With a level of energy and intensity held throughout the previous books, Kit Berry keeps the powerful drama and tension going throughout her third novel tracking the turbulent events at Stonewylde and the unfolding Stonewylde prophecy.

Yul has been deemed guardian of the Earth Magic, favoured by the Godesse, but at the end of the second novel his life had  been  lost at the end of the festival. He manages to survive against the odds with the help of some very powerful magic bestowed upon him by Mother Heggy.

It transpires that Mother Heggy had ensured that Magus could not directly kill Yul before his 16th birthday at the winter solstice. After this are no guarantees, yet Yul prepares himself for the encounter with Magus as he realises he must if the Godesse has indicated he should be the new Magus.

Throughout this novel, it is Sylvie that must mature most, as she endures the continued emotional, psychological and physical abuse at the hands of Magus. Perhaps how a 15-year-old endures this and being ostracised by her Hall folk friends is more than would normally be believable, but this a book about magic and the knowledge that you have a very prominent part to play in it, so it does change the playing field somewhat.

Magus by now is becoming unhinged and his community are becoming more aware of his disturbing antics. He however remains cunning, decisive and unperturbed throughout. As people become aware of the magic that Yul is receiving they realise things are about to unfold and changes will be afoot. The threat of being disloyal still prominent should Yul not succeed. Magus needs to be kept starved of Sylvie’s magic in preparedness for the solstice, but Magus is not inclined to stop at anything.

Yul and Sylvie both learn who their father is, which is initially used against them, but with the real heroic input from Mother Heggy, they remain bold and fast to their destiny regardless of the outcome. They realise they have a higher purpose and believe in Stonewylde and all it represents.

The ending of this story has never been in doubt from the start, but the composition of the story, of the land of Stonewylde and its keen characters makes this a very absorbing and page turning tale.

Berry has produced a fourth book due to be published,  and I’m sure it will hold much of the brilliant imaginative writing  already evident in this triolgy. Unsurprisingly there has been an interest taken in transforming these books to the screen. Berry is willing for this to happen, so it’s likely that this will be taken forward in the near future. These books are however crammed with detail, so it will need to be done with much care to be done well.

Bookmark to