A world shunning old beliefs. Can a pagan woman protect her family without falling prey to both Christians and power-hungry Fae? Ireland, 470. Clíodhna fears the sea drowned her husband. And though the months pass with no sign of his return, she holds true to tradition to ensure her legacy passes to her three children. But she hates the new church doctrines trying to subvert local customs and worries a community that turns its back on the Faerie realm will be doomed.
Refusing to shun the ancient gods or risk angering the Fair Folk, she launches a fierce campaign against the holy men targeting her kind. But when the villagers turn on her and accuse her of being a pagan devil, Clíodhna flees into the spirit-inhabited woods.
Can this Fae-touched woman keep from becoming a forgotten relic in a society ensorcelled with a new religion?
Age of Druids is the moving ninth and final volume in The Druid's Brooch historical fantasy series. If you like fearsome clashes, treacherous villains, and heroines who challenge fate, then you’ll love Christy Nicholas’s riveting tale.
Buy Age of Druids to call the wind and the rain today!
Christy Nicholas loves all things historical, especially if it has anything to do with Ireland, Scotland, England, or Iceland, and she writes historical fantasy, travel guides, and a book on writing craft. Her tales tend to the gritty, with bittersweet endings, and she's never afraid to torture her characters. But there is beauty in all darkness, and she loves showing that, as well.
- If you are in the mood for something more scifi, check out her C. N. Jackson book, Time Tourist Outfitters, Ltd.
- If you are looking for some urban fantasy, magical adventure in modern ireland, see her Rowan Dillon series, Guardians of the PHAE.
- If you prefer some timeslip romance in Iceland, or a women's fiction based on her parents' true story, go look at her Emeline Rhys books, Past Storm and Fire or Better To Have Loved.
Aside from the Fae aspect in this series, all of these books could so easily be someone’s life story. This one was no different. The book draws you in from the beginning and it was an easy book to read in one sitting. I’m sad this is the last book in the series! Will be looking for more from this author!
Age of Druids is the ninth and final book in Christy Nicholas’s Druid’s Brooch series. In this instalment, readers are taken to early Christian Ireland, roughly 5th century, where Cliodhna struggles to come to terms with the new religion that is invading and pushing out her beloved old belief. She is accustomed to welcoming the day with the sun, feeling the spirit and energy of living things, and communicating with the Fae who live in the woods near her roundhouse. To her dismay, not only does the new religion have no place for the things she loves, but her two eldest children, nearly grown themselves, are drawn to this new faith and are changing because of it. On top of that, Cliodhna’s husband has been missing for months, adding a layer of suspicion through which the zealous abbot, Padraic, views her.
To try to hold on to her way of life, Cliodhna begins lessons with Adhna, a man of the Fae. He teaches her how to draw upon earth energy to revitalize plants and animals as well as to protect herself. Cliodhna soon finds herself drawn into Adhna’s world more deeply than she ever imagined possible. She will be forced to make a choice between the mortal world, full of strange new ideas and shifting loyalties, and the Fae world, utterly foreign and frightening.
It was interesting to see how the various threads from the other books in this series were entwined throughout this novel. We at last learn how the brooch was created and how and why it was gifted to Cliodhna’s family line to begin with. Learning how her family became connected to the Faerie realm was satisfying after so many books preceding it that hinted but never confirmed.
I have read many of Nicholas’s books and, while I greatly enjoyed this one, there were a few places, in particular scenes set in the Faerie realm, that I felt I had read before, although maybe it was just a function of having read the others and that Nicholas’s writing style has become so familiar. That is not in itself a bad thing.
The descriptions were all top notch, both in the mortal realm and in Faerie. I liked the diversity of characters and how they changed over time. The Christian monks in general, and the abbot in particular, were described in a negative way since they were seen primarily from Cliodhna’s point of view. This negativity was explained in a later part of the plot, but devout readers may be a little put off by this. The villagers had a few bright spots in terms of character development as well. Ita in particular was an interesting figure and I wish there had been more scenes with her. She added a nice counterpoint to Cliodhna, a good balance.
