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Ayla Trilogy #2
Storm Weaver
The sequel to A Cage of Roots. Descending into the ancient world of Fal, Ayla discovers she can conjure storms. Ayla and her friends travel further from home and deeper into the strange and ancient world of Fal. The chase leads them through a land of ever-deepening magic, populated with characters bizarre and beautiful, wondrous and dangerous. It leads them to the Old Ones, where Ayla’s newfound powers are greeted with fear and trepidation. They will meet allies and enemies, old and new, with the lines blurred between friend and foe. Battles spiral into war, and not everyone will fall on the same side…
256 pages, Paperback
Published April 4, 2016
8 people want to read
About the author
Matt Griffin
42 books7 followersMatthew Griffin was born in Dublin in 1979, grew up in Kells, Co.Meath and now lives in Ennis.
He has garnered a reputation as one of the most eclectic graphic artists in contemporary illustration, collecting awards and accolades for his work in publishing, film and, in particular, the field of poster art. His passion for visual design was always married to one for writing.
His first children’s novel, A Cage of Roots, was published in 2015. Storm Weaver followed the same characters further into a fantasy odyssey (2016), and The Spiral Path brings the enemy through a time portal to modern-day Ireland.
He has garnered a reputation as one of the most eclectic graphic artists in contemporary illustration, collecting awards and accolades for his work in publishing, film and, in particular, the field of poster art. His passion for visual design was always married to one for writing.
His first children’s novel, A Cage of Roots, was published in 2015. Storm Weaver followed the same characters further into a fantasy odyssey (2016), and The Spiral Path brings the enemy through a time portal to modern-day Ireland.
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Displaying 1 - 3 of 3 reviews
August 15, 2016
Review by Mia Madden, aged 13.
This book is the sequel to A Cage of Roots. It again follows Ayla, Benvy, Finny and Sean through caves underground in ancient Ireland. The mangled flesh and root bodied Queen Maeve has escaped the caves and Ayla wants to hunt down and destroy her. Since her uncles Lann, Fergus and Yaig gave their lives to heal the group of friends, Maeve is the only thing that has been on Ayla's mind. A rift begins to grow between her and her friends and Finny, Benvy and Sean set off to free girls who have been turned into goblins. The group succeed in freeing one, but she runs away. While searching for her, the gang stumble across the exit. They leave and find the goblin girl. But it isn't long before they are attacked by giant wolves. The friends have a row and split up, Ayla and Finny storming off, and Benvy, Sean and the goblin girl on a set path. Both parties get caught up in a war which means friend versus friend. Can their friendship survive the war?
While I was reading this it was pretty hard not to imagine Ayla as Aayla Secura, the blue Twi'lek Jedi from Star Wars, and Finnyas my brother Finn. My imagination can run a bit off track sometimes. Anyway, this book is another action-packed story of the buddies from Kilnabracka. It taught me things I didn't know about Irish mythology, had brilliant battle scenes ( I LOVE battles!) and amazing adventures (you like my alliteration?). All of this, plus illustrations, crammed into a single 250 page novel.
I would recommend this perfect page-turner for ages 11+.
This book is the sequel to A Cage of Roots. It again follows Ayla, Benvy, Finny and Sean through caves underground in ancient Ireland. The mangled flesh and root bodied Queen Maeve has escaped the caves and Ayla wants to hunt down and destroy her. Since her uncles Lann, Fergus and Yaig gave their lives to heal the group of friends, Maeve is the only thing that has been on Ayla's mind. A rift begins to grow between her and her friends and Finny, Benvy and Sean set off to free girls who have been turned into goblins. The group succeed in freeing one, but she runs away. While searching for her, the gang stumble across the exit. They leave and find the goblin girl. But it isn't long before they are attacked by giant wolves. The friends have a row and split up, Ayla and Finny storming off, and Benvy, Sean and the goblin girl on a set path. Both parties get caught up in a war which means friend versus friend. Can their friendship survive the war?
