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The O'Byrne Daughters #1
Budding Magic
alternate cover edition of BNID 2940011462160
Ireland - 1838
Aine O'Byrne's gift of foresight had shown her the coming famine in Ireland that would destroy the potato crop. She saw the millions of Irish that would perish during this time. Desperate to alleviate at least some of her people's peril, she and her husband Keegan set up magical devices that would aid the Irish. Before all these protections could be finished and activated, Keegan was senselessly murdered.
Keegan's death brought Aine a lot of gut wrenching sorrow—but also maybe a little madness. Without Keegan's guidance, Aine finishes the protections and adds a few surprises of her own to the magical melody. Upon completion, sorrowfully, Aine realizes that she does not have the strength to survive the birth of her child.
On the day of Haley's arrival, Aine activates the magical devices with Birth magic, and then Death magic—her own death magic.
Shocked, the six daughters find themselves orphaned with mysterious magics working around them. They will have to learn how to deal with their own budding magic, the needy villagers, and the upcoming famine.
With the help of Druantia herself—and some special friends—the sisters will find the courage, the daring, and the determination to battle all the odds set up against them. They will learn about freedom—the cost of freedom—life's ironies, and the bonding of sisterhood.
Ireland - 1838
Aine O'Byrne's gift of foresight had shown her the coming famine in Ireland that would destroy the potato crop. She saw the millions of Irish that would perish during this time. Desperate to alleviate at least some of her people's peril, she and her husband Keegan set up magical devices that would aid the Irish. Before all these protections could be finished and activated, Keegan was senselessly murdered.
Keegan's death brought Aine a lot of gut wrenching sorrow—but also maybe a little madness. Without Keegan's guidance, Aine finishes the protections and adds a few surprises of her own to the magical melody. Upon completion, sorrowfully, Aine realizes that she does not have the strength to survive the birth of her child.
On the day of Haley's arrival, Aine activates the magical devices with Birth magic, and then Death magic—her own death magic.
Shocked, the six daughters find themselves orphaned with mysterious magics working around them. They will have to learn how to deal with their own budding magic, the needy villagers, and the upcoming famine.
With the help of Druantia herself—and some special friends—the sisters will find the courage, the daring, and the determination to battle all the odds set up against them. They will learn about freedom—the cost of freedom—life's ironies, and the bonding of sisterhood.
- GenresFantasy
Nook
First published October 1, 2009
4 people are currently reading
69 people want to read
About the author
L.S. Fayne
11 books18 followersI'm a reading addict turned writing addict. I love to read sci-fi fantasy, magical adventure, and some romance. I’m now into the Kindle. You can carry sooo many books this way!
I started writing in High School, but never seemed to finish the story. I pulled out some of those works much later in life, and found that they were actually good. I started working on them again. I found a passion for writing that had not been there before. The age of computers enhanced my ability to write my ideas quickly. In 2008, I published my first book, Christmas in the House of O’Byrne. It is the first book of a series, but at the time I hadn’t realized that a series had been born. I love the family interactions, the magical possibilities, and the humor. I learned to write real life in fiction.
I’ve been writing and publishing books since 2008, and have no desire to stop. My goal is for every book I write to be better than the one before. People inspire me to reach higher. I appreciate their involvement in my writing.
I started writing in High School, but never seemed to finish the story. I pulled out some of those works much later in life, and found that they were actually good. I started working on them again. I found a passion for writing that had not been there before. The age of computers enhanced my ability to write my ideas quickly. In 2008, I published my first book, Christmas in the House of O’Byrne. It is the first book of a series, but at the time I hadn’t realized that a series had been born. I love the family interactions, the magical possibilities, and the humor. I learned to write real life in fiction.
I’ve been writing and publishing books since 2008, and have no desire to stop. My goal is for every book I write to be better than the one before. People inspire me to reach higher. I appreciate their involvement in my writing.
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Displaying 1 - 6 of 6 reviews
July 15, 2012
This is a gentle and fascinating enticement into the magical world of the O'Bryne family in Ireland before the potato famine (although individuals from the family do get around--one even to China). I tried not to dwell on the improbability of the situation (this is after all fantasy) but found it hard to not be aware that the oldest of the daughters is 14. She is magically gifted and like no 14 year old you have ever met or heard of. It was fascinating to have the differences among the girls shown (the youngest is barely past the new-born stage) much of which is revealed through their "link"--much less invasive than a Vulcan mind meld.