The ending felt a little abrupt, but it makes sense because now the timeline of the plot has reached where it starts to move forward, rather than backward. Readers could enjoy the series in the reverse order of publication if they really wanted to and get a different view of this sweeping epic. I really loved the way the entire series moved backward through time to get to the genesis of the brooch that was central to the lives of the characters.
Overall, this novel is nicely done and provides a satisfactory end to the entire series. Definitely recommended for fans of historical fantasy and Irish culture.
5 stars! Wow is this the end? I have followed this series since the beginning, and it is not a genre I would usually pick up, but I can say I am fully invested in each story. I think the mix of romance, fantasy and ancient times really creates something that appealed to me, and Christy Nicholas is amazing at pulling these different aspects together. I really really love how in this last book we get to see the conception of the brooch, and see who was the first ever in the family to receive it. In the beginning I was kind of iffy on my feelings for Cliodhna, I felt she was just jumping from one man to the next, whoever would have her, but then saw how she really was in love with Adhna. Their relationship is bumpy, and my heart broke many times for Cliodhna when it came to her kids. I can’t give anything away but thinking that her as a mother would have to make the choices she does regarding her children is devastating. It seems she is just dealt one blow after the next once having to relocate to the fae world. Then we have the crazy Bodach who will stop at nothing to become king. There are also many small elements that really give the book that much more power in drawing you in. Overall a fantastic book, the series, each book can be read as a standalone but I would recommend reading in order.
Age of Druids (The Druid’s Brooch Series #9) By Christy Nicholas 5 out of 5 stars
I loved reading the book Age of Druids (The Druid’s Brooch Series #9) by Christy Nicholas. It is a story that includes action, danger, romance, and magic. It is a book that pulled me in from the very beginning. I enjoyed reading about the character of Clíodhna. She is a woman who has a love for her children and is discovering that she has talents and powers. What will happen when what she believes clashes with the new church? What does the future hold for Clíodhna? Read this book to find out. This is a story that had me turning pages to find out what was going to happen next. I grew to care about what happens to Clíodhna with each chapter that I read. The book is written in such a way that I deeply felt her emotions. She also shows herself to be intelligent, strong and determined when she needs to be. Other additional characters are introduced and while some work against Clíodhna, some help and assist her. The author writes in such detail that I felt like I was right there with the characters. Don’t miss out on a book that is exciting and entertaining. I wasn’t able to put it down until I read the last page. It is a story I would highly recommend reading.
Age of Druids (The Druid’s Brooch Series #9) by Christy Nicholas
4 Stars
Can not believe that this series is coming to an end. I think back to all the stories I can remember and it gets a little confusing along the way. I read them out of order and although each is a standalone I would highly recommend starting at the beginning.
This is not my chosen genre but found myself interested enough to complete each one, this one might have been my favorite of all of them and I think it's because I could relate to Clíodhna more being a Mom and even though different time frames in history, I could feel the strength that she had to pull from to make some of the choices she was forced to make. I can't imagine.
This was an awesome end to this series, and I do hope someday to go back and read them again from the start. This author's ability to describe the scenes and the scenery many times had me feeling like I was there, and made me want to visit these places.
I can imagine if this is your chosen genre that this series would absolutely be sitting at the top. I can say that this author has an amazing way of telling a story and I will continue to follow her and her future writings.
Age of Druids: Druid's Brooch Series: by Christy Nicholas is the ninth book in this historical fantasy series. In this book Christy has woven many threads and pieces of the puzzled together from the other books to finally give us some much-needed answers, like just how the Brooch came to be. This story take place in early Ireland and a religious tug of war. As usual the story is well written, and I truly felt for these people and what they went through. It is easy to imagine the world Christy paints with her attention to detail and vividly descriptive storytelling.
Clíodhna finds herself torn between her own beliefs and those that are being forced upon her and her family. With a religious zealot at the helm nothing good can come of it. Throw in some Fae and magic and life becomes complicated.
