Two brothers hunting monsters, solving mysteries, and facing the sinister landscape of a sentient city coming back to life—and having fun doing it.
Emmet
As a rookie cop and the goofball brother, no one expected me to be the one Mother Nature chose to safeguard the mythological Hidden City of Isilon, but after being thrown into a river of raw prana, I was forever changed.
Not my whacked sense of humor—Hells no, that is firmly intact—but me.
Something is building inside me, and I don’t want to freak out my family, but it’s big. Powers? Magical potential? Or I could be about to star in the chestburster scene straight out of Alien.
Whatever it is, it’ll be epic.
Brendon
I loved life as an undercover cop, cleaning up the streets of Toronto—until I was shot and killed on the job—Do not recommend.
But when my kid sister, Fiona, saved the world, I got a second chance at life—with one catch.
To protect the timeline, I’m forever bound to the Hidden City of Isilon to live with my younger brother. Well… life with Emmet will never be boring.
Join Emmet and Brendan as they investigate all things that go bump in the night. As the sentient city awakens, and long forgotten dangers stir, the Cumhaill brothers are on the job.
Go up and hit "Read for Free" or "Buy Now" and get ready to cheer for the next adventures of Clan Cumhaill and Team Trouble!
About Auburn Tempest Auburn Tempest is a pen name for JL Madore, a multi-genre novelist giving life to Fantasy, Paranormal, and Sci-Fi Romance. Under the pen name, Auburn Tempest, she writes Urban Fantasy without the sexy-steamy. But whether Romance or not, she loves to twist Alpha heroes and kick-ass heroines into chaotic, hilarious, fast-paced, magical situations and make them really work for their happy endings.
She lives outside of Toronto, Canada with her love of over 35 years and a menagerie of family, friends, and animals.
Taking care of a City that is renewing itself is exhausting! But thats our job.
Emmet has been trained and is now the caregiver of his city. His family have come to help and The Lady even gave them back Brennen from the afterlife. It is still a hard time to bring an ancient city back to life. There have been so many surprises and the Ladies of the Light weavers are still leaving clues for them to find.
I loved the first series starring the Cumhaill family. They were snarky, loyal, competitive, and had such grand adventures as they, mostly Fiona, learned what it was to be a druid in the modern world. I loved how they interacted with the other empowered factions, and that they could “take a lickin, and keep on ticking”.
So fast forward to the second, shorter, series. Fiona and her posse are now pretty much pros (and even have a world changing battle under their belt). They are now dealing with the consequences of The Culling, and while I liked that handful of books, it lacked a certain something that made the first series so enjoyable.
Now we get the third cycle of books, only this time we are seeing things through the eyes of Emmet and Brendan, the guardians of the prana flooded island that they now call home. I was so excited when I saw that this was out and that book two was mere weeks away. Unfortunately for me, I just wasn’t a big fan of the change of protagonist. Emmet and Brendan, while absolute sweeties in their sister’s stories, are now coming off as immature men who haven’t grown up completely and are still living with a frat boy mentality. I was so hoping that there would have been some growth in the characters (considering what they have been through), but unfortunately what worked in Fi’s books just doesn’t hit the same with the brothers. I will continue on with book two, but at the moment I’m not holding my breath with anticipation. Such a bummer.
Clan Cumhaill is back and ready to defend their new home. Emmett and Brendon are two of the family of druids that haven’t had their moment in the spotlight... well in Brenny’s defense he was dead most of the original series. These two are the protectors of Isilon even though Brenny still keeps refusing to take his druid spark from Fiona. Hopefully soon he will get over that especially now that Fionn their ancestor has informed Brendon that he is also a shaman like his sister and the spirit world is his to command. I enjoyed this revelation as it would have seemed very unbalanced to have Emmett who has taken a full bath in a river of fae prana be super powerful while Brenny has normal druid power.
The boys need for adventure and companionship of the female variety is hysterical to say the least as they are literally trapped on this island as its defender and a person that was brought back from death. Though I have a feeling a certain purple haired elf spirit names Nightfall has thing for our resurrected shaman brother.