Anticipating the famines of the hungry forties, the mother (who dies in childbirth) has split the sphere of O'Bryne influence and created a time-shift between the two hemispheres--so one can be ready for the harvest as the other winters. She has to choose the least bad of all possibilities for each time-line, provide protection for all within each sphere even if they are not of the magical blood-line and arrange for special protection for her daughters. Yet her gift of foresight must have been limited for she entrusts them into the care of her sister who, it appears, has chosen the "dark side."
There is some "metaphysics" of magic to be explained and Druantia appears (she has a trilogy of her own)--half human, half spirit. There are differences too, among--say--the rabbits and the fairies, some of them are vicious and pretty gross. There are differences in the magic, some descended from the druids like the O'Bryne's, some "elemental," and others .... In all, a fascinating and readable world. I only wish the editing had been better.
Anticipating the famines of the hungry forties, the mother (who dies in childbirth) has split the sphere of O'Bryne influence and created a time-shift between the two hemispheres--so one can be ready for the harvest as the other winters. She has to choose the least bad of all possibilities for each time-line, provide protection for all within each sphere even if they are not of the magical blood-line and arrange for special protection for her daughters. Yet her gift of foresight must have been limited for she entrusts them into the care of her sister who, it appears, has chosen the "dark side."
There is some "metaphysics" of magic to be explained and Druantia appears (she has a trilogy of her own)--half human, half spirit. There are differences too, among--say--the rabbits and the fairies, some of them are vicious and pretty gross. There are differences in the magic, some descended from the druids like the O'Bryne's, some "elemental," and others .... In all, a fascinating and readable world. I only wish the editing had been better.
May 3, 2015
If I'm honest, the covers of Budding Magic almost put me off offering to reading it. There isn't anything actually wrong with it. It just didn't particularly appeal to me, too many bright colors for my rather drab personality. The story did though, so I reminded myself of the old adage 'never judge a book by its cover,' and I'm glad I did. It's an engaging story that carries you along pleasantly. Or at least it does after chapter one of Budding Magic. I cried in the first chapter, yes the first chapter!
Each of the six sisters has a personality of their own, which can't be easy for a writer. You easily become attached and invested in their adventure. It is fun learning the Druadic lessons with them and seeing how Fayne describes all of the magical creatures. The language is distractingly modern for a story set in 1838, especially that of the O'Byrne sisters, but this is easily overlooked. If you like fairtale fare you'll like these books.
It is a testament to the O'Brynes that I enjoyed the story as much as I did despite having one of my number one literary pet peaves in it. This is when main characters are presented as more morally advanced than their peers because they adhere to normal modern civic mores. It comes through in little things like insisting on bathing regularly in a historical time period when hygiene was neither understood nor appreciated, or expecting fair labour (or gender) laws in what would otherwise be a feudal state. Express a desire to see change, sure, but surprise that others adhere to what would be the norm of the day, no. Like everyone else, the main characters would know no different. I generally find it smug and condescending, and Fayne's story is no exception. Despite this one major drawback for me, I really liked Budding Magic.
When all is said and done, the story of the Irish O’Bryne’s is one worth the read for those who are 14ish and up. There are a few sexual references, more often than not when a baddie needs to be seen as especially depraved. But there is no explicit sex or violence. It is well edited and easy to follow.
Each of the six sisters has a personality of their own, which can't be easy for a writer. You easily become attached and invested in their adventure. It is fun learning the Druadic lessons with them and seeing how Fayne describes all of the magical creatures. The language is distractingly modern for a story set in 1838, especially that of the O'Byrne sisters, but this is easily overlooked. If you like fairtale fare you'll like these books.