Age of Druids is the ninth book in the Druid’s Brooch series. It can be read as a standalone, however you’ll get a much better experience if you read the whole series. As with the other books in the series, the world building and characters are amazing. The author really weaves the whole thing together in a way that makes you feel like you are right in the story with the characters. The attention to historical detail is superb. This book marks the end of the series, but there is so much packed in each book that you could probably read every book over again several times and still find something you didn’t notice before. Excellent book! Fantastic series.
Age of Druids is the ninth and final book in Christy Nicholas’s Druid’s Brooch series. In this instalment, readers are taken to early Christian Ireland, roughly 5th century, where Cliodhna struggles to come to terms with the new religion that is invading and pushing out her beloved old religion. She is accustomed to welcoming the day with the sun, feeling the spirit and energy of living things, and communicating a bit with the Fae who live in the woods near her roundhouse. To her dismay, not only do the new religion have no place for the things she loves, but her two eldest children, nearly grown themselves, are drawn to this religion and are changing because of it. On top of that, Cliodhna’s husband has been missing for months, adding a layer of suspicion through which the zealous abbot, Padraic, views her.
It was interesting to see how the various threads from the other books in this series were entwined throughout this novel. We learn how the brooch was created at last and how and why it was gifted to Cliodhna’s family line to begin with. Learning how her family became connected to the Faerie realm was satisfying after so many books preceding it that hinted but never confirmed.
Overall, this novel was nicely done and provided a satisfactory summation to the entire series. Definitely recommended for fans of historical fantasy and Irish culture.
This is a series I have enjoyed from the beginning. This is book nine, this series just keeps getting better and better. I enjoyed being pulled in right from the beginning. This author’s attention to details made the story feel realistic. I had no issues connecting with the characters as they bring the story to life. Cliodhna finds herself in the middle of a disagreement in her new church. From here her story takes off with meeting a stranger who helps her with her talents, making new friends and also makes some bad choices. These bad choices could leave her without her family or her happiness. Will she find something within her to face this danger? This is a story that is full of action with a lot happening. It was done in a manner that was easy to understand and I didn’t get lost. This made a great afternoon story which I highly recommend.
Two different hopeful love interests by 14% I was hooked! The battle between her and the Abbot sucks you right it; you keep wanting to know what he’ll do next! Pregnant with the Faes son and her lost husband returns oh man I’m dying to see how this plays out! So sad to see her give away her children in hopes they’ll be safe. Ends in a cliffhanger so BEWARE!
A wonderful finish for this series! I say finish, but honestly, you could read this unique series in either direction as it follows a powerful artifact imbued with the power of the Fae as it's passed through one family's history. In this enthralling book, we get to see the artifact's origins during Cliodhna's struggle to survive and keep her family safe from religious turmoil, her husband's madness, as well as power hungry Fae. Another fantastic read from Ms. Nicholas! I heard she's planning to re-release the earlier books after a cover redesign, too, and I can't wait to see them.
This wonderfully written historical fantasy is set in Ireland and incorporates supernatural elements and old Irish Fae lore. The author has done an amazing job through her descriptive narrative with making her world come alive as the characters travel to and from different realms. I loved all the different characters but especially the main character, Clíodhna who’s husband is missing and who has three children. I felt she was relatable and I was engaged with her plight as she finds herself in the middle of growing quarrels with the new church. I read this happily as a standalone story but I feel that if read as part of the series I would have appreciated the storylines that crossover better.
Clíodhna encounters a stranger near her home in the woods and discovers a kindred spirit in him and he is able to teach her how to harness her own innate powers and talents. She also develops a friendship at the new church with one of the monks and they enjoy talking about, life, philosophy, and theology. Clíodhna feels that for once her life is to be savoured rather than being about just surviving. However, things soon change when a new church leader arrives and suddenly her relationship with the monk causes conflict as does that fact that her new teacher clashes with the church’s ideals. Clíodhna ends up having to choose between happiness and even her life, and her family as her rash decisions result in her having to change her own fate.
