fantasy, High Fantasy, Dragons

420 pages, Kindle Edition

First published January 1, 2001

Reviews

[Phrynne · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is number five in the series so I only have one more book to go. I will be sad when it finishes. In this book we see much more of my favourite character, Isabeau, as she discovers her talents and develops her magical skills. There is also a parallel story about the Fairgean which apparently is building up to a great finale in book six. I am looking forward to it!

[Steve · Rating 5 out of 5]

5 stars, because I could not put it down. This book focuses on a character we have seen precious little of for the last three books, and I loved reading about her triumphs, her failures and her adventures. It was a little shorter than the previous book, which helped me speed through it. It also introduced us to seeing things from the eyes of the enemy, and because of that I am greatly looking forward to the conclusion of this series.

[Thomas · Rating 3 out of 5]

Another chapter completed.

Lots of character growth in this one. I think I enjoyed this one the most so far.

Off to the final instalment.

[Jen · Rating 4 out of 5]

I loved this series and the finale did not disappoint. The various story lines were beautifully wrapped up without too much being given away early on. I was actually left feeling a bit sad to say goodbye to all the characters that I had grown to love. The fact that some of the heroes weren't all that ideal or loveable actually made them so much more real and hard to let go of.

[Kathi · Rating 4 out of 5]

A wonderful tale, with trials, magic, intrigue, and betrayal. Isabeau is the featured character and her growth in both magic and maturity are evident throughout. Her courage has been honed in the mountains and her ingenuity and creativity are displayed over and over. The story just rolls along. I am anxious to see how Forsyth wraps up this series In the final book.

[Yassy · Rating 4 out of 5]

A great novel, however, following on from my review of book 4, these two novels could easily have been combined, giving multiple perspectives.

[Laura Iriarte · Rating 5 out of 5]

So Kate is back to her previous style of several storylines happening simultaneously. Whew! And back to my favorite character, Isabeau! Yes! Though the main focus of the first half of this book is Isabeau and her quest for her name. After she returns from her quest and returns to her witch lessons with Meghan, two little heirs are kidnapped and it falls to Isabeau to save them. Quite a few surprises here! Also, a surprising Fairge storyline. Kate generally tries to show that even the “bad guys” can have a different side - except “The Thistle” - for some reason she gave her NO redeeming qualities! Lol
Slight spoiler:
I was disappointed and confused that after a whole book focused on Finn-the Cat that there is NO mention of her in this one?!? Even when Isabeau ends up at the place Finn is supposed to be?!? This made no sense to me? Similarly, there almost no mention of Bronwyn after they leave the island. It seems uncharacteristic of Isabeau to not give her a thought?! Or discuss her with Lachlan? Or visit her and the other children?!
I mean... I still loved the book... but after spending a whole book with Fin the Cat as the main character I didn’t expect for her to be dropped like a hot potato!?!
Last thoughts - I didn’t sit right with me how Isabeau is suddenly sharing more of her sisters *feelings*. I found this rather icky!
Final thoughts: lots of action, adventure, and magic as always!

[Christina Rothfusz · Rating 3 out of 5]

Book 5 in the series runs parallel with book 4 but told from the perspective of Isabeau and the other characters left behind in Lucerne when Lachlan and the troops set out to battle.

We've been waiting for Isabeau to learn her true name and purpose at the Skull of the world, yet her quest seems like a bit of a sub-plot and not the real story in the book. Iseult's and Elfrida's son's are kidnapped by Magrit and Isabeu sets out to save them and bring them home.

The pace in this book is fast. Much more so than the previous ones in the series and felt like the writer was rushing us along to finish as soon as possible. While this made for a interesting read, it neglected some detail and some pivotal conclusions in the story felt neglected in the telling.

Still - if you made it thus far you are a true fan and will not miss out on the next and final one in the series.

[Alicia · Rating 4 out of 5]

https://wordnerdy.blogspot.com/2023/0...

I liked this fifth volume a lot, not just because things were focused on Isabeau again, and she’s undergoing all sorts of cool rites and learning cool magic, but because there aren’t any endless battle scenes. I’m much more interested in the people and their relationships and the magic (I've been hoping for some queer ladies but it’s looking less likely as we go on, alas). A few characters I’ve been wondering about pop back up again, and we also have a few POV scenes from a young prince from the sea-people (who were dispossessed when the humans came in and took over). This ends on a major cliffhanger and I’m glad I can dive right into the last book. A-.

