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Circle of Ceridwen Saga #1
The Circle of Ceridwen
It is the year 871. Of seven Anglo-Saxon kingdoms, five have fallen to the invading Vikings. No trait is more valued than loyalty, and no possession more precious than one's steel. Across this war-torn landscape travels fifteen year old Ceridwen, now thrust into the lives of the conquerors.
Epic...immensely satisfying...an impressive achievement - Historical Novel Society The English Adventure loved by over 100,000 readers in 125 countries...
Lost in the frozen woods, Ceridwen is discovered by the warriors accompanying young Ælfwyn, daughter of a Saxon lord, sold against her will in marriage as part of a peace treaty with a marauding Viking war chief. Their destination is the captured fortress of Four Stones, a ruin holding glittering treasure. There Ælfwyn must keep her vow and wed Yrling - and Ceridwen must do all she can to support her new friend in the rebuilding of the ravaged village and great hall.
But living with the enemy affords Ceridwen unusual freedoms - and unlooked-for conflicts. Amongst them she explores again her own heathen past, and learns to judge each man on his own merits. Yrling's nephews Sidroc and Toki, both formidable warriors yet as different as night and day, compete to win Ceridwen for their own.
Through both guile and goodness Ceridwen and Ælfwyn begin transforming the world of Four Stones. But the threat of full-scale war escalates, and a midnight party of furtive Danes delivers someone to Four Stones who destroys the girls' hopes of peace and contentment. Now Ceridwen must summon all her courage - a courage which will be sorely tested as she defies both Saxon and Dane and undertakes an extraordinary adventure to save a man she has never met..
Epic...immensely satisfying...an impressive achievement - Historical Novel Society The English Adventure loved by over 100,000 readers in 125 countries...
Lost in the frozen woods, Ceridwen is discovered by the warriors accompanying young Ælfwyn, daughter of a Saxon lord, sold against her will in marriage as part of a peace treaty with a marauding Viking war chief. Their destination is the captured fortress of Four Stones, a ruin holding glittering treasure. There Ælfwyn must keep her vow and wed Yrling - and Ceridwen must do all she can to support her new friend in the rebuilding of the ravaged village and great hall.
But living with the enemy affords Ceridwen unusual freedoms - and unlooked-for conflicts. Amongst them she explores again her own heathen past, and learns to judge each man on his own merits. Yrling's nephews Sidroc and Toki, both formidable warriors yet as different as night and day, compete to win Ceridwen for their own.
Through both guile and goodness Ceridwen and Ælfwyn begin transforming the world of Four Stones. But the threat of full-scale war escalates, and a midnight party of furtive Danes delivers someone to Four Stones who destroys the girls' hopes of peace and contentment. Now Ceridwen must summon all her courage - a courage which will be sorely tested as she defies both Saxon and Dane and undertakes an extraordinary adventure to save a man she has never met..
638 pages, Kindle Edition
First published January 1, 2012
1327 people are currently reading
7177 people want to read
About the author
Octavia Randolph
24 books595 followersI write the kind of book I want to read myself. I write about history as a way to better understand my own times. I write about people who are far better, and (I hope) far worse than myself. And beautiful objects inspire me: the hand-carved combs, skilfully wrought swords, and gemmed goblets of the world of The Circle of Ceridwen Saga. Almost everything interests me; I've studied Anglo-Saxon and Norse runes, and learnt to spin with a drop spindle. My path has led to extensive on-site research in England, Denmark, Sweden, Iceland, and Gotland - some of the most wonderful places on Earth. In addition to the Circle Saga, I've written the novella Ride, a retelling of the story of Lady Godiva, and The Tale of Melkorka, based on the Icelandic Sagas. I've been the fortunate recipient of fellowships at the MacDowell Colony, Ledig House International, and Byrdcliffe.
Hearing from readers is a special pleasure and I always answer my letters. So write to me! www.octavia.net Author photo by Barbara Simundza
Hearing from readers is a special pleasure and I always answer my letters. So write to me! www.octavia.net Author photo by Barbara Simundza
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 406 reviews
May 6, 2015
I am a reasonably easy reader to please... and a very hard reader to enthrall. I like a lot of books, but I passionately love only a few. My favorite authors can be counted on one hand. And if Octavia Randolph keeps it up I may need another finger.
The world of digital books is like a great mountain of ash. You step into it and you're instantly up to your waist in dust. You know there are jewels of incredible power hidden in the grime and fluff, but finding them is a mammoth task. After more than a year of searching, I have finally found one of the jewels in The Circle of Ceridwen, the first book in Randolf's historical series.
Oddly enough, I never would have bought this book in a million years based on the cover and the description. I like a good historical novel and I'm not adverse to violent stories but I have never found a book with big swords on the front to be very emotionally powerful and a description that immediately touts the presence of "vikings with tatoos" is unlikely to have the emotional caliber I'm looking for. But I downloaded the book because of one of those free deals and I was very pleasantly surprised. I'd be willing to pay plenty for books like this.
Here's the real deal on this book:
- Its style is accessible and conversational, yet historically evocative. All the semi-literate reviewers confused about the grammar are simply wrong. There are few if any errors in this book. There is a refreshing absence of flamboyance and pompous writing. The prose is easy, flowing and without distraction, a rare treat and the very first necessity for me to love a book.
The book has the emotional impact that so few have these days. That's hard to prove without reading it. It's a mix of good characters and realism.
- The story is told in first person. Always a plus in my opinion. You experience ninth century England through the eyes of a young woman named Ceridwin.
- The characters are likable, believable and relatable, including the supposed "bad guys." I am one of those readers who demands a likable main characters. I simply won't suffer through a book, no matter how good the story is, if the heroine or hero bores me or ticks me off. Here is a young heroine who is so different from the modern vision of a "strong female heroine." She is strong and courageous without being divorced from real women. She is emotionally real and does not try to be "everywoman" so that all readers can see themselves in her. She is a distinct character but one you can love with her flaws. The other characters are also well developed and fascinating.
