The Pool of Two Moons

The Witches of Eileanan #2

by Kate Forsyth

Taking up where The Witches of Eileanan left off, we find Meghan o' the Beasts and her young charge Isabeau, outcasts in a land where magic has been outlawed. But the pair are soon separated, and Isabeau is wounded by witchfinders, and saved by a group of samaritans. Meghan sets out to find Isabeau's warrior-trained twin, Iseult, and a missing prince living under an ancient curse. Separately, the two parties must make their way through a land where magic is punished by death, seeking allies to spread the news--that the Witches are returning, and the Queen and her evil must fall.

Genres: Fantasy, Fiction, Magic, Epic Fantasy, Witches, High Fantasy, Dragons

557 pages, Kindle Edition

First published January 1, 1998

About the author

Kate Forsyth wrote her first novel at the age of seven, and is now the internationally bestselling author of 40 books for both adults and children.

Her books for adults include 'Beauty in Thorns', the true love story behind a famous painting of 'Sleeping Beauty'; 'The Beast's Garden', a retelling of the Grimm version of 'Beauty & the Beast', set in the German underground resistance to Hitler in WWII; 'The Wild Girl', the love story of Wilhelm Grimm and Dortchen Wild, the young woman who told him many of the world's most famous fairy tales; 'Bitter Greens', a retelling of the Rapunzel fairytale; and the bestselling fantasy series 'Witches of Eileanan' Her books for children include 'The Impossible Quest', 'The Gypsy Crown', 'The Puzzle Ring', and 'The Starkin Crown'

Kate has a doctorate in fairytale studies, a Masters of Creative Writing, a Bachelor of Arts in Literature, and is an accredited master storyteller.

Reviews

[Tracy · Rating 5 out of 5]

I listened to the audio book and it was great! This is book 2 in the series and I enjoyed that the good guys came out on top...at least for now. I can see there are more challenges coming. I love the narration! The characters are great. Finn is my favorite and the kid, Thomas, with the healing hands....

[Phrynne · Rating 4 out of 5]

The second in the series and just as good as the first. The story moves at a good pace and there are some delightful characters introduced along the way. The author trusts that the reader has the common sense to read the first book before starting this one and does not waste time with boring explanations of what has gone on before. She also ties up the story nicely at the end of this book and yet still leaves the way open for plenty of adventures in the next one. I will definitely continue on.

[Chani · Rating 3 out of 5]

I felt Isabeau (which is way to weird of a name. Isa-boo? Just call her Elizabeth jeez) lost all of her spark. Her spirit was weak, her hand chopped up, her magic non-existance... Granted the magic rituals performed by Meghan and the celestines were nice inserts, I disliked the lack of magic and the over-abundence of politics. Hate politics, hate um. Nasty bits in books I try to skip over. I will make space for them when evenly placed between magic scenes but this was pushing my
desires/patience. Also, I could not get a feel for Lachlan. He's a broodying youth hunchback. Oh, now he's a bedazzling winged man. (I was very much ok with this transformation) but then he changed right back into the idiotic, headstrong fool. There was no character developement and I found myself repeatedly asking if I would
want him to rule the kingdom for he seemed to have no common sense, only thoughts of revenge. I would like a wise ruler thank you very much. I also did not understand the thinking behind having Isabeau befriend Maya. Were we suppose to she a good side of her? Or is she just tricky? Again, another character that I felt was written too schizophrenically/bi-polar-ism. I also could not see where the author
is going with this baby ruler thing. Is she bad is she good? This is not a story I really want to drag on but seeing that there are 5/6 books in the series, probably will. I don't know if I'll be in this for the long haul.

I'm finding that there may be some smarts behind why books in a series
other than not being able to write them all at the same time, are not released all at once. Reading these books back to back, 800+ pages, really worn me out. I probably would have been better able to deal with all the politics if I had a year spacing them apart. So, now I'm left with the decision. Read the next book or pick up another one as a palate cleanser?

[Tracey · Rating 3 out of 5]

This book carried on the story brilliantly well. I actually think it was better than the first book, which bodes well for the rest of the series.
I've decided to do a proper review after I've read all 6 books , hopefully by the end of the year. :)

[Shelby · Rating 4 out of 5]

I enjoyed this story, but it moved a little slower for me. I think that might be in part because due to circumstances I was listening to it off and on, on audio, and that slowed down the story significantly compared to how quickly I normally read through a book. That being said I do enjoy this world and the characters are interesting.

