Customer Reviews

The Enchanter's Forest (Hawkenlye Mysteries)

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

 

 

If you are looking for some mythical tale of the worshippers of Mother Earth, this is the book for you. If you want a great mystery in a medieval setting you will be disappointed, as I was. Alys Clare's Hawkenlye books take great liberties with the culture and practices of the period. Now she also takes great liberties with our imaginations as we fantasize about lost races of mythical beings inhabiting the forests of England. I probably will not read her next book.

The interaction and maturation of the characters in the series held me spellbound. Ms. Harris (Alys Clare) as always weaves quite a tale using English lore and religions. This time the lore was Merlin. The added aspect of the nearly lost race added greatly to the story. The historic aspects of the tale adds so much to it. I can't wait for the next one. I appreciate the author's license to expound on the history and the folklore. She has great knowledge in these areas and her ability to pass it to us through writing is exceptional. Too bad the series is set to end soon. A great read - give it a look.

I bought this book hoping to get a great medieval mystery but I was greaatly disappointed. First of all I was lost in a mystery where there were references to previous novels and relationships developed in them. I don't know if this is what set me off but I never could get interested in the book and have put it down unfinished. I will try to go back to it in a few months but at this point I have lost all interest.I seldom write a bad review because I only buy books that interest and intrigue me. Therefore I am almost always happy with my books and I buy a lot of books during the year.

First Sentence: In the forest the new season was flourishing.

The Abbess Helewise of Hawkenlye for the future of her Abbey. Much of their revenue comes from alms given by those who visit the Abbey for its healing waters. Now, however, Florian of Southfrith claims to have found the bones of Merlin and pilgrims are visiting there instead. The Abbess asks for the help of her friend Josse d'Acquin first to investigate the truth of his claim and, later, to find out who killed Florian.

Every time I watch an episode of Cadfael, I want to read Alys Clare as they are set in the same period and have a similar feel about them. Fortunately, I have all the books in the Hawkenlye series, so it's an easy craving to satisfy.

Clare establishes a sense of time and place with descriptions that are vivid and evocative. Her dialogue is so well done, it is nearly audible. Her voice is distinctive and memorable; there is no question as to whose book I am reading.

The series need not be read in order as Clare is very good about establishing the back story for the principal characters. At the same time, with each book, I look forward to knowing the characters a bit better and see the relationships between them grow and change. Clare's characters are ones with whom you become involved and invested; you want to know what will happen but in the way of friends rather than a soap-opera manner.

The story is a well-done blending of history and the "real" world with mythology and the magical world, including a very credible explanation for the legends of Merlin and King Arthur. I appreciated Josse's skepticism of the bones found at Glastonbury being those of King Arthur and Guinevere, but it also served as a reminder of just how old is England's history. Josse and the Abbess are firmly rooted in the real, yet accept the possibility of things for which there is no explanation whether from the old religion of the new. Joanna represents the old religion yet acknowledges non-mystical explanations for some things which occur. It is this extremely well-done balance which prevents the story from floating completely into the space of the paranormal.

Most of all, what draws me back, book-after-book, is the well-plotted mystery and just a cracking good story with a very interesting revelation. I'm ready for my next visit to Hawkenlye.

THE ENCHANTER'S FOREST (Hist Mys/Josse d'Acquin/Abbess Helewise/England-1195) - VG
Clare, Alys - 10th in series
Hodder & Stoughton, UK Hardcover, ©2007 - ISBN: 9780340923856

This is the tenth book in this Hawkenlye series and another great read. The character development is great and you really get involved with them and the mystery.

The ending was a bit of a surprise in several ways and totally satisfying. It could be read as a one-off, there are various explanations here and there, but I imagine the series would make more sense if it were read from the beginning. If you like historical mysteries you should give this series a chance to pull you in.

I have all the books in Hawkenlye series and this is another winner in my opinion. Hawkenlye Mysteries are a great read for those of us that love the medieval mystery genre.

The relationship between the three main characters is gone into with greater depth. The father-daughter relationship is also fleshed out.

Clare's evil characters are as evil as ever but what I like best are the characters that she shows do evil not because they are evil as such but because they are selfish and self-absorbed. I personally find that to be more true to life.

If you are a fan of Alys Clare you will love this new book. If you are not already a fan, you will be when you read this book. I envy you as you will have a lot of her previous books to read and enjoy!