While I was reading this it was pretty hard not to imagine Ayla as Aayla Secura, the blue Twi'lek Jedi from Star Wars, and Finnyas my brother Finn. My imagination can run a bit off track sometimes. Anyway, this book is another action-packed story of the buddies from Kilnabracka. It taught me things I didn't know about Irish mythology, had brilliant battle scenes ( I LOVE battles!) and amazing adventures (you like my alliteration?). All of this, plus illustrations, crammed into a single 250 page novel.
I would recommend this perfect page-turner for ages 11+.
January 3, 2020
Matt Griffin's 'The Ayla Trilogy' continues with the excellent 'Storm Weaver'.
After rescuing Ayla from the clutches of the Red Root King and Queen Maeve, Finny, Benvy and Sean join Ayla in her quest through the underworld and into Fal, an Ireland from the ancient past, in search of Maeve to destroy her evil. But along the way, the friends begin to question Ayla's motivations, as the quest begins to consume her, which soon ends up fracturing the party and they split and go their separate ways. With the dangers of Fal as well as a war also looming on the horizon, things aren't looking good for the group of friends.
'Storm Weaver' is a really good sequel to 'A Cage Of Roots'. With the group of friends on a quest to defeat an ancient evil, there are obvious comparisons to 'The Lord Of The Rings' with this entry in the series. But Matt has done an excellent job of reinterpreting a classic and explores it with his own ideas and characters as well as weaving more Irish mythological influences into the tale. The new characters added more depth to a story that was already packed with great characters, and the story was fast paced and action packed, but not too much as there was still room for the story to breathe and develop, keeping me engaged throughout.
A typically 'middle' book, as it continues from the previous book and sets things up for the next. But it's done in a way that is compelling and makes you want to know what happens to the friends from Kilnabracka! Looking forward to reading the final chapter in the trilogy!
After rescuing Ayla from the clutches of the Red Root King and Queen Maeve, Finny, Benvy and Sean join Ayla in her quest through the underworld and into Fal, an Ireland from the ancient past, in search of Maeve to destroy her evil. But along the way, the friends begin to question Ayla's motivations, as the quest begins to consume her, which soon ends up fracturing the party and they split and go their separate ways. With the dangers of Fal as well as a war also looming on the horizon, things aren't looking good for the group of friends.
'Storm Weaver' is a really good sequel to 'A Cage Of Roots'. With the group of friends on a quest to defeat an ancient evil, there are obvious comparisons to 'The Lord Of The Rings' with this entry in the series. But Matt has done an excellent job of reinterpreting a classic and explores it with his own ideas and characters as well as weaving more Irish mythological influences into the tale. The new characters added more depth to a story that was already packed with great characters, and the story was fast paced and action packed, but not too much as there was still room for the story to breathe and develop, keeping me engaged throughout.
A typically 'middle' book, as it continues from the previous book and sets things up for the next. But it's done in a way that is compelling and makes you want to know what happens to the friends from Kilnabracka! Looking forward to reading the final chapter in the trilogy!
November 21, 2019
The sequel to The Cage of Roots is as exciting as the first, where the characters, Ayla, Benvy, Seán and Finny delve more into the ancient Ireland known as Fal.
Originally seeking to save the Goblin girls of the underground, the motivations of the characters quickly change as Ayla begins to act strangely. Driven to find Queen Meave, the friends question whether they should be following Ayla back to danger.
I liked the way this book explored more of the aspects of Fal and the reappearance of some favourite characters was very welcome.
Some new characters such as Lorcan and Ida were a nice addition and added a new dimension to the story.
Looking forward to reading the final book – The Spiral Path.
Originally seeking to save the Goblin girls of the underground, the motivations of the characters quickly change as Ayla begins to act strangely. Driven to find Queen Meave, the friends question whether they should be following Ayla back to danger.
I liked the way this book explored more of the aspects of Fal and the reappearance of some favourite characters was very welcome.
Some new characters such as Lorcan and Ida were a nice addition and added a new dimension to the story.
Looking forward to reading the final book – The Spiral Path.
Displaying 1 - 3 of 3 reviews