Book Description
A new age has dawned in the kingdom of Eileanan. But the flame-haired twins--Iseult the Scarred Warrior and Isabeau the apprentice-witch--must face their oldest fears...in the epic series that's not only "vividly depicted" (Romantic Times), but "a lot of fun" (Locus).
3rd in the bestselling fantasy series
Customer Reviews:
Try To Stick With It.......2006-01-11
I first picked up this series a few months ago and have been enjoying reading each of the first 3 books. Although the entire series is obviously now available, I haven't read any further than Book 3 thus far.
This book is slightly more laborious than the first two, however equally as good because you get the impression that the scene is being set for the rest of the series.
There are a few little things that are beginning to distract me whilst reading though. Firstly, the way the character of Lachlan is so agitated by the presence of Isabeau. His hostility appears to now be out of proportion to the event that sparked it. Also, he seems to constantly be in a rage about something and although it cannot be easy ruling a kingdom (!), he is in danger of becoming very one-dimensional.
The only other thing that I find a bit distracting in this series, is that there are quite a number of place names and other names that also appear in other fantasy novels. It is hard to say who has borrowed from whom, if indeed that is the case, but sometimes I get the disconcerting feeling that there is not much new under the sun.
Overall though, a very enjoyable read and even though there are some slow places, by this stage you may have developed enough enjoyment of the series to trust that the author is setting the scene for upcoming novels and you will enjoy the series enough to stick with it.
A Solid continuation of the series.......2005-04-15
When I started reading these books, I was slightly worried that they'd blend together and I wouldn't be able to come up with separate comments on the individual books rather than the series as a whole. Fortunately, Forsyth has encorporated enough ideas that the books aren't really running together. I'm a little hazy at times on where one book ends and the next begins, but it's easy enough to flip to the back of the book and check. Each book is semi-independent of the others in that they do all continue the same story, but they have their own rising action, conflict, and resolution.
The first two books in the series dealt with restoring Lachlan to the throne of Eileanan, overthrowing Maya, the half-Fairge witch who ensnared his brother, the current, dying King, and has been forcing her will on the land. The Cursed Towers picks up after that, dealing with the other problems that plague Eileanan: the remaining supporters of Maya who want to put her daughter on the throne with her as regent, the Fairge who want to eradicate the humans from the land that they consider to be theirs, the mistrust and persecution of the Faerie races, and the Bright Soldiers coming in from the one area of Eileanan that never swore fealty to the King.
Of course, it doesn't deal with that all at once. All the problems are there, and they affect the actions of the characters, but only one issue can be handled at a time, and they're not all handled in this book. After all, there are three more books in the series.
I liked how this book divided the main characters not just with distance but also in the matter of their views. The conflicts between the various "good guys" added to the complexity and depth of the novel. I especially liked how Isabeau journeyed off on her own again to find herself, so to speak. Towards the end of the second book and definitely at the beginning of this book, I felt that she was becoming submerged in the fight to right the wrongs in Eileanan and also in her twin sister. I would have hated for Iseult and Isabeau to become mere extensions of each other rather than separate people with vastly different personalities, and I'm glad the Forsyth prevented that from happening. I also liked how she did it, because it was obvious that Iseult was the dominant twin personality-wise, and it wouldn't have seemed right if Isabeau had been able to resist the pull, especially given her emotional state. I thought the way it was worked was quite realistic.
Other than the dialect, which continues to grate on my nerves at times, the one thing that really bothered me about the book was just a tiny nit-picking detail. Lachlan's wings are the result of a spell that was cast upon him, transforming him into a blackbird. The Witches were never able to fully transform him back, and he was left with the wings. However, since they are the result of a magic spell, it doesn't seem to me that they could be passed to his child. There isn't anything in his genetic code that gives him wings; it's the result of magic. Still, the baby has wings as well. I'm sure that Forsyth came up with the baby's wings logically, but I didn't see it and that bothered me slightly.
Still, other than that I really enjoyed the book. I would recommend it to anyone who enjoyed the first books in this series.
not a page turner.......2004-12-02
I puchased this book based on customer rating. I enjoyed the first two book, but this third book is not as good as the first two. It was a slow reading. After I read about 250 pages, I had to give it up. The story is good actually, but for some reason I'm not sure why, it made a slow reading. I agree with Katie's review above that
reading this book was rather a chore than a pleasure.
Recommend for Tad Williams fans, David Eddings/other,.......2004-10-04
As a self proclaimed book connisseur (or bibliophile)I'm ever hopeful when cutting my teeth on the first pages of a new book. With this novel from Ms Forsyth, I was at first repelled by the inclusion of all the o's this and 'o that, but found myself quite innured to it by the last chapters of the book.