- The plot is riveting from the first few pages. It takes some very unexpected turns and yet it is never confusing. The tension is held throughout with a fierce desire to see Ceridwen survive and thrive.
- There is warfare, suspense, incredible tension and yet there is no classic villain. It is the real world. The invaders and those who threaten the heroine are people, in fact at least moderately understandable people. You may not agree with all of their decisions or motivations but they are understandable and even honorable in many instances. It is the sheer believability of the characters and world that make the story so emotionally gripping.
- The details of the historical world are breathtaking. I've read enough historical fiction and nonfiction to know extensive research when I see it. While it's hard to say exactly what life was like in the ninth century, this feels both true and consistent. The level of detail is wonderful with none of the vagueness that results from historical uncertainty and no facts clearly manipulated to suit the needs of fiction. It fulfills that thirst for something beautifully historical and effortless to read at the same time.
- The pace is just right. This is a subjective matter as far as I can tell. Some people may call this pace "slow." I call many books that have little emotion and character-develop to them "chaotic and rushed." It isn't constant action. It is instead ever-present story, plot and emotional tension. At no point does the story slow down in order to show off the author's excellent grasp of the history. There are no wasted words or long descriptive scenes for the sake of showing off.
- The book's only flaws may be its cover and description, which hint at a rollicking ride of battle, "weapons porn" and macho atmosphere. The reader only gets to see one "fight" in real time in this first book of the series and that one doesn't even result in anyone dying and is a minor incident in the overall plot. There is plenty of battle going on around but the main character is a girl, who isn't unrealistically placed in the middle of battles. Some readers I know who are into constant battle might be taken in by the cover and description and may be very disappointed. While other readers, who are interested in more character-based stories with flavor and conversational tone, may miss out on this one due to the cover and description.
- It is fashionable today to comment on the ending in a review. This is the first book in a series and while the ending appears to wrap up the major plot lines, it is clear that peace is unlikely to last long. There is plenty of room for more story and yet the ending doesn't feel contrived or episodic. I appreciate this. The fact that much of the plot is sort of wrapped up makes it easier to resist spending my kids' lunch money on the next book right away but I am eager to get my hands on the next book.
The world of digital books is like a great mountain of ash. You step into it and you're instantly up to your waist in dust. You know there are jewels of incredible power hidden in the grime and fluff, but finding them is a mammoth task. After more than a year of searching, I have finally found one of the jewels in The Circle of Ceridwen, the first book in Randolf's historical series.
Oddly enough, I never would have bought this book in a million years based on the cover and the description. I like a good historical novel and I'm not adverse to violent stories but I have never found a book with big swords on the front to be very emotionally powerful and a description that immediately touts the presence of "vikings with tatoos" is unlikely to have the emotional caliber I'm looking for. But I downloaded the book because of one of those free deals and I was very pleasantly surprised. I'd be willing to pay plenty for books like this.
Here's the real deal on this book:
- Its style is accessible and conversational, yet historically evocative. All the semi-literate reviewers confused about the grammar are simply wrong. There are few if any errors in this book. There is a refreshing absence of flamboyance and pompous writing. The prose is easy, flowing and without distraction, a rare treat and the very first necessity for me to love a book.
The book has the emotional impact that so few have these days. That's hard to prove without reading it. It's a mix of good characters and realism.
- The story is told in first person. Always a plus in my opinion. You experience ninth century England through the eyes of a young woman named Ceridwin.
- The characters are likable, believable and relatable, including the supposed "bad guys." I am one of those readers who demands a likable main characters. I simply won't suffer through a book, no matter how good the story is, if the heroine or hero bores me or ticks me off. Here is a young heroine who is so different from the modern vision of a "strong female heroine." She is strong and courageous without being divorced from real women. She is emotionally real and does not try to be "everywoman" so that all readers can see themselves in her. She is a distinct character but one you can love with her flaws. The other characters are also well developed and fascinating.
- The plot is riveting from the first few pages. It takes some very unexpected turns and yet it is never confusing. The tension is held throughout with a fierce desire to see Ceridwen survive and thrive.
- There is warfare, suspense, incredible tension and yet there is no classic villain. It is the real world. The invaders and those who threaten the heroine are people, in fact at least moderately understandable people. You may not agree with all of their decisions or motivations but they are understandable and even honorable in many instances. It is the sheer believability of the characters and world that make the story so emotionally gripping.
- The details of the historical world are breathtaking. I've read enough historical fiction and nonfiction to know extensive research when I see it. While it's hard to say exactly what life was like in the ninth century, this feels both true and consistent. The level of detail is wonderful with none of the vagueness that results from historical uncertainty and no facts clearly manipulated to suit the needs of fiction. It fulfills that thirst for something beautifully historical and effortless to read at the same time.
- The pace is just right. This is a subjective matter as far as I can tell. Some people may call this pace "slow." I call many books that have little emotion and character-develop to them "chaotic and rushed." It isn't constant action. It is instead ever-present story, plot and emotional tension. At no point does the story slow down in order to show off the author's excellent grasp of the history. There are no wasted words or long descriptive scenes for the sake of showing off.
- The book's only flaws may be its cover and description, which hint at a rollicking ride of battle, "weapons porn" and macho atmosphere. The reader only gets to see one "fight" in real time in this first book of the series and that one doesn't even result in anyone dying and is a minor incident in the overall plot. There is plenty of battle going on around but the main character is a girl, who isn't unrealistically placed in the middle of battles. Some readers I know who are into constant battle might be taken in by the cover and description and may be very disappointed. While other readers, who are interested in more character-based stories with flavor and conversational tone, may miss out on this one due to the cover and description.