There's a lot of different story lines in this novel as our characters are spread around the kingdom on various paths all leading to the final confrontation with the Ban Rìgh. There are a lot of characters and each group only really knows a piece of the puzzle. I preferred being with Iseult rather than Isabeau honestly. Isabeau spends a lot of this story feeling very young and indecisive. I preferred Iseult's brand of fight first ask questions later. She and Lachlan have a lot to learn, but they at least were proactive about things.

Still this books does build to a strong conclusion and while things have improved there's a long way to go for stability to return to the land.

[Kelley · Rating 4 out of 5]

The books I love most in the world to read are epic/historical fantasy novels that feature cool heroines doing cool stuff. This book is just what I ordered.

One of the things I enjoy most about this series (so far, of course) is the rich diversity among the female characters. They range from the good (Isabeau) to the evil (Maya, Margrit), from the aged (Meghan) to the very young (the delightful Finn, who, while everyone else is preparing to charge to her rescue, calmly frees herself from danger), and from the human to the nonhuman (Lilanthe, Cloudshadow). I have my favorites among them. I've noticed that some reviewers don't care much for Isabeau, and it's true she doesn't get many opportunities to be her most powerful self, but I value her kind heart, which goes out to baby Bronwen even though she's the child of her bitterest enemy. I also love fierce, fearless Meghan; the marvelous Judi Dench is always in my mind's eye when I read about her. I want to see Iseult do some real fighting, but I have hope that will come later. I didn't care much at all for the male lead, Lachlan, but then I don't think I'm supposed to. It's rather interesting to me that despite being the rightful heir to the throne, ostensibly the "hero," and despite his supposed romantic devotion to Iseult (though he shows precious little tenderness even to her), Lachlan isn't that much more sympathetic than his evil rival Maya. Our "hero" even threatens the life of an innocent infant! This moves the book out of a simple "good vs. evil" struggle and into more complex territory.

I do have a couple of nits to pick.
First, it troubles me that the vicious, bigoted Tirsolleir will accept women among their soldiery, while to our good guys, the people of Eileanan, female soldiers are unknown and barely conceivable, and Iseult has to put forth quite an effort to be taken seriously as a warrior. This "only villains accept women as soldiers" element has been a sticking point for me in both Brandon Sanderson's Stormlight Archive (which I otherwise adored) and John Gwynne's Malice. If women soldiers are only accepted/allowed in the ranks of Evil, are we meant to view the idea of women soldiers as somehow inherently bad? It seems an odd impression to get from this book, in which so many other forms of female power are clearly embraced.

Second, in a sub-subplot, the son of one of the main villains is about to be forced into marriage, and he's terrified that his bride will be a "big, strapping girl" who can out-ride and out-wrestle him. When she turns out to be a petite damsel, mild and soft-spoken, he's so relieved that he falls in love immediately. When I read this, I couldn't help thinking, "Please, please, let the dainty, delicate maiden turn out to be a shrew," just so the young man could learn that a big, strapping bride isn't necessarily the Worst Thing Ever. Alas, no; the dainty bride is as nice as she seems, and thus the tiresome (for me) "No Guy Wants an Amazon" trope goes unchallenged here. Sigh. Maybe this small detail would bother me less if I got the impression that Lachlan does value Iseult, so at least one guy actually does want an Amazon...

All the same, I'm enjoying this series immensely and look forward to the next books.

[Raluca · Rating 5 out of 5]

The first part was a bit slow and I thought that the author dived too much into politics, rather than show us magic and more of the universe we are immersed in, but the action slowly builds up, allowing the characters and creatures to better introduce themselves, pulling in momentum from different sides, like gathering sticks for a bonfire, knowing they will become ash in the end.

Megan is now with the other twin and Bacci and she is preparing them for revolution, but her two new apprentices are much more impetuous than Isabeau, who escaped the fire only to find safety under the very eyes of her enemy. We get to find out more about Maya, the ensorceller, her past, her motives. We get to see magic rituals and creatures and I just found myself getting easily lost in this ferric world, comparing the mythology to Romanian folklore and finding many similarities.

Yes, this books asks for your patience and I think it will be worth it. Not everything has to be quick paced and full of twists and turns...

[Leigh Briar · Rating 4 out of 5]

Loved it as much as the first time I read it years ago. The audiobook narration makes this series even more immersive. I love the developments of character and plot in this book. Meghan and Isabeau have my entire heart.

[Jemma (Aussie BookWorm) · Rating 5 out of 5]

I have officially fallen in love with this series, the magic is just... magical!

[Brooke · Rating 5 out of 5]

I think this series is going to be my next Harry Potter - reading it when I need to revisit an old comfort favourite. Love all the plotlines and characters and settings so much ❤️

[MEGAN GSCHWIND · Rating 5 out of 5]

Best series I've read in a long time!

