Dawnspell: The Bristling Wood by Katherine Kerr

SYNOPSIS
RETURN TO THE FANTASTICAL LAND OF MYTH, MAGIC AND PASSION
Over a thousand years ago the People of Deverry were driven from their splendid kingdom by their enemy, the Hordes, and forced to find sanctuary in the remote forests in the east of their lands where they eventually settled. Succeeding generations remembered these terrible events as the Burning - and they never forgot the cities, towns and marvels of the far, far west.

Dawnspell, the third compelling volume in Katharine Kerr's epic Deverry series, continues the bold saga of Nevyn, Rhodry and Jill as they battle with the evil forces threatening the world of Deverry in the decades that follow the Burning. Rooted in Celtic mythology, this dazzling novel offers a vision of an extraordinary universe of magicians, kings, elves and prophets, of a world where love is triumphant - even over death.


MY VIEW
The third in the wonderful Deverry series and the characters are really getting settled for want of a better word. Nevyn is the wizard who lives on as the same person through the various incarnations. The main characters are Rhodry, Nevyn, and Jill with Jill being the main character.

Kerr's writing does take some getting used to and as someone who can get very distracted by reading I had no problems being distracted from this also the fact that this is Celtic based held my interest as I am a massive fan of Celtic fantasy.

If you like Marion Zimmer Bradley I think you will like this series and also Kate Elliott who is a huge influence on Kerr so I hear but, having never read any of Elliotts work (a few of her novels are in my massive TBR pile!) I couldn't really say!

Darkspell by Katherine Kerr

SYNOPSIS
On the long roads of Deverry ride two mercenaries whose fates like hidden deep in that of their own land. But Lord Rhodry, exiled from the dragon court of Aberwyn, has yet to discover his true parentage, and his swordmaster-lover, Jill, has barely glimpsed her awesome powers. Meanwhile, the ancient sorcerer Nevyn, held back by his vows from boldly intervening in their lives, can only watch and wait as Rhodry and Jill move ever closer to danger. For as the two struggle to recover the Great Stone, the mystic jewel that guides the conscience of the kingship of Deverry, malevolent dark masters are weaving terrifying spells against them--and displacing messengers of death. Katherine Kerr has extensively rewritten Darkspell, incorporating major changes in the text, making this her definitive edition. Here the epic saga that began with the Daggerspell continues--a tale of might and magic, lust and glory, dark danger and poignant desires that echo from Deverry's sapphire waters to its secret mountain caverns. It's a spellbinding story destined to please fantasy lovers everywhere.

MY VIEW
The 2nd book in the wonderful Deverry series, much like the first book you are reading in different time periods about the same characters albeit re-incarnated. Its not as difficult to follow as you may think and as I have said before the information at the back of the book is very useful if you lose track of which character is who but, you soon get used to it.

Daggerspell was more I felt introducing us to the characters and getting the feel of Deverry whereas with Darkspell I felt the story moved up a notch, here there are two stories going on the time-spanning reincarnations and the present dweomer war. The worlds created are wonderful I love the wildfolk which is Katherines terms for those we know as Dwarves, Elves etc.

Star Man by Sara Douglass

SYNOPSIS
From Library Journal
Assuming his role as the Starman of the Prophecy of the Destroyer, the warrior-wizard Axis makes his way to his final confrontation with his corrupt half-brother, Gorgrael. Meanwhile, Azhure, Axis's wife, discovers her own powers as an Enchantress and learns the twin strengths of love and friendship. Douglass (Enchanter, Battleaxe) brings to the fore her world-building abilities and storytelling expertise in this satisfying conclusion to a fantasy epic set in a world of winged sorcerers and ancient races. A few loose ends pave the way for future novels featuring a new generation of heroes and villains.

MY VIEW

This has to be one of the few fantasy trilogies where every one of the three books was quite simply brilliant! Even my beloved Sevenwaters trilogy by Juliet Marrillier I found the others didn't match up to the first book.

Now that said I did find the ending was a bit of an anti-climax and makes you want morte more more. Still I guess thats how things are so you go on to the next 3 books in the second part of the series.

Its so difficult to write a review without spoiling things and I don't like to do that I have this weird habit of reading the last line of a book before reading it and so many books I have spoiled for myself by doing that! So I know how it feels if someone includes a spoiler in the book so I'll try not to all I will say is Faraday I really felt for and Axis who was one of my favourite characters became a not so favourite but, thats just the way I guess.

If you love Fantasy do read this its brilliant, I will definitely be reading the second trilogy.

Daggerspell by Katherine Kerr

SYNOPSIS
In a world outside reality, a young girl's spirit hovers between incarnations, knowing neither her past nor her future. In the temporal world lives Nevyn, who long ago vanquished the maiden's hand in marriage and forged a terrible bond between three souls. Now he must atone the wrong of his youth.

MY VIEW
This book has been sitting on my shelf for so long I thought it was time to get cracking, this is quite a long series and I own all of them bar one (which is on its way as I speak/type) if I didn't like it it woyuld be a damn shame however, I am happy to say this book was brilliant.

The plot is the reincarnation of souls which at first might seem a tad confusing but, there is a little guide at the book of who is who and once you get used to it and know who is who its quite easy to follow.

It has quite a Celtic feel to it and is set in medievel times, Jill is the intitial central character along with Nevyn and her Father all 3 are reincarnated souls and its good to see how each of the characters (not just these 3) interact with each other in different lifetimes.

A great fantasy series (I hope) I'm already on the 2nd book and its every bit as good.

A break with charity

SYNOPSIS
Susanna desperately wants to join the circle of girls who meet every week at the parsonage. What she doesn't realize is that the girls are about to set off a torrent of false accusations leading to the imprisonment and execution of countless innocent people. Susanna faces a painful choice. Should she keep quiet and let the witch-hunt panic continue, or should she "break charity" with the group--and risk having her own family members named as witches?

MY VIEW
I have only ever read one other fiction book of the Salem Witch trials and for the life of me I can't remember what it was called or who wrote it but, anyway I felt this one was much better written and although this book is aimed at 9-12 year olds (an age group I departed from much too long ago!) I quite enjoyed it!

Its not intense, and its very easy to read. Most of us know the history of the Salem witch trials so I won't repeat that but, if you have any interest in the witch trials this is good to read even if you don't it gives you a feel of how it was back then, definitely a time I would not have liked to live through.

Susanna English (the central character) is not a perfect Puritan her family are wealthy and its something that makes others not welcome her and though Susanna wants to join the circle of girls she does make frinds with Tituba - the Reverands slave, Tituba is skilled in the black arts and has used thios skill to entertain the circle of girls.

When the girls start having fits and ministers determine this is because they are being possessed by witches Susanna realises its just a game but, what can she do when people start being hanged for crimes and will her family be accused?