- It is fashionable today to comment on the ending in a review. This is the first book in a series and while the ending appears to wrap up the major plot lines, it is clear that peace is unlikely to last long. There is plenty of room for more story and yet the ending doesn't feel contrived or episodic. I appreciate this. The fact that much of the plot is sort of wrapped up makes it easier to resist spending my kids' lunch money on the next book right away but I am eager to get my hands on the next book.
April 1, 2014
I found myself a little dissatisfied with Ceridwen's choices as a person, which means Randolph made her a truly realistic character. Indeed, you come to love and hate all of the characters (and their flaws). Also, the book reads very lyrically, which is a great way to tell the story. This is a fast read because the story is beautifully told--the author's imagery of countryside, culture, and day-to-day goings-on is impeccable. She truly paints the setting from which the reader can totally be lost in the book.
October 19, 2016
3 stars. Because I loved it. Then hated it.
Wow....what a bizarre reading experience. I was completely riveted and enthralled for the first 50% of the story. I couldn't wait to pick it up and keep reading.
...The second half of book made me want to prize my eyes out with a hot poker (that's a spoiler, by the way) ;)
Why would you spend the entire first half of a book establishing character and story and plot and setting and tension, and then drop EVERYTHING half way through and have the protagonist walk away from it all? Only for the rest of the book to be an insipid love story with a character that we've just met and don't give a damn about?? ...Maybe we were supposed to give a damn about Gyric, but I didn't. I thought Sidroc and her had a much more interesting dynamic, and that all got thrown away. As did the driving relationship of the novel, the friendship between Ceridwen and Aelfwyn, because she leaves her to rescue this guy (who is Aelfwyn's old love from before her marriage to the Dane jarl, at her friends own request) AND THEN STEALS HIM FOR HERSELF. What the actual f? I just...I don't understAnd. She was absolutely FAITHFUL to Aelfwyn, and then does THAT? And expects her not to mind? Am I missing something here? It's like she got amnesia and forget every single thing that mattered to her, including her own moral compass??
I skim read the last 100 pages (including the love scenes and marriage, ugh yawnfest), so there's a good chance I might be actually missing some explanation for all that, but I seriously doubt it.
This is such a thoughtless outpouring right now but I just can't. I can't even. I don't know what to say. I enjoyed the first half SO MUCH and I'm so completely disappointed and angry with the second half. I feel like I've been robbed. It was like reading two different novels. Or like the author swapped to someone else half way through.
I'll probably keep reading the series, just because I need to know if this is going to come full circle. Because the title. But damn, this shit was not cool.
Wow....what a bizarre reading experience. I was completely riveted and enthralled for the first 50% of the story. I couldn't wait to pick it up and keep reading.
...The second half of book made me want to prize my eyes out with a hot poker (that's a spoiler, by the way) ;)
Why would you spend the entire first half of a book establishing character and story and plot and setting and tension, and then drop EVERYTHING half way through and have the protagonist walk away from it all? Only for the rest of the book to be an insipid love story with a character that we've just met and don't give a damn about?? ...Maybe we were supposed to give a damn about Gyric, but I didn't. I thought Sidroc and her had a much more interesting dynamic, and that all got thrown away. As did the driving relationship of the novel, the friendship between Ceridwen and Aelfwyn, because she leaves her to rescue this guy (who is Aelfwyn's old love from before her marriage to the Dane jarl, at her friends own request) AND THEN STEALS HIM FOR HERSELF. What the actual f? I just...I don't understAnd. She was absolutely FAITHFUL to Aelfwyn, and then does THAT? And expects her not to mind? Am I missing something here? It's like she got amnesia and forget every single thing that mattered to her, including her own moral compass??
I skim read the last 100 pages (including the love scenes and marriage, ugh yawnfest), so there's a good chance I might be actually missing some explanation for all that, but I seriously doubt it.
This is such a thoughtless outpouring right now but I just can't. I can't even. I don't know what to say. I enjoyed the first half SO MUCH and I'm so completely disappointed and angry with the second half. I feel like I've been robbed. It was like reading two different novels. Or like the author swapped to someone else half way through.
I'll probably keep reading the series, just because I need to know if this is going to come full circle. Because the title. But damn, this shit was not cool.
January 31, 2023
4,5✨✨✨
This is the second installment of the series. I enjoy historical fiction, so I've been having a great time listening to these. The narrator is excellent. Loving it!
This is the second installment of the series. I enjoy historical fiction, so I've been having a great time listening to these. The narrator is excellent. Loving it!
June 25, 2020
ETA 6/25/20:
I skim read the next book in this series and skimmed parts of #3. I can't recommend the books to anyone because the writing is not good & gets worse. Writing fiction takes a different set of skills than reading a bunch of different books on research and having a bazillion notes on a things you love.
The historical details were cool. The plot is crap and the characters are puppet place holders. There are lots of good to amazing books out there. Spend time with them.
Notes:
I was lured by the pretty writing & historical details. However, there's a distinct lack of depth to the characters and plot that wore away the shine from the pretty words & cool notes. It felt like the story was parsed out for dramatic affect and used as a setting to display a flowing phrase. The jarring contrast of well established details and the glaring lack in rounded characters, believable plot & consequences made the overall experience like a balloon that never made it into the sky because it had a tiny hole hissing all the hot air away.
I skim read the next book in this series and skimmed parts of #3. I can't recommend the books to anyone because the writing is not good & gets worse. Writing fiction takes a different set of skills than reading a bunch of different books on research and having a bazillion notes on a things you love.
The historical details were cool. The plot is crap and the characters are puppet place holders. There are lots of good to amazing books out there. Spend time with them.
Notes:
I was lured by the pretty writing & historical details. However, there's a distinct lack of depth to the characters and plot that wore away the shine from the pretty words & cool notes. It felt like the story was parsed out for dramatic affect and used as a setting to display a flowing phrase. The jarring contrast of well established details and the glaring lack in rounded characters, believable plot & consequences made the overall experience like a balloon that never made it into the sky because it had a tiny hole hissing all the hot air away.