[Christina Rothfusz · Rating 3 out of 5]

I really like the story ... I really dislike all of the main characters.

The meeting of the twins should've been better. In this book Isabeau is just nowhere. Her magic is gone, doubt plagues her and seriously - can this girl just think about things before plunging onward! Massive roll of eyes at almost everything she does. Her twin sister is just painful. Lachlan - really! As a future leader he is just pathetic, had me cheering for the bad guys more often than not.

That said, I really enjoyed some of the minor characters. Thomas the little healer was beautifully written and Finn won you over almost immediately.

Will I stick it out to book 6? Probably not. Once you've decided the creepy fish people are probably a better bet as champions, it possibly time to give up! Will try book three though.

[Shamina · Rating 5 out of 5]

An epic tale of fantasy! The first book was excellent and this second one is just as good. It’s been a very long time since I’ve read a book with such rich world building! The world feels huge and varied. Oceans, mountains, plains, marshes, and each with their own types of fairies and peoples. The characters are numerous, but each with their own unique personalities. Even the twins are very different from each other. The author jumps around between many different pov’s, but each is interesting. Even the antagonists are fun to read about.

There are so many strong female characters and no Mary Sues. It’s a breath of fresh air! These women have to work hard for their abilities and powers. There isn’t all the girl on girl hate that is present in so many books of late. There is a little jealousy, but it doesn’t feel like forced drama. Having sisters I can attest that a little sisterly jealousy is normal at times.

I would like to see a strong male character or two. Some of the street urchin boys have potential and Angus. But that is such a small gripe when most books are dominated by strong men.

Isabeau is one of my favorite characters in the story and it’s been so awful for her. I hope things get better for her in the next one, but it doesn’t seem like it.

I am annoyed about Lachlan and Iseult. Of all the characters they are my least favorite, but mostly Lachlan. He is an idiot and I almost feel bad for Iseult. I couldn’t imagine being with a man that was so impetuous and insecure. I know he had a terrible thing done to him, but why is he so awful to Isabeau? I think he may end up being like Anakin Skywalker. He even has twins on the way! Guess I’ll find out.

[Maria · Rating 2 out of 5]

Have you ever kept reading a book, and as you get further you just start shaking your head in disbelief at how ridiculously the characters are behaving? And not in a good way.

This book is highly rated so I'm definitely the odd one out, but personally I felt like the good in this book was overshadowed a lot by how frustratingly inconsistently the characters behaved.

I'm not going to say "Don't read this book", but it was definitely the most frustrating read I've had in a while.

So basically Latifa and Isabeau are just in love with the banrigh and genuinely serving and protecting her even though they're supposed to be trying to take her down?? And neither of them do anything with the key pieces they have for the vast majority of the book? And then Latifa, who is introduced as one of the main connections to Meghan supporting the rebellion, then refuses to help the rebellion?

[Traicee C · Rating 3 out of 5]

There are a lot of plot lines occurring at once but the chapters are short so you never feel like you've left the main character too long. My biggest annoyance is probably the male lead character, I find him annoying, sulky and a poor example of a leader, the only saving grace is that the other characters say it too, especially his love interest. Naturally, the women are all kick-ass and seem to be doing most of the heavy lifting in the story. The end was quite climatic and satisfying, and sets up book 3 to be a lot of "what now?".

[Deirdre · Rating 3 out of 5]

Meghan of the beasts knows the time is near. By the pool of the Two Moons in the ancient city of Lucescere the future of the witches of Eileanan will be decided. Our heroes have to travel there to try to solve the issues and to make a future happen.

It's a long read, but I can see that it's going places and I want to know more. Honestly I prefer some of her newer stuff.

[Jaimie Ward · Rating 1 out of 5]

I couldn't even finish it because the writing is so lackluster and the main characters aren't relatable and the plot so basic that there are only two main points for this whole series which is 6 books. I just didn't care what happened and there wasn't a lot of tension to draw you through the book because nothing was happening.

[Ellie · Rating 5 out of 5]

Kate has such an amazing way of storytelling and interweaving plots. This is the fourth book I've read of hers and become more and more impressed with every page. This is my favourite book series and I highly recommend.

[Clare D · Rating 4 out of 5]

I have been enjoying the audio book for this series, and realyl LOVE the narator's accents and reading! It is one of the longest books I have listened to, but one of the best. This would make a great series for TV! I know I would binge watch, all the while proclaiming the book was better!

[Dixy]

27%

[Lauren · Rating 4 out of 5]

Loved it! I can't wait to learn more about the League of the Healing Hand, and Iseult and Isabeau's adventures before the events on Rhiannon's Ride.

