Song of the Shaman

The Glass Apple #3

by Robert J. Franks

Christmas comes and goes. The seasons carry the Crowanhawk family through the next year, their lives filled with the search for Anna. A second Christmas passes without their sister, and Spring arrives. Despite the words of Cernunnos, the search for Anna seems ever more futile. But a chance discovery of an ancient book sends Jason and Kylie back through time, hope burning in their hearts once more. Unable to follow, unaware of the childrens’ disappearance until it is too late, Gobswistle and Etain begin their own quest, to find the Anguinum that Myrrdin left in Kilneuair. As Jason and Kylie travel through lands of myth and legend, and as Gobswistle and Etain travel through lands of cars, trains and televisions, none are aware their separate quests are leading them inexorably to the same point…

Genres: Magic

314 pages, Kindle Edition

First published July 1, 2012

Reviews

[Kath Middleton · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is the third book in the Glass Apple series and it deals with the great questions posed in the earlier books. Although some of this is deadly serious, the evil Mebd and Kylie’s missing little sister Anna, it has a light side. We see Etain becoming a woman again (instead of a plastic doll) and we are introduced to Jason’s librarian friend, the gay and feisty Ant. In this volume the siblings and Ant are taken back through time to early America, the home of their mysterious father. Etain and Gobswistle meanwhile are present at the destruction of a huge road bridge and a scene of total devastation in the British Museum.

There are some wonderfully funny moments in this book. Although Robert Franks has a handle on the traditions of world mythology he doesn’t get too serious and allows his delightful sense of humour to enliven it all. There is chaos and mayhem in abundance and a great deal of excitement. If you love fantasy you will love this book and those still to come.

[Andy Angel · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book is the third in the Glass Apple series and takes place a bout 18 months after book 2.

Anna is still missing in time and Jason, Kylie and Jason's friend the librarian Ant travel back to early America, hoping to find her (although Ant doesn't really want to).

Gobswhistle and Etain remain in the here and now with another new character, the American Emma who is missing her husband and son.

For me, the sections with Gobswhistle et al were the highlight of this book as they seemed to be followed by carnage, chaos, destruction and general mayhem but in a mostly comical way.

The threat of The Medb is still there and there is a nice twist at the end that sets both story strands up nicely for book four, and for me book four cannot come soon enough.

An excellent addition to an excellent series.

[Debbie · Rating 4 out of 5]

My favorite of thee series so far. There are some sublime scenes of humor in this one. The characters are growing and I anxiously continue straight onto the next book to see what happens.