Clíodhna believes it may be better for everyone if she leaves and disappears into another world but it would mean leaving her children behind with a trusted friend and trusting them to the mercies of fate. Her other option is to use her powers and abilities and face the danger head on. This is a fairly fast paced story with an intriguing storyline and an active plot all of which had me hooked from start to finish. I felt completely immersed in the story and found it to be an enjoyable and engaging read. I am now keen to read the rest of the series starting at book one.
Age of Druids is the 9th book in Christy Nicholas’ Druid’s Brooch series. The series follows a family at different points throughout history, as at different times members of the family discover their powers and connection with the Fae, and cope with a destiny that seems to bring as much trouble as it does help. The books haven’t been released in chronological order, so it feels like the family’s story is growing in many directions at once. Age of Druids is set in 5th Century Ireland. Clíodhna has a strong connection with the magic in her land and the gods, fae and other spirits that are around her. With a missing husband and three children to look after, she welcomes the support of a local Abbey where the monks are more than happy to teach her older two children and look after her baby, giving her some much-needed time to herself. As the church seeks to gain control, however, Clíodhna is seen as a threat and must use her powers and connections with the fae and spirits to protect her family. This is a great series! Nicholas paints a vivid picture of all of the periods of history she portrays, and this book is no exception. I was really drawn into the world and learnt a lot about it along the way. Because the books take place at different points along the timeline, they don’t necessarily have to be read in release order. So you could jump in at the period in history that most catches your interest, and then read the others later. Or start at the first book, or read them in chronological order! So many options… For me, this is a five-star book. I’d recommend this series to fans of historical fantasy. It’s got plenty of magic, and a well-researched setting within history.
See the origins of the brooch in this final installment of this brilliant series.
This is the final installment to this brilliant series and what a conclusion to the story. This book follows Clíodhna and is set in the 5th century Ireland, the story weaves in and out of the history behind the brooch and puts a lot of the story in perspective.
Cliodhna's husband has been missing for months and they are becoming more distressed as time goes on, but when she receives help from the local Abbey she can then concentrate on locating her husband.
As the story continues through you get the impression that Cliodhna is regretting her decision as the abbey is more controlling than she first thought, but with her Fae friends help can she progress through on her quest.
I have loved this series through the nine books, within this story you see the character of Cliodhna as a strong, independent women who is struggling to keep her family together and also looking as finding herself within the Fae world. This is not my normal genre but after reading the first book I was drawn into this epic saga from the first word to the last word.
I think this is a brilliant series to get you involved within the world of Fantasy, the stories are full of action, well written and the characters in each book are engaging and well developed.
Age of Druids is the ninth and final book in the Druid’s Brooch Series by Christy Nicholas. I can’t believe we’ve come to the end of this great series. I was torn reading this book- between wanting to see what was in store for us, while at the same time wanting to draw the story out and not wanting it to end. This is a historical fantasy- with paranormal elements, drama, adventure, action, Fae, magic, and family. As with all her other books, I really love that Ms. Nicholas manages to bring her stories to life- making them so very realistic and entirely believable. That ability always makes the story more fascinating for me- by capturing my attention right from the beginning. Even though this is the ninth book in the series, you could read it as a standalone- But having said that, I recommend reading all the books, in sequence, to fully appreciate the interconnected elements, intriguing details, and merging storylines which help to build a much ‘bigger picture’. I saw so many connected details from/with other books in this series- and felt like I was finally seeing the ‘whole’ picture. A fabulous conclusion to the series. Now I am looking forward to seeing what Ms. Nicholas has in store for us next.
5 Star Age of Druids (The Druid’s Brooch Series #9) by Christy Nicholas
Age of Druids is the ninth book in The Druid’s Brooch Series by Christy Nicholas and although this series can be read as standalones I highly recommend reading the whole series. I will say when I started this series I wasn’t sure about it only because it’s not my normal Genre, but holy cow I’m glad I took a chance. This is one of those Series I definitely will be reading again and again. The author has a unique way of telling a story and making you feel as if you are a part of it. Her attention to detail simply blows me away. There’s a bit of everything in this book from action to danger and alittle magic. Clíodhna finds herself in a disagreement with the new church and finds herself meeting a stranger who helps her with her talents. Along the way good and bad choices are made. What does her future look like? Find out what happens next in this must read. I found myself lost in the pages and had a hard time putting it down. As im sad this series is ending I look forward to reading more from this Author .
