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Once & Future #2
Cauldron
The traumatic events of The River Maiden have left Sarah MacAlpin’s life in shambles. Her best friend won’t talk to her. The man she loves says they can’t be together. She’s just discovered something that destroys the main thesis of her dissertation. To top it off, she’s learned that her dream fellowship in Scotland was given to her with ulterior motives by her billionaire benefactor. Sarah has to choose whether to accept the fellowship anyway or try to find a different path. Meanwhile, she’s battles her own personal demons and questions about her family. She hopes to find some answers in her mother’s memoir. What she finds are some upsetting parallels to her own life. Like Sarah, Molly left Kettle Holler on the verge of making her dreams come true, but her ambitions were derailed by a family secret that took her across an ocean and left her a broken shade of her former self.
468 pages, Paperback
Published December 7, 2016
10 people are currently reading
31 people want to read
About the author
Meredith R. Stoddard
10 books89 followersMeredith R. Stoddard is a writer and fiber artist living in Central VA. She studied literature and folklore at the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill before working as a corporate trainer and instructional designer for 10 years. She now devotes her energy to fiction and creative non-fiction. When her hands are not holding a book or touching a keyboard they are likely knitting, spinning or felting. You can follow her adventures in fiction and fiber at http://www.meredithstoddard.com
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Displaying 1 - 18 of 18 reviews
June 16, 2018
I have been waiting patiently for this book since I finished the first book in this series (River Maiden) and was left hanging. I admit that I have been hounding the author, Meredith Stoddard to finish this book so I could find out what happened to Sarah and Dermot.
This book picks up where the last one leaves off. Sarah has just discovered that all the work she has done on her dissertation had to be reviewed when she found that two sources weren’t as independent as she had imagined. Dermot had gone back to Scotland and the reader is left wondering if their love will be allowed to survive while his cousin James Stuart has plans to marry Sarah.
A big part of this book is the story of Sarah’s mother Molly. Sarah has found her mother’s diary and begins to read it. This is the first time she learns of what happened to her mother and what led to her madness.
While Molly’s story unfolds, Sarah must make decisions about where her future is leading her. All of a sudden, decisions that seemed sure are called into question and she looks to the man who was like a father to her, Duff, to help her decide what to do.
While, Sarah’s story is still left hanging, Molly’s diary fills in a lot of blanks in the story while leaving more questions to be answered. I can’t wait to find out what a third book will bring.
This book picks up where the last one leaves off. Sarah has just discovered that all the work she has done on her dissertation had to be reviewed when she found that two sources weren’t as independent as she had imagined. Dermot had gone back to Scotland and the reader is left wondering if their love will be allowed to survive while his cousin James Stuart has plans to marry Sarah.
A big part of this book is the story of Sarah’s mother Molly. Sarah has found her mother’s diary and begins to read it. This is the first time she learns of what happened to her mother and what led to her madness.
While Molly’s story unfolds, Sarah must make decisions about where her future is leading her. All of a sudden, decisions that seemed sure are called into question and she looks to the man who was like a father to her, Duff, to help her decide what to do.
While, Sarah’s story is still left hanging, Molly’s diary fills in a lot of blanks in the story while leaving more questions to be answered. I can’t wait to find out what a third book will bring.
August 14, 2018
Meredith Stoddard seems to do a brilliant job of infuriating me. She has created some very real characters and set them in a place with a mix of reality and folklore that is very appealing. Neither of her books have gone where I expected them to go. In the first book, the connection between the folklore and the reality annoyed me.
Such was the power of her characters and their relationship that I returned for another book in the series. And, with the knowledge from the first book, I felt more comfortable about what I was getting into in the second book, and enjoyed the book more than the first one.
The one thing that let me down was the ending…because it doesn't feel like it resolved: the major conflicts in Sarah's life are still there. She has chosen a way of dealing with those conflicts, but we don't get to see whether her choice is effective in solving her problems or whether it opens up as many new problems as it solves.
I hope there is a third book in the series. And I wonder whether, after that book, this series might end up better read as a single book, rather than split into three. But… of course… I won't know that until there is a third book and until I have read it.
But if there is a third book, I will definitely be reading, because I want to know what happens next!
Such was the power of her characters and their relationship that I returned for another book in the series. And, with the knowledge from the first book, I felt more comfortable about what I was getting into in the second book, and enjoyed the book more than the first one.
The one thing that let me down was the ending…because it doesn't feel like it resolved: the major conflicts in Sarah's life are still there. She has chosen a way of dealing with those conflicts, but we don't get to see whether her choice is effective in solving her problems or whether it opens up as many new problems as it solves.
I hope there is a third book in the series. And I wonder whether, after that book, this series might end up better read as a single book, rather than split into three. But… of course… I won't know that until there is a third book and until I have read it.
But if there is a third book, I will definitely be reading, because I want to know what happens next!
December 22, 2021
(Rating 3.5) —- I really enjoyed the first book in this series and was intrigued with the references to Sarah’s mother so I was very happy with the split storyline between them both in this one. It really helped me understand not only Molly’s story but Sarah’s childhood and her trauma as well. I also thought the parallels between them and the stewards were done really well as you got to see how certain characters were heading towards the same destiny due to their actions but how they ultimately ended differently. As we were generally following the same story in each timeline, it did a really good job of not feeling repetitive. Each timeline has its own urgency, each had the same(ish) characters but they had grown and changed and each showed how the consequences of their choices had/will change the future.
