The Chalice and the Blade

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Summary: THE CHALICE AND THE BLADE is a fascinating story
Review: THE CHALICE AND THE BLADE by Glenna McReynolds Bantam Nov.97 ISBN 0-553-10384-9 THE CHALICE AND THE BLADE is a fascinating story that's a mixture of several genres; there's historical romance in twelfth century Wales, science fiction with mages and dragon larvae, adventure with battles and mysteries, and ticklish humor that's like a chocolate topping on ice cream. The adventure begins at the scene of a Celtic festival, Calan Gaef on October 31, deep in the tunnels beneath castle Carn Merioneth on the cliffs of the Irish Sea. The "wild folk" of the mountains, meadows, and caves and the people from the castle gather with the three persons needed to "call the dragons" and look into the scrying pool to mark the eternal cycle of life, death and rebirth. They are Rhiannon, caller of the dragons, Nemeton, a great sorcerer, and Rhuddlan, leader of the Quicken-tree tribe. But when Rhiannon peers into the pool this night, it's the fall of Carn Merioneth she sees as a band of soldiers advance upon the Keep. Five-year-olds Ceridwen and Mychael are spared only because they've disobeyed and ventured into the tunnels to catch a glimpse of the festival. Nemeton's daughter Moriath, their nurse, also survives, and smuggles Mychael to Strata Florida Abbey while taking Ceridwen to Usk Abbey where she herself grew up -- and hid a mysterious book. Also spared is Rhuddlan, who seals the weir gate and traps the dragon larvae in their dark maze. Years later, he must again bring together the threefold union who can open the gate and free the pyrf: himself, Ceridwen ab Arawn, daughter of Rhiannon who inherited the gift of calling the dragons, and Dain Lavrans, successor of the sorcerer Nemeton. Chapter one opens with a less than brave groom being sent to fetch the Danish sorcerer Dain Lavrans to the great hall of Wydehaw Castle. The little man is so terrified of the mage that when lightning strikes as he grabs the gargoyle door knocker he faints dead away. Lavrans opens the door to find a man frozen to it, and delights in the knowledge that he will be accredited with accomplishing the great feat himself. Lavrans goes to the great hall and discovers he's been summoned to tend the wounds of a jewel-like beauty captured by Ragnor the Red, Wydehaw's most bestial knight. Chained to the wall, Ceridwen has been gashed across her forehead, has a deep bite wound on her shoulder, and a broken ankle. Lavrans is the only man the red-haired giant is frightened of and therefore plays on his fear of spells and dark incantations by using a magic trick. He takes a green bauble from his pocket, deftly doing sleight-of-hand with the orb as he gives Ragnor a choice; take the stone and keep the maiden, or have neither. As he chants of faerie dreams and death and serpent stones for effect, the tiny slip of a girl suddenly snatches the stone from him herself -- thus sending Ragnor fleeing in horror. Dain takes the maid to his tower to tend her, and finds that her innocence is like a balm to his old and weary soul, helping him heal from his disgraceful past where he was known as "the Swan" to a desert slaver. Ceridwen remembers love, but having been torn from everyone who ever cared for her at the tender age of five, she is very hungry to know it again. Together Dain and Ceridwen must face a destiny foretold by their ancestors, and embark on an adventure that could either tear them apart or seal their fate forever. Glenna McReynold's turn of phrase and humor is as engrossing as her story and characters. Through rich description and detail she allows readers to slip on the cloak of the characters and become them, feeling their desolation when love seems lost and elation when obstacles are overcome. A tear, chuckle, shudder or sigh is never more than a sentence away, and readers are eager to discover what awaits them next. Her people are realistic, with everyday foibles, and you'll miss them when you close the book. But if you're like me, you'll be eager to revisit them on the keeper shelf. --Kat Bragg, CompuServe Romance Reviews

