Druids

Rating:
Summary: Good Combination
Review: I though this was a terrific book that introduced me to a period of history I had never considered before. While, it is a fantasy book it also gives some basic background into Gaul and the Roman invasions, from a different point of view, not Rome but rather of those Rome was trying to defeat. The book definitely peaks your interest into events in that took place in history that you never would have considered. Additionally, it is an excellent story, well written and paced with memorable characters. The book combines fantasy with history and the result is incredibly good.

Rating:
Summary: Lyrical and Engrossing
Review: I usually have trouble reading novels based on historical events, mainly because the outcome is obvious. Nonetheless, I found Morgan Llywelyn's 'Druids' a delight to read.

The plot is fairly simplistic and easy to understand. We follow the boy Ainvar as he has his first awakening when he somehow revives his grandmother from death at a Druidic ceremony, to his eventual role of Chief Druid, and advisor to one of the greatest Celtic warriors.

The characters are all very carefully woven, and interesting to watch develop. If you think you know a character, then they will often suprise you with new aspects surrounding their personality.

Finally, this book is quite emotional. There are many heart-breaking events, but they all seem to be handled in a wonderful fashion, and they aren't used as useless plot points.

The romance may bother some, 'Druids' doesn't preach monothesic relationships by any counts. The main male seems to get himself involved with about three women at the same time. This didn't bother me however, and it is written in a 'classy' style and not in a fashion that would insult a woman.

I reccommend this novel to practically everybody. (Except, perhaps, historians who could probably find many errors) Read this if you want an engrossing tale.

Rating:
Summary: Great historical fiction
Review: I wont go into a lengthy review, but this is one of the best books I've ever read. The author is an exceptional writer and the world - and characters - which she presents completely pulled me in. From front to back.

If you're a mature reader then don't let some of the sillier reviews here deter you. This book deserves a chance, and while I'm sure that your appreciation of it will vary from my own, I'm nearly positive that you wont regret reading this.

Thanks Morgan for such a great book,
~Steph

Rating:
Summary: One of my favorite books
Review: I wont go into a lengthy review, but this is one of the best books I've ever read. The author is an exceptional writer and the world - and characters - which she presents completely pulled me in. From front to back.

If you're a mature reader then don't let some of the sillier reviews here deter you. This book deserves a chance, and while I'm sure that your appreciation of it will vary from my own, I'm nearly positive that you wont regret reading this.

Thanks Morgan for such a great book,
~Steph

Rating:
Summary: Psychologically Unconvincing
Review: I wound up reading this book for my local science fiction and fantasy discussion group, and would not have normally read a story in this genre otherwise. I'm not likely to again either.

I'll give Llywelyn credit for the ability to plot and create characters, but she never convinces me that she's depicting a shamanic figure of the Classical period in her protagonist of Ainwar. In particular, the number of anachronistic phrases that kept popping up irritated me. No one of this period would have said "professional jealousy," as is done by Ainwar after he undergoes some of the deepest secrets of his order, and then mulls over why the druids hold back their secrets.

Toward the end of the book, the neo-ecological slant of the work also started to gall, as I seriously doubt that the people of this time would have cared.

The bottom-line is that while we know precious little about the druids, these priests just come off as too sophisticated in their behavior for me to grant them credibility. ....

Rating:
Summary: exciting?????
Review: i'm dissapointed! i was looking for a book like tolkien's, were magic flows at every page. it was very hard for me to finish the book, because i knew how it would end. and that's because i've read 'asterix and the chieftain's shield' and other asterix adventures, and, believe me, it was funnier.

Rating:
Summary: Mesmerizing and hard to put down.
Review: It was unsettling being a college student and trying to read this at the same time as I had to put it down to do homework! This book was by far the best in the telling of the story of Caesar's advance into Celtic Gaul. I loved the way she entwined the druidic way of life into the story giving you a feeling of actually being there rather than just simply reading another history book.

Rating:
Summary: Gathering gloam swallows yon sunlit beauty, once was...
Review: Magical! Druids, so masterfully written by Morgan,has captured the very soul and essence of what transpired in old Gaul during the reign and slaughter of Caesar's conquest. A deeply heart- warming, yet also heart-wrenching Celtic story that leaves one in tears..Morgan's writing is simply irresistibly delicious and how she can so accurately assume the male viewpoint to the tiniest detail, is quite beyond me. This is a colourful story woven with all the sad twists of irony that befalls the fate of the Old Faith and the future of Gaul. I found myself wanting to jump right into the book so that I could personally change the face of destiny. This beautiful novel is not for the faint of heart for its impressions will be emblazoned upon thy soul forever more. Yes, I cried... This was my first Morgan Llywelyn novel, and now I am reading ALL of her books, slowly savoring each morsel of her brilliant wordcrafting With utter respect and awe, Richard

Rating:
Summary: A truly unique and memorable read.
Review: Morgan Llywelyn continues her tradition of scholarly work with Druids, a forceful account of the war between the Celts and the Romans. Unlike other texts I've read dealing with the Gallic Wars, Llywelyn draws on the history of the Celts to tell her story. With Druids, the largely unsung story and timeless wisdom of the Celts vividly shines through. I've read Druids three times and I still keep picking up new qualities to cherish about it.

Rating:
Summary: Finally a book that treat the Druids correctly
Review: Morgan Llywelyn has put the ancient religion of Druidism into the present, A story well told, with much accuracy. Morgan has a unique talent of blending history with a style that makes you want to learn and read at the same time. This book is the best presented of any on the subject.