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Celtic Magic #1
The Trinity Knot
After the death of their father, 15-year-old Mairi and her younger brother Jamie are forced to spend the summer with their estranged grandfather in the rural mountains of Northern California. Expecting to be miserable, Mairi is instead drawn into a world of magic straight out of the Celtic fairy tales from her childhood. Facing faerie curses and vengeful druids, a trip back in time to ancient Scotland threatens to become even more dangerous than anticipated when their cousin, Danny unexpectedly shows up with his own agenda, and time is running out to reverse the curse a faerie has put on their family. Life wasn't ever going to be the same without her father, but Mairi never imagined she was actually part of a magical legacy.
Combining Scotland's history and Celtic fairy tales passed down by the clans on Skye with modern day teens in the United States, this contemporary fantasy fiction for the YA audience encourages a new look at ancient lore, connecting Scottish-Americans to their ancestral roots in an accessible storyline.
Follow Mairi as she learns who she is and how her choices impact the world around her in this first book in the series, Celtic Magic.
Inspired by books both fiction and educational written by authors such as Jane Yolen and Elen Sentier, this series weaves fantasy and contemporary in an engaging manner.
Combining Scotland's history and Celtic fairy tales passed down by the clans on Skye with modern day teens in the United States, this contemporary fantasy fiction for the YA audience encourages a new look at ancient lore, connecting Scottish-Americans to their ancestral roots in an accessible storyline.
Follow Mairi as she learns who she is and how her choices impact the world around her in this first book in the series, Celtic Magic.
Inspired by books both fiction and educational written by authors such as Jane Yolen and Elen Sentier, this series weaves fantasy and contemporary in an engaging manner.
- GenresFantasyYoung Adult
286 pages, Kindle Edition
First published September 1, 2017
28 people are currently reading
411 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 13 of 13 reviews
June 19, 2018
Goodreads Giveaway - Good Read
As someone that married into a Scottish/ Irish Family with professional bagpipers - I found this plot to be a lot of fun. It was a fairly quick read. My only comment that might be negative is that, at times, the characterization seemed off for Mairi or not as robust as she seemed earlier in the book. All in all - a great read and I look forward to book 2. #GoodreadsGiveaway
As someone that married into a Scottish/ Irish Family with professional bagpipers - I found this plot to be a lot of fun. It was a fairly quick read. My only comment that might be negative is that, at times, the characterization seemed off for Mairi or not as robust as she seemed earlier in the book. All in all - a great read and I look forward to book 2. #GoodreadsGiveaway
January 25, 2018
I read this book during the Christmas holidays.
This YA book is full of magic, fairy tales, and historical events. The story transports the reader through the past-Scotland, and into the present-day California. I enjoyed following Mairi’s journey, from accepting the death of her father, to embracing her magical legacy. It’s a must read.
Eating oatmeal for breakfast is yummy!
This YA book is full of magic, fairy tales, and historical events. The story transports the reader through the past-Scotland, and into the present-day California. I enjoyed following Mairi’s journey, from accepting the death of her father, to embracing her magical legacy. It’s a must read.
Eating oatmeal for breakfast is yummy!
June 24, 2018
I received this book through Goodreads Giveaway.
This was an enjoyable YA fantasy with roots in Celtic folklore and fairy tales. I really enjoyed Mairi's journey and development from a surly, self-absorbed girl who just lost her father into a young lady capable of understanding and caring for those around her.
There were a lot of things I liked about the book: the Celtic folklore, the historical setting, the strong ties to nature and wildlife.
However, I did feel that there were some loose plotlines that should have been resolved to give this first book more emotional substance. Hopefully, they will be resolved by the sequel. Lastly, this comment is minor but I truly feel that the title and the cover artwork don't do the book justice nor do they accurately represent the youthful teenagers, the bonds of family, and beautiful magic within the book.
Story: 3 Stars
Writing: 3 Stars
Characters: 3 Stars
Enjoyability: 4 Stars
Overall: 3 Stars. I liked it.
This was an enjoyable YA fantasy with roots in Celtic folklore and fairy tales. I really enjoyed Mairi's journey and development from a surly, self-absorbed girl who just lost her father into a young lady capable of understanding and caring for those around her.
There were a lot of things I liked about the book: the Celtic folklore, the historical setting, the strong ties to nature and wildlife.
However, I did feel that there were some loose plotlines that should have been resolved to give this first book more emotional substance. Hopefully, they will be resolved by the sequel. Lastly, this comment is minor but I truly feel that the title and the cover artwork don't do the book justice nor do they accurately represent the youthful teenagers, the bonds of family, and beautiful magic within the book.
