Customer Reviews

The Chalice and the Blade

5 star:		(24)
4 star:		(4)
3 star:		(4)
2 star:		(1)
1 star:		(4)

 

 

This book is so superbly written, it belongs in a class/category that is far beyond the "plot by the numbers" books I am often stuck with. Because I am an omniverous reader, I finish even the poorly conceived and written romance books. The stunning writing and story in The Chalice and the Blade make it worth while to read a few mediocre books. This book is a gem among many. I can't wait for Ms. McReynolds's new book to come into paperback. I don't understand how anyone could give this wonderful book a poor review. But, to each his/her own.

THE CHALICE AND THE BLADE by Glenna McReynolds Bantam Nov.97 ISBN 0-553-10384-9 THE CHALICE AND THE BLADE is a fascinating story that's a mixture of several genres; there's historical romance in twelfth century Wales, science fiction with mages and dragon larvae, adventure with battles and mysteries, and ticklish humor that's like a chocolate topping on ice cream. The adventure begins at the scene of a Celtic festival, Calan Gaef on October 31, deep in the tunnels beneath castle Carn Merioneth on the cliffs of the Irish Sea. The "wild folk" of the mountains, meadows, and caves and the people from the castle gather with the three persons needed to "call the dragons" and look into the scrying pool to mark the eternal cycle of life, death and rebirth. They are Rhiannon, caller of the dragons, Nemeton, a great sorcerer, and Rhuddlan, leader of the Quicken-tree tribe. But when Rhiannon peers into the pool this night, it's the fall of Carn Merioneth she sees as a band of soldiers advance upon the Keep. Five-year-olds Ceridwen and Mychael are spared only because they've disobeyed and ventured into the tunnels to catch a glimpse of the festival. Nemeton's daughter Moriath, their nurse, also survives, and smuggles Mychael to Strata Florida Abbey while taking Ceridwen to Usk Abbey where she herself grew up -- and hid a mysterious book. Also spared is Rhuddlan, who seals the weir gate and traps the dragon larvae in their dark maze. Years later, he must again bring together the threefold union who can open the gate and free the pyrf: himself, Ceridwen ab Arawn, daughter of Rhiannon who inherited the gift of calling the dragons, and Dain Lavrans, successor of the sorcerer Nemeton. Chapter one opens with a less than brave groom being sent to fetch the Danish sorcerer Dain Lavrans to the great hall of Wydehaw Castle. The little man is so terrified of the mage that when lightning strikes as he grabs the gargoyle door knocker he faints dead away. Lavrans opens the door to find a man frozen to it, and delights in the knowledge that he will be accredited with accomplishing the great feat himself. Lavrans goes to the great hall and discovers he's been summoned to tend the wounds of a jewel-like beauty captured by Ragnor the Red, Wydehaw's most bestial knight. Chained to the wall, Ceridwen has been gashed across her forehead, has a deep bite wound on her shoulder, and a broken ankle. Lavrans is the only man the red-haired giant is frightened of and therefore plays on his fear of spells and dark incantations by using a magic trick. He takes a green bauble from his pocket, deftly doing sleight-of-hand with the orb as he gives Ragnor a choice; take the stone and keep the maiden, or have neither. As he chants of faerie dreams and death and serpent stones for effect, the tiny slip of a girl suddenly snatches the stone from him herself -- thus sending Ragnor fleeing in horror. Dain takes the maid to his tower to tend her, and finds that her innocence is like a balm to his old and weary soul, helping him heal from his disgraceful past where he was known as "the Swan" to a desert slaver. Ceridwen remembers love, but having been torn from everyone who ever cared for her at the tender age of five, she is very hungry to know it again. Together Dain and Ceridwen must face a destiny foretold by their ancestors, and embark on an adventure that could either tear them apart or seal their fate forever. Glenna McReynold's turn of phrase and humor is as engrossing as her story and characters. Through rich description and detail she allows readers to slip on the cloak of the characters and become them, feeling their desolation when love seems lost and elation when obstacles are overcome. A tear, chuckle, shudder or sigh is never more than a sentence away, and readers are eager to discover what awaits them next. Her people are realistic, with everyday foibles, and you'll miss them when you close the book. But if you're like me, you'll be eager to revisit them on the keeper shelf. --Kat Bragg, CompuServe Romance Reviews

AS an avid reader, I found this book to be one of the best I've ever read. I find fantasy and romance, if well done, are the best of books. Throw in some sexual tension, and there you have it. I wish she would write more of Dain & Cedric. I'm about to try several of her other books; hope I'm not disappointed.

