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The Druid's tune
While visiting distant relatives in Ireland, a teenage brother and sister, curiously uneasy about the strange workman on their cousin's farm, discover his strange powers when they are all transported back in time to take part in the struggle between Cuchulain of Ulster and Queen Maeve of Connaught.
235 pages, Paperback
First published January 1, 1983
5 people are currently reading
396 people want to read
About the author
O.R. Melling
24 books480 followersBorn in Ireland, raised and educated in Toronto, Canada along with my seven sisters and two brothers, now living back in Ireland again. I have a beautiful daughter, Findabhair, doing her M.A. in Marine Biology and a beautiful cat, Emma, who would love to eat the fish Finn (great name for a marine biologist, eh?) wants to protect. My favourite author of all time is CS Lewis. I've read everything he ever wrote including non-fiction and adult fiction, but the Chronicles of Narnia are the best of all.
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Displaying 1 - 24 of 24 reviews
April 5, 2023
I originally read this book back before I was a teenager, though I can't remember exactly when it was. What I do remember is it was this story that started a absolute love of reading. I was fortunate enough to have a wonderful aunt who always bought me books, and always bought me GREAT books. This was one of them. To this day (even though this precise story is a little fuzzy) I will always gravitate towards stories of time travel because of how much this one resonated with me. When my daughter is a little older this is one of those "for sure" stories I will share with her. (I still have my original copy!)
June 14, 2019
2.5
I really wanted to like this book because I loved The Hunter's Moon by the same author. Unfortunately, this one fell flat. The characters do not feel very real and the whole thing really felt like I was reading a book. I couldn't get immersed in it because there was always something off, mostly how the characters were dealing with being brought into a new world and their tenancy to go from very smart to extremely dumb in the same line.
It's sad to say, but this book had a lot of potential. It could have really delved into some stuff, but instead it covered realizations and emotions with quick one-liners that no one would ever say. Also, there was insta-love.
But it was a quick enjoyable read and could easily be a guilty pleasure. I just wasn't fopr me unfortunately.
I really wanted to like this book because I loved The Hunter's Moon by the same author. Unfortunately, this one fell flat. The characters do not feel very real and the whole thing really felt like I was reading a book. I couldn't get immersed in it because there was always something off, mostly how the characters were dealing with being brought into a new world and their tenancy to go from very smart to extremely dumb in the same line.
It's sad to say, but this book had a lot of potential. It could have really delved into some stuff, but instead it covered realizations and emotions with quick one-liners that no one would ever say. Also, there was insta-love.
But it was a quick enjoyable read and could easily be a guilty pleasure. I just wasn't fopr me unfortunately.
June 19, 2025
This was the first real book I ever read fully as a child. It set me in a journey of reading hundreds of books since then.
I couldn’t remember the title for years, but now that I’ve found it, I must buy and re-read it.
Even if like others say, it isn’t as good as they remember.
It was still the first book I read and has immense sentimental value to me. I would recommend giving it to any youth in the family as book to get them hooked.
I couldn’t remember the title for years, but now that I’ve found it, I must buy and re-read it.
Even if like others say, it isn’t as good as they remember.
It was still the first book I read and has immense sentimental value to me. I would recommend giving it to any youth in the family as book to get them hooked.
May 26, 2024
What a melancholy read.
Things move quickly in this time capsule adventure, reminiscent of a tale of Narnia but set to Ireland's turbulent past.
We don't know much about Rosemary and Jimmy, but we do get to watch them learn more about the world and themselves.
Things move quickly in this time capsule adventure, reminiscent of a tale of Narnia but set to Ireland's turbulent past.
We don't know much about Rosemary and Jimmy, but we do get to watch them learn more about the world and themselves.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
April 26, 2020
I enjoyed the children's time travel story. It led me to wanting to know a bit more about Irish heros. Overall, an enjoyable read.
August 30, 2020
Great read! Love this almost as much as I love Hunters Moon.... Almost.
March 7, 2021
Not quite as good as I remember it being when I read it as a child, but still enjoyed the story and how it weaves in and out of the legend of An Táin Bó Cuailigne.
March 11, 2021
omg I read this as a child and now need to find this
June 16, 2025
This was my travel book for years. If I was going anywhere in the car, this book came with me.
October 25, 2025
Rosemary (15) & her brother Jimmy (17) travel to another time another world with a Druid.