Story: 3 Stars
Writing: 3 Stars
Characters: 3 Stars
Enjoyability: 4 Stars
Overall: 3 Stars. I liked it.
January 20, 2022
This was a good magical realism book that showcases what those of us that live in Northern California already know- there's something special going on out there. This is the story of a young family that learns that their ancestors brought something special with them across the sea and now the very blood in their veins is what will help them save their family from the curses that also followed along with the gifts from their homeland. It jumps back and forth between time frames, but the chapters are labeled with time references, so if you pay attention, you won't get lost.
August 21, 2018
Ready for the Next Adventure
I won this book through a giveaway on Goodreads and found it to be a thoroughly enjoyable story with nothing innappropriate so my stepkids can enjoy reading it, too. The characters were relatable, likeable and unlikeable. I look forward to reading the next books and hope the few things I felt were left unexplained will be included in the upcoming adventures.
I won this book through a giveaway on Goodreads and found it to be a thoroughly enjoyable story with nothing innappropriate so my stepkids can enjoy reading it, too. The characters were relatable, likeable and unlikeable. I look forward to reading the next books and hope the few things I felt were left unexplained will be included in the upcoming adventures.
January 3, 2023
Book 1, The Trinity Knot introduces the characters in a present year setting, as well as their ancestors in Scotland during the late 1600s. The four-book series starts during the Summer Solstice, a time for warmth and growth and a new understanding of what family means. I love that the author has chosen four Celtic symbols to go with the four solstice seasons. Book 1 has death, time travel, fairies, druids, magic, a cat who is really grandma, a quest to release the curse, and rejoining of family. Conklin touched my heart with her lessons about family, taking care of and connecting with the earth and her animals, healing broken relationships, and the power of love. I have already read this book twice, once to see what a YA might get from it (so entertaining and full of surprises and mystery), and once to see the many themes and lessons that a more mature person like myself can relate to and grow from.
June 27, 2018
I would like to thank Goodreads, Wild Rose Stories, Kindle and H.R. Conklin for a really fun read. I entered the giveaway because of the title and wasn't disappointed by the story. It is full of Celtic lure and reminded me that the Scottish are just and Celtic as the Irish. The story will not disappoint
October 10, 2018
Such a great read! HR Conklin does an amazing job creating 3 different settings, with 2 different time periods for the young truth seekers of this story to move through. I love sharing this book with the young people in my life, hoping to kindle a love of ages and magic so a part of our ancestry!
January 29, 2022
Fabulous book, recommended by my dental assistant, when she found out I had a Scottish heritage.
Really beautiful story. Difficult to put down!
Thank you!
Really beautiful story. Difficult to put down!
Thank you!
September 14, 2021
Charming, Engaging Story
Having a Scottish ancestry, I was enthralled reading this first book in the Celtic Magic series! I could hardly put the book down (but had to, of course!).
Thank you for such a beautifully written story! I’m looking forward to reading the next book!
Having a Scottish ancestry, I was enthralled reading this first book in the Celtic Magic series! I could hardly put the book down (but had to, of course!).
Thank you for such a beautifully written story! I’m looking forward to reading the next book!
January 5, 2019
4 1/2 stars
On November 23rd I won from Goodreads book #2....I went and got this one so I could read them
in order. :)
I'm old enough to be an old grandma but I still love YA books.
I liked the characters and flow and the magic and the time travel. :)
It was a good story and I'm looking forward to reading book 2.
The 1/2 a star away from 5 was because I felt the Scottish brogue .... there simply wasn't
enough otherwise I'd say she's good, go enjoy her books. :)
Read for free from Kindle unlimited
On November 23rd I won from Goodreads book #2....I went and got this one so I could read them
in order. :)
I'm old enough to be an old grandma but I still love YA books.
I liked the characters and flow and the magic and the time travel. :)
It was a good story and I'm looking forward to reading book 2.
The 1/2 a star away from 5 was because I felt the Scottish brogue .... there simply wasn't
enough otherwise I'd say she's good, go enjoy her books. :)
Read for free from Kindle unlimited
Read
July 9, 2018I loved it.
October 1, 2018
If you like Celtic stories, you are going to like this book! The imagery is vivid, characters have realistic human traits, relationships are authentic and the story is very creative. I really enjoyed this book and am looking forward to when volume 2 comes out!
Displaying 1 - 13 of 13 reviews