The Bristling Wood (Deverry Series, Book Three) [Mass Market Paperback]

Katharine Kerr (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: April 1, 1990

Against the passionate sweep of Deverrian history, the powerful wizard Nevyn has lived for centuries, atoning for the sins he committed in his youth.

--This text refers to the Kindle Edition edition.

Editorial Reviews

From Library Journal

The war between Light and Darkness in the world of Deverry reaches a critical stage as the Dark Council moves against three people whose fates are linked with the world's destiny. This sequel to Daggerspell and Darkspell continues a complex story of a love triangle that spans time and space as Prince Rhodri of Eldidd, the warrior-woman he loves, and a mage who shares their karmic burden seek to unravel their tragic past. This Celtic-based fantasy is recommended for libraries owning the previous titles.-- JC
Copyright 1989 Reed Business Information, Inc. --This text refers to the Hardcover edition.

Product Details

• Mass Market Paperback: 384 pages
• Publisher: Spectra (April 1, 1990)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0553285815
• ISBN-13: 978-0553285819
• Product Dimensions: 4.2 x 1 x 6.8 inches
• Shipping Weight: 8.8 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.1 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (17 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #449,462 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

10 of 10 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Breathtaking Fantasy, June 5, 2001

A Kid's Review

This review is from: The Bristling Wood (Deverry Series, Book Three) (Mass Market Paperback)

*Shakes her head* I'm in utter shock that anyone could ever slightly diss this book. Filled with an intricate plot and devestating scenes, this goes on my favorite list. This book series does not go from 'beginning to end', like the traditional, but as Kerr explains, she borrows a Celt tradition. The story will get told, just not in a straight and narrow path. The story focuses on a saddening love story, kidnapping (on two counts), the past lives of our favorite characters, and a century old dweomer, or magic, worker living for the sole reason to atone for past sins. Read this book. It's worth your time and your money, a hundredfold at least.

5 of 5 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars One of my favorite fantasy series, December 17, 2006

By 

Kitty "vespurrr" (Rochester, New York United States) - See all my reviews

This review is from: The Bristling Wood (Deverry Series, Book Three) (Mass Market Paperback)

I have been a fan of Kerr since I was a teenager. I adore her books and her writing. I love the way she does interweave the lifetimes together. Very refreshing.

The main reason I wanted to review this book was in response to a comment stating that they did not understand why Nevyn was punished so harshly for such a paltry sin. I think they misunderstood. He is not being punished, he made a vow. He vowed to bring Brangwen to the dweomar, no matter how long it took. The gods of Wyrd accepted his vow and granted him an unusually long life to see it through.

I think if people took the time to actually read and not skim, they might actually understand what is going on and be able to enjoy it.

4 of 4 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars a time to avert war, and a time to fight a war to the finish, April 7, 2002

By 

Michele L. Worley (Kingdom of the Mouse, United States) - See all my reviews

This review is from: The Bristling Wood (Deverry Series, Book Three) (Mass Market Paperback)

For the profit of kings, well did he attack the hosts
of the country, the bristling wood of spears,
the grievous flood of the enemy.
- The Gododdin of Aneirin, Stanza A 84

This volume interleaves two skeins of history: the 'present' (Jill and Rhodry's time) and the last years of the Time of Troubles (the civil wars between Cantrae, Cerrmor, and Eldidd, all of whom had claims to the high kingship of all Deverry). The Time of Troubles thread began in _Darkspell_, but picks up here a generation or so later in the course of the wars of that terrible era.

In the present, Salamander has determined that the mysterious ring of dwarven silver is destined for Rhodry. But Rhodry's fate is that of Aberwyn - his brother's "barren" ex-wife, now married to another man, has just given birth to her first son, so Rhodry's recall from exile is the only way to avert civil war over the rhan. The ring is his from his blood-father, but he's heir to the rhan through his legal father. This story is continued in _The Dragon Revenant_ - Salamander's puzzle of how to get the ring into Rhodry's hands without destroying his claim to the rhan.

In the past, Maddyn (later Rhodry) has been wounded unto death in his lord's last charge, and as an outlawed man, has no choice but to turn mercenary. Here we have the founding of the silver daggers, and the beginning of the thread that will later lead to the forging of the ring. Maddyn's story continues in _A Time of Omens_, _The Red Wyvern_, and _The Fire Dragon_, and is concluded in _A Time of Exile_.