Ok so I came upon the last book in the Stonewylde series in
my local library and thought it sounded rather interesting and back into a Wiccan
interest which I had a few years back.
So that lead me to get the first one out. She was dying. Sylvie suffers from a mysterious illness
which has doctors baffled in modern day England. She has given up
on life. So many allergies and intolerances she can’t eat.
By chance one of the Junior Doctors that day stays behind to
talk to her. Suggesting a holiday in the countryside might do her good. Then
she drops in the name Magus. This had me thinking oh my god another Magnus
Bane? No. Magus. The Magus is basically the word for the leader of the
village or something similar.
This doctor happens to mention Stonewylde and how she’s sure
that the clean air would do Sylvie good even though her mum is doubtful. Sylvie
wants to do anything to get better.
They finally get hold of this Magus which seems to be every
bit the lovely man the Doctor suggested. And in no time at all they are all off
to Stonewylde. The Magus is a good man.
A couple of nights in he does this weird magic thing and
‘Poof’ Sylvie gets better. Well she starts recovering pretty quickly anyway.
But then there is the mysterious moody boy who is digging out her back garden
and planting vegetables under order of the Magus.
Of course being told no to talk to him means ‘let’s talk and
fall in love’. Typical teenagers these days. It’s not quite that quick to be
truthful although parts felt rushed.
What I loved most about this book was the description of the
country the vividness of every lead and flower. The heat of the flames the damp
of the morning dew. Every aspect has some clever way to take you there even
more then Glimmer of Hope (Future world music) or Human Legacy (Ivan Torrent)
although play them while reading this book and I swear you will be out in the
sticks of the English countryside in no time.
At just short of 800 pages it’s quite the hefty read but
worth it. As it turns out the life isn’t as perfect as thought out. There is
discrimination and abuse lying beneath the surface. It touches on a few
difficult and sensitive issues such as teen pregnancy, child abuse, fascism,
racism (not black v white). Racism in the form of the two types of People.
Villager or Hall folk. Hall folk are the better race, they get the education
and the good jobs often moving from Stonewylde but returning at special times
of the year such as solstice.
Villagers lead simple lives. The Magus believes that they
are unintelligent therefore do not deserve the right of education. And have to
work long hours filled with strenuous labour quite often. Also he does nothing
about the abuse of the characters faces. In fact siding with the abuser.
It also deals with alcohol abuse, misuse of trust,
inequality and just plain ugliness. Ugliness that was supposed to be left in
the 21st Century not to enter Stonewylde. While most of it is abuse
out of fear I do feel at times that the poor kid was given too much or the
author went into too much detail perhaps however looking back I probably
wouldn’t change it. It’s slightly darker than im used to reading however the
Wiccan aspect drew me in.
In the end most get there just desserts however it isn’t
made clear either. Plus the Magus’s brother who I actually liked turns out to
cause one major incident which I cannot forgive him for.
Sylvie is the typical heroine to be honest. Stung sense of
justice, strong determination, no self-preservation pretty too. But then there
is the male main character Yul. He is different. He is moody one for the
animals, gets back up no matter how life treats him. There is a hardiness and
cockiness about him which cannot be broken. Like a young animal he has a joy
for life but also knows where his boundaries lie too. Which is how our mains
differ.
It’s nice though. One because I like romance but no
straightforward mush. Yuck. One which has many twists and turns and even a
triangle or too is my preference. With one of the characters having such an odd
nature I defiantly looked forward to the chapters orientated around him.
Overall I really enjoyed the book. It felt like I was
taking a break from the usual pace of life and slowing down to sniff the
flowers. This book is a breath of fresh air and is totally unique from what I
can tell. While some aspects got rather dark and the abuse was a little heavy
for someone who isn’t used to reading that kind of thing it displayed real life
situations and that just because it seems like paradise it doesn’t mean it is
for everyone.
The writing style is lovely and flows very well. The
chapters alternate between Slyvie and Yul. The thought put into describing how
each ceremony works and how the community works is a great achievement along.
The author hasn’t just created a book they have created a whole new world.
4/5 overall just because some aspects didn’t gel with me so
much but then again its realistic and hard hitting. Also Sylvie is the rather
typical character I think that her character has much more character potential yet
to be developed which I am sure the author will be discussing in the rest of
the Stonewylde series. You became attached to characters rather quickly and
soon I was egging on Yul and Sylvie all the way. Then during Yuls punishment
towards the end I did cry when they were reunited but also in sadness that Yul
had to go through such horror.
Top loves, Evil Magus, Male main, Magic, Celtic festivals,
would love to live there, Yul!
