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Druid Lailoken #1
The Druid & the Bracelet
It is 2000 years ago in Western Scotland. Celtic villagers, ruled by gods and bedevilled by faeries, scratch a living from impoverished fields, as they have for centuries.
Life is hard, but is about to get worse, much worse.
A dead king returns with a warning of doom.
Men collect maidens for sacrifice to a new god.
A witch girl, Aileen, given an ancient bracelet, disappears in a flash of lightning.
Could it be, as the Arch-Druid says, that evil is leaking into the land?
Aileen is probably dead and in Below World, yet, against all reason, her father orders his sons - the young Druid, Lailoken, and the young but powerful warrior, Cynbel, - to find and return her within eight days. They must obey, even if their quest should take them to Below World, the land of the dead.
An alluring young woman, Lilidh, soon joins the brothers, threatening the growing bond between them. Together they discover the malevolent being stirring in the depths of a black loch, the resurgent evil that threatens all who live and all who have died - even the faeries. Aileen's disappearance is only the start of the challenges that the three young people must face.
Dragons, faeries, and an ancient bracelet of unknown power all play their parts in helping Lailoken the Druid, Cynbel the warrior and Lilidh battle the malevolent being trapped by the faeries a thousand years before and now, with the help of his dead, decaying servant, wreaking havoc on the world of the Scottish Celts.
In fear for their lives though they are, the two brothers still find time to compete for the love of Lilidh.
The Feeble Wight looms. She will bring death to Lailoken unless he returns his sister in just eight days...
The adventures of Lailoken, Cynbel, Lilidh, and Aileen will capture you tightly until, lump in your throat, the dramatic ending releases you.
With action, humour, and authentic detail of early Celtic life, this story of terror, love, and self-discovery in the face of evil brings the ancient Celts vividly to life.
The Druid and the Bracelet - a truly original fantasy.
Life is hard, but is about to get worse, much worse.
A dead king returns with a warning of doom.
Men collect maidens for sacrifice to a new god.
A witch girl, Aileen, given an ancient bracelet, disappears in a flash of lightning.
Could it be, as the Arch-Druid says, that evil is leaking into the land?
Aileen is probably dead and in Below World, yet, against all reason, her father orders his sons - the young Druid, Lailoken, and the young but powerful warrior, Cynbel, - to find and return her within eight days. They must obey, even if their quest should take them to Below World, the land of the dead.
An alluring young woman, Lilidh, soon joins the brothers, threatening the growing bond between them. Together they discover the malevolent being stirring in the depths of a black loch, the resurgent evil that threatens all who live and all who have died - even the faeries. Aileen's disappearance is only the start of the challenges that the three young people must face.
Dragons, faeries, and an ancient bracelet of unknown power all play their parts in helping Lailoken the Druid, Cynbel the warrior and Lilidh battle the malevolent being trapped by the faeries a thousand years before and now, with the help of his dead, decaying servant, wreaking havoc on the world of the Scottish Celts.
In fear for their lives though they are, the two brothers still find time to compete for the love of Lilidh.
The Feeble Wight looms. She will bring death to Lailoken unless he returns his sister in just eight days...
The adventures of Lailoken, Cynbel, Lilidh, and Aileen will capture you tightly until, lump in your throat, the dramatic ending releases you.
With action, humour, and authentic detail of early Celtic life, this story of terror, love, and self-discovery in the face of evil brings the ancient Celts vividly to life.
The Druid and the Bracelet - a truly original fantasy.
- GenresFantasy
333 pages, Paperback
First published October 3, 2015
About the author
Chris Dews
3 books8 followersIn 1946, Chris was born in the bombed out, grimy and exhausted north England town of Bradford in Yorkshire.
His father was an engineer and his mother, surprisingly for the time and place, had a deep love of literature. Chris grew up with talk of the latest works by D. H. Lawrence and Dylan Thomas buzzing around the small house.
Chris studied Electronic Engineering in London, meeting and marrying Valerie in 1969. He worked for several years in Hampshire, then at the age of 31, the couple left to live in the Californian Silicon Valley, where Chris enjoyed a successful career as an Electronic Engineer.
The author imprisoned in the engineer broke free upon his retirement in 2012, and Chris began his first full-length novel, ‘Aengus Amused’.
Chris still lives in the San Francisco Bay Area, enjoying mountain biking, piloting small airplanes and most of all, writing. He and Val have two adult daughters.
His father was an engineer and his mother, surprisingly for the time and place, had a deep love of literature. Chris grew up with talk of the latest works by D. H. Lawrence and Dylan Thomas buzzing around the small house.
Chris studied Electronic Engineering in London, meeting and marrying Valerie in 1969. He worked for several years in Hampshire, then at the age of 31, the couple left to live in the Californian Silicon Valley, where Chris enjoyed a successful career as an Electronic Engineer.
The author imprisoned in the engineer broke free upon his retirement in 2012, and Chris began his first full-length novel, ‘Aengus Amused’.
Chris still lives in the San Francisco Bay Area, enjoying mountain biking, piloting small airplanes and most of all, writing. He and Val have two adult daughters.
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Displaying 1 - 8 of 8 reviews
Did Not Finish
February 29, 2016I received this via GoodReads FirstReads in an exchange for an honest review
I appreciate winning and being sent the book and I tried a couple times but the print is too small in this and it was giving me a headache...
Shelf name isn't really accurate but it's close I suppose (the first part anyway)
I appreciate winning and being sent the book and I tried a couple times but the print is too small in this and it was giving me a headache...
Shelf name isn't really accurate but it's close I suppose (the first part anyway)
November 24, 2015
This book was a bit of a change of genre for me as I usually go for crime & psychological thrillers, however I really enjoyed Juliet Marillier's books and I thought this book sounded like it was set in the same era.
