BOOK REVIEW - Magus of Stonewylde (Novel)
Mike
320 pages Paperback $13.18
My first impression as I began reading of Stonewylde was of another
remote location… Summerisle. Before I could even finish the first
chapter I found myself wondering…What if…?
Ah, but there are differences. On Summerisle the young folks
apparently all got along; not so in Stonewylde. There are divisions
which run deep – Hallfolk and Villagers, children and adults,
Outsiders and Stonewylde inhabitants. These differences give a sense
of stability on some levels. On other levels there is a sense of
disconnectedness.
Some of the comments about this series reference the ability to draw
the reader into its world. I have to say that I agree. It was
difficult to put it down. This is the introduction to a five volume
series (the first three are already in print) and if it is any
indication of the quality of the story-telling I am going to be
impatient to continue reading the succeeding volumes.
Stonewylde represents an anomaly, an existence outside of ordinary
reality. Sylvie - young, suffering from illnesses of both body and
spirit, disconnected from the mundane world – and Miranda (her mother)
– secretive, unhappy, and living a precarious daily existence –
timidly accept an offer to enter into Stonewylde’s existence. In a
short time they are both in the process of healing and willingly, if
somewhat naively, agree to commit themselves to the people and land of
Stonewylde.
Like many converts to a new way of life (isolated country dwelling
from a cramped urban existence) Miranda throws herself wholeheartedly
into her new surrounding, seeing only what she wants to see, refusing
the listen to warnings from her teenaged daughter who is, perhaps,
more connected to this new (yet old) way of life and the land which
supports it.
Sylvie hopes she has found a perfect place to live, but soon discovers
that even adherence to the old ways doesn’t remove the cares and
influences of the Outside World. The Villagers live lives dominated
by the Hallfolk in a very medieval kind of way. The Hallfolk interact
with the Outside World and bring some of that “contamination” back
with them, even if unintentionally.
Being newcomers to the society (a first in living memory) places
Sylvie and Miranda in a unique position. They have much to learn, and
don’t have the benefit of a built-in support group to rely upon. Some
see them as interlopers, others see them as a challenge. Miranda is,
in spite of being Sylvie’s mother, more easily influenced by the
appearance of peace and harmony while Sylvie is shocked by
undercurrents she has never encountered before.
The book, although not the story, ends with a lot of unanswered
questions. Who is Sylvie’s father? (I have my own suspicions about
that.) Now that the battle lines have been firmly drawn between Magus
and Yul, how will that play out? Will Alwyn meet an untimely (but
well-deserved and hopefully painful) death? Is Miranda pregnant with
Magus’ child?
I loved this story, but I am very frustrated that I have to wait for
the next volume. Fortunately Volumes 2 and 3 (Moondance of Stonewylde
and Solstice of Stonewylde, respectively) are already in print, which
only leaves two more to see the light of the moon. This series is NOT
to be missed. It is simply a compelling, well-written story. I look
forward to reading it through the the end.