Customer Reviews

DRUID'S TUNE, The

5 star:		(7)
4 star:		(1)
3 star:		(0)
2 star:		(1)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

This book is one of the very first fantasy novels I have read. I found The Druid's Tune amazing when I first read it at age fourteen, and up to this day, I still find it wonderfully engrossing! The idea of two modern day teenagers being transported into another time/world is nothing new, but O.R. Melling made up for this cliched storyline by her powerful characterization skills, and rich description of the world of the Tain. I highly recommend this book to fantasy lovers everywhere.

***NOTE MY REVIEWS OFTEN CONTAIN SPOILERS***
This review is not going to be as detailed as I would have liked because I've read quite a bit in the few days since finishing it. The problem with reading so many books is they start to blend in your mind and it's sometimes hard to separate one from the other.

Rosemary and Jimmy are two Toronto teenagers sent as a punishment to Ireland to spend the summer working on their uncle's small farm. To wrapped up in their own wants and needs to listen to their parent's edicts, their father send them away to keep them from the bad crowd they've fallen into back home. Neither is excited about the journey. When their curious nature has them following their uncle's strange hired help they are pulled into a summer adventure that they will never forget and that will change all of them forever.

The premise of the book is based on Celtic Mythology and the tale of the Ta`in Bo` Cailnge - The Cattle Raid of Cooley. The children come upon the hired help - a modern day druid in the midst of a spell and are pulled to another world, one where Ireland's Mythical past is still taking place. They are pulled into Queen Mauve's Army when one of her sons finds them in the woods.

Jimmy is enlisted as a chariot driver for the Ulster outcasts who have joined Mauve's army to avenge their leaders ruined honor. Rosemary becomes a companion to Finnabar, queen Mauve's only daughter and falls in love with one of her son's Maine. The two grow as they learn to survive without modern conveniences and are drawn into the causes of the ancient people.

In a twist of fate Jimmy meets Cuchulainn, the hero of Ulster and changes side to help defend the man who becomes his closest friend. Lost in his own pursuits of friendship and honor he doesn't think of the worry or danger his actions cause his sister who is still with the enemy troops.

Throughout the adventure the two teenagers risk life and limb as they learn about the ties of family, honor and love. Their own growth helps the angry druid who accidentally brought them along recover a part of himself that is lost and reconnect with the people he is among.

While the growth of all of the characters involved is tremendous I would have liked to have seen more of the love story between Maine as Rosemary as well as the relationship between Jimmy and Cuchulainn. Even with the magical ending, I was left wanting to know what happens next for the two children and the people that changed their lives.

The book is a delightful read filled with action, adventure, fantasy, love and friendship.

This was the book that got me hooked on to O.R. Melling as well as Irish Mythology. I recomended this book to several of my friends who also enjoyed this book. The Singing Stone, also by O.R. Melling, was an even better story.

I enjoyed this book a lot. It really relates the past with the present and links the situations. It is a very interesting book for those who enjoy reading about time travelling and love to experience new things all the time.

stupendous!! i absolutely loved it! anyone at all interested in the mystic, or in irish folklore would love it! the story successfully intertwines modern-day with the age old tale of Táin Bó Cúalnge (Cattle-Raid of Cooley). it is also a wonderful tale of the search for self-belonging & soul searching. a must read!

This book is great for all ages. I would recommend it especially for people interested in Irish mythology, but anyone who likes to read will love this book. Great to start kids reading!

I definately recommend this book to anyone who is interested in history, Ireland, magic, fantasy or romance. It is a truely wonderful book and I hope you are able to find a copy.

I thought this was an exellent book. I enjoyed it fully and is now one of my favorite books. You should read because i know you will enjoy it!!

The book was not bad at all, but the story sucked! I have never read a book with such a slow and boring story line. I am in grade nine and read every kind of book, but this one was a terrible disappointment after all of the good reviews!