They land in the middle of a war. They needed to grow up fast and learan new skills to survive.
They land in the middle of a war. They needed to grow up fast and learan new skills to survive.
December 5, 2025
when will I stumble upon a druidic time-spanning ritual and have a tragically beautiful adventure in iron-age Ireland ??
(was gonna be 3, then found out Melling is a woman so changed it to 4, slay queen)
(was gonna be 3, then found out Melling is a woman so changed it to 4, slay queen)
February 9, 2018
***NOTE MY REVIEWS OFTEN CONTAIN SPOILERS***
This review is not going to be as detailed as I would have liked because I've read quite a bit in the few days since finishing it. The problem with reading so many books is they start to blend in your mind and it's sometimes hard to separate one from the other.
Rosemary and Jimmy are two Toronto teenagers sent as a punishment to Ireland to spend the summer working on their uncle's small farm. To wrapped up in their own wants and needs to listen to their parent's edicts, their father send them away to keep them from the bad crowd they've fallen into back home. Neither is excited about the journey. When their curious nature has them following their uncle's strange hired help they are pulled into a summer adventure that they will never forget and that will change all of them forever.
The premise of the book is based on Celtic Mythology and the tale of the Ta`in Bo` Cailnge - The Cattle Raid of Cooley. The children come upon the hired help - a modern day druid in the midst of a spell and are pulled to another world, one where Ireland's Mythical past is still taking place. They are pulled into Queen Mauve's Army when one of her sons finds them in the woods.
Jimmy is enlisted as a chariot driver for the Ulster outcasts who have joined Mauve's army to avenge their leaders ruined honor. Rosemary becomes a companion to Finnabar, queen Mauve's only daughter and falls in love with one of her son's Maine. The two grow as they learn to survive without modern conveniences and are drawn into the causes of the ancient people.
In a twist of fate Jimmy meets Cuchulainn, the hero of Ulster and changes side to help defend the man who becomes his closest friend. Lost in his own pursuits of friendship and honor he doesn't think of the worry or danger his actions cause his sister who is still with the enemy troops.
Throughout the adventure the two teenagers risk life and limb as they learn about the ties of family, honor and love. Their own growth helps the angry druid who accidentally brought them along recover a part of himself that is lost and reconnect with the people he is among.
While the growth of all of the characters involved is tremendous I would have liked to have seen more of the love story between Maine as Rosemary as well as the relationship between Jimmy and Cuchulainn. Even with the magical ending, I was left wanting to know what happens next for the two children and the people that changed their lives.
The book is a delightful read filled with action, adventure, fantasy, love and friendship.
This review is not going to be as detailed as I would have liked because I've read quite a bit in the few days since finishing it. The problem with reading so many books is they start to blend in your mind and it's sometimes hard to separate one from the other.
Rosemary and Jimmy are two Toronto teenagers sent as a punishment to Ireland to spend the summer working on their uncle's small farm. To wrapped up in their own wants and needs to listen to their parent's edicts, their father send them away to keep them from the bad crowd they've fallen into back home. Neither is excited about the journey. When their curious nature has them following their uncle's strange hired help they are pulled into a summer adventure that they will never forget and that will change all of them forever.
The premise of the book is based on Celtic Mythology and the tale of the Ta`in Bo` Cailnge - The Cattle Raid of Cooley. The children come upon the hired help - a modern day druid in the midst of a spell and are pulled to another world, one where Ireland's Mythical past is still taking place. They are pulled into Queen Mauve's Army when one of her sons finds them in the woods.
Jimmy is enlisted as a chariot driver for the Ulster outcasts who have joined Mauve's army to avenge their leaders ruined honor. Rosemary becomes a companion to Finnabar, queen Mauve's only daughter and falls in love with one of her son's Maine. The two grow as they learn to survive without modern conveniences and are drawn into the causes of the ancient people.
In a twist of fate Jimmy meets Cuchulainn, the hero of Ulster and changes side to help defend the man who becomes his closest friend. Lost in his own pursuits of friendship and honor he doesn't think of the worry or danger his actions cause his sister who is still with the enemy troops.
Throughout the adventure the two teenagers risk life and limb as they learn about the ties of family, honor and love. Their own growth helps the angry druid who accidentally brought them along recover a part of himself that is lost and reconnect with the people he is among.
