Vortex: Book III of the Alban Saga

by Bob Stegner

The Alban Saga is a fantasy trilogy made up of Beatrice , Black Grotto , and Vortex . All three books take place in real locations in Scotland, with real Scottish history woven into their plotlines. Vortex begins just as Black Grotto ends. Bea Bauman, a young Druid Priestess, is taken away by an ancient prophet named Erin. She cannot resist his call; he reaches for her from the center of the Vortex inside the Black Grotto, and she takes his hand, leaving her family and friends behind as she travels with him through time and space.

Just as Bea enters the Vortex, Aran Brodie, who has become a close and dear companion, cannot let Bea go alone into the void. He jumps in after her. For a time, they travel together inside the violent maelstrom, but they cannot maintain their grip, become separated, and lose consciousness. When Bea finally awakens, she finds herself at the Stones of Calanais, staring into the eyes of Erin the Prophet, on the same day and time she left the Black Grotto. In the meantime, Aran Brodie is expelled from the Vortex to the same location as Bea, but his exit casts him over 4,500 years into the past, where he ends up surrounded by primordial Druids in search of a human sacrifice.

As all of this is going on, another character from the previous books also finds herself at the Stones of Calanais, but she is there three years in the future. Her name is Obsidian. For years now, she has been an acolyte in the grove of an extraordinarily powerful Druid Priestess named Brenna. Brenna brought Obsidian with her to this time and place to help her join with her nemesis in order to become the Great Hermaphrodite. However, Brenna is overcome and vanishes. Saddened and distraught, Obsidian is left alone without any way to return to her own time. She wanders aimlessly for days, but then remembers something that Brenna once shared with her. Another powerful Druid lived near the Stones of Calanais, and she was called the Keeper. Obsidian sets out to find her in the hope that she can bring Brenna back and restore her to her former greatness.

Vortex carries forth the story of the Alban Saga, weaving the plotlines into a surprising and volatile romp through time, space, and Scottish history. This dangerous journey will either end with the past being completely reshaped, leading to a malevolent and dire future, or the current timeline will remain intact and safe for the development of humankind. Bea Bauman, along with family, close friends, Aran Brodie, her former teacher Anu Grenn, and the Great Prophet Erin, will be at the center of this struggle. She will attempt to unravel and countermand whomever or whatever is trying to alter history while also dealing with her feelings for Aran, her fear for his survival, and having to navigate the treacherous intricacies of transporting oneself in a Vortex .

473 pages, Kindle Edition

Published September 25, 2025

About the author

Bob Stegner grew up in Colorado and now lives in the Pacific Northwest. He has a master’s degree in education and has been a “ski bum,” a teacher, a published singer/songwriter, and a musician. He has run his own school in Alaska, worked in educational technology, and was employed overseas for several years. Now he’s a published independent author, writes science fiction and fantasy, and travels extensively. All of these experiences have added depth to his life and to the stories that he has to tell.

Reviews

[Bob Stegner · Rating 5 out of 5]

This review is not from me. It is actually a review of Vortex that someone emailed to me directly. I didn't want to write one of my own, so I put this one in. The rating was 5 stars.


I just finished reading Vortex, the third book in the Alban Saga by Bob Stegner. Anyone who enjoys mind bending fantasy adventures based in the present and long ago times (accessed by time travel) will love this book and the previous two entitled: Beatrice followed by the Black Grotto.

Vortex combines accurate presentations of real locations in Scotland—both from the past and present. It reads as a great novel, but also has descriptions one would find in a screen play, giving one easily created visuals of the details of day to day life, magical happenings, and the feelings of intense human emotions generated by the interaction and struggle between good and evil found in the world.

These three books will not disappoint and will be hard to put down—especially Vortex.

[Bonnie · Rating 5 out of 5]

Vortex, book Ill of the Alban Saga, does not disappoint! Book Il of the Saga, Black Grotto, left the reader in suspense. As the reader, I wanted to be able to move right into the next one. Bob kept us all waiting -but it was worth the wait. Book Ill is rich in detail of Scottish history and tradition. The time travel flows smoothly and paints a picture of the people, place, and events of the period the reader is in. Vortex builds to dramatic endings-yes endings. I'm not going to explain because that would be a spoiler. It would be a great book club choice because it leaves one wanting to discuss and dig into many topics and questions. I highly recommend reading the series in order. However, Bob does a great job of smoothly weaving in enough back story that Vortex can be a stand alone read, I give it 5 stars and plan to go back and read the series again. During the first read I was absorbed in the plots and how they were going to spin out. My second read of the series will be to enjoy the wealth and richness of extensive detail. Bonnie

[Kendra · Rating 5 out of 5]

I savored every moment with the characters in this third and final book of the Alban Saga. It was as if I was experiencing the journey with them. What an exciting, satisfying, and thought provoking journey it was!

I believe anyone who reads this story will be impressed not only by the author’s story-telling and character building abilities but his mastery of pulling complex timelines and plots together to create a coherent whole.

I highly recommend reading the entire Alban Saga series!

[Sheila Rae · Rating 5 out of 5]

I have enjoyed all three books in the Alban series. Vortex took an unexpected path, especially at the end. It could have been predictable and would still have been a good story, but Bob Stegner surprised me with an ending that I did not expect.
I wish the series would continue…I love the characters and their stories. I am looking forward to Bob’s next adventure!