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Islands in the Mist #2
Across the Sea
In the aftermath of the Battle of the Crossroads, Bran convinces the few warriors who remain to gather their families and live as one clan under his leadership. Together, they abandon their villages and unite under a new sigil—the Sacred Oak of the Crossroads—no longer referring to themselves as Easterners, Northerners or Southerners, but simply as “Oaks.”
With his clan and their new village well-established, Bran asks Lucia to leave the Isle and be his queen, leaving her with a difficult choice to make—to become a Priestess of the Isle or Queen of the Oaks. Her response leads Bran to a decision that threatens to destroy not only his honor, but the future prosperity of his people.
Unknown to either of them, the birth of a wee golden child, abandoned and set adrift in the sea, has set in motion a series of events that threaten to destroy the Oaks completely, and will take them on a journey to realms in both this world and the next.
With his clan and their new village well-established, Bran asks Lucia to leave the Isle and be his queen, leaving her with a difficult choice to make—to become a Priestess of the Isle or Queen of the Oaks. Her response leads Bran to a decision that threatens to destroy not only his honor, but the future prosperity of his people.
Unknown to either of them, the birth of a wee golden child, abandoned and set adrift in the sea, has set in motion a series of events that threaten to destroy the Oaks completely, and will take them on a journey to realms in both this world and the next.
308 pages, Kindle Edition
Published November 17, 2015
5 people are currently reading
289 people want to read
About the author
J.M. Hofer
8 books55 followersJ.M. Hofer's novel series, Islands in the Mist, is inspired by Celtic mythology and takes place in Iron Age Britain.
Book 1 of the series was chosen as one of five semi-finalists out of 2,000 entries in the Fantasy/Sci Fi/Horror genre of the 2013 Amazon Breakthrough Novel Award Contest.
She lives in Salt Lake City, Utah, where she can escape to the solace of the American Desert when it calls.
Book 1 of the series was chosen as one of five semi-finalists out of 2,000 entries in the Fantasy/Sci Fi/Horror genre of the 2013 Amazon Breakthrough Novel Award Contest.
She lives in Salt Lake City, Utah, where she can escape to the solace of the American Desert when it calls.
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Displaying 1 - 11 of 11 reviews
November 6, 2018
Part two of “Islands in the Mist” series grabbed me in a way I wasn’t expecting and wouldn’t let go. You could almost read it by itself; enough time passed since I read volume one that I lost the thread, and I didn’t need to go back and review. We can recognize a post-Roman Britain which has a fantasy edge—not too much for sensibly-minded people like myself, yet enough to assure us that magic is in the air. Historical names anchor us in the period, and the familiar concept of the Goddess and the Island with clairvoyant female acolytes resonates with the pagan culture. Our hero Bran and heroine Lucia both have special attributes that make them exceptional, yet both have foibles that help us relate to them. Bran is strong and powerful, but putty in the hands of women. Lucia is gifted with foresight, but it’s not always welcome or even understandable to her. She strives to vanquish her unhappy visions, knowing in her heart she cannot alter fate. And when the inevitable occurs, it comes in a different form than she could possibly envision: “ ‘Great Mother, is this it?’ She slowly realized they had left the safety of their village to run straight into the jaws of the beast she had feared for years.” Their secure world is devastated by the raids so common to this era, and our protagonists must use every power at their disposal to overcome the aggressors and salvage what they can of their shattered lives. They prevail, but at a cost. The author gives us a fine tale of love, loyalty, loss, and insight.
November 20, 2017
Across the Sea is another great book by J. M. Hofer. Set roughly a year after Islands in the Mist, Across the Sea continues the narratives of Lucia, Bran and Ula, and introduces a range of new and interesting characters—most notably Taliesin, who was (unsurprisingly) my favourite character. After reading Islands in the Mist I was left wanting more—I got it in this book, which returns to Bran’s newly formed clan, the Oaks.
The atmosphere was as rich as I have come to expect from J. M. Hofer, and the prose was fluid and beautifully descriptive. Character development was spot on, and the depth and care given to the varying religious beliefs and customs was enriching, including not only the Brython gods, but also the gods of Jutland. In this I found that the author described notions of the Otherworlds brilliantly, succinctly painting the image of interconnectivity through the sacred trees, which felt like pocket universes.