August 2, 2017
‘I was born in 856, at a time when the Island of Britain was divided into many Kingdoms.’
This is the voice of Ceridwen, the central character in this novel. The story itself opens in 871, when Ceridwen is aged about 15 years old. By this time, five of seven Anglo-Saxon kingdoms have fallen to the Vikings. Ceridwen, having left the Priory where she has lived since she was 9 years old, meets Ælfwyn and her attendants. Ælfwyn is on her way to be married, against her will, to Yrling, a Viking war chief. Ælfwyn’s marriage is part of a peace treaty.
Thus begins ‘The Circle of Ceridwen’, the first of six (so far) novels about the life and times of Ceridwen. The story unfolds slowly. Ms Randolph provides a wealth of detail about the world in which this novel is set, about the impact of war on individuals and villages, about the differences between cultures and religious beliefs. I found myself reading the novel comparatively slowly (unusual for me) to immerse myself in the world and to appreciate the development of the story.
While I wondered about some of Ceridwen’s choices, I became caught up in the story. Ceridwen’s adventures were too interesting for me to quibble about plausibility, and I enjoyed the three-dimensional characters peopling the pages.
As soon as I finished this novel, I bought the next two in the series. If you enjoy historical fiction with well-developed characters, with a likeable female protagonist and set in 9th century Britain, I recommend this novel.
Jennifer Cameron-Smith
This is the voice of Ceridwen, the central character in this novel. The story itself opens in 871, when Ceridwen is aged about 15 years old. By this time, five of seven Anglo-Saxon kingdoms have fallen to the Vikings. Ceridwen, having left the Priory where she has lived since she was 9 years old, meets Ælfwyn and her attendants. Ælfwyn is on her way to be married, against her will, to Yrling, a Viking war chief. Ælfwyn’s marriage is part of a peace treaty.
Thus begins ‘The Circle of Ceridwen’, the first of six (so far) novels about the life and times of Ceridwen. The story unfolds slowly. Ms Randolph provides a wealth of detail about the world in which this novel is set, about the impact of war on individuals and villages, about the differences between cultures and religious beliefs. I found myself reading the novel comparatively slowly (unusual for me) to immerse myself in the world and to appreciate the development of the story.
While I wondered about some of Ceridwen’s choices, I became caught up in the story. Ceridwen’s adventures were too interesting for me to quibble about plausibility, and I enjoyed the three-dimensional characters peopling the pages.
As soon as I finished this novel, I bought the next two in the series. If you enjoy historical fiction with well-developed characters, with a likeable female protagonist and set in 9th century Britain, I recommend this novel.
Jennifer Cameron-Smith
September 21, 2016
The first half of this book was a 5, but the second half really slowed down for me so I knocked this down a star.
The writing was great. The author tried to evoke more of an Old English way of speaking which put you more in the period. The details really evoked the period as well and were clearly well researched. A good overall historical novel.
The writing was great. The author tried to evoke more of an Old English way of speaking which put you more in the period. The details really evoked the period as well and were clearly well researched. A good overall historical novel.
December 2, 2016
In ninth century England there was no telling when life would end as you know it. This story takes place just at the beginning of Alfred the Great’s reign, when the Vikings are overrunning Mercia and on their way to Wessex. Our wandering young heroine Ceridwen is taken in by a Aelfwyn, a West-Saxon noblewoman traveling to marry a Viking chieftain in order to honor her father’s treaty and save her people. This sets up the first half of the novel, where we get to see the inside of a Viking settlement and its impact on what’s left of the conquered local population. Aelfwyn does her best to make the peasants’ lives easier without antagonizing her new husband, while Ceridwen spends much of her time fighting off unwelcome attentions from a nasty warrior and not-so-unwelcome attentions from a not-so-nasty warrior who is trying to win her over gently. This all comes to naught when Ceridwen decides to rescue a West-Saxon prisoner who is on the verge of death, and she manages to spirit him away and take him home.
So the second half of the story is about their journey south. If you happen to be a reader that loves lots of imagery and in-depth description, then this book is for you. If you happen to be like me—who likes to get to the point—you might find the second half interminable. I can see that the serious action is bound to occur in the next volume(s), for aside from the romance (and in my opinion, a sort of betrayal) nothing really happens. The conflicts set up in the first part of the book don’t resolve themselves. There is a great battle, but it takes place out of our reach; we only hear about it second-hand. So for me, although the book was easy to read, I don’t have any urge to go on the next volume. I thought it started well but fell apart.
So the second half of the story is about their journey south. If you happen to be a reader that loves lots of imagery and in-depth description, then this book is for you. If you happen to be like me—who likes to get to the point—you might find the second half interminable. I can see that the serious action is bound to occur in the next volume(s), for aside from the romance (and in my opinion, a sort of betrayal) nothing really happens. The conflicts set up in the first part of the book don’t resolve themselves. There is a great battle, but it takes place out of our reach; we only hear about it second-hand. So for me, although the book was easy to read, I don’t have any urge to go on the next volume. I thought it started well but fell apart.
December 20, 2012
This book is set in a time period after the Roman Empire during the time the Danes were overtaking the land. The story is told from a first person point of view. The main character, Ceridwen, was orphaned as a young child and her story starts just prior to her 13th/14th year. She tells of her early years and then we go along with her on her adventure when she reached her 15th year and left the Priory. It is a wonderfully told story and kept my interest from the first page. This book is one that is much longer than many of the books I have gotten lately and is the first book in a trilogy. It took me a couple of afternoons to read and I thoroughly enjoyed it. I look forward to getting the other two books in this trilogy. I highly recommend this book to anyone who is interested in the times that followed after King Arthur.