Saying this, I don’t feel there was much in the way of Sarah’s storyline (apart from the decision at the end). Everything is still outstanding and nothing is revolved but I didn’t really mind that as I think this book is to let us know her mother’s story which could potentially be showing us what would happen to Sarah. The answers we do get are great though and very shocking!!!! We finally learn more about the mysterious family and her destiny and how this relates to her mother. I just can’t wait to read the next book to find out how Sarah will deal with these revelations!
Saying this, I don’t feel there was much in the way of Sarah’s storyline (apart from the decision at the end). Everything is still outstanding and nothing is revolved but I didn’t really mind that as I think this book is to let us know her mother’s story which could potentially be showing us what would happen to Sarah. The answers we do get are great though and very shocking!!!! We finally learn more about the mysterious family and her destiny and how this relates to her mother. I just can’t wait to read the next book to find out how Sarah will deal with these revelations!
April 10, 2021
The Story continues!
Oh my!! This, the second book of the " Once & Future " series, continues the story of Sarah McAlpin and it doesn't let up! The Story continues to be a page turner. Her use of a city into her mother's life , brings Sarah's plight into sharp focus, with the cliffhanger of an ending inevitable. I am so glad I discovered this series right before the last book is released on 4/20/21. I don't think I'd be able to wait!!! Ms Stoddard is an amazing storyteller weaving the plot like a well crafted basket. Her writing is on par with Diana Gabaldon......but with shorter books 😉
Oh my!! This, the second book of the " Once & Future " series, continues the story of Sarah McAlpin and it doesn't let up! The Story continues to be a page turner. Her use of a city into her mother's life , brings Sarah's plight into sharp focus, with the cliffhanger of an ending inevitable. I am so glad I discovered this series right before the last book is released on 4/20/21. I don't think I'd be able to wait!!! Ms Stoddard is an amazing storyteller weaving the plot like a well crafted basket. Her writing is on par with Diana Gabaldon......but with shorter books 😉
July 26, 2017
What a great sequel! Ohhh, yes, more of everything I like--great characters. mythology, mystery, maybe magic, non-sappy romance, and even a Scripture reference (goose-bump moment)--with some questions answered while more are raised. And Molly--oh my goodness, Ms. Stoddard, you made me love Molly even when I knew it would break my heart. Sigh... drumming fingers... Ummm, is Book 3 ready yet? No, no, no, it's okay, Ms. Stoddard, take your time...sigh...
December 14, 2020
The nice thing about discovering an author who has already written several books in a series is that you don't have to wait to read the next one! This one is just as good as the first one, The River Maiden. Sarah is just as compelling as she slowly starts to piece together exactly who she is, even as her life is falling apart. I love that the answers aren't easy and predictable in this series, and I love the ancient folklore that touches modern reality.
August 28, 2022
Cauldron, Book 2 of the Once & Future series by Meredith Stoddard. What can I say? This talented story teller has done it again! Sarah's story continues to pull you into Scottish history and myths. The descriptions are so vivid you see them in your head, and the dialogue pulls you into the lives of the characters.
August 3, 2017
What happened nexr
Hate books that end like this. Is there another book. Feel quite unfinished. What did they do to find her. Was her dissertation ever finished
Hate books that end like this. Is there another book. Feel quite unfinished. What did they do to find her. Was her dissertation ever finished
January 16, 2018
Wow. This book, this series is amazing. Hard to wait for book 3. Meredith Stoddard is such an excellent writer
August 18, 2018
Another cliffhanger!
Another stay up all night book. An intriguing plot line of the auld ways clashing against modern women. Please finish book three, asap!
Another stay up all night book. An intriguing plot line of the auld ways clashing against modern women. Please finish book three, asap!
August 23, 2018
So far enjoying this, slower pace than the first, hope it picks up.
November 24, 2018
Great read
Excellent continuation. Love the idea of the Stuart monarchy coming back. Great use of Celtic mythology along with the Viking mythology.
Excellent continuation. Love the idea of the Stuart monarchy coming back. Great use of Celtic mythology along with the Viking mythology.
June 14, 2020
Book 2 of the Once and Future series. I am really enjoying this story. The writing is smooth. The story engaging. A perfect read for my mood. Just bought Book 3.
March 6, 2023
The storytelling just keeps me sucked in chapter by chapter. And the unfolding of the drama really shows the author had more planned than I knew I was getting into. A fun surprise. On to book 3!
July 24, 2023
A bit long but good
September 1, 2025
Now we’re talking. This was better than the first one because we got somewhere and found out some things and I liked how they wolf the two past and present stories together.
January 29, 2017
I loved this sequel to The River Maiden! I did not want the book to end!
December 25, 2016
I really looked forward to this book and the continued story of Sarah MacAlpin. This book is more her mother's story, though. A lot of questions are answered, but most of the action takes place in the past and is gleaned from Molly's journal. Now that Sarah knows the truth about her mother and their past, the book ends with the reader not knowing what Sarah intends for her future. I'm hoping the new questions are answered in the next book and we don't have to wait too long for them.
Displaying 1 - 18 of 18 reviews