Knowing there is another book in this series, Pendragon, Across the Sea did read as if it were bridge from book one to book three, and there were a few narrative threads that I hope will be resolved in Pendragon. Lucia and Bran matured well, and greater depth was given to minor characters from book one, such as Maur, Seren and Ula. Irwyn, Gareth and Arhianna were all well structured new additions that I enjoyed reading about.
This was an exciting book woven from many threads—love, war, family, survival, the march of time—yet perhaps explored most delicately the interconnectivity of peoples, highlighting the similarities between different (and invading) clans. I read this book in a total of three sittings. Knowing something about the legends upon which this series is based, I am looking forward to following these characters in the next instalment (Pendragon), and discovering how Taliesin comes to fill his destined role.
The atmosphere was as rich as I have come to expect from J. M. Hofer, and the prose was fluid and beautifully descriptive. Character development was spot on, and the depth and care given to the varying religious beliefs and customs was enriching, including not only the Brython gods, but also the gods of Jutland. In this I found that the author described notions of the Otherworlds brilliantly, succinctly painting the image of interconnectivity through the sacred trees, which felt like pocket universes.
Knowing there is another book in this series, Pendragon, Across the Sea did read as if it were bridge from book one to book three, and there were a few narrative threads that I hope will be resolved in Pendragon. Lucia and Bran matured well, and greater depth was given to minor characters from book one, such as Maur, Seren and Ula. Irwyn, Gareth and Arhianna were all well structured new additions that I enjoyed reading about.
This was an exciting book woven from many threads—love, war, family, survival, the march of time—yet perhaps explored most delicately the interconnectivity of peoples, highlighting the similarities between different (and invading) clans. I read this book in a total of three sittings. Knowing something about the legends upon which this series is based, I am looking forward to following these characters in the next instalment (Pendragon), and discovering how Taliesin comes to fill his destined role.
December 8, 2015
If you like fantasy (especially of the sword variety) then you'll love this book. It's incredibly well written and unique. I loved the folklore and magic. Can't wait for the next one
December 24, 2025
This series tells the stories of how Taliesin (Merlin) came into power, as well as what was behind him. How the four clans became one, The Oaks, under Bran’s leadership, as well as a bunch of the lore regarding Cerridwen, and the gods, Arawn and the Great Mother. How Cerridwen gives birth as penance and Gwion is reborn as Taliesin. The selkie, Ula, finds the babe in the waters, and it takes him away from her, and Elffin, son of loathe Lord of Garanhir, finds the baby. Elffin has always been told that he was born under a bad sign. He thinks the babe is of the Fae and could bring fortune if he cares for him. Ula tracks the baby to Elffin and then cares for him as his mother.
Meanwhile, Bran is leading the Oaks and he still feels the loss of Gwion. Lucia had returned to the Sisterhood with the others and they had come to celebrate Beltane with the Oaks. I love whenever Maur is with Bran, because they are hilarious together. Plus, Maur has many children thru the years and I loved watching them grow up. Where they have settled near a mountain, they renamed Mynyth Aur- Gold Mountain, which would cause problems later. Islwyn, the old Druid now cares for the Crossroads and the Great Oak, that Talhaiarn once cared for. Seren still acts as Priestess for her people, and Bran is her protector. There are so many important characters in the book, that I just love. The Druid tells Bran of Ula and that she is in trouble. So they go to see what is up. I got upset when they got there, but then again, many believed that it was their right to do so, to selkies. Plus, the giant Tegid Voel is expecting Ula back as was the price in the previous book. So once again, there is a quest. Plus, Lucia herself is on a quest. I was shocked at what then happened and very upset. This book has quite a few quests in it.
There is romance, aggression, awesome fighting, bloodshed, heart warming and heartbreaking scenes in the book. I laughed, cried, chewed on my nails in worry and a bunch of other emotions on this epic roller coaster ride that totally messed with all of my emotions it was soooo good.
We learn more about Cerridwen and how she fell in love and had her children. Why she turned out like she did, which made her more than someone to hate. Lucia visits with her Aunt, Aveta and her husband, Colwyn, where they had once lived at the beginning of book 1. There are some shocking revelations. Plus, there are some things that happen that causes problems for Bran, because he has given his word. The book has so many twists & turns in it. It was so much fun to read. I can’t wait to read the next one.
