The Anvil Stone (Macsen's Treasure, Book 3) [Hardcover]

Kathleen Cunningham Guler (Author)

Editorial Reviews

Review

A marvelous and breathtaking world awaits the reader in The Anvil Stone--violent and passionate and totally compelling. -- Jane Guill, author of Nectar from a Stone

A marvelous and breathtaking world awaits the reader in The Anvil Stone--violent and passionate and totally compelling. --Jane Guill, author of Nectar from a Stone

About the Author

Novelist Kathleen Cunningham Guler is the author of the multi-award winning Macsen's Treasure Series. She has studied Celtic history and Arthurian legend for almost thirty years in both the United States and Great Britain and has published numerous articles, essays, reviews, short stories and poetry. A descendant of the Celtic nations of Wales and Scotland, the author is a member of the Historical Novel Society and the International Arthurian Society.

Product Details

• Hardcover: 416 pages
• Publisher: Bardsong Press (March 1, 2006)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0966037154
• ISBN-13: 978-0966037159
• Product Dimensions: 9.1 x 6 x 1.2 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1.5 pounds (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 5.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (3 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #1,222,402 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)
  • #72 in Books > Science Fiction & Fantasy > Fantasy > Arthurian

More About the Author

Novelist Kathleen Cunningham Guler is the author of the multi-award winning Macsen's Treasure Series set in fifth century Britain. Drawing on a long background in history and literature as well as her Welsh and Scottish heritage, she has published numerous articles, essays, reviews, short stories and poetry. She has also edited two anthologies and was the assistant editor of a literary magazine for two years. The author is a member of the Historical Novel Society, the International Arthurian Society and participates in various writing organizations.

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

5.0 out of 5 stars A Great Reading Experience, April 10, 2006

By 

Richard R. Blake (Bridgman, Michigan) - See all my reviews
(VINE VOICE)    (TOP 500 REVIEWER)   

This review is from: The Anvil Stone (Macsen's Treasure, Book 3) (Hardcover)

Kathleen Guler has given me a whole new appreciation of the historical novel. She has integrated the elements of romance, adventure, mystery and suspense in this fifth century narrative. Guler has captured the suspense and action of today's most popular contemporary adventure writers.

Political assassins and spies, monarchs and townspeople, make up the cast of characters in this spellbinding work. Swords and daggers replace hand guns and switchblades as the weapons of choice. This is a story of the battle to survive in an era of violence.

A thread of tender affection, romance, and passion is skillfully woven into the story.

Mysticism, magic, prophecies, visions, dreams, and nightmares, are intertwined into the well developed the plot. These add to the sense of danger faced by Marcus and Claerwen. I often found myself experiencing their pain and the loneliness of their separation. I became hopelessly captivated right up to the dramatic surprise ending.

Enchanting settings from Britain's history are brought to life though Guler's word pictures and descriptive phrases. The book has been thoroughly researched. Kathleen Guler is well qualified to author this compelling novel.

I highly recommend this book to both the scholar and casual reader of Arthurtian England. This highly acclaimed series is a great place for the modern reader to take a step back in time to unearth the pleasures of reading another genre of novels. A great reading experience.

5.0 out of 5 stars An extensively researched historical novel depicting the tale of spy and master of disguise Marcus Ap Iorwerth, April 8, 2006

By 

Midwest Book Review (Oregon, WI USA) - See all my reviews

This review is from: The Anvil Stone (Macsen's Treasure, Book 3) (Hardcover)

Book Three of the "Macsen's Treasure" series, The Anvil Stone by Kathleen Cunningham Guler is an extensively researched historical novel depicting the tale of spy and master of disguise Marcus Ap Iorwerth, his wife Claerwen, their confrontations with rival factions and the Saxons. As the story progresses, Claerwen, with her sense of secondary vision manages to grasp an understanding of the legendary sword which will be lifted and possessed by a future king Arthur, but the sword must first be found. The Anvil Stone is an outstanding tale and very highly recommended, especially to all fans of medieval literature and lore focused on the Arthurian era and Dark Ages in fifth-century Britain for its highly accurate and enthralling depiction of an already intriguing tale. Also recommended are the two previous books of the Macsen's Treasure series, "Into The Path Of Gods" and "In The Shadow Of Dragons".

5.0 out of 5 stars THE ANVIL STONE Is An Exhilarating Pre-Arthurian Yarn!, March 26, 2006

By 

Kimberly Gelderman (Spring Lake, MI USA) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

Amazon Verified Purchase

This review is from: The Anvil Stone (Macsen's Treasure, Book 3) (Hardcover)

This is the story of the continuing adventures of Claerwen & Marcus, a husband and wife spy team in pre-Arthurian Britain. The story began with the first two novels, "Into the Path of Gods" & "In the Shadow of Dragons."

This time the story opens with a gruesome effigy delivered by a mysteriously hateful stranger to Marcus. Is it a warning or a challenge, or perhaps both? Marcus sets out on a quest to find out with Claerwen, who has the gift of second-sight or "fire in the head." Intertwined in the tale is Uther, Arthur's father, Myrddin, otherwise known as Merlin, Octa the Saxon and a cast of many other integral characters.

Their adventures, at times, cause Marcus and Claerwen to be together but at other times force them to be apart for many years. Above all they try to find one of Macsen's Treasures and discover what the name of this object could indicate, Excalibur.

This is a romping good read and every page opens an exciting door to another mystery to be solved. Read these books, you absolutely will not be disappointed! Thank you, Kathleen Cunningham Guler, for another outstanding novel in this four part series! I'm very much looking forward to the final book but will be very sad to see this wonderful story come to an end!