Review: Solstice at Stonewylde - Kit Berry

Poisoned at the festival of the dead, Yul's life now hangs by a thread, and it's his fellow Stonewylders who must save him. But will they, when the Magus has done so much to undermine Yul? Yet there are cracks in the Magus' following. When he confesses a secret that shocks the community, the Stonewylde folk begin to understand his true nature. The Magus' spiral into obsession and darkness continues, his kindness and charm now vanished. The cruelty that lies beneath is becoming clear, as is the deadly web of deceit and betrayal in which Yul and Sylvie are trapped. The Winter Solstice approaches and Yul and Sylvie refuse to give up hope. But Sylvie is unaware of the Magus' real plans for her and she's horrified when he finally shows his hand. Can this really be why she was brought to Stonewylde? 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.

My thoughts:

If you thought I hated the Magus before then that is nothing compared to now. No, strike that. I do not hate him, he disgust me now. If he was on fire I would not spit on him, I would not even think about it. He is slowly rotting inside in this one, and finally, people start to notice.

But I will go back a step. This book was just so emotional. I did not want to stop because I had to know! Could this sorry excuse for a human being be stopped?! 

The magus has tried to kill Yul or break him more than once. And Yul is his own son, but there is a prophecy...Sylvie is being used for her moon magic and he drains her until she is an empty shell. Then he yells at her when she is being lazy. So when I started reading this book I was dreading it all, especially since Yul lay at death's door in book 2 and Sylvie. Poor Sylvie. When I started reading my hate (we all know about that now) turned to disgust. Yes things gets even worse. Things will happen, but there will not only be darkness, there is some light and I kept rooting for that light as I raced toward the end of the book.

Conclusion:

nothing else then this book will keep you on your toes, and rooting for the good guys, while swearing over the bad guys. 

Cover:

Fitting

Series: Stonewylde #3
Genre. YA, paranormal
Pages: 393
Published: 2011 by Gollancz
Source: For review

Review: Moondance of Stonewylde - Kit Berry

The cracks are beginning to show in the idyllic Stonewylde community. As Yul and Sylvie's forbidden friendship grows into something deeper, Magus' true nature starts to emerge through his charming facade. Ever since Yul defied him at the Summer Solstice, his power has been waning, and his mood darkening. Yul is the problem - and Magus is going to deal with him. Nobody challenges his authority and survives.

Sylvie is in danger too. Magus has discovered her secret and now, for all its beauty, her magical gift and Magus' desire to possess it is putting her life at risk. As each full moon rises Sylvie is made to suffer more, and the agony she endures as her magic is stolen leaves her increasingly exhausted, sapping her will to fight back. Unless Magus can be stopped, every full moon could be Sylvie's last. Are Yul and Sylvie the only ones who see the truth behind Magus' mask of kindness? Why is everyone so deceived by his charm - and why is Mother Heggy, the mysterious wise-woman the only one who will help them? 

My thoughts:

That glimmer of hope I spoke of in my previous review, well that did not turn out well. There will be spoilers here as I have to talk about book 1.

Arghhhhhhhh I hate the Magus, hate hate hate hate him! Honestly it has been a while since I hated with such a passion. They is all smiles and sleeps with everyone, yes blesses the women *roll eyes*. He hates poor Yul and torments him. And Sylvie, well I shall not talk about it further since that would be spoilers for this book. But he is horrible. He is one of those evil characters that act all good and is loved by many. Hate! But he makes it worthwhile when reading, I keep hoping he will fall!

As you can get the book gets pretty emotional at times (me hating Magus mostly). There is some real darkness in this one, all cos of Magus. There is heartache, planning and hopelessness in this. Hopelessness would be the theme. I feel so sorry for them all and I wish people would see the sinister depth he has.

A good book that kept me on my toes. The end here, well, there is no glimmer of hope this time. I need more.

Cover

Fitting

Series. Stonewylde #2
Genre: YA /paranormal fantasy
Pages: 352
Published: 2011 by Gollancz (first 2006)Source: Review

Review: Magus of Stonewylde - Kit Berry

Sylvie is dying. A victim of crippling allergies, poisoned by the pollution and chemicals of modern life, Sylvie is trapped in a hospital bed while her mother and doctors watch her life slipping away. But one of them offers her a chance. There's an alternative community - Stonewylde - hidden away behind high boundary walls in a corner of Dorset. If their leader, the charismatic Magus, would let Sylvie visit then perhaps the clean air and green lifestyle may restore her vitality. Or at least give her some measure of peace before she dies. It's a chance, and when Sylvie and her mother take it, they find themselves in a haven of tranquillity and beauty. 

But it's not all idyllic. The Magus sends a moody, secretive Village boy to work in their garden as a punishment. He warns them to stay away from him - he's rebellious and in deep trouble. But Sylvie is curious about Yul and, as their forbidden friendship grows, she sees that all is not quite as it seems at Stonewylde. Why was she told to keep away from Yul - and why are she and her mother so drawn to the Magus? Is the crone on the hill really a powerful wise-woman, or just a crazed old hag bent on destroying the peace with her wild prophecies? And what exactly is the magical secret at the heart of this seemingly perfect community?

My thoughts:

There is a hidden place within England, a place of magic where people follow the old ways. And that's where this story takes place.

Sylvie is poisoned by modern society and comes to Stonewylde. She is weak, but she slowly finds strength and her way. Still at one time I did fear her going tstl on me as she become friends with someone she had seen do something bad. But then again she is just that nice. 

Yul, is a village boy who I felt sorry for. This is not a nice society. I quickly saw the faults through his eyes. The Magus who is in charge can say whatever he wants to but this is a feudal society where some reap the benefits of the sweat of others backs. Poor Yul, he is just so broken.

Yes this may seem like the perfect place, but there is a darkness over it all too. I also felt like some are pushed too much when it comes to a certain ritual. But I shall say no more. It's the old ways and it makes it to one good story. Darkness and light.

The book may end with a glimmer of hope but it's far from over and it made me want to jump at the next one at once.

Conclusion:

A YA fantasy/paranormal story that will bring you friendship, injustice and budding romance.

Cover

works

Series: Stonewylde #1
Genre: YA, Paranormal
Pages: 352
Published: 2011 by Gollancz (first pub 2005)
Source: Review