I can’t leave the problems with the Saxons out. They are brutal people, who capture and kill and keep slaves. The things that happen to those slaves are enough to give you nightmares. I cried a lot in those instances.
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
Meanwhile, Bran is leading the Oaks and he still feels the loss of Gwion. Lucia had returned to the Sisterhood with the others and they had come to celebrate Beltane with the Oaks. I love whenever Maur is with Bran, because they are hilarious together. Plus, Maur has many children thru the years and I loved watching them grow up. Where they have settled near a mountain, they renamed Mynyth Aur- Gold Mountain, which would cause problems later. Islwyn, the old Druid now cares for the Crossroads and the Great Oak, that Talhaiarn once cared for. Seren still acts as Priestess for her people, and Bran is her protector. There are so many important characters in the book, that I just love. The Druid tells Bran of Ula and that she is in trouble. So they go to see what is up. I got upset when they got there, but then again, many believed that it was their right to do so, to selkies. Plus, the giant Tegid Voel is expecting Ula back as was the price in the previous book. So once again, there is a quest. Plus, Lucia herself is on a quest. I was shocked at what then happened and very upset. This book has quite a few quests in it.
There is romance, aggression, awesome fighting, bloodshed, heart warming and heartbreaking scenes in the book. I laughed, cried, chewed on my nails in worry and a bunch of other emotions on this epic roller coaster ride that totally messed with all of my emotions it was soooo good.
We learn more about Cerridwen and how she fell in love and had her children. Why she turned out like she did, which made her more than someone to hate. Lucia visits with her Aunt, Aveta and her husband, Colwyn, where they had once lived at the beginning of book 1. There are some shocking revelations. Plus, there are some things that happen that causes problems for Bran, because he has given his word. The book has so many twists & turns in it. It was so much fun to read. I can’t wait to read the next one.
I can’t leave the problems with the Saxons out. They are brutal people, who capture and kill and keep slaves. The things that happen to those slaves are enough to give you nightmares. I cried a lot in those instances.
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
December 23, 2025
This 2nd book in the Islands of the Mist series can be read alone. It gives a short inventory of the events passing in book one, enough to put you in the right tracks.
This story is situated in the post Romain -Britain period, a tumultuous time.
The main characters Lucia and Bran are both very courageous, loyal and share a love so tender and fragile, pure and passionate.
I have to congratulate the author for the way she projected true feelings on paper and created a fantasy world that felt so real and acceptable.
I dreamt away in this book and i’m very happy there is more coming in the next part ….
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
This story is situated in the post Romain -Britain period, a tumultuous time.
The main characters Lucia and Bran are both very courageous, loyal and share a love so tender and fragile, pure and passionate.
I have to congratulate the author for the way she projected true feelings on paper and created a fantasy world that felt so real and acceptable.
I dreamt away in this book and i’m very happy there is more coming in the next part ….
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
November 3, 2017
This is a exceptional series. This is the second book and I really enjoyed JM Hofer is a very tallented author. A lot of research went into these books based on many things. I am totally hooked. Her descriptions are such that I can see, smell and feel what is happening at any one time. I highly recommend this series starting with Islands in the Mist. I got really engrosed in the story and have been glad to invest the time.
November 8, 2023
This sequel to Islands of the Mist delivers! The Author does an excellent job recreating the saga of Bran and Lucia as they finally find love. I love how you forget your actually reading and get lost in the story.
Want to read
December 6, 2015Received!
March 24, 2018
Loved the book!!!
Every time I say down I would pick it up and read . I didn't want to put it down .
Every time I say down I would pick it up and read . I didn't want to put it down .
February 6, 2022
Excellent book. Detailed and well developed storyline. It is not lacking and it maintains the reader’s attention.
January 10, 2026
Across the Sea is the second book in the series and I didn't think it could get better but it certainly does and then some. I love the relationship between our hero and heroine Bran and Lucia. Even when they are separated there love for each other thrives and shines. There are battles in this book that I wasn't expecting but enjoyed. The fantasy side is subtle enough to be believable and the research teaches lessons I was unaware of. I am eager to now do my own research and I think it will enhance my knowledge of the battles. Across the Sea is mystery, love, loss, other world realms and loyalty rolled into a adventure.
Displaying 1 - 11 of 11 reviews