In fact I would like to point out that this book can be read on it's own, without first reading bk.1 or bk.2. I had not read either the first or second and came fresh to this book, and did not find it in the slightest bit confusing as long as you suspend picking over the small details which are not particularly important, and wait they will be, lo and behold, revealed to you all in the goodness of time. --SO basically I'm saying, I really enjoyed this book--
It will now be my pleasure to go back and read the first two books in the series, and look forward to the 4th (& final?)novel.
The book doesn't stall and dwelling on boring things such as views and just how perfect the day was and dally on discriptions of exactly what people were wearing, and digress into exactly how people were feeling.
I like to be accorded the intelligence to discern from intelligent prose the mood and humor of the charcters.
Kate Forsyth should be commended on her portrayl of Maya the Ensorcellor because she has made her a truly compelling character.
(...)
Wow!.......2004-04-26
I swear, I haven't slept for days! I could not put this entire series down! The characters are well developed. You feel like you know them! You cry and laugh with them. I couldn't have asked for a better series!
Book Description
In the land of Eileanan, the Pact of Peace has not meant the end of unrest. And, though Isabeau would like to return home to help her family in these uncertain times, she must first venture to the Skull of the World where she will discover her true talents as a witch. And when she does return home, she does so transformed with the power to overcome her family's enemies once and for all.
Customer Reviews:
The Skull of the World.......2005-11-12
The whole series was blow you mind good, but this was the best book of them all. Can't reveal anything sorry!. Hope Forsyth writes more like it. Loved it, fantastic, billiant, revelutionary!!!!!!
Dreamchaser.......2005-07-22
This book was sooooooooooooo good I can't put it into words. I could not stop reading. My sister got very annoied. Since I don't want to ruin anything I won't tell you anything about the book. You have to read this book, but read the rest of the series first. YOU WILL ENJOY! Kate Forsyth is a great writer. Loved it.
A Decent Follow-up.......2005-04-12
After my experience with book four and, in particular, the author's note in the back of book four, I was a little concerned about this book. While I was anxious to find out about what Isabeau was doing during the events in The Forbidden Land, I was concerned that this book, like its predecessor, leaving me wondering still what some of the others were doing.
I was pleased to discover that wasn't the case.
The book flowed smoothly, covering Isabeau's actions during the time period of The Forbidden Land in the first part, and then returning to the familiar style of the first three books. It flipped smoothly between the military campaign and the intrigue at the palace, allowing the reader to focus on all of the pertinent things.
The main problem that I had with this book was that, after Isabeau's adventure on the Skull of the World, this book felt a lot like the third book in the series. While the enemy that was being fought was different and the reason behind Isabeau's sudden departure was to retrieve children rather than take them away, the big details were almost the same. Yes, they were in a different part of the land and issues that they had to face were different, but it was much of the same.
Still, I found it to be an enjoyable read, if not something completely new and unexpected.
The thing that I most enjoyed about this book was Isabeau's time on the Spine of the World and her journey to the Skull of the World. The glimpses that I got into the culture of the Khan'cohbans were delightful as it was vastly different from any of the other cultures in the book. I had enjoyed the few glimpses I had gotten in previous books, but this went into much more detail and I really enjoyed reading about them.
Isabeau's journey was also wonderful to read. It was a good mix of magic and realism and I particularly enjoyed her finding her new power. That was simply fun.
As with the other books in the series, the characterization and world building is strong in The Skull of the World. The complexity of the different species of Faeries on this world is delightful and I like how Forsyth mixes familiar with unfamiliar to populate the world she created.
Again, I wished for a map, but the story was engaging enough that the lack of one didn't detract from my enjoyment too much.
I would recommend this book to anyone who has enjoyed the other books in this series.
Dragging it out a little.......2005-01-12
I was slightly disappointed with this book and the one before it (the forbidden land) as it seems Kate is stretching out stories that could be condensed. As Finn the Cat's adventure was happening at the same time as Isabeau's, I think these two books would have been better condensed into one in the style of the first three in the series.
That being said, The Skull of the World is well written and brings out more detail of the cultures of the faeries, especially of the fairgean, and also includes the bond between Maya and Isabeau. The story drags out a little and the action and surroundings are less well described, this book tending to focus on what Isabeau herself is feeling more than what is going on.