I have to give Auburn and Michael mad props as I love how we still get some Fiona in this book while it still being about her brothers. They always do well to meld their stories within the same universe together. There is so much potential for this series as we get to see Brendon deal with no longer being a cop and having to reconnect with his family that has lived and grown for years while he was dead. We also get to see the youngest brother that has always lived in other people’s shadows become a strong leader to his people.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
First book of a spin-off from ‘The Chronicles of an Urban Druid’ series. It’s the story of the Hidden City of Isilon and its caretakers: brothers Emmet and Brendan Cumhaill. It switches back and forth between their POVs. I love seeing how the empty city is organized and resettled.
Strange shadows are taking over the city and threatening the citizens. Emmet is given a quest to find 3 elemental fragments to bring light to the city.
Brendan needs to stop taking his lack of knowledge of what happened while he was ‘dead’ so personal and let them know they need to fill the blanks. And they need to be more understanding and helpful about it.
Footnote: 1) There was a few editing errors in the book that confused the flow of the story. Example: Escaping volcano. ‘It crashes to the ground as small stones at first and grows bigger as more…” “…small stones at first, then bigger ones as more…” makes more sense.
Fave scenes: the furry creature’s attack on Brendan, Meg’s request to Uncle Emmit, finding the sea fragment and the Phoenix.
This is book 23 really (there is also a spin off series called elemental with lead jules) but lucky for me I have read Fionas journey (you will miss back storys, kind of like Brendan if you haven't and see Emmets history as he learned to shift when Fiona gave her brothers there spark, she got them from her grandad to save his life he had all there sparks it's a elder thing) I This is the new series so only book one out I have just read back to back all 23 books plus Jules series before fiona it's a great world and has originality different to most supernatural.
This series jumps to emmet and Brendan in there minds we take this new journey instead of Fiona she is still in it as with all her brothers and her husband slone but more of a back seat while her brothers shine. Poor Brandon was not in the last series much being dead but was talked about and missed even when back he was in the background and with Emmet when em had to stay put when the island was found.
Man, it's been a journey with Fi and Irish and all her family, blood and found. Now it continues with Emmett and Brendan and the rest in....I wouldn't say supporting roles, but they aren't the feature. Back in the Magic City and Dark Magic is afoot, with restless ghosts, a quest, some feels and a Very Pregnant Fi who is not thrilled to not be in the thick of things, but she understands. Emmett is so unsure of himself and questions his actions, but the Light Weavers know what he's about. Will he get over it? You gotta read it. Brendan still isn't sure where he fits and misses his old life and struggles with seeing how his fam has grown and acts now. Will he embrace his druid roots? Will he forge his own way? Still gotta read it. All in all, this is an excellent continuation of this family and their stories. If you enjoyed the previous two series and the spin off, you're gonna love this. Highly recommended for all.
I really thought I would like this better. The previous two related series were very enjoyable. I guess just the total change in main characters - even with the previous characters as strong supporters - will take some getting used to. Neither brother seems happy and settled in Isilon. There is quite a bit of angst and obvious dissatisfaction. Emmet and Bradon both have a lot to prove. One was dead for two years and constantly feels left behind/lost. The other is the "baby boy" and feels the need to prove himself - and shows quite a bit of low self-esteem. There is a murderer - well two - in the mix and some mysteries to solve. New powers are revealed and maybe another character to add into the group. I'll go for book 2 before deciding how to progress with the series.
Emmet and Brendan are the main characters for this series. Emmet has incredible power, but still is not completely versed in its use. Brenden starts out as a reborn human with no powers, but develops as the book progresses.
A murder starts this book. Finding the murderer is the main plot, with a subplot or two.
Lots of action, plenty of dialog and obnoxious comradery.
I think it would stand on its own, but reading the previous druid stories would be better.
It's great to be back with Fiona's family. This series will revolve around the two brothers Emmet and Brendon, with the rest of the cast popping in and out. I really enjoyed catching up with the family and friends and seeing how they are all still working together while Emmet and Brendon try to figure out their role on the island. As usual the characters and storyline and awesome and I look forward to more in the series.
This was a good start into a different chapter for clan Mac Cumhail. There were nice cliff hangers when switching from one point of view to another. We got to enjoy some character development of Emmett and Brendan. I gave it four stars because it felt restrained, lacking the energy we usually see in this group. This could be to reflect the energy of the characters at this point. Still enjoyed it and will continue reading.
