'An immensely satisfying fusion between early Celtic history and fantasy' (Colleen McCullough, cover of 1995 edition of The Circle and the Cross).
The Circle and the Cross
Milsons Point
:
Arrow Books
,
1995
Z16984
1995
single work
novel
historical fiction
fantasy
'Imagine that you sit warming yourself by a fire in a tiny settlement lying deep in snow. Sweet peat smoke scents the chill breeze and an old song-maker raises a keening cry for summers's long absence. Here amongst folk who call themselves the Feni was a young lad born and there passed his first years on Earth. Raised as the son of a blacksmith, Mawn, this very lad, knows little of the world outside his sleepy village. But Eirinn, his island home is in turmoil. Black-robed monks have made their way across the tempestuous sea from Rome and have set the people at war with one another. The Elf-High King and his Druid Council know they cannot survive the furious might of the Roman Empire, so they must find other ways to save their ancient magical traditions from the evils that threaten to engulf them. For this great task the Council has named a young boy who amongst the Feni was born and there passed his first years on Earth.'
Source: Fantastic Fiction website www.fantasticfiction.co.uk (Sighted 21/4/10)
The Song of the Earth
Milsons Point
:
Arrow Books
,
1996
Z202803
1996
single work
novel
historical fiction
fantasy
'Nine seasons have passed since the Druid Council of Eirinn banished the sadistic Christian, Palladius, from its island shores. But now an even greater force has arrived from Rome in the shape of Patricius, a powerful and fearless bishop who is determined to corrupt the ancient traditions of the Druids to his own ends. Aiding him in his task is a monk whose Very name inspires fear and hatred in all Eirinn. It is nine seasons, too, since Mawn and Sianan began their Druid training. Now they face their greatest test: a journey to the Other-world. Only if they survive can they partake of the Quicken potion brewed by the Faery kind, which will make them Wanderers, keepers of the ancient magical ways. But as they undergo their testing a fierce confrontation is taking place between Patricius and the High-King of Eirinn. Neither leader wishes for bloodshed but there is one amongst them who is determined to destroy any hope of peace, intent only on violent and bloody revenge'. Source: bookseller's website.
The Water of Life
Milsons Point
:
Arrow Books
,
1997
Z530446
1997
single work
novel
historical fiction
fantasy
'Mawn and Sianan are now consecrated as Druids. They eat the sacred bread of the Faerie folk and drink the holy Water of Life - and thus they embrace eternal life. They will be Wanderers through the endless years, sent as messengers to countless generations to preserve ancient customs and magic. 'With Gobann of the Silver Branch, their teacher, and the King and Queen of Munster, they set off to help the Gaels of Scotland in their war against the Saxons. But there is a viper within their party, and an old, hated foe has made strange alliance with the Saxons...'. Source: FantaFiction (http://www.fantafiction.com/about.asp). Sighted 21/2/11.