After a trilogy that encorporates many characters focusing on one (as in both the forbidden land and the skull of the world) is a shift in pace that hasn't quite worked. I am looking forward to reading her sixth book (the last in the series) as hopefully it will bring all the character together again, instead of focusing on isabeau.
A good use of time..........2004-04-26
I found it very interesting how this book happened at the same time as the last book. The author was very careful to make sure things linked up. It was great!
Book Description
In the fourth novel in the Celtic-inspired Witches of Eileanan series, a young girl comes of age-and discovers her abilities when she is called to aid her kingdom.
Praise for The Witches of Eileanan:
More depth and imagination than others in this field ...a rich tapestry of settings, creatures, and people...I'd encourage you to read [it]. (Australian SF Online)
Quite original, with unexpected depths and plenty of fun...a strong novel. (Locus)
Forsyth spices up a suitably complex power struggle with vividly depicted imagery and a worthy heroine...a most interesting fantasy series. (Romantic Times)
Excellent...I was impressed by Forsyth's command of the language and her ability to create such a detailed world...had me absorbed in the end. (The SF Site)
Customer Reviews:
I got sucked into thesse books.......2007-05-29
The most annoying thing about these books is that the author writes in a brogue that is really over done in some parts and not bad in others. The story line is really solid, but the writing leaves something to be desired.
Finn, period.......2005-09-21
Thus far, out of the first four, this is the best. Kate Forsyth has managed to create a late teen female character who literally makes sailors blush; when she's not picking their pockets. No mother has had a more troubling child and future noble - mission impossible. The author manages this, while still retaining a G rating. Don't buy this book for its plot, theme or propensity to pressure Hemingway. It's a simple book and you read it because Kate has a light and fun time creating a rich and fantastic CHARACTER. The character language is outstanding as well. It matters little where Kate takes you if you find yourself continually enjoying the trip.
A Slightly Startling Departure from Formula.......2005-04-12
When I read the back of this book, I was surprised. I expected a continuation of the story that I had read thus far in the first three books in this series, something along the same lines of what I had already read. While this did continue the story, it was different from what I was expecting, focusing on one character, Finn, rather than on all of them.
As I read the story, I got caught up in what was happening, but at the beginning of the book, it felt a little bit like a cop out. I couldn't help but feeling that Forsyth knew she needed to wrap up the other lose ends that she had left open, but that she wasn't sure how she wanted to do most of it, so she just focused on one thing, one small set of characters. It was a little frustrating.
The author's note in the back of the book assures readers that Isabeau will return in the next novel, which takes place at the same time as this book. I can't help but wonder why, if they're taking place at the same time, it wasn't interspersed in one (or two) books, moving between the story lines, as she had done in the first three books.
I think that the one thing that saved this book for me was that it focused on Finn, who was my favorite minor character in books two and three. I was glad to see her get a bigger roll and I enjoyed learning more about her. That made it more bearable to have to wait to find out what was happening with Isabeau, Iseult, and Lachlan.
Because of the single-minded focus on one storyline, ignoring the other things that I knew had to be happening at the same time, this is my least favorite of the books in this series thus far.
The other problem that I had with this book was the lack of a map in the front. I wanted one with the other books in the series too, but this one focuses on them traveling and I was so confused as to where they were going, or even what direction they were going. I kept trying to picture where the various mentioned mountain ranges, seas, marshes, etc. were, but I was unable to, and it was frustrating. I'm a big believer in having maps in all books that are set on imaginary worlds.
That said, there were things about this book that I liked. As I said above, I enjoyed the further development of Finn as a character. I also liked a lot of the other characters, and how it was shown that the Fairgean weren't just the evil, scheming faeries that they had been made out to be. I loved learning more about the Nix. I liked how some of the other characters grew in power and discovered what they were capable of doing.
By the end, I was satisfied with the story and how it related to the rest of the series when some of the other characters made an appearance at the end of the book. I can sort-of see Forsyth's logic in focusing just on Finn's story, because it was complicated and involved a lot of traveling and character development. Perhaps interweaving the other storyline with it would have made things unnecessarily complicated. Still, I felt a little cheated that I didn't get to read about some of the other characters that I had grown to love.
I would recommend this book to anyone who enjoyed the first three books in the series.
What a disappointment.......2004-08-05
Unlike others that have reviewed The Forbidden Land, I must be the black sheep and only give it 2 stars. I couldn't understand why Kate Forsyth would switch perspectives on us like that without warning. And why pick Finn to write about? She was an unworthy subject. I found it difficult to relate to Finn as a protagonist, and forgive me for being blunt, but I thought she was a twit and just wanted her to go away. I also thought it was a dirty trick for the author to leave Isabeau out of this book.
