Misfortune of Song: Druid's Brooch Series #5 by Christy Nicholas

·         Misfortune of Song: Druid’s Brooch Series #5. Christy Nicholas. Tirgearr Publishing. Copyright April 2018. pb.  257 pp.; ASIN B079VHSGMH. 

Orlagh is the apple of her grandfather, Maelan’s eye.  They live in Ceann-Coradh, near Cill Dalua, Hibernia, a place where love and obedience to the law of the clan is everything.  Melan believes Orlagh has a warrior spirit and admires her spunkiness, that is until she catches the eye of a visiting bard, Temuirr, a man who sings and plays the harp as beautifully as a dream.  At first it’s just flirting but they come close to consummating their love.  Orlagh then commits an act that will make her shed tears for years!

Now in the middle of all this passion bursting out, severing and binding family, friends and those of far-off clans, we have the “Fae” or fairies living alongside humans.  They are virtuous and evil and they have great powers; however, some of these powers need human cooperation.  Only a certain metal can keep the evil Fae from attacking humans; but once one has earned the devotion of the virtuous, devoted Fae, a bond of the deepest love and care endures whatever challenges arrive. 

Temuirr and Orlagh marry and passionately enjoy their early life together, that is until Orlagh discovers that Temuirr has lovers in every town he has ever visited.  Instead of leaving the past behind, this knowledge begins to break their infatuation, especially for Orlagh. 

Without spoiling a roller-coaster ride plot, suffice to say Orlagh is captured by her grandfather but pursued by her husband.  A viciously violent battle follows with evil powers of the Fae but the loyal Fae help end this horrific clash with the humans victorious – almost!  A magic brooch leaves both Maelan and later Orlagh with amazing supernatural powers!

This is an amazing, almost legend-like, story that is initially light reading but which turns into a huge conflict in which sacrifices are made, the price of deeply loving and protecting those who are loved!  Passion in song, dialogue, and nature abounds in these pages.  Readers who love Celtic history and legends, as well as a rollicking romance and adventure, will find Misfortune of Song… a delightful experience.  Nicely crafted with tremendous imagination and passion!

A Strange Scottish Shore: Emmaline Truelove #2 by Juliana Gray

A Strange Scottish Shore: Emmaline Truelove #2. Juliana Gray. Penguin Publishing Group. September 2017. 400 pp. ISBN#: 9780425277089.

To begin with, note that there is a selection from an old tome, The Book of Time, before each chapter, telling the tale of a Scottish selkie, who rose from the sea in ancient times and married the Lord of a Castle, had two lovely children but who was swayed to return to her former marine life. Each section parallels the unfolding action in this tale in which it is 1906 which begins with a selkie suit being found. Maximilian Haywood and Emmeline Truelove have traveled to the past to solve other mysteries. Now they discover that their friend, Lord Silverton, has disappeared as well as another mysterious, very suspicious character.

The majority of the action in this novel takes place in the 1300s in a small Scottish country town with a man named Max and of course, Lord Silverton and Emmeline who are transported to that error. It turns out that Silverton has already been there for three years. Emmeline, on the other hand, has quite a period of adjustment to the language, dress, food, and Silverton’s acceptance that he will never return to his former 20th Century life.

Emmeline is quickly accepted and her initial balking at Silverton’s declaration of undying love is slowly eroded and their fiery romance takes off like a rocket. Emmeline, however, believes she has been sent here to complete a mission and that is what gradually evolves. It’s a grand tale indeed (no spoilers here) involving a past legend resembling one of the many selkie legends floating in Scottish folklore. The tension and surprising scenes of violence are inserted in all of the right places, and Silverton, Emmeline and Max the new Lord, conspire to prevent a travesty occurring that would make a past legend fleshed out in the present turn disastrous. The care and concern these characters share is what solidifies a unpredictable, quick-paced plot.

This is a stand-alone novel but there is a prequel to this tale which this reviewer knows readers will want to read after finishing this exciting, romantic, mysterious, adventurous work of historical fiction mixed with paranormal qualities. Nicely done, Juliana Gray!

The Plague Diaries: Keeper of Tales Trilogy #3 by Ronlyn Domingue

The Plague Diaries: Keeper of Tales Trilogy #3. Ronlyn Domingue. Atria Books. August 2017. 432 pp. ISBN#: 9781476774282.

Secret Riven is no longer advertising her magical powers.  Instead she has become somewhat of a self-educated scholar who works as an archivist in the magnate Fewmany’s offices.  This is not your local library, but rooms and rooms of books in every possible subject, including books and objects to do with magic, sorcery, legends, myths, etc.  The formerly very close relationship between Secret and Nicholas the Prince has changed with their separation, something Secret doesn’t realize until they meet again well into the novel. 

The story herein grows at a sedate pace in which the reader grows to share Secret’s love for animals, plants, and nature wherever they are found.   Little by little, the reader finds that Fewmany has a purpose in befriending Secret, although she doesn’t really figure that out until much later.  Meanwhile, Fewmany seems to be trying to broaden Secret’s horizons, inviting her to dinners, etc. at which some guests and scenes frighten Secret.  These pages are replete with weird costumes, animals and figures with strange powers, and strange events.  One gets to know many of the main characters in the government.  The author does a marvelous job in stretching all of this out in an intriguing way so that the reader doesn’t really mind that the crux of the quest isn’t revealed immediately.

The Old Woman who was introduced in the first novel of this series, a new character Harmyn, Nicholas and Secret eventually will try to discover the connection between a certain symbol in an ancient manuscript and other symbols available elsewhere.  No spoilers here, but it all ties together eventually.  In the process, Secret Riven becomes aware that her repressed gifts of connection to nature and languages can be used maturely when appropriate.

This reviewer appreciates this final version of the Keeper of the Tales Trilogy as well-written, even though it is a stand-alone novel, and highly recommended to readers who love a good mystery with paranormal features, friendship, loyalty and engaging quests.