This book is beautifully done. It has action, romance, escape, and magic. The romance between Ceridwen and Dain come to life and jump right out of the pages. There was never a dull moment and I felt like I was right there with them. I can't believe the reviewers who said that it was boring. This book is very well written and the only thing that I hated about it was that it had to end! This story is recommended for anyone who craves wild imagination and it is for anyone who loves to get caught up in fantasy worlds which they dread escaping. Enjoy!

Even the power of the Old Gods could not prevent the fall of Cairn Merioneth, a keep in Wales that contained a power more ancient than the time when Jesus walked the land. The marauding Normans wanted the keep for themselves. The only residents to escape on that fatal night were the children of Merioneth. One of the survivors, Ceridwen, finds her life totally intertwined with her former home. The present Lord of Merioneth (renamed Balor) insists on taking the beautiful Ceridwen for his bride in order to harness the magic that she, unknown to herself, possesses.

Ceridwen's savior comes in the form of a disillusioned warrior who lost his faith when he became a slave in a Moslem household during the Crusades. Dain's only goal until he lost his heart to Ceridwen is to uncover the secrets of alchemy so that he can be rich. He is unaware of the powers residing just below the earth's surface until he falls prey to the same destiny that is Ceridwen's curse and hopefully her eventual blessing. Believing in someone again, Dain prepares to fight friend and foe to keep the Welsh maiden safe at his side.

Glenna McReynolds, known for her whimsical category romances, produces a stunning single title release that unleashes talents that have been hidden in the shorter formats of her previous novels. THE CHALICE AND THE BLADE is a bold epic romantic fantasy that incorporates real historical events and people into a legendary tale reminiscent of Shannara and Mithgard. This novel should not be missed by fans of Medieval romance or anyone who desires a well written lyrical work of art.

Harriet Klausner

Frankly, the first time I tried reading The Chalice and the Blade, I was bored. I didn't hate it, but I wasn't the least enthralled either. However, desperate for something to read I picked it up again and gave it another chance--and thank goodness I did! The worlds McReynolds weaves in this book, and the sequels (Dreamstone and Prince of Time), are so rich and intriguing that I have since reread the trilogy several times, picking up new things I've missed in previous readings. The stories are also incredibly and breathtakingly romantic. My only disappointment is that McReynolds has since returned to writing modern romances--a shame since she displayed a true affinity for this genre.

This book is beautifully done. It has action, romance, escape, and magic. The romance between Ceridwen and Dain come to life and jump right out of the pages. There was never a dull moment and I felt like I was right there with them. I can't believe the reviewers who said that it was boring. This book is very well written and the only thing that I hated about it was that it had to end! This story is recommended for anyone who craves wild imagination and it is for anyone who loves to get caught up in fantasy worlds which they dread escaping. Enjoy!

This was one of the most sensual love stories I've ever had the pleasure of reading. The mysticism involved made it even more so. For the most part, I see the reviews are very positive & I'm glad I listened to those instead of the few negative reviews - this book is fabulous! I really don't know how anyone could find it boring unless they just didn't understand the magic of it - and it is deeply magical.

Glenna McReynolds makes history come alive in this great book of passion and magic. Set in 12th century Wales, the characters come alive, and you'll remember them for years to come. This was a book that was hard to put down, but like in any good story, there has to be an end. Too bad because as you read it, you wish that it didn't come to an end. Praise for Glenn McReynolds!

A great romance. . .but the whole thing with the dragons was a big disappointment. I don't want to give the end away, but the part when they release them I found was very confusing. One thing that really bothered me is that it was very difficult for me to invision the dragons. The adjectives used for their description were too vague.

The romance part was great though.