I give Age of Druids: Druid's Brooch Series: #9 by Christy Nicholas, 5 stars.
Every time I pick up one of these books, I am reminded just how good they are. You are immediately immersed into this magical tale that the author has woven. Clíodhna has many struggles in her life, and while this was set such a long time ago, the main issues she struggles with are still relevant today. I loved her as a main character, she be may favorite in the series. She is strong, independent, and does what she needs to for her family. But she is not the only character in this book. There are many others and they are all written so well -- they feel so real.
Then there is the story itself. Such a rich story, full of detail and imagination although at the same time rooted in history of what really happened. The author has obviously done her research while adding her on spin on this tale. I thoroughly enjoyed this book as well as the whole series, and I highly recommend it to those who like strong characters and historical fiction with fantastic mixed in.
I have followed The Druid’s Brooch Series by Christy Nicholas from the very beginning book. This is one series I never expected myself to fall so in love with, but once I started I couldn’t stop. I am sad that this is the conclusion to the series but looking forward to seeing what we will get next from Christy Nicholas.
This brings the story to a close perfectly and gives us so many things we need to fully understand the brooch aspect of the series the best. I think I really loved Cliodhna the most and her story the best because she was relatable and felt very realistic to me. I loved seeing how she dealt with situations that I as a mother could never fathom facing. I would say this is one series you won’t want to miss, although I do recommend starting at the very beginning before really reading this last one. This is one that will not want to be missed though so it will be time well spent.
Age of Druids: Druid's Brooch Series: #9 by Christy Nicholas 4 Stars!!!!
Another journey into the past with the supernatural fae. I like how the author has chosen Ireland of old and brought all the fae lore into it. I like how the characters seem to just jump right off of the pages and into my mind. I could feel the tensions and the drama.
This story really ticks the historical boxes for me and also the supernatural ones. I like how the author touches on the beginnings of Christianity as they started to come into the pagan society. I love the addition of the fae and the fae world. I like how the characters go from one realm to the other and I like the complex relationship between the characters is played out. I find that it really adds to the story and keeps the reader engaged. I look forward to reading more from this author.
Age of Druids by Christy Nicholas is the ninth book in the Druids Brooch series. This series does not have to be read in order however I would definitely recommend it as I think you would miss a lot of the finer detail if you started from this book. There are not many series that go on as long as this one, let alone would be able to hold my interest. And yet this book does it with ease as the author creates yet another interesting and unique story. I was immediately caught up in this story and found myself flying through the pages. Yet at the same time I wanted to stop and savour every page knowing that the series is coming to an end. As much as I don’t want this series to end I am looking forward to seeing what is next for this author. It will be great to read something new and I am already looking forward to it.
Age of Druids: Druid's Brooch Series: #9 by Christy Nicholas
I have been enjoying this series since the beginning and this book is no different. This book wraps up the series nicely, we get some answers and we learn where the brooch started. The author does an exceptional job pulling you into the story. She writes a story rich with detail and wonderful characters. Each book can be read as a standalone but it is my recommendation that you read the entire series in order for the best experience. This book is full of magic, danger, romance, and so much more. I had a hard time putting this book down once I got started but at the same time I was sad to see it come to an end. I highly recommend this book and series you will find yourself taken on a wonderful adventure you don't want to miss out on.
Age of Druids (The Druid’s Brooch Series #9) by Christy Nicholas - Review by Gail Guerrero
Four Stars
Being a mom is hard enough add in all this extra mystical and church agendas. Makes it look impossible. I have enjoyed this author and am a little sad to see it end. This is a series but can be read as standalone stories. I like the time difference and the authors writing style. I would hate to be the lead in this story to be put in the middle of someone else’s issues. To be put in a position where you might have to leave your kids. I definitely bonded with the lead in many parts of this book. My kids are always the first thing I think of when making a decision. Their well being comes first. It was a very interesting read. Not my normal genre but I like to step outside my bubble and explore. I recommend you do the same.