This book had a good story line, but there were so many mane characters that I got lost trying to remember who was who and what their powers were. It did help that the beginning of each chapter told who was focused on. I will definitely read the next book in this series, but before I do that I think in order to keep these characters straight I am going to need to go back and read the gilded cage in the urban Druid series.
Thank you Auburn Tempest and Michael Anderson for another great story. Read 1-3. I enjoyed the point of view from the brothers although at times I had to back up to see which one was telling their story. At times it got confusing because it switched at a critical time of excitement. Got the hang of it eventually and understand the why because it was nonstop adventure.
It’s great to be back in the company of Clan Cumhaill. Emmet was always in the background and Brendan, well Brendan was gone from his family. I’m loving learning more about them and rejoining Fiona and Sloan, can’t wait to meet their baby. I have no doubt the darkness stalking Isilon will be vanquished, but look forward to the story of how. More please.
Fun extension of Clan Cumhaill family adventures.loved it!
Loved the storyline. The adventures of Emmet , Brendan all the rest of Clan Cumhaill and other citizens of the island were fun to read about. I loved the use of old characters and the introduction of new dragons. The personalities were great. The cast of characters are as funny and lovable as expected. Great read!
These are amongst my favourite books in the world. I come back to them again and again when I need hope and happiness in my life. The way the authors show what family should mean tugs on my heartstrings. Please keep writing, these books are just completely wonderful
If you are new to these characters, you can find their back stories starting with the series Chronicles Of An Urban Druid. I can recommend all of the series because I have enjoyed them as much as I have enjoyed this new story, and I am looking forward to the next book in this series.
To be honest, I didn't finish reading the last druid series where Fiona was the primary character. I thought it had gotten somewhat boring. However, when I tripped over this new Hidden City series, it called to me unexpectedly, and I have found it intriguing. I look forward to the next book.
if you already read Fionas story, then chronicles of a hidden city will be like visiting with old friends, comforting in ways but with twists and turns to keep things fresh. If you haven't yet read them then stop wasting your precious time reading my paltry review and getter done.
It’s good to be back with the Clan. Having read all the other books in the series before this I have been missing Fi and her brothers and extended family. Hope this turns into a long series. Recommended. Having to read the other series is not necessary but it’s suggested just to give many hours of enjoyment.
Intriguing and entertaining start to this series!!!!!
Condgratulations to Auburn Tempest and Michael Anderle for this amazing series. It’s extremely hard to find such interesting and e,xciting authors who not only write intelligently but also provide top rated plots, characters and excitement in the stories. I’m really looking forward to the next book.
Oh man the whole fam jam is back together (mostly) and on a new adventure- but this time the story is through Emmet and Brenny's POV. This story is engaging and full of love even with heartache. So good. Can't wait to see what's next
This has been a great series and I can’t wait to see where the next book takes things. Brendan being a Celtic shaman was a surprise and I wonder what is in store for him 👍👍👍🔮
An interesting start to a new series. I enjoyed reading it
This is a spin off from the urban Druid series with some overlapping characters that provides a bit of a comfort zone. The story moved right along and I didn't want to put it down. I will read the next in the series
Am I the only one who had that song in their heads throughout this book? I can’t be. Fun story, familiar characters, witty dialogue, this book has all of that. Have fun reading!
This was a very entertaining read. I love the link to my hometown (Toronto, ON) as well as the challenges of living in community and what the support of family can mean for you. The parallel story lines kept it interesting too.
Fiona leaves her family to hold the rains. Enjoy has need to prove he is the one to look after the people in his charge. His brother's are not keen to let him do his thing. Fast paced. Recommend
Good to read about the crazy chaotic loving family from a different perspective. Glad the series still includes Fiona and everyone else but good to read about the others adventures
I definitely recommend reading all 24 previous Cumhaill books. The back stories of Fiona, Sloan, Gran, etc. are a hoot, filled with action, and positive sibling rivalry.
I enjoyed seeing Emmet and Brendan take the lead. And watching the hidden city come to life was fun. More mysteries abound so I'm off to see what they have in store for all my favorite characters.