Fellwater

The Fellwater Tales #1

by Brendan Myers

As Katie and Eric have problems in their relationship, they accidentally become involved in a conflict between two factions of an ancient secret society. On the night Katie tried to tell Eric her true feelings, all they did was argue, and she left with a broken heart. But then she met Carlo, a charming, cosmopolitan, and mysterious man from an Italian noble house. In his presence a mystical vision overtook her, and she remembered meeting him before, thousands of years ago, in the ancient Celtic iron age. But she awoke the following morning in a hospital, without knowing how she got there, and she learned that Eric spent the night in jail after being chased by gunmen. All was not as it seemed, and they were both in terrible danger.

Genres: Fantasy, Fiction, Urban Fantasy

246 pages, Paperback

First published February 20, 2012

About the author

By day, Brendan Myers is a professor of philosophy at Cegep Heritage College, in Gatineau, Quebec. By night, he composes thought-operas. And sometimes he publishes them.

Reviews

[Solistari · Rating 2 out of 5]

SPOILER FREE

I really, REALLY tried to like this book. It has all of my favourite things in...fantasy, Gods, a bitter battle between rivals.

But the story was badly written, the character development was non-existent, and Myers tried to jam too much into a shorter than expected novel.
What I found most infuriating was the repetitive way in which the characters made seriously horrible and unrealistic decisions.

The premise of this book was hopeful, the execution was not good.

[L.M. Browning · Rating 5 out of 5]

Masterfully weaving together a rich world of mythos, Myers follows in the footsteps of the great fantasy storytellers of our time—Martin and Tolkien—but he does it on his own terms, bringing new twists and turns.

Humanity lives on stories. Buy the whole series. It will nourish your imagination and soul for years to come.

[Ixby Wuff]

As Katie and Eric have problems in their relationship, they accidentally become involved in a conflict between two factions of an ancient secret society. On the night Katie tried to tell Eric her true feelings, all they did was argue, and she left with a broken heart. But then she met Carlo, a charming, cosmopolitan, and mysterious man from an Italian noble house. In his presence a mystical vision overtook her, and she remembered meeting him before, thousands of years ago, in the ancient Celtic iron age. But she awoke the following morning in a hospital, without knowing how she got there, and she learned that Eric spent the night in jail after being chased by gunmen. All was not as it seemed, and they were both in terrible danger.

[Isabella Fae · Rating 5 out of 5]

I loved the originality of the plot and appreciate all of the research into different myths and the history that went into this series.

[Véronique Paquette · Rating 5 out of 5]

excellent story

I thoroughly enjoyed Fellwater and found it hard to put down. I am looking forward to reading the next three books of the series!

[Steve Cran · Rating 4 out of 5]

Katie Corrigan and Eric LaFlamme are at a crucial point in their relationship. A make or brake point in time when Katie is questioning their relationship. When asked about the nature of their love Eric of course being the typical guy answers it the wrong way. This send Katie to a couple of clubs and a bar where in she meets a dark and handsome stranger. Carlo Di Angelo is his name. He is the leader of a hidden house that dates back from Roman times. He wants Katie to be part of his house as Katie has a special destiny. He invites her to his mansion and takes her to the inner temple. Where in she is given a special elixir that knocks her out cold and leaves her disoriented for several days.
Meanwhile someone breaks into Eric’s apartment and tries to kill him. Going on the run he steals a car and gets picked up by some corrupt cops. In jail he is interrogated by a corrupt attorney named Nicholas who claims that Katie has been engaged with Carlo for quite a while and that soon they are to be married. None of this makes sense to Eric. Coming to the rescue is the House of Brigantia. Some lady named M gets Eric out of the mess and also helps Katie.
What follows is a wild pursuit of Katie by Carlo and several threats against Eric’s life. Turns out that the House of brigantia is a celtic tribe that managed to create a mystical grove called Fellwater. Carlo sort of wants that as well. Along the way Katie finds out that she is pregnant with a child, all thanks to Carlo’s evil doing. Katie is also descended from the Morrigan, another ancient Celtic Goddess.
Carlo believe that he is Jupiter incarnate. He has big plans that could involve both Katie and the child whose name is Tara. At one point Carlo kidnaps the child and a magical rescue attempt ensues. This leads to battle between the Roman house of Di’Angelo and brigantia. Katie is also told by M that she is to succed her as Queen of the House of brigantia.
The battle is rough with man y dead of both side. The trees take part in the battle and some key characters die both during the battle and after the battle. Always interesting to know what one thinks death really means.
The book was over all very entertaining to read and thoroughly enjoyable especially if one is into Celtic mythology. It shows that the author has done some reading on the subject of Celtic lore but the book does not go entirely into depth, which for this piece of literature is appropriate. There are sequels planned and it will be interesting to see if the Celtic mythos are more thoroughly explored.

