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Druid's Brooch #4
Fantasy / folklore
12th century
Ireland
In 12th century Ireland, the old ways of
Druidism and prophecy are coming into conflict with the new ways of
Christianity. Orlagh has been the Royal Seer to her chieftain for over forty years.
Recently, though, the chieftain has been disregarding Orlagh’s visions, to the
detriment of the tribe. While Orlagh honors the old ways and the Fey Folk, she
walks a fine line and knows that she must balance her gift of prophecy against
the teachings of the new church, and tries to give proper credit to the new
Christian god for her abilities. She knows, though, that her long life is soon
to end, and since she is the only living member of her family left, she must
find a worthy heir to whom she can pass on her family brooch, a faerie brooch
that gives its owner magical abilities.
In exchange for knowledge needed to
fulfill her mission, Orlagh makes a deal with a faerie Lord. At the same time,
her long-lost grandson, Declan, turns up, having traveled from town to town
after the death of his parents. Declan is plagued by bad luck, mostly brought
on by his poor decision-making skills and laziness, but his new sweetheart has
given him a reinvigorated outlook on life and he is determined to make himself
into a man worthy of her.
When Declan and Orlagh reunite, will he
be able to live up to everyone’s expectations, or will he revert to his past
tendencies? And what of Orlagh’s agreement with the faerie Lord? For, as
everyone knows, one does not lightly enter into a contract with the Fey…
Christy Nicholas has done it again with
another vibrant, fast-paced, gripping tale. The tensions between the folk who
incorporate the older ways into their daily habits and the priests of the
Christian church are strong throughout. The cast of characters is complex and
well drawn. I enjoyed Orlagh a great deal. She reminded me in many ways of my
grandmother. I also tremendously appreciated reading a story where the protagonist
was a woman older than sixty. That’s not something readers get to see a whole
lot of and it’s a shame, really. Older characters have a great deal to offer,
so it is nice to see such a main character who is honored and respected. I
hated Declan, as I think we were supposed to. Maybe he was supposed to instill
some sympathy since we probably all know someone who can’t get out of their own
way and keep making the same stupid mistakes, but I lack sympathy for people
who can’t learn from their mistakes or who bring bad things upon themselves
because they’re too lazy to work. I loved Cu-Ulaidh and absolutely adored the
way he doted on Orlagh. I feel that Clodagh, Orlagh’s ward, however, could have been
developed more, as well as her back story, but overall, this was a delightful
read.
© Kristen McQuinn
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