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Druids Trilogy #1
Druids
For 500 years, Europe was ruled by the Celts, a powerful race who believed acts of nature were omens of the gods, where nobility was earned and where honor was valued above life. The most revered were the Druids: bards, healers, judges, and seers. A special few protected the secrets of ancient Earth magic. Rhonwen, a passionate young healer, must forge a path through a land being ravaged by the war with Rome. Haunted by an oath of vengeance, she struggles against betrayal and gambles her life on an arcane healing magic from distant Gaul. Mallec flees from his ferocious warrior tribe to become a scholar at the great center of druidic learning. His training fails him when he discovers an ancient rite for immortality. Once mastered, he must protect the knowledge from those who thirst for its power and are bent on his destruction. Celt against Roman — two civilizations larger than the continent they share. One must yield forever. Can druid magic endure the onslaught of Roman legions? Can the wisdom of nature survive Rome's lust for conquest? Who are the barbarians in a world where power and ambition mean more than honor and sacrifice?
- GenresFantasy
336 pages, Paperback
First published October 15, 2009
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Displaying 1 - 6 of 6 reviews
June 23, 2011
Druids follows the stories of two Celts, Rhonwen, a healer, and Mallec, a seer. Their lives are separate, yet interconnected through their relationship with the elder Orlan. He is Rhonwen's uncle and Mallec's mentor, and the wise Druid teaches them both part of what they need to learn in order to eventually rise to the same respected position. The ancient lands of the Celts are pressed under the heavy thumb of Roman oppression; Rhonwen and Mallec must not only find their way among the Celtic peoples, they are forced to do so while enduring the constant threat of Roman interference.
Druids is a compelling, character-driven novel. Rhonwen, an independent and strong young woman, is plagued by her mother's misplaced bitterness and suffers the demands this places on the aspiring healer. In desperate times, Rhonwen's strength and determination are required, though her fortitude unfortunately comes with a dear price.
Mallec is a gifted seer born to a tribe of warriors. He escapes his early, torturous circumstances and ventures to the island of Mona, the famed centre of druidic education. It is there that the clever and inquisitive Mallec finds Orlan, who takes the young seer under his wing. Unfortunately for Mallec, he finds that life at the great institution is otherwise not so much different than back with his clan.
After Orlan uncovers a forgotten druid rite that has the potential to restore health and potentially grant the power of immortality, this magic becomes crucial to both Rhonwen and Mallec. For Rhonwen, it holds the promise of vindication and freedom; for Mallec, it has become a sacred knowledge entrusted to him, one that he must foster and protect from the schemes of others.
Infused with equal parts history and fiction, the story grows more intriguing with the turning of each page. Every chapter is headed by a tract of druidic history recorded by past, ancient leaders, which draws the reader further into the tale. In this humble reader's opinion, the only missing element is a map; it would be very interesting to have seen roughly where the Celtic tribal boundaries or even settlements were established. Chalking this point up to personal preference, though, the absence in no way affects the overall quality of the story or the satisfaction one will surely get in reading Druids.
Druids is a compelling, character-driven novel. Rhonwen, an independent and strong young woman, is plagued by her mother's misplaced bitterness and suffers the demands this places on the aspiring healer. In desperate times, Rhonwen's strength and determination are required, though her fortitude unfortunately comes with a dear price.
Mallec is a gifted seer born to a tribe of warriors. He escapes his early, torturous circumstances and ventures to the island of Mona, the famed centre of druidic education. It is there that the clever and inquisitive Mallec finds Orlan, who takes the young seer under his wing. Unfortunately for Mallec, he finds that life at the great institution is otherwise not so much different than back with his clan.
After Orlan uncovers a forgotten druid rite that has the potential to restore health and potentially grant the power of immortality, this magic becomes crucial to both Rhonwen and Mallec. For Rhonwen, it holds the promise of vindication and freedom; for Mallec, it has become a sacred knowledge entrusted to him, one that he must foster and protect from the schemes of others.
Infused with equal parts history and fiction, the story grows more intriguing with the turning of each page. Every chapter is headed by a tract of druidic history recorded by past, ancient leaders, which draws the reader further into the tale. In this humble reader's opinion, the only missing element is a map; it would be very interesting to have seen roughly where the Celtic tribal boundaries or even settlements were established. Chalking this point up to personal preference, though, the absence in no way affects the overall quality of the story or the satisfaction one will surely get in reading Druids.
February 6, 2017
I am torn on this book.
I liked a lot of it, it felt very well grounded in the historical setting, and the societies presented were alien enough to be interesting but familiar enough to not be off-putting. I loved how the druids are all basically charlatans (very well trained and elaborate charlatans), using illusion and trickery to enforce their will/the law. I liked how the authors did a very ambitious thing writing a story with three or four main characters over the course of maybe 15 years. I also liked the weirdness of the one bit of actual magic in the book. It has moments of great humor and great heroism and great pathos. It also throws a few curveballs, which I find refreshing.
What I didn't care so much for is that a lot of things seem to happen just for purposes of plot. For purposes of plot Rhowen is going to love that Roman guy, and ONLY that Roman guy, no matter how long he ignores her or how many other suitors come to call. For purposes of plot, Mallec is going to give more and more responsibility to a person he has been told by everyone he trust NOT to trust.
I liked a lot of it, it felt very well grounded in the historical setting, and the societies presented were alien enough to be interesting but familiar enough to not be off-putting. I loved how the druids are all basically charlatans (very well trained and elaborate charlatans), using illusion and trickery to enforce their will/the law. I liked how the authors did a very ambitious thing writing a story with three or four main characters over the course of maybe 15 years. I also liked the weirdness of the one bit of actual magic in the book. It has moments of great humor and great heroism and great pathos. It also throws a few curveballs, which I find refreshing.
What I didn't care so much for is that a lot of things seem to happen just for purposes of plot. For purposes of plot Rhowen is going to love that Roman guy, and ONLY that Roman guy, no matter how long he ignores her or how many other suitors come to call. For purposes of plot, Mallec is going to give more and more responsibility to a person he has been told by everyone he trust NOT to trust.
March 26, 2011
Enjoying this so far!
Read
August 27, 2013Excellent read! Never a dull moment, and very informative. I didn't really know too much about the Celtic culture until I started the series.
January 29, 2016
"Druids" is a fascinating taste of the life of the ancient Gauls during the time of the Roman invasion. Before reading this trilogy I had only a vague knowledge of this time in history. "Druids" sweeps the reader up into a wonderful tale full of action, romance, magic and history. This is one of the best historical fantasy books I have read. The characters are unique and well-drawn and the plot draws you in with a great blend of violent battles, cozy domestic scenes, well thought out magic, and fully researched history. This trilogy would make an amazing movie. I would love to see Mallec and Rhonwen in their world of ancient Gaul, on the big screen. The writers make druids, warriors, villagers, Romans, and slaves come to life in the pages of these three books. Highly recommend!
May 22, 2014
The beginning of the trilogy pits the lifestyle of the celtic druids against the might of Rome, and there is love, loss and struggle the entire way. The novel spans a large time period, so some of the gaps can be a bit jarring, but on the whole this well-researched and expansive tale will make you believe in woadsleep.
Displaying 1 - 6 of 6 reviews