[Síonaìnn · Rating 5 out of 5]

Brendan Myers first book in The Hidden Houses series had me hooked from chapter 1. Suspense, mystery, Celtic lore and fantasy -- Fellwater has everything I love in a novel. Katie and Eric, the main characters, are well developed and believable, finding myself empathising with both, though as a Stoic (learned I am such from Mr. Myers himself :) ) I connected more with Eric for his logic and reasoning.

Katie and Eric find themselves inexplicably entwined in an ages old feud between two clans, one Celtic, the other Roman. As they try, in turn, to be part of this new-old world they have thrust upon them and returning to their everyday lives, I was captured by the twists and intrigue of their story. Just as I was finding myself ready to set the book down another development would drag me back in, eyes wide wondering what rabbit hole we were running down now. Brendan weaves a story that keeps you on your toes with stunning imagery (without spoilers, chapter 65 left me breathless and in awe of the poetry in his prose), clever maneuvering, suspense and plenty of other worldly magick.

If you love your fantasy and suspense stories then I highly recommend Fellwater, you won’t be sorry. Now, off to read Book Two of The Hidden Houses, “Hallowstone”, which, incidentally I purchased immediately upon completion of Book One!

Cheers!

[Tommy /|\ · Rating 4 out of 5]

A very interesting, and quite fun read. Essentially an introduction to the world of the Hidden Houses. The story line is most definitely a fun, Fantasy read. The plot moves quickly in many places, and moves a little slower in others, where Brendan really wants to showcase dialogue or a particular point. The book could have had some better editing, as there are some tense and grammar errors throughout. However, if you let that step past...you wind up with a storyline that rivals even the best of Mercedes Lackey's urban fantasy novels. Would I recommend this? Absolutely. Am I going to read the rest of the series? Absolutely. I am looking forward to seeing how Brendan continues to flesh out particular characters in the rest of the books in the series. If you are looking for a fast-reading, frolick through a Fnatasy series, tied up with Celtic v. Roman aspects, and ties to Mythology and History...you will definitely enjoy this book, as I have.

[Caroline W · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book was incredibly good! It's a gripping page turner combining history, mythology. adventure, romance and mystery. all rolled into one novel. What more could a reader ask for? I had to cover my mouth at work to keep from waking my patient after on page 229 when... oh go read it yourself! Myers has outdone himself. My only complaint is that I must wait two more weeks for the sequel, Hallowstone, to come on the mail.

[Kathleen Kurdziel · Rating 1 out of 5]

The premise of this story had so much promise, but it was not fulfilled. Mostly because the heroine off the piece was self-centered, cowardly and TOO STUPID TO LIVE. I almost DNF at 30% and again around 75% but still managed to slog through to the end and then was promptly sorry that I wasted my time. Time that I will never get back and that I could have used to read a book about characters I cared about.

[L.M. Browning · Rating 5 out of 5]

Masterfully weaving together a rich world of mythos, Myers follows in the footsteps of the great fantasy storytellers of our time—Martin and Tolkien—but he does it on his own terms, bringing new twists and turns. Humanity lives on stories. Buy the whole series. It will nourish your imagination and soul for years to come.

[Marya · Rating 1 out of 5]

1.5 stars

[Abigail Ereth · Rating 1 out of 5]

Edit edit edit.

[Maya · Rating 3 out of 5]

3.5 /5 stars