Britain in the summer of 551 AD: The North is a tinderbox about to burst into flame, the Saxons are stirring again in the East, and Cynan Garwyn, Prince of Powys, is doing his best to foment war in the South. In the midst of this simmering chaos, two young bards - Gwernin Storyteller and his friend Neirin mab Dwywei, the Poet-Prince that some call "Taliesin's Hawk" - are sent to the North by their master to investigate the rumors and do what they can to prevent a war. At least, that was their mission - but the two young men find plenty of other adventures along the way. Girls and beer, bloodshed and magic - will they survive the summer and make it home alive? This is the second book in the Storyteller series - the third book, titled The Ash Spear, is scheduled for publication in 2009.
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Most Helpful Customer Reviews
1 of 1 people found the following review helpful
By Sir Furboy
TOP 1000 REVIEWER
Format:Paperback
In this sequel to Storyteller, we read of the continuing journies of Gwernin, who now travels much further to Britain's far north - what would become Scotland, but here is still the land of the picts. the travels also pass naturally through Rheged (modern day Cumbria and southern Scotland).
The author taps a rich well of early Welsh writings to flesh out the world she constructs. She draws on the sources we have from Rheged, as well as from the writings of Aneurin in Y Gododdin. As such, the 6th century British landscape is drawn vividly, with feeling and with attention to detail. She even works hard on her Old English to give the sense of Saxon otherness. You come away from this book with the strong sense you have visited the period in question.
My principle problem with the first book was the the lack of an abiding tension. This book deals with that - maybe not from page one, but read in a little way and the tension mounts to set up a delicious encounter with a nasty antagonist called Bleiddig (a Welsh/Brythonic name roughly translated as "Wolf" or "Wolfy"). The story was much better for this, and the writing remains consistently of a high standard. This book is definitely worth a read - especially for lovers of Welsh stories, stories of ancient Britain, historical fiction or fantasy.
The author taps a rich well of early Welsh writings to flesh out the world she constructs. She draws on the sources we have from Rheged, as well as from the writings of Aneurin in Y Gododdin. As such, the 6th century British landscape is drawn vividly, with feeling and with attention to detail. She even works hard on her Old English to give the sense of Saxon otherness. You come away from this book with the strong sense you have visited the period in question.
My principle problem with the first book was the the lack of an abiding tension. This book deals with that - maybe not from page one, but read in a little way and the tension mounts to set up a delicious encounter with a nasty antagonist called Bleiddig (a Welsh/Brythonic name roughly translated as "Wolf" or "Wolfy"). The story was much better for this, and the writing remains consistently of a high standard. This book is definitely worth a read - especially for lovers of Welsh stories, stories of ancient Britain, historical fiction or fantasy.
Most Helpful Customer Reviews on Amazon.com (beta)
Amazon.com:
4.6 out of 5 stars
14 reviews
11 of 11 people found the following review helpful
5.0 out of 5 stars
The Further Adventures of Gwernin
22 Jan 2008
By Carole Shieber
- Published on Amazon.com
Format:Paperback
Once again Gwernin, the intrepid Welsh bard, ventures forth into adventure, learning, and some danger. This is a delightful read for those who love historical fiction and good storytelling. The stories within the stories are one of my favorite things about this book, as Gwernin travels throughout medieval Wales plying his bardcraft and learning from semi-mythic figures like Taliesin. The history feels absolutely solid, this is a medieval world view one can totally believe in. And since we work from Gwernin's point of view, the magic and the mundane are inextricably mixed, as they would have been for someone who lived in this period. We feel the cold, we warm at the fire, and we do believe in the world unseen. This is a delightful escape from the modern world, and a wonderful character about whose life we long to know more. At least I do. I'm very happy that this is a series and that I will have a chance to return to this amazing and realistic world. I am really enjoying my travels with Gwernin and hope they continue for a long time. Truly, if you enjoy a historical novel with fidelity to its time and place, you will like this book. It's a wonderful and fun read. I cannot recommend it too highly. Try it and you will like it.
Having read the first book in the series is not essential to reading this one, but if you like this one you should definitely give the first one a try. If you have read it, you'll want this one, too. Flight of the Hawk is a trip to medieval Wales that you won't want to miss.
Having read the first book in the series is not essential to reading this one, but if you like this one you should definitely give the first one a try. If you have read it, you'll want this one, too. Flight of the Hawk is a trip to medieval Wales that you won't want to miss.
6 of 6 people found the following review helpful
5.0 out of 5 stars
Excellent Read for a Fine, Soft Day
24 July 2008
By Kathleen A. Roberts
- Published on Amazon.com
Format:Paperback
I had the pleasure of reading this book over several rainy days. Whether the book suited the weather, or the weather suited the stories I cannot say. I can say it was immensely enjoyable. The characters have a wonderful sense of realness, like someone you might know. The details of clothing, dress and custom were well researched. Most enjoyably, each chapter could be read as a seperate entity, making it easy to put down and take up again when bothersome matters interrupt reading time. The second in a series, it stands on its own, not requiring the first book, "Storyteller" be read, although a delightful set of stories on its own, and well worth the reading. I would especially recommend this book to anyone who enjoys a trip to the past, or to the British Isles, or just to someplace they have never been before. It creates a wonderful world that I will visit again and again.
4 of 4 people found the following review helpful
5.0 out of 5 stars
The series takes wing
18 Dec 2007
By Rowen G.
- Published on Amazon.com
Format:Paperback
The first book of this series, Storyteller, was certainly good, but this one is even better. Once again, Ms. Grove drops us into the 6th century - sight, sound, and scent, concerns and beliefs. The language is just as gorgeous and well-considered as in the first book, and the sense of experiencing another place and time just as vivid, if not more so. Nor is this world a fantasy one - for harps go out of tune, ponies may go lame, and well-laid plans can go far astray.
One thing that has at times seriously annoyed me in *other* books (but not these!) are Perfect Heroes - those unlikely folk who are unbearably noble, and naturally good at nearly everything they try. Not so here: aspiring bardic student Gwernin and his friend Neirin deal with life-threatening battles and ambushes, some fairly un-nerving supernatural events, (sometimes landing in the mud along the way) and when all is well, revert to being healthy young men, equally interested in girls, beer, and whether they'll get enough for dinner.
A really, really good read - I can hardly wait for the next one.
One thing that has at times seriously annoyed me in *other* books (but not these!) are Perfect Heroes - those unlikely folk who are unbearably noble, and naturally good at nearly everything they try. Not so here: aspiring bardic student Gwernin and his friend Neirin deal with life-threatening battles and ambushes, some fairly un-nerving supernatural events, (sometimes landing in the mud along the way) and when all is well, revert to being healthy young men, equally interested in girls, beer, and whether they'll get enough for dinner.
A really, really good read - I can hardly wait for the next one.
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4.6 out of 5 stars
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