While the growth of all of the characters involved is tremendous I would have liked to have seen more of the love story between Maine as Rosemary as well as the relationship between Jimmy and Cuchulainn. Even with the magical ending, I was left wanting to know what happens next for the two children and the people that changed their lives.
The book is a delightful read filled with action, adventure, fantasy, love and friendship.
December 13, 2011
I did not think I was going to like this book at all, and even after the first chapter it seemed too much of childish fairytale to me. By the second chapter though it had me hooked. It wasn't about being children it was about being teenagers in an adult world. It was so amazing, and absolutely so fun! After I got reading I couldn't stop.
This book has everything, honor, legends, royalty, love, magic, and everything else that makes a good book. I would recommend this to anyone that is looking for a fun read and maybe a little bit of life lessons too. I am not a huge fan of irish literature, but only because I didn't know how awesome they could be! Love the irish tales now.
Warning: some violence, but nothing too gory. Its all about war and honor.
This book has everything, honor, legends, royalty, love, magic, and everything else that makes a good book. I would recommend this to anyone that is looking for a fun read and maybe a little bit of life lessons too. I am not a huge fan of irish literature, but only because I didn't know how awesome they could be! Love the irish tales now.
Warning: some violence, but nothing too gory. Its all about war and honor.
November 21, 2016
First read this book in high school and was absolutely enamoured of it. I wanted to be Rosemary (and I think this is partially where my love of the name Rosemary came from). This may also be the first O.R. Melling book I read, that got me hooked on The Hunter's Moon, The Summer King, and The Book of Dreams.
Anyway, I have finally re-read this book. Time flies and minutes chill--my memories of the book are very different from how I read it now (surprise surprise). Still good though, and I will be re-reading my way through the other O.R. Melling books I own.
I love the Canada-Ireland connection in these books.
And honour be damned, indeed, Rosemary!
Anyway, I have finally re-read this book. Time flies and minutes chill--my memories of the book are very different from how I read it now (surprise surprise). Still good though, and I will be re-reading my way through the other O.R. Melling books I own.
I love the Canada-Ireland connection in these books.
And honour be damned, indeed, Rosemary!
August 10, 2011
The Druids Tune is an exellent book to read in my opinion. I found that the book caught my attention easily in the first chapter and kept my attention throughout the book. I loved how the book went back in time to pre-Christian Ireland and ended in present day Ireland. I reccomend this book to anyone who is interested in fantasy, Druids and who just loves to read anything that catches their attention.
March 2, 2008
This book got great reviews by people who also loved the Blue Sword (my FAVORITE) so I had high hopes. It was kind of dumb. Some similarities to the Blue Sword which bugged me more because it was so underdeveloped. And hello...the kids fought on both sides of the war and switched back and forth - that was irritating.
November 4, 2014
What on earth? I had pretty good taste in books as a kid, so why do I remember this as being far better than it actually is? It wasn't bad, I suppose, and it's cool reading about Ireland after going to the country and falling in love with it, but this was sort of a bland read. Good take on the whole "kid gets pulled to another world" plot, though.
October 14, 2009
Fantastic historical fiction of ancient Ireland! Wonderful, Orla, splendidly wonderful! Orla brings mythical legends to life, characterizing vague characters and creating amazingly clear visuals. Romantic and lovable, ancient and mysterious, and comforting in a strange way. I've always been a great fan of time traveling stories!
March 24, 2016
This is probably the most Meh book I've read in a long time. There is nothing driving the plot...stuff just simply happens and the two main characters are basically ok with it. Any major issues are dealt with by chapters end and they're off to whatever. There were no stakes...at no point was I worried about the two main characters. Just plain Meh.
April 17, 2015
It is a good childrens book that follows two children in their interest toward a man that catches their eye for trouble and is intriguing enough to follow back in time to a world they knew from legends.
March 3, 2020
All of Melling's books are timeless - and this story is no exception. This book, The Singing Stone, the Faerie books, all brought my childhood imagination to life...and nearly twenty years later, they still provide a gripping, fun and superbly written escape from my, shockingly, non-magical life.
February 9, 2012
I adore this book so much! It is absolutely amazing and a breath taking tale from Ireland. I live in Ireland myself and have to say that the author has done our country justice!
December 17, 2016
Fun way to familiarize yourself with the Táin.
September 2, 2015
Loved this book when I was a kid
Displaying 1 - 24 of 24 reviews