[Dapper · Rating 3 out of 5]

Isabeau was immediately one of my favorite characters, her free spirit and positive outlook allowed the reader to overlook some truly foolish decisions, and even understand them. Meghan did her a great disservice by sheltering her then sending her on such a grand and important mission

In this book however, her spirit is completely broken. Understandably, of course. But she’s alone the entire time and bad thing after bad thing keeps happening to her - she’s missing fingers, has no hair, is constantly plagued with fever etc. it’s not interesting to read her parts anymore


Meanwhile, idiot Lachlan (whom I still don’t forgive for robbing the little girl that saved his life) and annoying Iseult are having this romance that I couldn’t give two shits about. They’re both boneheaded and I don’t enjoy reading about them either, nor rooting for them.

Idk about continuing the series. I really liked the first book but damn did the second deviate

[Dandie Lynas · Rating 5 out of 5]

ever since I started the Witches of Eileannan series I’ve been obsessed with reading it and finding out the fate of our delightful and diverse cast of characters. Forsyth’s storytelling is masterful; the series so far has been full of surprises and simultaneously clever foreshadowing. it’s emotional, exciting, and keeps you on the edge of your seat. If you love witches, dragons, herbs, friendship, animals, trust, betrayal, love, inheritance, and rebellion against a stolen regime, pick up book 1 ( and be prepared for a whole lot of world building!) … I am already excited to not only finish the trilogy, but one day reread the book and map out all the political / family ties. Many families have a last name starting with Mac____ so pay attention to the second part of the name to prevent confusing families!

[Maša · Rating 4 out of 5]

The story of rebellion and strife is coming near the end, our characters coming together in the hope of ending the tyranny of Maya the Ensorceller.

This book continues to entertain and exasperate me. The plot jerks, the characters are often jerks who don't seem to think, the dialogue is atrocious - and I enjoy every minute of it. The story appeals, the blundering characters are completely understandable in their idiocy (after all, if I had been traumatised, who knows how it would impact my decision making?), and it's sometimes nice to just lay back and enjoy the slower parts of the plot.

It seems I'm continuing the series, for better or worse!

[Yolande · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was a thoroughly satisfying continuation to the story. I loved the twists and turns, the way Kate Forsyth continued to develop the characters, adding greater depth and complexity. I loved the grand battles threat happen in fantasy stories, how each carefully laid piece comes together, poor is thwarted by unexpected troubles. This whet my appetite from what I'm sure will come. The decisions made by Lachlan in particular at the end of the novel were incredibly frustrating to me, but Fir with his character. I'm holding of gobbling up the next book so three syrupy status straight in my head and the magic lasts a little longer!

[Isabeau · Rating 5 out of 5]

4.5

Every read this book always feels the most satisfying. The author cleverly weaved so many things throughout the book that right at the end all come together in a way that makes sense and DAMN it feels good.
I honestly got so lost in the story. The world of Eileanan is so rich and real and colourful. Although there is a bit of violence, none of it was too graphic, and instead you sorta just became horrified by concepts rather than what’s in front of you.
Like I’m biased as hell, but Isabeau is absolutely my favourite. I’m so glad there are another four books to go!!! May the journey continue

[Alicia · Rating 4 out of 5]

https://wordnerdy.blogspot.com/2023/0...

This was a very interesting follow up, and I think I liked it more than the first book! I liked how it didn’t seem predictable, and how things I worried would be strung out through several books (reunions, quests, etc) were resolved in this one. I also appreciate that most of the main characters—and the antagonists—are women. I am intrigued to see where this series goes next. A

[Vivek Satyasi · Rating 4 out of 5]

Interesting book. I actually listened to the audible version and my experience will likely be different someone who read the book, but I liked the author's unique direction and writing in addition to the narrator's Irish accent lending a unique feel to the book. It's a little out of my usual kind of book, but still recommend it as a decent read.

[jess · Rating 4 out of 5]

This got better as I read. Been 6 yrs since I read the first one so I had forgotten a lot.

The plot def has some holes and the world doesnt really seem to have hard and fast rules. I sometimes get the feeling she came up with the rest of the series as she writes. Hope that makes sense.

I will continue this series.

[KayDee · Rating 4 out of 5]

I enjoyed the twist and turns the book took me own.

Except, I found myself really not liking Lachlan. He is a whinny selfish boy and now he wants to be the Rhy…😬 What does it say when I think Maya would be better to lead the people! 🤭

I want Isabeul to grown up in so many ways as well. She is Lachlans whinny partner. 🙄 Hopefully, this will come?!?!?