Ciara's Song: A Chronicle of the Witch World (Mass Market Paperback)

~ (Author), Lyn McConchie (Author) "Ciara was playing in her secret cave in the cliff when the rider came..." (more)
Key Phrases: Old Race, Gerith Keep, Old Blood (more...)

Editorial Reviews

Product Description

In Karsten, Ciara of Elmsgarth is only a small girl when the edict is carried out to kill all with Witch blood, and take all they own. As a mob murderers her family, Ciara is rescued and protected by the powerful Lord Tarnoor and his son, Trovagh. As the years pass, Ciara and Trovagh grow to love each other and marry, raising children of their own. Then an evil sorcerer rises to power, and his vendetta against Ciara threatens all she loves.

About the Author

A native of New Zealand, Lyn McConchie is the author of books ranging from science fiction and fantasy to contemporary fiction and non-fiction, for adults and for younger readers. Her collaborations with Andre Norton on the novels Beast Master’s Ark and Beast Master’s Circus , were both awarded the Sir Julius Vogel Award for Best Science Fiction or Fantasy Novel by a New Zealander. Their third Beast Master collaboration, Beast Master’s Quest was recently published. She has also collaborated with Miss Norton on the Witch World novel The Duke’s Ballad . She lives in Norsewood, New Zealand.

Product Details

• Mass Market Paperback: 256 pages
• Publisher: Aspect (July 1, 1998)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0446606448
• ISBN-13: 978-0446606448
• Product Dimensions: 6.8 x 4.2 x 0.7 inches
• Shipping Weight: 4.5 ounces
• Average Customer Review: 3.2 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (6 customer reviews)
• Amazon.com Sales Rank: #1,040,601 in Books (See Bestsellers in Books)

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

12 of 12 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars For Better or For Worse, August 1, 2006

By	Arthur W. Jordin (Smyrna, GA USA) - See all my reviews (TOP 500 REVIEWER)    (REAL NAME)

Ciara's Song (1998) is the second novel in the Witch World Chronicles series, following Songsmith. Ciara is the daughter of Talyo and Lanlia, both from families with some Old Blood. Her brother Larian brought word of Duke Yvian's thrice horning of the Old Blood. Lanlia envisions the deaths of her two step-sons and takes steps to protect young Ciara.

Talyo, Larian and Lanlia die at the hands of their neighbors at Elmsgarth, but Ciara is not found by the mob. Three days later, Lord Tarnoor arrives with his son Trovagh to look for survivors and to take away all portable items to keep them from the scavengers. They find Ciara and take her back with them to Aiskeep.

In this novel, Ciara is heart-sick with grief and fear; she is having nightmares and unable to keep down her food. One night, Trovagh comes during a nightmare and hears Ciara speak of her loneliness, so he offers his own family to her. He swears to protect her and proposes marriage. When Ciara agrees, they perform as much of the betrothal ceremony as they remember and then return to their beds.

Lord Tarnoor overhears their conversation and ceremony and is well pleased. He asks the Priestess of the Cup and Flame to oversee a formal betrothal ceremony for them and it is done. Now Ciara will be the daughter that he has always wanted.

After that Ciara's health steadily improves, but Trovagh catches a cold that becomes pneumonia. Ciara prepares draughts for him as had her mother, but he becomes feverish and his lungs gurgle. Remembering the pendant given to her by Larian, Ciara sinks her mind into its gray mists and heals his illness. Later she heals a favorite horse who has broken his leg. Both times, the exhaustion and powerloss last for a week; obviously she is not a very strong healer.

Lord Tarnoor, however, knows that she has enough of the Old Blood powers to inflame passions against her. Moreover, the powerful lords would have no qualms about using her for political ends. Something must be done to protect her from these enemies.

One man suspects her powers, however, and intends her death. Seren tries to drown her in Teral Town, but a friendly merchant loudly orders a search for the missing girl and scares away the would-be killer. Seren tries to harm Ciara in other ways, but the betrayer is himself betrayed. Seren is driven out of his own garth and dies in a strange land. However, his son has sworn vengeance against the people of Aiskeep.

This novel covers four generations at Aiskeep, from Lord Tarnoor to his great-granddaughter Aisling. It encompasses the history of Karsten from the thrice horning to the rise of Duke Shandro. During this time, the witches of Estcarp stir their southern mountains, killing the invading army of Duke Pagar of Kars.

This is a time of great danger to anyone with the Old Blood. Indeed, anyone with any magical powers at all, including healing, are viewed with suspicion. Even an accusation of working for the witches of Estcarp is likely to stir up a lynch mob.

To her sorrow, Ciara finds enemies among her own children. Her son Kirin is just weak, welcoming the attentions of Duke Pagar. However, her grandson Kirion is evil, bullying his own brother and trying to kill his sister Aisling for her powers.

Highly recommended for Norton fans and for anyone else who enjoys tales of magic, loyalty and intrigue.

-Arthur W. Jordin

4 of 4 people found the following review helpful:

1.0 out of 5 stars Extremely Boring, March 26, 2002

By A Customer

The first chapter is fast paced and exciting; probably written by Norton, who left the rest of the book to the junior author. The remainder of the book drags on and on, with no character development, no interesting fantasy evironment, no action, and really nothing to recommend it.

1 of 1 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Wishing for more, June 2, 2002

By	Nicole (North Bay Area, CA United States) - See all my reviews

Oh yes, exactly! I, I suppose in contrast to those prior in reviews, LOVED this book incredibly. While I DO wish that Cee's story was expanded upon (towards the end it seemed a little rushed) I still can't wait for a sequel! I'm now reading the "Chronicles of Witchworld," and wish most desperately I could find a sequel on the story of Ciara's granddaughter.