However, in all fairness, Ms. Forsyth does write beautifully. Perhaps my criticism is too harsh, considering I never made it all the way through the book and allowed myself to be lead where Ms. Forsyth wanted to lead me. I struggled with this book, but halfway through gave up and went on to The Skull of the World.
Finn the Cat.........2004-04-26
This was a great side story. It really helped you get to know Finn better. It also went a little more indepth of why Dide acts the way he does. I feel like these characters are my friends. I don't ever want to part with them. It's such a good read!
Book Description
In Eileanan, the sea-dwelling Fairgain have refused to sign the Pact of Peace. Driven by ancient hatreds, they have devoted themselves to destroying all who dwell upon the land. To help bring peace, Iseult's flame-haired twin Isabeau must face her most difficult challenge yet.
Customer Reviews:
simply the best!.......2007-06-14
I originally purchased this series to read during the summer evenings while the TV shows were all in hiatus. However, from the first chapter of the first book, I could not put them down. I enjoyed this series as much as the Lord of the Rings and I cannot recommend it more highly. From start to finish the 6 books held me enthralled with excellent writing, wonderful characters and great storyline.
Loved it!!!!.......2006-07-22
THis book is GREAT i absoulutely LOVED IT. I couldn't put it down. I lost sleep. OMG it is SO good!!!!!!
Witches of Eileanan is a must read!.......2004-09-27
I love this series. I bought the first book while looking for something to read while I waited for Harry Potter. This isn't just a "while-you-wait" book, this is awesome book in it's own right. Throughout the series the good-people turn into bad-people and vice-versa. It keeps you on the edge of your seat. The ending of this series is wonderful, better than most series I've read. This is real fantasy. Anyone who reads fantasy should read this series.
Does it really have to end?.......2004-04-26
What am going to do now that I will no longer have my friends with me everyday? Mind you, I really hate sequels. I hate it when they keep beating a dead horse. But, this horse is still alive and kicking. I finished this book late last night. I didn't want to ever put the book down. I asked my husband yesterday afternoon "What am I going to do when I finish this series? I hate to say goodbye to all those characters." He told me to read them again. :) What a smart guy! LOL Eventho I lost sleep last night finishing this book, I woke up in the best mood. I had a great dream about the characters. I woke up in such a great mood! That's how well written this book is! You feel like the characters are really part of your life. I've never had a book get into my life and thinking so much. Thank you so much for creating such a great trip for all your readers to take!
A little disappointing.......2003-10-27
I'm sorry to see this series ending. This last addition was a bit disappointing. Everything was closed off just a little too neatly. All potential love interest came together and all potential problems were solved. It just wasn't as interesting since it was completely predictable.
Customer Reviews:
Incredible!.......2004-04-08
I loved this book! I feel like these characters are my friends. I find myself rooting for them. An excellent read! Highly recommended!
Tale of politics, love, magic, and adventure.......2003-09-02
What I loved about this book was that the protagonists were very intelligent and resilient (but of course faced insurmountable odds). There was no cheesy evil god or some such like you'll see in some epic fantasy, and that is but one of many ways in which this world seems so believeable and real. Its detailed tapestry of a world in turmoil yet still beautiful is surpassed only in the emotions and depth of the characters.
Now that you're hooked on Eileanan..........2003-02-16
In this second book, Isabeau takes a bit of a back seat, recovering from her ordeal in delivering the talisman, and learning humility and obedience as a servant in the Righ's palace. There is a shift of interest to her twin sister, Iseult, whom Meghan discovered when she visited the Dragons. Iseult, raised by her faery kin on the icy Spine of the World, seems as different from Isabeau as night is from day. where Isabeau is laughing, impetuous, and headstrong, Iseult, raised by a tribe of fierce warriors in a dangerous, snowy land, is solemn and disciplined. Meghan convinces Iseult that she must leave her tribe and seek out her destiny among her mother's people. Meghan and Iseult meet up with the lost prionssa who has been hiding for years, since escaping from his brother's treacherous wife. He is a bitter young man, passionate in his desire for revenge against the Banrigh, Maya the Ensorcellor. Guided by Meghan, he and Iseult set off on the dangerous quest to unite the rebels, depose the Banrigh, and restore the Coven. To do this, they must rescue the Lodestar, an ancient magical scepter which has been locked away since the day the witches were betrayed, and which is dying from lack of contact with the royal family. The character of the prionssa is delightfully complex. Just because he's supposed to be some kind of hero to the people and to us doesn't mean they or we always like him, and it doesn't mean he always does everything right. Some people prefer cardboard cutout characters that are some kind of archetypal representation of an idea of a hero or a villan or a leader or an ingenue. And some people like characters who are made from their experiences, with a dash of nobility of character which makes them strive to overcome their experiences to be and do more. The latter should be pleased. When you finish The Pool of Two Moons, I know you won't be able to wait for The Cursed Towers (so maybe order them both together).