May 15, 2017
I love when a book is a portal to another world. The Circle of Ceridwen transports readers to the world of the Anglos, the Saxons, and the Danes. Octavia Randolph does a masterful job of using dialect to create Angle-Land. I could see the forests through which Ceridwen and Gyric traveled when I looked out the car window. I could see the scar on Sidroc's face. I could hear the conversations, taste the ale, and feel the heat of the bone fire as rain fell outside of the shelter. I do not believe this book is romantic in intention, but it has some of the most romantic relationships I've encountered in reading in a long time. Aelfwyn and Ceridwen's relationship one of the top among all. For me this book is almost on level with Mists of Avalon, and I can think of no higher praise than that. I can't wait to continue Ceridwen's journey in the next book.
April 28, 2020
Lots of love for the work put into this! The language is poetic and sticks to older grammar, which helped build atmosphere. Clearly she also did a lot of research about the Danes in England, and as I have a passion for the Viking age it was right up my alley. She managed to vividly describe every day life for the people living in that volatile time including what people wore and what they ate and, amusingly, their relationship to religion.
What deducts one star is that the characters and the dialog often felt a bit stiff and stilted, and the length of the book also seemed excessive. But I enjoyed just letting the audio narration flow and lull me along the beautiful writing, and it was an easy read and definitely of interest if you want to acquaint yourself with life circa 900 on this side of the hemisphere.
What deducts one star is that the characters and the dialog often felt a bit stiff and stilted, and the length of the book also seemed excessive. But I enjoyed just letting the audio narration flow and lull me along the beautiful writing, and it was an easy read and definitely of interest if you want to acquaint yourself with life circa 900 on this side of the hemisphere.
May 30, 2016
Great series! Couldn't put it down, just as good as Outlander. Loved Sidroc from the beginning will reread again!!!!
August 31, 2013
I could not put this book down. I just started a new job and have to be up super early in the morning. Needless to say I was like a zombie the next day a couple of nights. It was offered free for kindle so I decided to try it out. It is a love story but does not feel like your typical romance. It's a part of Britain's history that I have not read too much about so it is rich in description. It is the first in a trilogy. I bought the next two books and am set for a little while. The writing is well done and flows easily. The characters are rich and full of life. I highly recommend this book!
January 25, 2017
Loved this. Why don't they publish books like this anymore? I stumbled across this on audible, because of a new audio release. A fan was so enthusiastic, saying she had waited for this for years so I took the chance. So glad I did. I always thought this time period Deserved a book. Can't wait to find out what happens in the rest of the series!
August 9, 2019
Let's call it a 3.5 and get right to it.
I'm not giving a blurb there's one at the top loves.
Now I thoroughly enjoy historical fiction and I particularly enjoyed the author's style of playing with dialect from that era and narrating the book in the way the English language would presumably have sounded. This book isn't without flaws though and I so badly wanted to rate it higher but I couldn't find enough reasons to and a few of my issues are a bit petty but hey aren't we all a bit.
Firstly, Ceridwen's character was messy to me. Messy in the sense that she was too pristine I couldn't quite figure out what truly motivated her or truly connect to her character.
Ceridwen is parentless and essentially homeless for a large portion of the book, not to mention her childhood was split between two conflicting religious groups. And yet in a country on the brink of invasive war and despite of her upbringing and age, she has this unyielding set of morals.
Her childhood hardly would have bred a trusting child in any era, not to mention us teenagers are just an emotional mess in general, but she still hops on the first wagon that picks her up and now she's eternally loyal to a woman she's just met.
Again on that point - C (it's late I'm lazy everyone is being referred to be letters now) ceaselessly defends and puts herself at risk in order to defend Aelfwyn who she a) practically just met and b) apparently also loves and will serve until her dying breath.
However when A's old boyfie, Gyric, makes an appearance and C helps him get home, our girl bangs him next to a lake and then marries him in some dodgy monk shed, hardly sparing her "beloved Lady" a second thought. This isn't the 21st century yet hun.
This part just baffles me and confuses me about Cs entire character - she doesn't seem to develop much at all - defintely not enough to show any treacherous habits as she continues to credit A after all this - and it's slightly infuriating. Looking back I can't tell a marked difference from page 1 to page 617 in her character.
Girl you've run away from home, lived among your enemies, got the hots for your enemy, rescued a blinded prisoner of war, ran away with him, witnessed scenes of pillaging along your travels, fell in love, succeeded in your quest, got a new family, got preggos etc. and your character is basically the same person. I undergo a full spiritual transformation if I change my usual coffee brand but sure, being privy to the brutality and suffering of invaders ain't gonna do much to that personality.
One thing that did change and that had me rolling my eyes rather than feeling sympathetic, was the fact that by the time we got to about page 450, C was near tears or in tears, on average, every two damn pages. How she didn't pass out of dehydration is a true wonder to me because this girl was always whimpering and it was unbearable.
Overall C was not my favourite character by a long shot as I felt she should have been written much more flaws considering her life experiences - I mean she's experiences so much loss and grief so early in life - and even her flaws didn't make out as if they were meant to be flaws. Her character is jumbled and hazy and I didn't enjoy her so much. She was just too goooood and puuuurrree and empatheetiiiccc and lovablllee for me.
I preferred A much more as her stronger character makes much more sense as she was raised by a lord of sorts, among lots of wealth and power and thus has learnt the dealings of it and the way of people.
We also see her fighting a moral battle within herself about which side to choose and who to love and we see her fight against her fate and her terror as well as fierceness. Her character was much more solid and the slap that she's gonna hopefully give C when she meets up again is the main reason I'm reading the next book.
On the writing style, I wasn't a total fan BUT I didn't hate it (keep in mind I'm super fussy). Many descriptions just seemed so one dimensional and bland and reused over and over again and it was frustrating and it was easy to get pulled out of it when the best you can describe something is a "browny liquid". Please have pity mistress.
The plot at some points was also predictable and by the time we get to the end, mostly everything just seems happily resolved on C's side which is slightly unrealistic for a series but at the same time is ominous in the sense that everything is gonna go to the dogs and I kinda dig that so I'll give Madame Octavia that one. I totally called C and G getting it though.
