- Paperback: 330 pages
- Publisher: Moongazy Publishing (1 Oct 2005)
- Language English
- ISBN-10: 095514390X
- ISBN-13: 978-0955143908
- Product Dimensions: 19.4 x 12.8 x 2.6 cm
- Average Customer Review: 4.7 out of 5 stars See all reviews (104 customer reviews)
- Amazon Bestsellers Rank: 62,051 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)
Magus of Stonewylde
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Product Description
Review
"Powerful stuff - disturbing and dramatic! Allow this story to grab hold and it may not let you go! Kevin Crossley-Holland This is one of the few books I have read over the last few years that has grabbed me so completely. I felt unable to put it down until I had finished it, and then wished I hadn't as I felt desperate to get hold of the next in the series, which meant waiting for months - agony! I felt the pain, joy, sadness, exhilaration & all the powerfully conveyed emotions of Sylvie & Yul as they embark on their path, their lives inexplicably drawn together. Set in an amazing part of the Dorset countryside, bursting with magic & mystery, Stonewylde seems to be the perfect place to live, watched over by the charismatic & enigmatic Magus, but the foundations of this idealistic community may not be secure. Beautifully woven tale of magic, nature, intrigue, ego, love, hate, & the human condition, I defy anyone read this book & not be sucked headlong into Stonewylde & be desperate to get hold of Moondance. Well done Kit Berry KE I've just finished reading Magus of Stonewylde. I really enjoyed this book, it is so different to the run of the mill books of the moment. It was hard to put down and I couldn't wait to get back to it to read more of the people in Stonewylde. I loved the 'magic' of the book, it was easy to believe that Stonewylde does exist. The mystery, power, and magnetism of Magus is enthralling. I can't wait to read the next book. WJ I've converted many friends, adults and teenagers alike, to the fantastical world of Stonewylde. It is an incredible book that defies you to put it down - imaginative, original and emotionally charged. It blew me away and I loved every minute of it. I've counted the days to the release of the sequel. LB This is one of the most beautifully written books I've ever read. It makes you wish Stonewylde was real and you could go and visit. JZ (car mechanic) It's well good. The story enthrals you, you gulp it down too fast but can't digest the sweetness and excellent texture! YOU WANT TO SAVOUR IT but then it's finished. You've swallowed it and you grow hungry for more. DI aged 11 There is an enchantment, both to Stonewylde and to the writing, that is hard to put into actual words. The place lives; breathes; whispers on the wind; as if the reader were actually there experiencing everything that the characters are. There is an enchantment in the air; in the beautiful descriptive passages of the book; in the magic that takes place in and around its borders; in the dusk of the full moons; and the cold light of dawn. It's a descriptive fiction fan's dream. Fabulous writing, beautifully evocative, and thoroughly enchanting. Every character is rounded enough to be convincing, and intriguing enough to make you want to explore them further and plummet their depths to discover their motivations. CP From the moment I opened the cover the enchantment began, as if by magic I was gradually transported into a Pagan community, characters that were changing shape, gripping and drawing me into their world. Dark forces and sparkling light weave together to leave you totally spellbound. RM I'd always considered myself a man of science. But I'm delighted to say that I'm smitten by the magic of Stonewylde. GW"
Product Description
"Magus of Stonewylde" is the first title in a series of five. Written in an untapped genre, it's contemporary fiction set in an authentic pagan context. The book appeals to both males and females, from young teens to senior adults. Stonewylde is an alternative community, a vast country estate hidden away in Dorset and enclosed behind high boundary walls. Ruled by the charismatic Magus, life here is simple and seems idyllic. Into this magical world come Sylvie and her mother, trying to escape the stresses of modern inner-city life. Sylvie suffers from chronic eczema and a strange malaise, but soon begins to heal in the peace and tranquillity of the beautiful Dorset countryside. She and her mother are entranced, both by their new life in a place where time seems to have stood still, and by their attractive