Although I don't think that Chris Dews succeeds in capturing that age and atmosphere as well as Marillier this is still a highly entertaining tale. He has done his research and his writing is wonderfully descriptive.
Where I felt this book fell down, was in the dialogue between some of the characters. Beatris's 'Yoda' speak did not jar with me but a lot of the other characters way of speaking seemed far too modern. This was a shame as it made me suddenly aware that it wasn't 'real' (I do tend to get lost in a story!)and that spoiled the book a bit.
That apart, this is a fast moving tale which will appeal to those who enjoy history, fantasy and a touch of magic.
Thanks to Netgallery for the chance to read and review this book.
Although I don't think that Chris Dews succeeds in capturing that age and atmosphere as well as Marillier this is still a highly entertaining tale. He has done his research and his writing is wonderfully descriptive.
Where I felt this book fell down, was in the dialogue between some of the characters. Beatris's 'Yoda' speak did not jar with me but a lot of the other characters way of speaking seemed far too modern. This was a shame as it made me suddenly aware that it wasn't 'real' (I do tend to get lost in a story!)and that spoiled the book a bit.
That apart, this is a fast moving tale which will appeal to those who enjoy history, fantasy and a touch of magic.
Thanks to Netgallery for the chance to read and review this book.
October 19, 2022
I happen to know the author for this one, so I rented the first book on Kindle. As an action adventure in a pre-historic Britain setting it delivers on its premise. I wouldn't necessarily recommend this to anyone who's not a fan of the Game of Thrones franchise. (I'm more of a Mists of Avalon girl.) There's a lot of emphasis on maneuvering a group of characters around to interact with the overarching plot, so there's not one central protagonist.
I'll add a Trigger Warning, which should be obvious from the Game of Thrones comparison. A lot of misogyny, (child) rape, assault. Some fat-shaming (of a male character).
Because the plot is more action and magic heavy, the best audience is probably males in their late teens to 20s who are fans of the genre. In all, I think if the blurb and cover art intrigue you, you will probably enjoy the story as well.
I'll add a Trigger Warning, which should be obvious from the Game of Thrones comparison. A lot of misogyny, (child) rape, assault. Some fat-shaming (of a male character).
Because the plot is more action and magic heavy, the best audience is probably males in their late teens to 20s who are fans of the genre. In all, I think if the blurb and cover art intrigue you, you will probably enjoy the story as well.
August 26, 2018
Wonderful plot and world building
This book deserves five stars for ingenuity and skillful writing. This is not a run of the mill fantasy. The villains are truly villainous (not for the faint of heart) and the other characters well developed. The plot has many twists and turns and held my attention.
This book deserves five stars for ingenuity and skillful writing. This is not a run of the mill fantasy. The villains are truly villainous (not for the faint of heart) and the other characters well developed. The plot has many twists and turns and held my attention.
December 8, 2015
'The Druid and the Bracelet' succeeds at what so many fantasy novels fail at -- creating a world that on the one hand is filled with magic, gods and faeries, druids and monsters . . . and yet still feels as real as the world outside my front door. Much of this is owing to the characters: our heroes range from druids and witches, to warriors and kings, but each one is a complex human being, with failings and triumphs that are so relatable and real, you'll feel as though you know them -- despite the fact that they live in a fantastical version of ancient Scotland.
The pacing is fast enough to keep even an easily bored reader (read: this reviewer) completely hooked, while at the same time managing to have many scenes that are deeply emotional and intense. But there are also battles and duels, and enough excitement to keep any reader up well past bedtime. Throw in some fascinating historical tit-bits and a lovable ogre, and you've got one hell of a good novel.
The pacing is fast enough to keep even an easily bored reader (read: this reviewer) completely hooked, while at the same time managing to have many scenes that are deeply emotional and intense. But there are also battles and duels, and enough excitement to keep any reader up well past bedtime. Throw in some fascinating historical tit-bits and a lovable ogre, and you've got one hell of a good novel.
November 8, 2015
Thousands of years ago, the Fae trapped an evil being and his essence was placed in a bracelet. When the went to trap his mistress, Beitiris, she somehow escaped. A thousand years later, she has two kings seemingly willing to help her finally raise her trapped lover. In the process, young maidens.
I decided to try this book since it’s a little different than the supernatural-type books I normally read. However, right from the beginning, it really wasn’t for me. First was Beitiris talking like Yoda really didn’t work for me. I also didn’t care much for Aileen, although it could’ve been the entire setting and situation, which I didn’t really like. This book just wasn’t for me.
**I received an ARC of this story in exchange for an honest review
I decided to try this book since it’s a little different than the supernatural-type books I normally read. However, right from the beginning, it really wasn’t for me. First was Beitiris talking like Yoda really didn’t work for me. I also didn’t care much for Aileen, although it could’ve been the entire setting and situation, which I didn’t really like. This book just wasn’t for me.
**I received an ARC of this story in exchange for an honest review
June 30, 2016
I got this book for free since I won it in one of the GoodReads giveaways. I really like fantasy type books, and this sounded very interesting. I gave it 3 out of 5 stars because it was okay. I think the story is a good one, but there is a lack of intrigue. The transitions between chapters/character viewpoints was rough. It took me longer than usual to finish this book because I just couldn't get excited to read it.
The characters were unique, but at times seemed 2-dimensional/stereotypical. The plot was also unique, but like I said, it didn't ignite interest for me.
The characters were unique, but at times seemed 2-dimensional/stereotypical. The plot was also unique, but like I said, it didn't ignite interest for me.
August 19, 2016
Very creative and written with gusto! Paints a vivid picture of life in Gaelic times.
Displaying 1 - 8 of 8 reviews