It is a testament to the O'Brynes that I enjoyed the story as much as I did despite having one of my number one literary pet peaves in it. This is when main characters are presented as more morally advanced than their peers because they adhere to normal modern civic mores. It comes through in little things like insisting on bathing regularly in a historical time period when hygiene was neither understood nor appreciated, or expecting fair labour (or gender) laws in what would otherwise be a feudal state. Express a desire to see change, sure, but surprise that others adhere to what would be the norm of the day, no. Like everyone else, the main characters would know no different. I generally find it smug and condescending, and Fayne's story is no exception. Despite this one major drawback for me, I really liked Budding Magic.
When all is said and done, the story of the Irish O’Bryne’s is one worth the read for those who are 14ish and up. There are a few sexual references, more often than not when a baddie needs to be seen as especially depraved. But there is no explicit sex or violence. It is well edited and easy to follow.
August 19, 2012
Budding Magic by L S Fayne is Blooming Beautifully
Budding Magic by L S Fayne, the first book in the fantasy fiction series, is a wondrous and beautiful telling of the tale of the O’Byrne Daughters. The children of Aine and Keegan O’Byrne have all inherited the magic that runs through their lineage; this novel explores their lives during and after the passing of their parents. The cover does not do justice to the content. It is a magnificent tale, which is wonderfully written.
The title of main character is passed from parent to child and then shared by the daughters themselves, much like the magic running through the characters’ veins. Each character is painstakingly crafted with just enough description to create a vivid and elaborate image in the reader’s mind of this beautiful portion of Ireland and its inhabitants. This novel enfolds the reader in the tale and builds its world around each to place him or her at the heart of the story. Fayne has created a storyline, and the telling there of, that not only gives the reader a front row seat to the happenings, but pulls each into the tale to feel and be transported by its words.
The plot is highly developed and beautifully written. Each movement of the characters affects his or her surrounding landscape as if Aine herself had charmed the very land. The tale is straightforward, but far from plain. Many writers would stumble trying to create such an intricate tale, but Fayne does so seemingly effortlessly and the reader is all the better for it. From the Emerald Isles to the reader’s hands, this is magic not to be dismissed.
Budding Magic by L S Fayne, the first book in the fantasy fiction series, is a wondrous and beautiful telling of the tale of the O’Byrne Daughters. The children of Aine and Keegan O’Byrne have all inherited the magic that runs through their lineage; this novel explores their lives during and after the passing of their parents. The cover does not do justice to the content. It is a magnificent tale, which is wonderfully written.
The title of main character is passed from parent to child and then shared by the daughters themselves, much like the magic running through the characters’ veins. Each character is painstakingly crafted with just enough description to create a vivid and elaborate image in the reader’s mind of this beautiful portion of Ireland and its inhabitants. This novel enfolds the reader in the tale and builds its world around each to place him or her at the heart of the story. Fayne has created a storyline, and the telling there of, that not only gives the reader a front row seat to the happenings, but pulls each into the tale to feel and be transported by its words.
The plot is highly developed and beautifully written. Each movement of the characters affects his or her surrounding landscape as if Aine herself had charmed the very land. The tale is straightforward, but far from plain. Many writers would stumble trying to create such an intricate tale, but Fayne does so seemingly effortlessly and the reader is all the better for it. From the Emerald Isles to the reader’s hands, this is magic not to be dismissed.
August 1, 2013
At times it seemed like there was a fantastic story line, but at others it seemed like the 6 year old character was the one who wrote the book. I made it through to the end, but I don't think I will be reading the next in the series. It was simply too immature in the writing style for me to want to go on, which is a shame because I think there is a great story there.
June 10, 2016
Good story
The story of Irish sisters who come into the Druidic magic of their family. I did reread in places, especially at the beginning, to keep the characters and their magic straight. Overall, It's a good story that carried me along. I did find a number of misspellings or typos that were very distracting.
The story of Irish sisters who come into the Druidic magic of their family. I did reread in places, especially at the beginning, to keep the characters and their magic straight. Overall, It's a good story that carried me along. I did find a number of misspellings or typos that were very distracting.
October 6, 2011
I liked the time period, the thoughts preparing for the potato famine, and the donkey's. I liked the blind lady that wasn't really blind. I like the way the sisters watch each others backs. The dual realities were thought provoking and stirs the imagination.
Displaying 1 - 6 of 6 reviews