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Summary: A fascinating tale of Sorcery and Druidism
Review: The odd thing about this story is that there is a Cerridwen and Rhuddlwm who are connected with a Welsh Witchcraft page at: http://www.newageinfo.com/bus/cymry. They knew nothing about The Chalice and the Blade, but their story parallels the Glenna McReynolds story. They are Druid/Witches and so are the protaganists of the story. They are married. Rhuddlan and Ceridwen are not, but they were lovers. They are members of a Welsh Druid based religion ( Y Tylwyth Teg) and so are the two characters. I was not only amazed, but also flabergasted at the synchronistic event of Glenna Writing this particular story. You see my name is Cerridwen and I am a member of Y Tylwyth Teg which Glenna wrote about without knowing us. In fact when I called her she too was dumbstruck at the similarities between her book and the real life religion she writes about. Her book is not only one of the most fascinating historical fantasy books on the market. But in some respects it carries many elements of truth. This comes from the extensive research that Ms. McReynolds undertook before writing this wonderful tale. A must read for all those interested in Druidism and Witchcraft. Cerridwen ab Gawr, High Priestess Y Tylwyth Teg. ([e-mail]) Kennesaw, GA, USA

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Summary: A handbook on societal survival for the 21st century.
Review: This anthropological, sociological and archaeological study is one of the most daring and profound things I've ever read. Ms Eisler's primary sources are valid (I've checked) and her conclusions are mind-boggling. PLEASE read this book even if you check it out of a library or borrow it from a friend! It may be the most important book you ever read.

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Summary: ONE OF MY FAVORITE BOOKS
Review: This book is beautifully done. It has action, romance, escape, and magic. The romance between Ceridwen and Dain come to life and jump right out of the pages. There was never a dull moment and I felt like I was right there with them. I can't believe the reviewers who said that it was boring. This book is very well written and the only thing that I hated about it was that it had to end! This story is recommended for anyone who craves wild imagination and it is for anyone who loves to get caught up in fantasy worlds which they dread escaping. Enjoy!

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Summary: Pure enchantment.
Review: This book is so superbly written, it belongs in a class/category that is far beyond the "plot by the numbers" books I am often stuck with. Because I am an omniverous reader, I finish even the poorly conceived and written romance books. The stunning writing and story in The Chalice and the Blade make it worth while to read a few mediocre books. This book is a gem among many. I can't wait for Ms. McReynolds's new book to come into paperback. I don't understand how anyone could give this wonderful book a poor review. But, to each his/her own.

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Summary: A book that you cannot put down
Review: This book was very well written. It has romance, magic, and an adventure full of mystery. I could not put it down until I had read the whole thing. It was not a "typical" romance novel. Glenna McReynolds ranks up there with Teresa Medeiros. She did a lot of research for this book and it really shows.

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Summary: Couldn't put the book down, story came alive within my soul.
Review: This book, this story is very well written. The detail and the passion put into this book brought the characters to life within my soul. The passion that this author writes with gives life to the story in such a way, that when you reach the end there is a feeling of sadness. The sadness wants the story to continue. This book was obliviously written with truths from history, which makes it much more fascinating. The way she starts the book is with complete consideration of the reader. She explains how words are pronouced, there are maps and a page or two of explanation of characters and who they are. Very well written. If fantasy with a hint of history is what you like you will love this book.

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Summary: Intriguing story filled with romance, magic and fantasy
Review: This is the first novel I have read of Ms. McReynolds. I enjoyed it immensely. Altho I thought the characters lacked fullness, I'm sure this was deliberate...you can then go back in time and create stories based on Ceridwen's and Mychael's mother and father (who died early in the novel) or create another novel centered around Dain, as a Crusader. I would enjoy reading about his desert slavery--it was an integral part of this book, in an indirect sort of way. Almost like David Carradine in the TV series, Kung Fu, where he constantly had flashbacks and remembered key conversations in his life that helped to mold him. I enjoy strong heroines and altho Ceridwen developed strength, I felt she was more willful than strong-willed. She was more a victim of circumstance rather than a central person, which is why I think the author now concentrates in her next novel on her twin brother, Mychael. I enjoyed the sorcery and would have liked a little more of a glimpse of the dragons. Nevertheless, I will read the sequel, Dreamstone.

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Summary: Magical!
Review: This novel is seething with dark emotions and danger. This is not a light fluffy read, nor a book for the faint hearted. If you like your men dark and dangerous, your novel dealing with the intracacies of emotions, and your women just a little bit misterious, then this is the book for you. Read it, you'll love it!!

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Summary: ONE OF MY FAVORITE BOOKS
Review: This was one of the most sensual love stories I've ever had the pleasure of reading. The mysticism involved made it even more so. For the most part, I see the reviews are very positive & I'm glad I listened to those instead of the few negative reviews - this book is fabulous! I really don't know how anyone could find it boring unless they just didn't understand the magic of it - and it is deeply magical.