Arhianna begins her training at Dun Scáthach, where restored memories throw her into a perilous tailspin with deadly consequences.
Taliesin, desperate to gain the skills required to defend his loved ones against the ancient powers stalking them, commits to apprentice under Amergin the Bard. His journey takes him far from Caer Leon, leaving Igerna to bear the heavy secret of Morgen’s parentage alone.
Igerna raises Morgen as twin sister to her only son, Arthur. Twins are auspicious, and the people of Caer Leon rejoice that their king and queen have been so blessed. As the years pass, however, Morgen’s birthright emerges, inciting gossip and fear. As her supernatural abilities become increasingly harder to disguise, Igerna fears for her daughter’s safety and takes matters into her own hands.
As Morgen and Arthur come of age, the wheel of fate sends them in separate directions. Once outside the safety of Caer Leon, those seeking to influence the pair close in quickly–some well-intentioned, others ruthless and opportunistic.
Arthur is catapulted into the position he was born to fulfill, though not in the way anyone expects. Morgen, too, rushes toward her destiny, driven by the very people who have tried most desperately to protect her from it.
In the end, Arthur and Morgen stand together on the precipice of immense power, drawing all into their orbit as they step into the roles that will inspire the songs and stories of Britain for centuries to come.
BUY LINKS
The Young Stag is the most recent in the epic series by J. M. Hofer. If you have started this series of reviews from the first book, then you know J.M. Hofer’s writing style. It has a storytelling lyrical feel that makes me think of fireside tales and bards. Which is fitting, given that the series is set in Iron Age Britain and mixes Celtic Mythology with Arthurian Legend.
Unfortunately, the audiobook isn’t out yet, so I cannot give you a sense of it. If you purchased the audiobooks for the others in the series, you’ll have to wait. But I don’t foresee any issues with its release. King Arthur is a pretty popular dude in the literary fantasy circles.
As for The Young Stag, there’s a lot going on in this book. The book has several distinct storylines that are interconnected in one way or another. Arhianna is tasked with a mission from The Morrigan, Taliesin learns more Druid and Bardic lore, and with it, more warrior skills. But the other two storylines are the ones the Arthur-stans are looking at: Morgen and Arthur.
Raised as twins, Morgen and Arthur progress at different rates. To the point that Morgen is sent away to learn The Old Ways. Meanwhile, Arthur demonstrates strategic acumen and inspires other tribes and leaders to unite rather than protect only their own. Uthyr is dying, and he asks the Archbishop and Taliesin to work together for a set of trials. Whoever succeeds in these trials will take Uthyr’s place.
Overall, this is a stronger addition to the series and keeps you interested throughout. If you haven’t bought the series, please do so. If you have, enjoy this book.
GIVEAWAY
ISLANDS IN THE MIST by J.M. Hofer Book Tour Giveaway
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ABOUT THE AUTHOR
J.M. Hofer writes stories of adventure steeped in Celtic folklore.
Set in Iron Age Britain, her Islands in the Mist series brings to life the mystery and magic of the Arthurian age. Book 1, Islands in the Mist, was chosen as one of the top five Fantasy novels out of 2,000 entries in the 2013 Amazon Breakthrough Novel Award Contest.*
Visit her world at http://www.jmhofer.com
Casia's Corner 