Age of Druids (Druid's Brooch series, book 9) By Christy Nicholas 4 out of 5 stars
I've been following along with this series for quite some time now and each book is always my new favorite. Christy Nicholas is such a talented writer with a gift of incredible detail. The Druid's Brooch Series is one that I stumbled upon and while it was out of the normal genre I would gravitate to, I found myself lost in the pages. Secretly, I have always had curiosity about the Fae world, so I think this is what called to me. If you're looking for a book with great detail and feeling as though you're within the pages yourself, I would recommend Age of Druids. Though, if we are being honest, I would recommend starting this stand alone series from the very beginning. (What series isn't better when you know every little detail?)
Christy Nicholas is a great author. She has written an amazing series. I have read every book so far and I have to admit that this is my favorite so far. One thing I admire about her storytelling is that I get pulled in right away. Her attention to detail keeps me wanting to read the story until I am done with it. Her characters are fully developed and easy to imagine. In this story, Cliodhna’s family is missing her husband. She meets a stranger outside her home. This stranger tells her that he will help her. He will help her with her talents. There are choices that are made some good and some bad. Will the bad choices be more? Can they cost her family? I highly recommend reading this story so you can read about Cliodhna’s story and family. To see which path she is going to take.
Age of Druids by Christy Nicholas is the ninth book in The Druid's Brooch series. These can be read as standalone books and enjoyed but I think they are better in order. This book tells the story of Clíodhna. She doesn't have an easy life with three children and a husband that has gone missing. Often tested to choose between improving her life and possibly giving up her children Clíodhna makes difficult decisions. It took me a bit to get into her character because of some of her choices, but I gradually understood what she was trying to accomplish. This is a wonderful book and series full of enchantment, mystery, and more. I am sad to see this series end but I look forward to reading more from this author in the future.
Age of Druids: Druids Brooch Series#9 by Christy Nicholas 4 out of 5 stars This series has been amazing! I have been following along with this series since the beginning and I cannot believe we are here at the end. All good things must come to an end I suppose, but WHY? Age of Druids: Druids Brooch Series#9 by Christy Nicholas is a book that is full of romance, action, and danger. Clíodhna is a strong woman with a will of Iron. She has babies to protect and she is determined to do so. She is a fiery woman and when she has her back against the wall, she is determined to do what is necessary to save herself and her family, with or without the help of the beautiful stranger she met in the woods. This book is amazing. I highly recommend this series and in book order.
So this amazingly talented author had definitely gone out with a bang! I have really enjoyed this series and am sad that it’s over but what a book to end on! It was a fantastic read and one that I could only really give 4 stars to! It’s not my usual genre but I took a chance and it didn’t take me long to be fully invested in what I was reading and that carried on the whole way through the series. The author has a wonderful attention to detail and this really adds to the enjoyment of the story. The characters have been creative and imaginative and a joy to read about and follow through these 9 books. I would definitely recommend this story and the whole of this series!!
This is the exciting backstory of the Druid’s Brooch series. I have been waiting for this reveal forever!
Clíodhna has been caring for her children and the farm alone ever since her husband disappeared. Whether he left or was taken is still unknown but life is harder without him. When the priests of the new religion offer to teach her older children and care for her baby it is a blessing but their beliefs do not align with the customs of her people. She finds herself caught between this new Christianity and the Fae she knows and believes in.
There is danger, magic, intrigue, and romance. What more can you want? I received a free copy but my review is honest and voluntary.
Cliodhna is a pagan woman in ancient Ireland. Her story shapes the entire Druid Brooch series. Interesting twist, to situation this volume at the end of the series (reverse chronology for those who have read the full way through). It has been such a fascinating journey through 9 books (plus novellas). The brooch is the focus, but this seems to be more about the strength of the women in these historical periods. The research is extensive and comes trhough, the worldbuilding complete. So many things come together here, giving further clarity to the actions throughout the series, and the characters shaped by the world around them. You feel so much reading this. About the weaknesses and frailties of the character, but also hope and strength. This (and the series) is a definite read.