Circle of Stones

Rating:
Summary: Disappointing storytelling
Review: I love good historical fiction. I agree with a previous review that this story had much potential, and in the hands of a skilled writer it could be wonderful.

However, this particular version of the Madoc story is shallow, unbelievable, and at times downright irritating.

My biggest complaint is that the heroine was supposed to be so wise, yet throughout the book she made clueless and weak decisions. She returned to a man who wanted to kill her son, and stayed loyal to him for the next 20 years, even putting up with his abusive family and endangering her own life. This makes no sense, and makes the heroine seem weak and submissive.
My other big complaint is the total lack of sensory description in the story. We do not ever get to know the textures of clothes or other items, nor are there any vivid descriptions of smells or tastes. The 'feast' scenes were dry and dull. The writing is often textbook-style, telling "just the facts" with nothing to draw the reader in and make them part of the story. The characters were very poorly drawn, and their actions were illogical and unlikely. I didn't believe this story, and I'd wager the REAL people on whom this story is based would be insulted by the way they are portrayed.
It also seemed like a very shallow rip-off of "Mists of Avalon," telling basically the same tale using different characters.

This book was truly disappointing. Skip it, and read "Druids" by Morgan Llewellyn instead.

Rating:
Summary: Great historical fiction
Review: I think the author brought this very interesting era vividly to life. So vivid, in fact, that Brenda's and the other druids' travails were very upsetting to me! I loved the details and description, and didn't want the book to end.

Rating:
Summary: A great begining to a courageous tale.
Review: It's rare that I put down a book without finishing it, but I found myself in just such a position with Circle of Stones. I adore well-written historical fiction: well-researched fact woven into a compelling story, written in a style that engages and draws the reader into the middle of the action. The story must seem plausible, as though it *could* have happened the way the author tells it.

Unfortunately, this book falls far short of the mark.

The book is moderately well-researched (which is the reason for the 2-star rating), but the writing style is stilted (Brenda's lengthy narrative recounting her first experiences with Owain, is, frankly, silly), and the plot totally improbable. As an example: Why, if Owain's love for Brenda is as strong as he claims it is; why, if Owain values Brenda's keen intellect as much as he claims to; why, despite all this, would he give her the dubious choice of giving her newborn son to another woman *or* having it drowned all because of an off-hand statement made during an evening of drinking with the guys? This makes absolutely no sense whatsoever, given the portraits of the characters drawn by the author. And it only gets worse.

Then there's the issue of typos. While I realize that a mass-market paperback isn't of the same high quality as a hardbound edition, there's simply no excuse for the many typos I found before I finally put the book down.

I haven't found another account of the Madoc legend, other than non-fiction versions. I'd love to see this story in the hands of a skilled writer.

Meanwhile, if you find this period of history interesting (mid-12th-century and the civil war spawned by the struggle for the English crown between Stephen and Matilda), check out Sharon Kay Penman's "When Christ and His Saints Slept." It's extraordinarily well researched and well-written, with complete consistent characters and a believable story.

Rating:
Summary: Great subject, poor writing/editing
Review: It's rare that I put down a book without finishing it, but I found myself in just such a position with Circle of Stones. I adore well-written historical fiction: well-researched fact woven into a compelling story, written in a style that engages and draws the reader into the middle of the action. The story must seem plausible, as though it *could* have happened the way the author tells it.

Unfortunately, this book falls far short of the mark.

The book is moderately well-researched (which is the reason for the 2-star rating), but the writing style is stilted (Brenda's lengthy narrative recounting her first experiences with Owain, is, frankly, silly), and the plot totally improbable. As an example: Why, if Owain's love for Brenda is as strong as he claims it is; why, if Owain values Brenda's keen intellect as much as he claims to; why, despite all this, would he give her the dubious choice of giving her newborn son to another woman *or* having it drowned all because of an off-hand statement made during an evening of drinking with the guys? This makes absolutely no sense whatsoever, given the portraits of the characters drawn by the author. And it only gets worse.

Then there's the issue of typos. While I realize that a mass-market paperback isn't of the same high quality as a hardbound edition, there's simply no excuse for the many typos I found before I finally put the book down.

I haven't found another account of the Madoc legend, other than non-fiction versions. I'd love to see this story in the hands of a skilled writer.

Meanwhile, if you find this period of history interesting (mid-12th-century and the civil war spawned by the struggle for the English crown between Stephen and Matilda), check out Sharon Kay Penman's "When Christ and His Saints Slept." It's extraordinarily well researched and well-written, with complete consistent characters and a believable story.

