Tales of Spiral Castle: Stories of the Keltiad

The Keltiad #3.5

by Patricia Kennealy-Morrison

From Patricia Kennealy-Morrison comes a return to the world of Keltia and Aeron Aoibhell.Tales of Spiral Castle brings back beloved characters from Kennealy-Morrison's books of The Keltiad (The Copper Crown, The Throne of Scone, Blackmantle) in four stirring short stories that remind the reader of the original stories. The Last Voyage takes place long ago, in a time of great religious struggle on Earth, and is a hitherto untold part of Keltic history and Earth history alike, incidentally detailing how the great Clann Douglas, as well as the fabled Knights Templar, arrived in Keltia.Touchstone tells the story of Aeron Aoibhell, a young princess, who is set to a test that will determine not only her future as queen to follow in her ancestor’s footsteps but the fate of worlds and empires beside…Alembic brings tales of Gwydion as a youth from fourteen to eighteen as he learns his pathway to his destiny.Crucible tells us the story of the Terran lieutenant Sarah O’Reilly, just after her arrival in Keltia with Captain Haruko and the rest of the crew of the Sword.Return to the world and time of the Kelts, the beautifully crafted world of Patricia Kennealy-Morrison as she rediscovers the future worlds you've loved and waited to return.Patricia Kennealy-Morrison is also author of The Rennie Stride Murder Series, Rock Chick, Strange My Life With and Without Jim Morrison, and the forthcoming Viking novel, Son of the Northern Star.

Genres: Fantasy, Science Fiction, Fiction, Short Stories

279 pages, Kindle Edition

First published June 19, 2014

About the author

Patricia Kennealy-Morrison was an American author and journalist. Her published works include rock criticism, a memoir, and two series of science fiction/fantasy and murder mystery novels. Most of her books are part of her series, The Keltiad

Reviews

[Julia · Rating 3 out of 5]

I mentioned Patricia Kennealy-Morrison's Keltiad series (which I had read in the 1980s) to someone, and then when looking it up to see if it was available on Amazon found that she was publishing a new book.

This was enjoyable, but three out of the four stories seemed very repetitive. The first one, which was written in 2002, was different.

I don't think this is a good starting place for someone new to Keltia, and would recommend The Copper Crown as the introduction to the series.

[Justjeanette · Rating 5 out of 5]

An old friend

I have not read The Keltiad series in decades and was completely unaware of this collection of short stories. Like all of her Keltiad tales, it is so, so easy to slip into her world. The four stories add to an already rich world, and I especially liked the connection made between Sorcha, Aeron and Gwydion. It was wonderful to see the Keltiad rulers before Earth contact, and I sincerely hope that Patricia Keneally-Morrison can find her way back into this universe to finish the story. She already hinted of things to come, but that is to be expected when dealing with Kelts and d`an. You would have a richer understanding if you have read The Keltiad series, but I would think these stories would hold up on their own as novellas in their own right. There is more than enough background in the stories to get yourself lost in these tales, even for the casual reader. PKM has an easy reading style and an awesome world-building skill that makes foe excellent comfort reading... In fact, I'm tempted to dust off my well-read copies and lose myself in this universe again....

[Lassarina Aoibhell · Rating 2 out of 5]

I think the order of these stories was poorly chosen; the first one was by far the weakest and almost drove me off the book. In a lot of ways I've outgrown the Keltiad, but it still holds a place in my heart; the stories about Aeron and Gwydion were by far my favorites of this collection, but I'm seeing the missing bits more and more as I look at it. Still, it was a good distraction from a bad weekend--and I'm once again stirring around the concept of how I might do something like this only better.

[Bron · Rating 4 out of 5]

Four short stories set in the universe of the Keltiad. One was a snippet of early history on earth, two were about main Keltic characters from The Copper Crown but set a few years earlier, the last contemporary with The Copper Crown, but the main character was one of the crew of the earth space ship. It's interesting if you know the other books because it gives you more background information. I'm not sure how it would feel to a complete newcomer though!

[Judith Roberts · Rating 4 out of 5]

An old friend

Was so surprised to see this book on Amazon. I have read the earlier books and fell totally in love with the characters. These tales tell the story of earlier times and expanded my understanding of the characters. As always, these are well written little gems that absolutely shine. If you have missed Aeron, and her realms you will love these bppks.

[Larry Le · Rating 4 out of 5]

Surprisingly Good

The first chapter starts out very slow but establishes some background. The second chapter through the end contain the real story which is quite good, although incomplete.

[Bev Mason · Rating 5 out of 5]

Sublime as usual

Having read the Keltiad so many times these short stories felt as if I had returned home after a long journey. PKM sparks such a feeling of hiraedd that I want to get on the next starship and get to Keltia now!

[David Nesbit · Rating 5 out of 5]

Expanding on the books of the Keltiad Universe it helps to round out the world she created and give us background on some of the history and characters of that world.

[Jill · Rating 3 out of 5]

I can't help wondering what would have taken place in the books Patricia Kennealy-Morrison was never able to write. And yet, I think maybe I'm just glad Aeron and Gwydion are left in peace.

[Coleen Dailey · Rating 5 out of 5]

Four stories related to the Keltaid series. Three expand on events in the Aeron/Gwydion stories and the fourth relates a tale of a trip from Keltia to Earth in 1307.

[Shelly · Rating 3 out of 5]

Interesting, and yet not. I should do a reread of the series.

I can't say the writing is exceptional.

[Raven · Rating 5 out of 5]

Guilty alt-universe pleasures, meet short form backstories. The Keltiad universe is an old favorite of mine, and while I'm eagerly looking forward to the forthcoming additional novels, this quartet of short stories that fill in some of the details of the history was very welcome. Some of it's historical wish fulfillment -- it would have been nice if some of the people who met a nasty and unjust end had instead gotten to colonize planets in space with their clansmen. Some of it's a reflection on the virtues of a hero in Celtic cultures, and how that can be carried into the future as well as retold from the past. (I like the compassionate hero here better than the boasty selfish version all too often found in historical Celtic lore, heh.) And some of it's seeing the childhood prequel of someone you know will grow up to be a mighty sovereign queen. The ritual aspects can get a little heavy-handed at times, but there's rhetorical power in repetition that kind of makes up for it. I cheerfully look forward to more Kelts in space.

[Kelly LeGris · Rating 5 out of 5]

Brilliant

I have read every book in the Keltiad over and over. Have in fact, had to replace copies due to wear and tear. I never tire of the beauty, depths and magic of the stories. This book of short stories took me once again away, into the magnificent realm of Keltia, leaving me anxious for more.

[Pat · Rating 4 out of 5]

I especially enjoyed the first short story, tying in Robert Burns and Jamie Douglas historically to the Kelts re-visiting earth to rescue the Templar fleet on its way to Scotland....fills in nicely the background to the Kelts repeated hidden (mostly) visits back to Earth after Brendan led the exodus outward.

[Christal Lavery · Rating 5 out of 5]

Enjoy yourself and return to Keltia

Well it was such a good read I will REREAD the series. I look forward to any stories she shares of this enchanting world. The characters are rich and the descriptions carry me away.

[Beth · Rating 5 out of 5]

Oh, Keltia, how I have missed you and your people! Please buy this book so Patricia will write more!

[Katy Came · Rating 4 out of 5]

So wonderful to be back in this world. Really good to get backstories

[Nic · Rating 5 out of 5]

Reading this made me miss Keltia so much. I need to go back and re-read the Aeron trilogy. Again.