benefactor.But then Sylvie befriends Yul, a dark and rebellious Village lad, and slowly she begins to see that Stonewylde, and particularly Magus, are not quite what they appeared to be. Why is Yul so damaged? What secret is he trying to protect? And is the old crone on the hill a powerful wise-woman or simply a demented hag bent on destroying the equilibrium with her wild prophecies? Sylvie and her mother Miranda are initiated into the community at Beltane, which is celebrated in a great Stone Circle hidden amongst the oak trees. They take part in the pagan festivals that are an element of everyday life here, and Miranda is introduced to the full moon rituals by Magus himself. Sylvie has her own problems to contend with at the full moon, which has always affected her in a strange way. She discovers a special standing stone where the hares dance to the moon and with Yul's help realises that she is in fact moongazy.But this brings the wrath of two men on Yul's head, and the boy is taken away for punishment of a barbaric kind. Sylvie must learn to fight, and Yul must learn to bide his time. As the young pair's friendship deepens into something more, Miranda realises she is expecting Magus' child. The old crone's ramblings take on a new meaning and Sylvie realises the full extent of Magus' ruthlessness, and just how much danger Yul is in. Only she can save him. If not, the boy will be destroyed by the dark forces that Magus has at his command.The first book in the "Stonewylde" series ends in an exciting and satisfying manner, and yet leaves the reader longing for the next book to take the story further. Meticulous research ensures authenticity to every detail of rural Dorset life, which makes the dazzling setting seem so real. Earth energy, moon magic - strange stuff, and yet all seems possible at Stonewylde. 2008 sees the launch of a strong media and PR campaign promoting both the "Stonewylde Series" and the author Kit Berry, and builds on the success of 2007. This title has also been published in the USA.
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Most Helpful Customer Reviews
19 of 19 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars
Buy this book,
By thewiccaman (East Midlands, UK) - See all my reviews
This review is from: Magus of Stonewylde : Book 1 (Stonewylde Series) (Paperback)
Magus of Stonewylde, is amazing! The first novel in a series of five by Kit Berry, subtly sucks you into a remarkable world, a seemingly idyllic utopia where the troubles of our world and our lives seem very far off indeed. Stonewylde is a modern feudal society whose citizens live in harmony with nature and revere her in every way. They follow the Old Religion, the Pagan Path, under the stern and watchful eye of the Magus of the title. Yet very soon you can sense the tensions bubbling beneath the surface and are drawn into the magic and mysticism of the world of Stonewylde.
Kit Berry is sublime in her development of the main characters; Sylvie, the outsider, Yul, the Village boy and the Magus himself. I became entranced by them and the emotional roller-coaster she puts you on as the plot unfolds is absolutely thrilling. I found myself so attached to Sylvie and Yul and felt such powerful empathy with them as they confronted each obstacle that was put before them. The spiritual elements, the true Pagan practices, are intertwined throughout the story in such a natural way so that even if you don't follow the path yourself, you find you can easily and happily accept Stonewylde's customs and practices. If I was to draw any similarities with other books, it would have to be Jean Auel's Earth's Children series; Clan of the Cave Bear, Valley of the Horses, etc. Although these books are set in mankind's distant past, the spiritual elements Auel writes about; the empathy with The Mother, Shaminism, magic, are all present and Kit Berry recognises these roots of Paganism that were never truly lost in Magus of Stonewylde. It's not easy to find a real page-turner these days but this book truly is; you are left on a wonderfully frustrating and emotionally charged cliff-hanger. I've already started reading book two, Moondance of Stonewylde but don't want to finish it too quickly because book 3 isn't due out until the autumn and the wait will be too much to bear, to say nothing of the wait for books three to five! If you are looking for something to read that can stand alongside Lord of the Rings or Harry Potter I say buy Magus of Stonewylde, buy Moondance of Stonewylde now and get your order in for book three!
