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Jul212011
GUEST REVIEW: ‘Solstice at Stonewylde’ by Kit Berry
by Carolyn • Posted in 4 Star Reviews, Authors A-D, Book Reviews, Fantasy, Gollancz, Guest Review, Kit Berry, Young Adult
Title: Solstice at Stonewylde (Stonewylde #3)
Author: Kit Berry
Publisher: Gollancz
Publication Date: July 2011 (Originally published 2007)
Paperback: 393 pages
Genre: Fantasy
Source: Bought
RATING: 8/10
Source: Bought
Guest Review by Andrea
RATING: 8/10
SUMMARY:
Yul stands at the threshold between life and death. Poisoned and alone, only his fellow Stonewylders can save him. But will they dare stand up to Magus? He spiral into darkness and obsession continues; his kindness and charm now long vanished. The cruelty which lies beneath is clear to all, but Yul and Sylvie are trapped in his deadly web of deceit and betrayal.
The Winter Solstice—and the final conflict—approaches.
As the darkness draws in around them, the wise woman on the hill makes a chilling prophecy. There is no escape, and no compromise when death comes knocking: five will die at Stonewylde.
The only question is who…?
REVIEW:
“Solstice at Stonewylde” is the third in Kit Berry’s ‘Stonewylde‘ series, and is the climactic ending to the story arc that has transcended all three books. Will Yul defeat the Magus of Stonewylde and save Sylvie or will the powerful, cunning, evil to the core, Magus, find a way to thwart Mother Heggy’s prophecy and kill Yul?
Yul is put through so many things than no one should ever have to go through, especially not a child, but he’s slowly becoming a man, and as the earth magic becomes stronger in Yul, the villagers start supporting him, and Magus’ life is spiralling out of control. Even some of the hallfolk see that he isn’t the charming leader they once thought he was.
It’s still not enough to over throw him though, Yul has to bide his time, become an adult and follow Mother Heggy’s advice; but it’s not always easy when Sylvie is becoming even weaker as Magus takes more and more of her moon magic.
He has to stop Magus taking her magic on the full moon, but Magus and his brother have made it almost impossible for that to happen. Yul might have to use force and he’s unsure if Sylvie will ever forgive him if he does.
As Yul grows into his power and the thought of becoming Stonewylde’s leader; sharing his magic with the people like it’s meant to be done, Sylvie becomes more and more distraught. The hallfolk are mean, and Magus has put so much pressure on her at school that there’s no way she can catch up. She is desperate for one glimpse of kindness, and Magus knows just how to manipulate her.
I was so frustrated with Sylvie because I wanted her to see what was happening and trust Yul and she seemed to be floundering in her love for him. Logically I could understand why Sylvie seemed to crack under the awful pressure she was under, but in my heart I wanted her to trust Yul—like I did.
I think it’s safe to say that I adore Yul and I really feel like I know him after reading him grow up from a young hurt boy to a man in “Solstice at Stonewylde”. In this book especially, he embodies everything that is earthly, magic, and the Green Man. Paganism is again, rich in the setting and storyline.
Finally things start to go right for Yul, just as Mother Heggy predicted and when the battle between him and Magus draws close it’s Yul who has the upper hand. He just needs to keep it that way.
It really is hard to talk about this book on its own as the three novels of Stonewylde that make up this storyline (there is another book in the series being written) could be classed as one mammoth book. I read each book seamlessly after the other and they do read like one piece of writing.
Yul, Sylvie and even Magus are a brilliant trio. Yul is the perfect underdog turned hero, Sylvie the perfect heroine, she’s strong willed, other worldly, and magical, and Magus is perfectly imperfect. He’s so charming and rotten to the core. It makes it easy to hate him because he finds it so easy to pleasant.
And then there’s the village of Stonewylde. The most idyllic setting; a simpler time where everyone helps each other and old traditions are kept alive. I love how paganism is shown in a good light and how all the festivals are celebrated and how natural the magic seems to be.
Magus might misuse the magic of Stonewylde, but it’s inherently good and the magic is there to be shared with everyone, and Yul is the man to make sure that happens.
VERDICT:
I adored this book. It was the ending I hoped it would be; emotional, it sent my heart racing and it tide up all the loose ends that needed tying, while still leaving enough of an opening to carry on. I might have only given this book 8 rating on its own, but the series on a whole is a definite 10. I feel a little sad that I don’t have another Stonewylde to read yet.
Books in Series Order:
3. Solstice at Stonewylde
4. Shadows at Stonewylde
