Daughter of Time by Sarah Woodbury

 

 

 

RATED 4.5 STARS

 

 

 

Meg’s abusive husband is dead, leaving the young woman with a 21/2 year old daughter to raise and living at home with her mother and sister.  When she takes her little girl, Anna, for ice cream one evening, Meg’s entire world is turned on its ear.

She loses control of her car and when she wakens, she has been saved by a man on a horse wearing a chain mail shirt.

How Meg adjusts to life in the 13^th century and how she falls in love with the Prince of Wales, Llwelyn ap Gruffydd is the subject of this time travel novel.
Meg is a modern woman thrown back into a very different time from her own yet she makes remarkable adjustments and accepts her fate.  She cares deeply for her little girl and keeps her by her side as much as possible.  When she decides to “marry” the Prince, her life becomes one of concern for her husband and strategic planning to keep the kingdom together.
Llwelyn is a very open minded 13^th century man. He is skeptical of Meg’s story of being from another time but he can’t deny the strong attraction he has for her and his growing love for the little girl, Anna.
All Princes and Kings are surrounded by a circle of men, some who are loyal and some who are false and Llwelyn is no exception.  Trying to figure out which men were going to betray him made for an intriguing part to the story. ,
The romance was straight forward and there was not a lot of sex making this story acceptable for young teens as well as adults.
My one criticism would be that there should have been a glossary of pronunciations for the cast of characters. The pronunciation guide that the author gives us is not very helpful.
All in all, I enjoyed this book and look forward to reading more in the series.

 

Sarah Woodbury bio:

With two historian parents, Sarah couldn’t help but develop an interest in the past. She went on to get more than enough education herself (in anthropology) and began writing fiction when the stories in her head overflowed and demanded she let them out.  While her ancestry is Welsh, she only visited Wales for the first time while in college.  She has been in love with the country, language, and people ever since. She even convinced her husband to give all four of their children Welsh names.  She makes her home in Oregon.

 

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Elf Hunter

Review of Elf Hunter by C. S. Marks  Rating 5 STARS

 

This is the tale of Gorgon Elfhunter, a monstrous, mysterious creature who has sworn to destroy all the Elves of Alterra—until none remain. It is the story of Wood-elven heroine Gaelen Taldin, who has sworn to rid her world of the Elfhunter even as she is hunted by him. The conflict between them creates a tangled web that blurs the line between Light and Darkness, love and obsession, free will and fate. Filled with moments both tender and terrifying, thrilling yet thought-provoking, it is a timeless epic fantasy suitable for readers of all ages. Join the Company of Elves, dwarves, mortal men, and delightfully intelligent horses. Come to Alterra—the “World that Is”.

I could not put this book down. It was exciting and frightening and engrossing.

When we first meet the elves, Gaelen and Nelwyn, they have come upon a horrific scene which diverts them from their original duty.

Through a harrowing event, they meet another elf, Galador and his companion, a mortal man named Rogond.  The attraction of Galador to Nelwyn is immediate and she feels the same.  Gaelen helps to cure Rogond of his illness and he is bonded to her.

A scourge is threatening the Elf Kingdoms and these four set out to put a stop to the terrible Elf killer.

Gorgon, the Elf Hunter, is a frightening beast of a creation.  He has no feelings and no regard for any life save his own.  He hates Elves and has made a pact with the Shadowmancer to destroy all the Elves in existence.  He is not content with just killing his victims.  He tortures them until they can stand no more.  This is one of the most evil and black-hearted villains I have ever read.

While travelling to warn all the Elf Kingdoms of the menace, the four comrades become one Company and add to their midst, Fima, the Dwarf Loremaster who is a fast friend of Rogan.  The Company and their allies set out to trap and kill the Elf Hunter.

I thought the characters in the book were well written and interesting.  I liked the combination of Elves, mortal men and Dwarves.

The author describes things so well, you are completely immersed in the story and feel like you are in the woods or mountains or places of respite right along with the Company.

The descriptions of the Elf Hunter’s cruelty to his victims were hard to read as they were quite graphic so I would not recommend this book for a young reader.  Young adults over the age of fourteen would relate to the characters and enjoy the adventures they have.

The Elf Hunter was an excellent book.  I’m looking forward to another book in the series.