[Yolande · Rating 3 out of 5]

This instalment of The Witches of Eileannan series once again focuses on Isabeau and her journey to both become a Scarred Warrior and a full sorceress in the Coven.

It was nice to meet familiar characters again and Elle Newlands does a fantastic job of narrating the audiobook which makes for easy listening, but this felt like a collection of B side storylines being made into a book. The fact it is the fifth book in the series shows, as very little of what occurs in the book could standalone as its own novel and nothing very exciting happens until the final quarter.

Hopefully the ground laid in this book pays off for an enthralling and satisfying finale.

[Dee · Rating 5 out of 5]

It's been a while since I read the first four books, but I found myself pulled right back into the world of Eileanan without missing a beat.

It'd felt like it'd been forever since we last heard from Isabeau, and it was wonderful to see how much she's grown over time. Nothing has been very easy for her, but she always rises to the challenge and comes out stronger and wiser on the other side.

I'm looking forward to reading the next book, though I will be sad to say goodbye to this wonderful series once it's over.

[Isabeau · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was my favourite in the series. No annoying impetuous main characters, focuses on Isabeau, lots of different stuff happening at once, all my favourites together (except Lilanthe). These characters rejuvenate and hurt my heart all at once.
My only quarrel is that I wish there had been a bit more lead up to the betrayal, because there was no confusion on the reader’s part on what was going to happen.

[Lauren · Rating 5 out of 5]

I could not put this down!

We were back to reading about Isabeau in this one and I'm glad we were. To see her find her name on the skull of the world, find her Talent, and then rescue the boys and bring Bronwyn back home made this book my favourite so far.

The ending was such a cliffhanger too, I wish it wasn't so late and that I could go straight onto the next one!

[Elizabeth Willis · Rating 3 out of 5]

Good story, terrible editing

I enjoyed the story but was frequently distracted by misspelled/incorrect words. It looks like it was done by OCR from a handwritten draft, and the computer often guessed the wrong words. Nothing that couldn't be fixed by reading through it before publishing. Still worth it.

[Chandini · Rating 4 out of 5]

I rage paused reading because I like one character so much and the way she's treated by those closest to her absolutely infuriates me. It took me a while to finally get past that point. It's a great book to stir those feelings and those in between but I did feel like the pacing on this one wasn't quite as good as the others. It felt choppy with the dangers, not a clear build up.

[Angelica · Rating 5 out of 5]

I loved this book! The best book in the series so far! It was extremely satisfying to see Isabeu grow into her powers and find her true Talent. And I love that she is back with Meagan now and that Maya and Isabeu crossed paths again.

[Semi · Rating 5 out of 5]

Magnificent

[Rachael · Rating 5 out of 5]

Really loved that this one concentrated more on Isabeau and her trials.

[MEGAN GSCHWIND · Rating 4 out of 5]

Love the new characters introduced in this book. I am sad there is only one book left of the series! The plot is still going strong over 6 books!

[Jemma (Aussie BookWorm) · Rating 5 out of 5]

Obviously nothing but my gushing gratitude for Kate Forsyth as an author and a human being. Book 5 was just as incredible as all the rest!

[Kari Lippert · Rating 5 out of 5]

The story is delightful - the narration supurb! (I listened to the audiobook.)

[Óli Sóleyjarson · Rating 3 out of 5]

Betri en síðasta en samt svolítið A til B til C.

[Tess · Rating 4 out of 5]

These books just keep getting better and better

[Wesley Arnold · Rating 4 out of 5]

Another great, concise narrative. How is this series not more well known?

[Sabina · Rating 4 out of 5]

Love this series, but I’m still waiting for someone to punch Lachlan, hopefully in the last book

[Andy Janes · Rating 3 out of 5]

Somehow still enjoying the series even though it is objectively less good than when it started. But sometimes that doesn't matter.

[Rachel · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book was all about Isabeau's growth and her adventures in far-flung parts of Eleanan... since she's definitely my favorite character in the series, I was all for it!

[DeAndre Theisen · Rating 5 out of 5]

4.2 out of 5

I liked that Isabeau was back and star of the show. Plus we got to meet some familiar faces towards the end that I was super happy to see again.

[Jeff Jeff · Rating 5 out of 5]

It went so quick!!! Beau is OP and deserves wayyy better from the other characters (except a few ofc)

[KayDee · Rating 5 out of 5]

Enjoyed watching Isabeau come into her self and sorcery. Happy to see some enemies stopped for Lachlan and his family. Some truths are hard to bear and they should be discovered.