Anyway I hope you enjoyed my late night super petty Ted talk but to remind yall all in all I did generally enjoy this book and I know to not judge a series by it's first book and I am super hopeful for the rest of the series.
The author is very gifted at transporting the reader to her world she creates and I commend her for that and I did enjoy the general plot and most of the characters, none of them seemed recycled at all, which I APPRECIATED, and I am a sucker for old English historical fiction so I see potential and Octavia you have my attention please don't lose it.
I'm not giving a blurb there's one at the top loves.
Now I thoroughly enjoy historical fiction and I particularly enjoyed the author's style of playing with dialect from that era and narrating the book in the way the English language would presumably have sounded. This book isn't without flaws though and I so badly wanted to rate it higher but I couldn't find enough reasons to and a few of my issues are a bit petty but hey aren't we all a bit.
Firstly, Ceridwen's character was messy to me. Messy in the sense that she was too pristine I couldn't quite figure out what truly motivated her or truly connect to her character.
Ceridwen is parentless and essentially homeless for a large portion of the book, not to mention her childhood was split between two conflicting religious groups. And yet in a country on the brink of invasive war and despite of her upbringing and age, she has this unyielding set of morals.
Her childhood hardly would have bred a trusting child in any era, not to mention us teenagers are just an emotional mess in general, but she still hops on the first wagon that picks her up and now she's eternally loyal to a woman she's just met.
Again on that point - C (it's late I'm lazy everyone is being referred to be letters now) ceaselessly defends and puts herself at risk in order to defend Aelfwyn who she a) practically just met and b) apparently also loves and will serve until her dying breath.
However when A's old boyfie, Gyric, makes an appearance and C helps him get home, our girl bangs him next to a lake and then marries him in some dodgy monk shed, hardly sparing her "beloved Lady" a second thought. This isn't the 21st century yet hun.
This part just baffles me and confuses me about Cs entire character - she doesn't seem to develop much at all - defintely not enough to show any treacherous habits as she continues to credit A after all this - and it's slightly infuriating. Looking back I can't tell a marked difference from page 1 to page 617 in her character.
Girl you've run away from home, lived among your enemies, got the hots for your enemy, rescued a blinded prisoner of war, ran away with him, witnessed scenes of pillaging along your travels, fell in love, succeeded in your quest, got a new family, got preggos etc. and your character is basically the same person. I undergo a full spiritual transformation if I change my usual coffee brand but sure, being privy to the brutality and suffering of invaders ain't gonna do much to that personality.
One thing that did change and that had me rolling my eyes rather than feeling sympathetic, was the fact that by the time we got to about page 450, C was near tears or in tears, on average, every two damn pages. How she didn't pass out of dehydration is a true wonder to me because this girl was always whimpering and it was unbearable.
Overall C was not my favourite character by a long shot as I felt she should have been written much more flaws considering her life experiences - I mean she's experiences so much loss and grief so early in life - and even her flaws didn't make out as if they were meant to be flaws. Her character is jumbled and hazy and I didn't enjoy her so much. She was just too goooood and puuuurrree and empatheetiiiccc and lovablllee for me.
I preferred A much more as her stronger character makes much more sense as she was raised by a lord of sorts, among lots of wealth and power and thus has learnt the dealings of it and the way of people.
We also see her fighting a moral battle within herself about which side to choose and who to love and we see her fight against her fate and her terror as well as fierceness. Her character was much more solid and the slap that she's gonna hopefully give C when she meets up again is the main reason I'm reading the next book.
On the writing style, I wasn't a total fan BUT I didn't hate it (keep in mind I'm super fussy). Many descriptions just seemed so one dimensional and bland and reused over and over again and it was frustrating and it was easy to get pulled out of it when the best you can describe something is a "browny liquid". Please have pity mistress.
The plot at some points was also predictable and by the time we get to the end, mostly everything just seems happily resolved on C's side which is slightly unrealistic for a series but at the same time is ominous in the sense that everything is gonna go to the dogs and I kinda dig that so I'll give Madame Octavia that one. I totally called C and G getting it though.
Anyway I hope you enjoyed my late night super petty Ted talk but to remind yall all in all I did generally enjoy this book and I know to not judge a series by it's first book and I am super hopeful for the rest of the series.
The author is very gifted at transporting the reader to her world she creates and I commend her for that and I did enjoy the general plot and most of the characters, none of them seemed recycled at all, which I APPRECIATED, and I am a sucker for old English historical fiction so I see potential and Octavia you have my attention please don't lose it.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
December 9, 2018
What I found interesting about this book is seeing the Dark Ages through the eyes of a woman. Most fiction of this era is written from a man's viewpoint. This isn't a bad thing, but this author shows us an entirely different look at this turbulent era. The main character, Ceridwen, is found wandering along a road by a princess who has been sold to a Danish jurl in exchange for a vow of peace between her father's realm and the Danes. Ceridwen becomes a part of this society and feels at home until a badly wounded warrior from her homeland is brought in as a prisoner. She vows to help him recover and escape to return home. The last third of the book involves the long trek back to his homeland and I won't divulge too much here in the interest of not providing spoilers.
There is much more story and much less violence in this book than in many of this genre. The story is interesting enough to keep my interest and make me want to read more of this series, but a good battle scene now and then would add some spice to the story, in my opinion.
Octavia Randolph did a lot of research in writing this series. It shows in her descriptions of villages and towns and of life in general. The dialogue used in conversations also reflects the period. I enjoyed this book and will read more of this series.
There is much more story and much less violence in this book than in many of this genre. The story is interesting enough to keep my interest and make me want to read more of this series, but a good battle scene now and then would add some spice to the story, in my opinion.
Octavia Randolph did a lot of research in writing this series. It shows in her descriptions of villages and towns and of life in general. The dialogue used in conversations also reflects the period. I enjoyed this book and will read more of this series.