Rating:
Summary: It's not that bad ...
Review: Ok, so it's not as well written or edited as a Morgan Llywelyn novel, but it's not that bad and fans of Ms. Llywelyn will probably enjoy this book. It is incredibly well researched and I appreciated that the author included the rich details (which seem to have bothered other reviewers) because they put the story into the context of 12th century Wales. If you are interested in learning about Wales during the period of Henry and Eleanor of Acquitaine, I can think of no better book than this one. Finally, I disagree that Brenda was a weak and contradictory character. Instead, her decision to return to Prince Owein took tremendous courage and was based in part on loyalty to her father (who gave her to Owein for as long as he wanted her - a concept foreign to us in the 21st century) and, in part, for fear of her life and the life of her son. It is just not appropriate to evaluate women in the past [9 centuries ago] by modern standards. Brenda's actions demonstrated honor, bravery, and skill. But don't take my word for it, read the book and see what you think.

Rating:
Summary: Not Sacjawea, but still pretty good.
Review: Waldo's Sacajawea is probably one of my all-time favourite books, so that's why I decided to read her series on Madoc. Although this book didn't grab me in the same way, it is still a very well-researched story about a little-known time and a historical person that not many know about. Her descriptions are very real, and in this book are actually quite graphic because the subject matter truly reflects the way that things were back in the 11 century. Life was short and terror, fear and superstition ruled all. I also found that the women in the book, especially Brenda, are very well drawn and they are truly remarkable and memorable. I think Ms. Waldo captures medieval Wales and the passions that drove men and women in these dark days very well. We laugh with these people, grieve with them, cry with them and love with them. That in itself is a sign of good historical novelist. Don't be daunted by the size of the book, or by some of the reviews. If you love historical sagas, then this book is one you shouldn't miss.

Rating:
Summary: Not Sacjawea, but still pretty good.
Review: Waldo's Sacajawea is probably one of my all-time favourite books, so that's why I decided to read her series on Madoc. Although this book didn't grab me in the same way, it is still a very well-researched story about a little-known time and a historical person that not many know about. Her descriptions are very real, and in this book are actually quite graphic because the subject matter truly reflects the way that things were back in the 11 century. Life was short and terror, fear and superstition ruled all. I also found that the women in the book, especially Brenda, are very well drawn and they are truly remarkable and memorable. I think Ms. Waldo captures medieval Wales and the passions that drove men and women in these dark days very well. We laugh with these people, grieve with them, cry with them and love with them. That in itself is a sign of good historical novelist. Don't be daunted by the size of the book, or by some of the reviews. If you love historical sagas, then this book is one you shouldn't miss.

Rating:
Summary: It's not that bad ...
Review: When I read in the 'Circle of Stones' Afterward that the book originally spanned over 1000 pages and was split in two on the advice of Waldo's editor to make two separate entries of a trilogy, I realized why the book seemed pieced together rather than a complete and satisfying narrative. When Waldo sectioned her original manuscript, the strong and compelling style of her earlier work Sacajawea was muddled, resulting in a straightforward chronological genesis that neither intrigues or elicits the reader's interest.
This first offering deals solely with Brenda, a Welsh handmaiden of the 12th century, mistress of Owain, prince of Wales whose son, Madoc, purportedly reached the Americas way before Columbus and may have founded the Mandan Indian tribe of North Dakota. Brenda loves Owain, but as one of his concubines, has little power to pursue her dream of becoming a Druid healer. When her third child is born and Owain demands that she give up this child to his bereaved wife or drown him, Brenda decides to flee Wales for Ireland. She successfully protects her child, Madoc, from their pursuers and only after he is fostered does she return reluctantly to Wales where Owain and his household engulf her again with their day-to-day intrigues. As Owain ages, Brenda finds herself in the tumultuous position of make-shift counselor. Fearfully, she watches as his older sons battle for a foothold in their father's realm; one in particular will use any means to gain control of his father's power. Her one hope is Madoc, whom the druids prophesized would accomplish great things for the Welsh people. When he appears in Wales a man grown, she finds he is the lightbearer to a path where she can realize her own dreams and simultaneously aid him in fullfilling his destiny.

All the elements of a great historical drama are utilized in 'Circle of Stones', however, their allignment fails to achieve anything beyond a mediocre telling of the tale. Brenda curries no distinguishing character traits that memorialize her in fiction. Owain merely struts and then dodders and drools in a most unsatisfying predictable sequence of events that is meant to illustrate the threat Wales faced in an uneasy alliance with the English king Henry. Rather than compel, the third person narrative style employed by Waldo, bores. I have no intention of picking up the next volume of the trilogy. Instead I will research the Mandan Indians and their connection to the Welsh via the library and the Internet. Even die-hard druid fans would find 'Circle of Stones' lacking...

Rating:
Summary: My First Taste
Review: You have to have Patience to read this book, it is a little slow in places but, I really couldn't wait to get to the Second book to see how the story continues and now am waiting for the 3rd book impatiently.