Great book!.......2002-04-15
This series is great, and this book is my favorite of all the others. I love the way the author suddenly switches scenes and we are left wondering what happened to the character, but then we forget about them as we become entrapped in the plot of what's going on with everyone else. Overall, this is my favorite book.
Great Follow-up.......2002-04-13
I was impressed that the Witches wasn't a one hit wonder. This second book was well planned if not a little on the slower reading side. The first book truly focuses on the relationship between Meghan and Isabeau, whereas this second book deals with the relationship of Meghan and Iseult, and Iseult and Lachlan. Again praise for the research of pagan traditions.
Customer Reviews:
Are we speaking the same English?.......2007-03-07
I've read thousand of fantasy novels, but this series is definitely one to avoid. The author has fallen in love with a handful of old English words and she uses them ad nauseum. I think I've read the word ken about 3000 times and there isn't a Ken character in the book. If you love the words ken, laird, och, ye, and bairn then by all means buy this series. Kate Forsyth uses them liberally even though they went out of use centuries ago. The multiple characters have as much depth as a pancake. I'm not sure who we're supposed to be rooting for here. You can almost read the first and last chapter of each book and just skip everything in between. Nothing happens that you'll need to know for the next book. I've been rooting for the adversaries in this whole series. If they could wipe out all these characters maybe the new cast would be more interesting.
At last another series to devour.......2007-03-03
I search for books like this that will feed my desire for sci fi/ fantasy. I found it entertaining and it kept my interest through the entire book. It wasn't one I sat and read from cover to cover at first setting; but I did hear it call me back to continue the story. Have ordered #2 in the series and if it is as good as the first will have a reading list to take me to the end of Spring!
Awesome series!.......2007-01-19
I'm Irish. "In fael finn" is Gaelic for white wolf. I shortened it to "infael" for my nickname. I truly enjoy stories with a strong Celtic angle. This series is truly awesome!
True, one of the heroines may not be that smart at first, but she learns. We all were dumb when we were kids, but we learned from our experiences, didn't we?
A good Irish story has some strong tragedy in it, and this series has its share of tragedy.
Kate does a good job of opening up her world and showing us what's in it.
I'm currently waiting for book 3 of Rhiannon's Ride.
Great character set-up for the series!.......2007-01-12
There obviously seems to be some differing opinions on this book. I found it to be a great read, giving alot of background and depth to characters that I first learned about in the "Rhiannons Ride" series. It was really exciting to turn the page and realize that this is where each character started and how they met, etc. The book never seems to have slow parts, and the way the author breaks up the chapters leaves you always hungry to know what happened next. The dialect doesnt bother me, in fact I think it sort of phonetically forces you to speak with the scottish-irish accent and helps reinforce the way the author thinks of the characters and the world they live in. As I was reading the first two books of the "Rhiannons Ride" series, I realized that there was alot of characters and history that I didnt know about. I wasnt sure I wanted to get into that background, but my husband bought me The Witches of Eileanan for Christmas, and Im glad he did. I finished it in a few weeks and just bought the next books in the series to read. Hopefully I will be done by the time the third Rhiannons Ride comes out in May!.
Amazing! Very Pagan-Friendly!.......2006-11-18
I seriously would give this book 55 stars if I could. It's especially awesome for Pagans, who will recognize the Pagan references and events with a smile. The plot was interesting, and the characters were very 3-dimentional: Maya wasn't a TOTALLY COMPLETELY evil sorceress, and the Fairgean weren't ALL bad. It really was a lot of fun. Read them all!
Product Description
Paperbacks
Average customer rating:
|
Dragonclaw (The witches of Eileanan)
Kate Forsyth
Manufacturer: Arrow
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Unknown Binding
 British
| World Literature
| Literature & Fiction
| Subjects
| Books
| 18th Century
| 19th Century
| 20th Century
| Classics
| Contemporary
| General
| Historical
| Humor
| Letters & Correspondence
| Middle
| Old
| Poetry
| Renaissance
| Shakespeare
| Short Stories
ASIN: 0091835100 |
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