October 24, 2016
First I must commend the publisher of the e-book format for the lack of errors included in this novel! Error-free reading is so much more enjoyable....
The novel is set in 870 - 875 AD in England just at the beginning of the Danish invasion and is the first in a trilogy. It tells the story of a girl who possesses courage, wisdom, and maturity beyond her years. Ceridwen is the daughter of a deceased earldoman (chief of the shire) who is raised by her uncle until his death and then raised by the local priory until she leaves there at 14 or 15 to seek a station. Ceridwen meets Lady Aelfwyn (a young maid from Wessex who is on her way to be wed to a Dane as part of a peace pact). Ceridwen and Aelfwyn become fast friends. The first portion of the novel portrays their new lives in a Danish stronghold.
The second half of the novel centers on the escape of a young Lord from Wessex from the Danish stronghold. The Lord, Gyric, and Ceridwen have many adventures as they make their way back to Wessex and Gyrics family (who believe him to be dead).
The characters are well developed and I was saddened that I would no longer read of some of them in the second part of he novel. I hope they are reintroduced in the subsequent novels.
The novel is set in 870 - 875 AD in England just at the beginning of the Danish invasion and is the first in a trilogy. It tells the story of a girl who possesses courage, wisdom, and maturity beyond her years. Ceridwen is the daughter of a deceased earldoman (chief of the shire) who is raised by her uncle until his death and then raised by the local priory until she leaves there at 14 or 15 to seek a station. Ceridwen meets Lady Aelfwyn (a young maid from Wessex who is on her way to be wed to a Dane as part of a peace pact). Ceridwen and Aelfwyn become fast friends. The first portion of the novel portrays their new lives in a Danish stronghold.
The second half of the novel centers on the escape of a young Lord from Wessex from the Danish stronghold. The Lord, Gyric, and Ceridwen have many adventures as they make their way back to Wessex and Gyrics family (who believe him to be dead).
The characters are well developed and I was saddened that I would no longer read of some of them in the second part of he novel. I hope they are reintroduced in the subsequent novels.
August 11, 2013
I really enjoyed this book. Although first in a series, the author tells a mostly complete story, with one thread left unfinished that could be resolved in a later book.
The characters, both main and supporting, are developed gradually, as are their relationships to each other. Their good and not-so-good sides are shown in their histories and interactions, but qualitative judgements are left to the reader. In a tale of war, it is not very common for both sides to have both their good as well as their darker sides shown.
The settings in the story are so well done, so descriptive, that I sometimes felt that I could have been watching a movie. The bleakness of a ransacked town contrasts with the richness of treasures. Mild, sunny days and cold, dreary days are so vivid as to direct the mood of the reader. The use of adjectives for the sake of filler was skillfully avoided, but at no loss to completeness.
It is a tale of clashes - religious, cultural, political, and personal.
The characters, both main and supporting, are developed gradually, as are their relationships to each other. Their good and not-so-good sides are shown in their histories and interactions, but qualitative judgements are left to the reader. In a tale of war, it is not very common for both sides to have both their good as well as their darker sides shown.
The settings in the story are so well done, so descriptive, that I sometimes felt that I could have been watching a movie. The bleakness of a ransacked town contrasts with the richness of treasures. Mild, sunny days and cold, dreary days are so vivid as to direct the mood of the reader. The use of adjectives for the sake of filler was skillfully avoided, but at no loss to completeness.
It is a tale of clashes - religious, cultural, political, and personal.
July 13, 2014
Stellar Novel
The author notes in the foreword that the novel is written in Olde English fashion, and she does a remarkable job. A novel that captured my interest and held it to the end. I will most certainly be reading future novels in this series. Well done Octavia!
The author notes in the foreword that the novel is written in Olde English fashion, and she does a remarkable job. A novel that captured my interest and held it to the end. I will most certainly be reading future novels in this series. Well done Octavia!
March 28, 2018
Fleeing either a life as a nun, for which she has no vocation, or being married to a man she doesn't want, Ceridwen leaves her life at a priory in Wessex, England to find a station somewhere as a lady's companion. Along the way she meets Aelfwyn, an earl's daughter who has been promised to the Dane, Yrling, along with a considerable treasure as a way to keep her father's borders safe from attack. Aelfwyn, who is love with a young man named Gyric, reluctantly marries Yrling and tries to bring some relief to the villagers who have been conquered by the Danes. But then Ceridwen and Aelfwin find out the Gyric is being held prisoner by Yrling and they plot his escape. What transpires changes life for all of them in ways they never expected.
This is the first book in a series about the time of Alfred the Great in England. For those who like the Bernard Cornwall books about the time period, this is along those lines but told from a femal perspective. Although not concentrating on the battles in detail, the lives of the people of the time period are detailed very well. It was a hopeless time period for the native Saxons as they struggled to hold on to what they had and as they lived in constant fear.
I thoroughly enjoyed this book and am looking forward to the rest of the series.
This is the first book in a series about the time of Alfred the Great in England. For those who like the Bernard Cornwall books about the time period, this is along those lines but told from a femal perspective. Although not concentrating on the battles in detail, the lives of the people of the time period are detailed very well. It was a hopeless time period for the native Saxons as they struggled to hold on to what they had and as they lived in constant fear.
I thoroughly enjoyed this book and am looking forward to the rest of the series.
May 3, 2017
It took me ages to read this book, however, it was not because I wasn't hooked to the story, but because of lack of time. I really liked reading this, every time I opened the book I couldn't keep immersing in it, time passed by without noticing. I adored Octavia's writing, I need to read what's left of the Circle of Ceridwen Saga, but I really think I will add her to my favorite authors list. The book was long, and tho it was very descriptive, it never stopped been entertaining and interesting. I think all the characters are needed and well written. Ceridwen is amazing, I absolutely admire her, she's very brave. Because of her age and physical aspect, I can't help thinking I kinda look like her, so it is even more exciting to read about her. Sidroc was also great, I enjoyed his appearance in this book and the role he played. Gydric is a flawless character, I love his presence and also the role he plays, I have to confess that I also like his background story. The storyline was really exciting and I couldn't wait to know what was going to happen next. An excellent book, I can't wait start the next one.
