Maeve is a simple farm girl who daydreams when she should be doing chores. She gets lost in her own wild imaginings so often that folks think there's something wrong with the girl who sells eggs in the village.
Maeve meets a Druid seer who tells her she has the gift of sight and offers to help her develop her gift, but Maeve has a hard time believing there is anything special about her. But when a dragon tells her she has a role to play in the future of the kingdom, she is almost ready to believe in herself.
With war on the horizon, Maeve must to dig deep within and discover who she really is if she is to survive the dangers ahead.
Book l of The Seer Trilogy
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I loved this. The main character, Maeve, is a feisty teenager who does not fall into the usual damsel in distress trope. She's a flawed heroine—who disappoints her family because she often disengages from the real world. This flaw becomes her strength.
Dragons, druids, seers and a well-imagined fantasy world—complete with a map. I appreciated the social media portrait sketches that teased me into picking this book up. A solid fantasy story with just a hint of romance.
First off, I rarely read fantasy novels. Sci-fi, yes. Historical fiction, definitely. But when Kristin Butcher started sharing snippets of this novel on social media, followed by character sketches, my curiosity was piqued. So I bought the book, started reading…and was hooked! What an intriguing story! The historical setting is wonderfully detailed and the interactions of the characters believable. And the young mysterious protagonist Maeve? I had to keep reading to find out how she’d survive her oppressive home life, then what she’d discover about herself and her purpose in the company of Druids.
I thoroughly enjoyed Kristin’s writing style. Here are some of my favourite word-weavings she created:
“The dregs of night still clung to the trees, and a swirling mist hovered above the ground. Maeve felt as if she was wading into the sea instead of tramping through the forest.”
“Maeve stared up at the sky. The night had leaked out of it, but day had not yet arrived to take its place.”
“She thought of her last meeting with Riasc Tiarna. He had told her to be brave. She pulled back her shoulders and stood tall. It didn’t chase away her doubts, but it helped put her in a frame of mind to try.”
And Kristin even managed to include “the lingering thrum of a plucked crwth* string!”
Highly recommended, and I can’t wait for book 2 in this trilogy!
I have always been drawn to fantasy but believable and relatable characters are a must. Kristin Butcher’s Maeve in The Druid and the Dragon does not disappoint. Even though her cruel and impatient parents mistreat her, Maeve is still spunky and indomitable. However, her recurrent and strange visions prompt folks to think there is something wrong with her. While selling eggs in the village, a boy befriends her, and later introduces her into his Druid village. A Druid seer recognizes in Maeve, abilities beyond her wildest dreams – she is also a seer. Her life is changed forever when her apprenticeship begins. Soon she meets a dragon that tells her about a great decision she will be forced to make in the near future. When war threatens the kingdom, Maeve must come to terms with her abilities in order to help her king and even to survive.
Book l of The Seer Trilogy, The Druid and the Dragon lures readers into Maeve's world and holds them there. Beside her, they make their way through Celtic Ireland, rife with dangers and mysteries. They stay close to Maeve and cheer her on as she discovers her gift and cautiously starts along a challenging path of adventure, espionage, and self-discovery. By the end of the book, readers will be chomping at the bit for Book ll.
Be sure to add The Druid and the Dragon to your TBR list.
Here's an excerpt to rouse your interest ...
It amazed Maeve how quickly the soldiers fell into ranks and began the march toward the western hills, standards hoisted on poles at the front of each company to identify the clans. They were a ragtag lot—career soldiers with their swords and shields, maces and lances tromping alongside farmers and tinkers with no protection but their leather jerkins and nothing but staves and hammers for weapons. Some had no weapons at all. Most of the men were on foot, but those barking orders were on horseback. Of course, King Owen led the way, and to Maeve’s dismay, it was with him she was made to ride.
It felt strange sitting so close to the man who would see her dead, her back against his chest, the heat of his body warming her own, his scent twined with the air she breathed. To someone who didn’t know King Owen’s intent, he must have seemed chivalrous indeed, taking personal care of the seer himself.
Maeve may be just a “simple farm girl” but she has a very special gift of sight that, with some specialized training, could develop into a critical skill for her village’s survival. If only she would get out of her own way!
I loved this story of Maeve, the Druids, and the dragon. Set in Ireland, this tale is rich in landscape and full of wonderfully developed characters who challenge Maeve at every turn of the story.
This is a short read, wonderfully written, and I especially enjoyed that Butcher remained true to the time period. There are two more books in the Seer Trilogy, and I can’t wait to dig in.
A masterful mashup of celtic and norse mythology wrapped up in a magical adventure featuring an unlikely but strong heroine! The story of Maeve will have readers engaged from the first page to the last, and wishing to know more. Set in the distant past this story weaves the mysticism and magic that often prevailed in this forgotten time.
Central to the story is Maeve, who embarks on a journey that will change not only her life, but all those who come into contact with her or know her.
This is a story that will appeal to readers who enjoy a glimpse into the mists of the past, magic, adventure and of course druids and dragons. FIVE STARS Highly recommended!!
This was a lovely read. I mean, druids AND dragons? Heck yes, I'm here for it!
So druids live in harmony with nature and celebrate the changing of the seasons, right? What baffled me in this story is that druids also act as teachers, seers, and bards. They provide moral and spiritual leadership, settle disputes among common folk, and give guidance to kings. How cool is that?! Turns out this is how it was in ancient Celtic cultures, which I wasn't really familiar with if I'm being honest, and I absolutely loved it.
Dragons, on the other hand, didn't get as much page time as the Druids, which is unacceptable. Give me more of please!
Maeve was fine as protagonist, though her self-doubt became a bit too much at times. And her parents made me oh so mad, ugh. There's a story to be uncovered there, that's for sure.
Writing was alright but something caught my eye (as always lol). People regarded one another curiously, sceptically, warily… 11 times in total. Not a big deal really, it's just my weird ass brain noticing things.
Recommended if you like druids and dragons, obviously.
From Egg-seller to King’s Seer – We enjoyed reading “The Druid and the Dragon” (ages 9-12). The Celtic setting and insights about Druids & seers were very interesting, and has already prompted some of our own research. The writing was easy to read aloud and the pacing quick and natural. We felt able to anticipate what was going to happen immediately next, but the overall plot was kept out of reach long enough we were engaged all the way through. We did think Maeve should have made the effort to resolve things with Declan sooner. And we were surprised (just as Maeve was) at the apparent degree of her parents’ dislike for her. We’re guessing the reasoning for the latter may come out in book 2. Maeve’s way of dealing with the final vision was smart and it was nice to see the visions line up with the last action scenes.
Druid and the Dragon is a well written story suited to the target age range with clear and accessible prose. Young readers will find the story thrilling and fun.
This was a fun read. I was pulled in by the plot more than the writing itself. It was fast-paced. The could be a great read for a 10-13 year old who loves fantasy themes but finds other fantasy novels too dense.