13 of 13 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars
Stop The World! I'm Not Moving Till I've Finished This Book!,
By uk reader "tigart" (UK South East) - See all my reviews
This review is from: Magus of Stonewylde : Book 1 (Stonewylde Series) (Paperback)
Difficult for me to add to the superlatives that others have already given. I came across this book by accident on a trip to Avebury, and it seemed to jump out at me, so I bought it: and whilst I'd only intended to have a quick preview, once I'd got through the first few pages, I was hooked, and didn't put it down for three days until I'd finished it! (Certainly concur with putting everything else on hold until I HAD finished it)! But woe was me when I eventually did. I felt absolutely bereft! What on earth was I going to do now it over! It was the best read I'd had for ages, and I'm a fussy and critical reader too! Especially when it comes to fiction!
Little need to be, with Stonewylde however. Kit Berry draws the reader in from more or less the first page, and from that point on, one is on a journey. With the characters, with the author, and perhaps most of all, with the place itself, Stonewylde. There is an enchantment, both to Stonewylde and to the writing, that is hard to put into actual words. The place lives; breathes; whispers on the wind; as if the reader were actually there; experiencing everything that the characters are. There is an enchantment in the air; in the beautiful descriptive passages of the book; in the magic that takes place in and around its borders; in the dusk of the full moons; and the cold light of dawn. It's a descriptive fiction fan's dream. Fabulous writing, beautifully evocative, and thoroughly enchanting. Every character is rounded enough to be convincing, and intriguing enough to make you want to explore them further and plumet their depths to discover their motivations. I'm loathe to reveal too much more of the story than has already been given in the preview, because I think it gives enough of an idea of what the book is about. I would only add that if you're into ancient ways, earth energy, natural magic, the 'wheel of the year' and all things magical and mystical about the elements, this land of ours, and the things of nature, then this book should be right up your street. Even if you just love a good story, some fine descriptive writing, and you have the slightest resonance with 'a life less ordinary', then I'd still recommend it. There is the odd flaw, yes. There is the odd catch point, yes. Some of the brutality really IS brutal, but it is not gratuitous, and I understood its necessity to the story, even if I did flinch in parts. But the magic, and one's rooting for the 'good guys', more than made up for it! I can't speak for others, but from my own point of view, the book really WAS unputdownable, I just HAD to read on to know what happened next. But my goodness! The misery I felt when it was over! I just wanted to go right back to the beginning and start it all over again! Can't recommend it highly enough. If you're into Charles de Lint, or magical fantasy with a basis in realism, buy it; read it; love it. This is a book for you. What else can I say? Except, more please, Ms Berry! And SOON too!
10 of 10 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars
A Brilliant Read!,
By Margaret (UK) - See all my reviews
This review is from: Magus of Stonewylde : Book 1 (Stonewylde Series) (Paperback)
I first heard about this book after I had been searching on Amazon one day for pagan novels, when this book was recomended. I looked at the reviews and saw how much people loved it and so purchased it.
When I started to read it I had two other books on the go and suddenly found myself in a weird book mood, which left me feeling uninterested in carrying on with the book. I had got 100 pages in at this time, but just felt like I didn't want to read it (I guess that's what you get for trying to read too many books at once). Over the weeks I kept looking at the book but kept putting it back down. So yesterday I went to put the book back on my book shelf thinking I'd read it in a year or two, when I thought 'oh sod it' and I started to read it again. As I did 'WOW' I was hooked! I found myself unable to put the book down. I was gripped from then on and I totally loved the story. As I read I was able to easily visualize the characters in the book, and the environmental surrounding and I felt at home reading it. Being a Pagan myself I loved reading about the paganism within this book which I felt was heavily integrated in the book. Well considering it is a pagan based novel written by a pagan author, it's not surprising. However it is not written in a way where it trashes other faiths which was really nice. This book brings the beauty of paganism alive. I loved the characters, including the nasty one, Magus! Yul and Sylvie are brilliant in this novel, what two wonderful characters. I love them! I definitely can't wait to read the other two installments, and yet there are two other books waiting to be written and published! As this novel is spread over into five books and only three have been published! I hope the other books are just as good as the first one, as I love this novel. 5/5 from me.
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