Solstice at Stonewylde

I managed to get an advanced, autographed copy of this book from the author Kit Berry at last weekend's Halloween Festival (before I fell ill).

The story of Sylvie, Yul, the Magus and the community continues in this the third book of the Stonewylde series. This third book does wind up the major plot line involving the three main characters, but still leaves some questions which will allow for the next two books. I expect I will read these in one sitting, as I did with the first three novels.

Kit Berry is certainly a talented writer, allowing the reader to revel in the atmosphere of the Stonewylde community for a few blissful moments before taking up the narrative. The author also has the knack of being able to provide a backstory simply, and almost subtlely thus allowing the reader to understand the behaviour of certain characters without the need for long explanatory notes by the author. This allows the storyline to continue at a cracking pace.

There are some developments in this book that may leave a few readers disturbed, certainly I did a bit of skimming over the sections when Sylvie is in the rooms of the Magus - not because the writing was lacking, but because the situation was more than a little uncomfortable and given that I had guessed a certain "twist", it made it even harder to read. It might not affect all readers this way, but it did me.

I still have the same small personal quibbles I did when I read the first two books: I don't agree with the supposed "ancient" nature of the festivals used by the Stonewylde community, given they are based on wic(c)an beliefs, but this won't be a bother to 99% of the people who read these books; and there are some unanswered questions left, though this time the main plot has resolved itself and the reader is not left on a cliffhanger. Mind you, the latter is placated by a note from the author at the back of the paperback copy - there are more books in the series.

The books are aimed at the young adult market, but don't let that fool you. Adults of all ages will derive enjoyment from this book, just as the first two. Certainly, the Stonewylde community is pagan, but readers of all denominations will still revel in the community and characters that Kit has created.

Go out and read all three books: "The Magus of Stonewylde"; "Moondance at Stonewylde" and "Solstice at Stonewylde". You won't be disappointed.

The Magus of Stonewylde

by Kit Berry
ISBN: 9780955143908

I had heard about these books and read the reviews. I bumped into the author at an event and she very kindly autographed this book, and its sequel for me. I was looking forward to reading them.

The first thing I noticed was the number of typographical errors in the print run. I am pendantic about typographical errors because they tend to jar me away from my reverie when reading a good story, and I was struggling somewhat as it was.

The story centres around Sylvie, a fifteen year old girl from the city who goes to live at Stonewylde, and Yul, a villager who has never left the Stonewylde community. Sylvie seems to be allergic to all that she encounters in the city, so when a doctor introduces Sylvie and her mother to the Magus, the head of the Stonewylde community, Sylvie is overjoyed to find her mother agreeing to move to the mysterious community in Devon. Sylvie thrives in her first weeks at Stonewylde, but it is not the idyll the Magus promised. Yul is sent to work in the garden as a punishment and soon he and Sylvie develop a dangerous friendship, despite the Magus' warning.

After years of reading non-fiction titles, I find that I can forsee the twists and turns in this book, which is a shame, because it makes it seem less believable. Little bits of the background story to Stonewylde grated somewhat, too, but this is unlikely to bother the majority of readers.

The only other small quibble I had was the reader is required to read the whole series of books (well, at least the first three), before the main plot is resolved. None of the books are complete within themselves, this being a continuing, serialised saga. That said, having read "Solstice at Stonewylde" there are some conclusions.

Ms Berry excels at making her characters believable and distinguishable. At no time, did I lose track of the personalities involved and her pre-histories are clear and discernable with just a few words. Her ability to set the scene with descriptive prose allows the reader to wallow in the atmosphere of Stonewylde alone, for a few moments before the characters arrive; a rare treat indeed.

For all the criticisms I have levelled at this book, I read it in one sitting. I could not put it down - despite the plotline being easy to predict (mostly because I am a prolific reader and an avid cinema-goer, meaning its hard to surprise me), and the pace a little stilted in places. I couldn't wait for it to all unfold.

I felt the book was aimed at a teenage market, given the age of the main characters and the exploration of sexual themes, but it does appeal to adults as well.

So far, I have read three in the series - each one was read in a single sitting.