October 6, 2013
I very much enjoyed The Circle of Ceridwen and the time or history it illuminated. Historical novels that verify the times and people utilizing the Anglo-Saxon Chronicle appeal greatly to me. Ceridwen was mostly a believable character although some of her life choices seemed improbable.
The Danish invasions are important reading to me on several levels, and this time period especially so,as it lays a framework for when the Normans began to come to England.
"A.D. 871. This year came the army to Reading in Wessex;there was much slaughter on either hand, ; but the Danes kept possession of the field"
Such was the time that Octavia Randolph wrote about and Ceridwen lived. It seems accurate and believable to me and times, people and places all developed extremely well.
I plan to go now and purchase the other two books in the series as I am missing my daily trips into Essex and Mercia.
The Danish invasions are important reading to me on several levels, and this time period especially so,as it lays a framework for when the Normans began to come to England.
"A.D. 871. This year came the army to Reading in Wessex;there was much slaughter on either hand, ; but the Danes kept possession of the field"
Such was the time that Octavia Randolph wrote about and Ceridwen lived. It seems accurate and believable to me and times, people and places all developed extremely well.
I plan to go now and purchase the other two books in the series as I am missing my daily trips into Essex and Mercia.
January 25, 2016
"I was daughter to two men, but no woman claimed me as hers." - From the very first sentence, I knew that I was in the hands of a gifted storyteller. By the end of the first page, I knew it would be a wonderful story. But by the end of the first chapter I was simply "in", completely immersed in a long-ago era and deeply bonded to the main character.
To read about Ceridwen is not just to understand the age in which she lived. It's to see into her heart, into the choices that she made and was sometimes forced to make. At times, she infuriated me or left me in tears. Other times, she left me applauding her bravery. But all the while I cared deeply about her. Woman to woman, I related to her - even with 1300 years separating us.
The entire story, and indeed each character, felt real—devoid of artifice or hype. I devoured every page and saw every character clearly. At the end of the book, I wasted no time in purchasing the next. I didn't just read this book - I experienced it.
To read about Ceridwen is not just to understand the age in which she lived. It's to see into her heart, into the choices that she made and was sometimes forced to make. At times, she infuriated me or left me in tears. Other times, she left me applauding her bravery. But all the while I cared deeply about her. Woman to woman, I related to her - even with 1300 years separating us.
The entire story, and indeed each character, felt real—devoid of artifice or hype. I devoured every page and saw every character clearly. At the end of the book, I wasted no time in purchasing the next. I didn't just read this book - I experienced it.
February 9, 2017
4.5 Stars
This was a great Outlander type read due to its historical backdrop and its well done romantic elements. It does not have a great complexity of politics and characters, but somehow it still felt rich and epic. The female lead is headstrong and confident, but not obnoxiously so! The author does well to create nuances in the characters, which is what made some of the male characters genuine and captivating.
I would have given it 5 stars but the closing section of the book took a bit too long and I ended with sort of lackluster feelings. Nonetheless, I am on to the next pile of books in this series!
This was a great Outlander type read due to its historical backdrop and its well done romantic elements. It does not have a great complexity of politics and characters, but somehow it still felt rich and epic. The female lead is headstrong and confident, but not obnoxiously so! The author does well to create nuances in the characters, which is what made some of the male characters genuine and captivating.
I would have given it 5 stars but the closing section of the book took a bit too long and I ended with sort of lackluster feelings. Nonetheless, I am on to the next pile of books in this series!
March 2, 2018
2.5 stars.
I had hoped for a more historical accounting of things between the Saxons and Danes' in the 871 AD time frame. What I found was a romance novel with overtones of a fairy tale. Certainly, the settings, background and use of old English added a historic flavor, but it was not for me.
I had hoped for a more historical accounting of things between the Saxons and Danes' in the 871 AD time frame. What I found was a romance novel with overtones of a fairy tale. Certainly, the settings, background and use of old English added a historic flavor, but it was not for me.
August 14, 2013
I liked the first part of the book a lot more than the second part. Probably won't continue the series.
December 3, 2017
Love this whole saga!
July 22, 2019
Beautifully written, but not my type. Couldnt understand the lead character's motivations, and by the second half no longer cared.
June 2, 2025
Almost dnf’d half way through bc the author decided to jump ship and have the fmc end up with the blind loser instead of the hot Viking
March 20, 2022
This was such a surprise find. I went to the library and saw this whole 7-book series on the shelf and I'm a sucker for a good historical fiction like The Mists of Avalon or anything Arthurian.
I got book 1 and 2 and flew through both of them in 3 days.
I love the characters and their relationship (Burginde must be the best ladies-maid character ever) and the castle life descriptions were so fascinating I kept checking videos on spinning, weaving and other medieval daily chores.
The story has pretty much everything in it, romance, some steamier scenes, travelling, fighting, political and family intrigue and religion (Heathendom vs Christianity).
I can highly recommend this to any historical romance or historical fantasy reader. I will be picking up the other books from the library tomorrow, because I NEED TO KNOW what happens next.
I got book 1 and 2 and flew through both of them in 3 days.
I love the characters and their relationship (Burginde must be the best ladies-maid character ever) and the castle life descriptions were so fascinating I kept checking videos on spinning, weaving and other medieval daily chores.
The story has pretty much everything in it, romance, some steamier scenes, travelling, fighting, political and family intrigue and religion (Heathendom vs Christianity).
I can highly recommend this to any historical romance or historical fantasy reader. I will be picking up the other books from the library tomorrow, because I NEED TO KNOW what happens next.
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