Rating: 
Summary: Outstanding
Review: This is a book that once I started reading I could not put down. It has a freshness about it that you can almost smell. The story is about a young witch coming into her power and been drawn into the wider world from which she has been hidden. Over the course of the story she discovers a twin sister who she was unaware off and we learn some of the history of the land.
Rating:
Summary: Outstanding! Very highly recommended
Review: Witches and magic have been outlawed in the Celtic land of Eileanan. Nevertheless, brought by dragons, the foundling Isabeau lives in the valley hidden by the Dragonclaw with her guardian Meghan. Isabeau learns the old ways, including the gifts of speaking with animals, working with elements, and the knowledge of herbs. Her sixteenth birthday, the day on which acolytes are Tested for acceptance into the Coven as apprentices, brings about many changes.Civil war is coming to the land of Eileanan. The sea dwelling Fairgean wish to reclaim the land. Also, the ruler, called the Righ, married a mysterious woman called Maya the Unknown. It soon seemed as if a spell had cast on the Righ, as Maya began taking over all his duties. Soon he began to disdain the Coven of Witches, those who brought knowledge and guidance to his father. Eventually Maya used her influence to convince him to destroy the Witches in a dreadful day called The Day of Betrayal. It was then that the keybearer disappeared and the Towers were brought down. Now she breaks the pact with the dragons, challenging and killing them as well. Isabeau must set out on a quest to help join the three pieces of a key, while her guardian Meghan visits the Dragons. While with the Dragons, Meghan discovers Isabeau's twin--a woman opposite her in every way. Yet they are mysteriously linked, and physical pain for one becomes shared between them. This first book in Kate Forsyth's series 'The Witches of Eileanan' provides a terrific start to the series. Forsyth introduces the multifaceted of the tale with skill, creating strong, immediate interest in the reader. Her quick plot and strong characterization promises an addictive series. Indeed, Forsyth's skill at characterization dazzles as she manages to create sympathy for the evil Queen. Further, her unique twist on dragon lore is both original and inventive. In addition, Forsyth brings strong Wiccan influence into the novel, with a deep respect for the craft and old ways. By combining that which is familiar within the fantasy genre with her own unique voice, Forsyth creates the beginning to a promising and exciting trilogy. Very highly recommended.
Rating: 
Summary: Satisfying but could be better
Review: I found this novel to have a slow start but picks up as the story goes on. The varied characters are interesting and make you want to know what will happen to them in the continuing series. My only complaint is that I found the author's descriptions and development of the characters to be insufficient at times. Did anyone else notice how often "sullen" was used to describe emotions and attitudes of several characters? I found that to be distracting. But I will still pick up the next book and hope her writing gets better as the story continues.
Rating:
Summary: Great story
Review: Nicely written story. Although it was originally meant to be a trilogy (up to book 5 currently) it has kept me interested and I'm looking forward to book 5. They are pleasantly paced and good reading. ShatteredCrystalChalice
Rating:
Summary: one of the best fantasy books
Review: Excellent tale of witches and fay. It kept me enthralled the whole way through. Not since high school has a fantasy book so captured me that I could not put it down. The over all premise and feel of the book was more like Kathren Kerr's books than those of Robert Jordan's. This was very well written and had an excellent world to live in. I can not wait to read the rest.
Rating:
Summary: Great book!
Review: This book was really good! I only had time to read the book on short breaks during work and I was always wondering what would happen next. At times the plot seemed to stray and there could have been some parts omitted, but all in all, it's really good. As soon as I finished it today, I went out and bought the second book, which I've heard is better than the first!
Rating:
Summary: Pretty Good
Review: This book is better than I expected it to be. All the characters are really well-rounded. They are really life-like. Isabeau was my favorite because she seems normal. She has fun with what she does and she makes mistakes. Isealut (?) is like a robot. The only time I don't think so is when the chapter is from her point of view because then you know what she's thinking. Because she's so well trained and has been all her life, she is always afraid to let herself ask questions and act how she wants. Also, how she's kind of obsessed with killing and hunting animals is nasty. But because in all books, the characters change, I'm looking forward to seeing her change by the end of the series. I think that there should be more romance in this book. If Isabeau gets with Dide, that would be really cool. Since they were best friends for a whole day and night when they were little (lol), you know that they get along well. Then there's the "winged man": the only living prince left of all, other than his older brother, the evil king. You can tell that he's interested in Isealut (how do you spell it?) even though she's not really interested in him. I think that this is a very good book, and I can't wait to read the next few books.
Rating:
Summary: The Witches of Eileanan
Review: I was a "wee" bit discouraged when I first began this book. So much information, history, and geography concerning the land of Eileanan is thrown at you all at once. But I kept reading and soon I was caught up in the life of Isabeau. I know many readers complain about the dialect, but it's not really that bad. I can't wait to read the next book! A must read for fantasy lovers, and people interested in goddess/earth worship. If you liked Mists of Avalon, you will like this.
Rating:
Summary: Interesting Quest, Good Characters
Review: I've seen this book floating around for years, but only read it now. Why? Well, stories about witches are usually either depressing (they're burned, discriminated against, tortured, etc) or too mystical and spiritual (sisterhoods that can't physically fight against their mortal foes and therefore get tortured, burned, etc) for my tastes. Not to say those types of stories are bad, just that I have to read them in moderate doses. But I was pleasantly surprised with "The Witches of Eileanan". Isabeau was found by the wood witch Megan and brought up in a wild forest. It's a coming of age/quest story, not so heavy as those epic type quests and such, but not too simple either, which means not total popcorn reading. There's a little politics, but lots of good action that keeps it from being boring. The best part of the story is not its plot, which while not standard boring fare, isn't *that* titillating. Isabeau does have to journey by herself and meets the requisite soldiers, frightened townspeople, and engaging animals and fairies. The characters are what make it intersting. Isabeau is young and reckless, but unlike the charmed lives of other young, innocent, heroines in other stories, Isabeau does get burned by her rash decisions. Megan is an old, wise witch, but she doesn't sit at the hearthside waiting for fate to unfold, she goes out! Then there are engaging, funny young lad, who really ARE engaging, blind old warlocks, dragons, and a grumbly birdman. There are some kind of annoying things however. I've never been a fan of books that change perspective every chapter. I always find myself racing through the chapters of the characters I don't like. Either their voice is boring, or what they're doing is unintersting to me, or I just want to find out what happens to my favorite character. While this is annoying, it was done alright in this book. Everyone had an interesting viewpoint or situation they were going through, and if it wasn't, at least the chapter was short. (Another example of a GOOD story that has this annoying change in perspective is "Talion" by Michael Stackpole. While the whole chapters of flashbacks were annoying, it was crucial enough to the story to slog through it.) And "The Witches of Eileanan" is DEFINITELY the first book. All that reading and it very blatantly sets up for the next book for nothing is resolved. This isn't bad. I just had to go out and buy the next one. So, all in all, I'd say this is a good enough book to go out and spend money on.
Rating:
Summary: Pretty good!
Review: I really enjoyed this story, but was upset to find out it was part of a trilogy. I was looking forward to reading a fantasy that wasn't part of a series... oh well. Anyway, be warned that although it doesn't mention it on the cover, this is the first book of the trilogy. While I did thoroughly enjoy the story and the characters, the dialogue totally drove me crazy. Ken this and ken that... it was just not needed in my opinion. It distracted me from the story. Also, I didn't like that there were a few elements that seemed to be lifted straight from Robert Jordan's Wheel of Time series. Maybe I'm biased because I love that series... but couldn't the author have come up with a new name for the "One Power"?
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