The Hounds of Ardagh (Five Star Science Fiction & Fantasy) [Hardcover]

Laura J. Underwood (Author)

Book Description

Series: Five Star Science Fiction & Fantasy | Publication Date: September 2006

Ginny Ni Cooley never desired more than the simple life she had. Living in Tamhasg Wood, she used her magic to occasionally assist the folk of Conorscroft while putting up with the machinations of the ghost of her former mentor, Manus MacGreeley. But her peace is shattered one night with the arrival of a lad fleeing a pack of red-gold hounds led by a hound-shaped demon known as Nidubh.

So much for peace and solitude. By rescuing Fafne MacArdagh, Ginny becomes wrapped in the fabric of an intrigue involving a family feud, a traitorous son and a bloodmage named Edain who is determined to keep her soul. It was she who cast the spell on Fafne's family and household, and transformed the MacArdaghs into hounds. Ginny gives Fafne her word to take him to Caer Keltora so they can report the matter to the Council of Mageborn. But Edain is determined to keep her secret and her soul intact, and moves to thwart Ginny at every turn.

For Ginny Ni Cooley, who has faced many bogies, dealing with a demon, a bloodmage and the Dark Lord of Annwn, will be no easy task. But she will do what she must to undo Edain's spells. If not, Manus' soul will become part of the Arawn's Cauldron of Doom. Ginny will become a feast for a demon, and poor Fafne will join the Hounds of Ardagh for all eternity.

--This text refers to the Kindle Edition edition.

Product Details

• Hardcover: 261 pages
• Publisher: Five Star (ME) (September 2006)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 1594143765
• ISBN-13: 978-1594143762
• Product Dimensions: 8.6 x 5.9 x 1 inches
• Shipping Weight: 14.4 ounces
• Average Customer Review: 5.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (3 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #4,324,077 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

More About the Author

While she does not claim to be Shakespeare or Poe, Laura J. Underwood is the author of seven novels, three short story collections, a number of novellas, chapbooks and short stories and some nonfiction. Her books include MARKING THE SIGNS AND OTHER TALES OF MISCHIEF from Yard Dog Press, where you can also find her novel ARD MAGISTER, her novella SHADOW LORD and various other works. Her novel DRAGON'S TONGUE was released by Meisha Merlin in May 2006, and HOUNDS OF ARDAGH was released by Five Star Press in October 2006.

Her latest works include THE CITY UNDER THE BRIDGE from Wolfsinger Publications (2009), SONG OF SILVER from Dark Regions (2009), and most recently, Book 2 of "The Demon-Bound" Duology was released by Yard Dog Press. So if you want to know what happened to Alaric Braidwine, read WANDERING LARK (2010) from Yard Dog Press.

When not writing, Laura works for the Knox County Public Library System where she is First Assistant at the Carter Branch, hikes her native Appalachian mountains, plays a harp with the head of a unicorn and occasionally fences with the SFWA Musketeers. She lives in East Tennessee with her parents and a pernicious feline of few grey cells who frequently forgets that windows do have glass.

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

2 of 2 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars strong fantasy, October 24, 2006

By 

Harriet Klausner - See all my reviews
(#1 Hall OF FAME REVIEWER)    (TOP 1000 REVIEWER)    (REAL NAME)   

This review is from: The Hounds of Ardagh (Five Star Science Fiction & Fantasy) (Hardcover)

Mageborn Ginny Ni Cooley is content living alone in her little cottage in Tamhasg Woods as she offers her services to her neighbors. Her mentor, Manus MacGreeley, has died and come back to the world as a ghost and since he doesn't have a body the Mastermage cannot use magic. He needs to connect every day to cairn where is body lies to rest.. One night Ginny's peace is disturbed when a pack of demon hounds chase a boy with a tale and a mane of hair on his spine.

The lad informs Ginny and Manus that his name is Fafne MacArdagh and his clan was celebrating turning in a traitor who plotted to overthrow the king. The next thing they know a blood mage appeared and killed everyone but Fafne who hunts this mass murderer. The blood mage was working with the traitor and cast the spell that kept the clan from testifying by turning them into hounds. This evil also has the way to give the soul of her husband, the laird of Don Elyn to the demon Annwn in exchange for deven more years of eternal youth. When the villainess steals the essence of Manus, Ginny vows to stop her though it may be too late as the malevolent mage's spouse committed suicide.

THE HOUNDS OF ARDAGH is filled with plenty of action and magical battle scenes. The conversations between the ghost and the mageborn are loaded with repartee that hides their deep regard for one another. The villain is reminiscent of Snow White's evil stepmother while the heroine is a loyal courageous person willing to risk her life for those she cherishes. Hopefully Laura J. Underwood provides future fantasy epics in Tamhasg Woods.

Harriet Klausner

1 of 1 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Excellent adventure!, February 11, 2007

By 

Maria Schneider "Maria E. Schneider" (Texas) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: The Hounds of Ardagh (Five Star Science Fiction & Fantasy) (Hardcover)

I've read a short story or two by Underwood and she's a wonderful author, very good with settings, but without going on and on about it. The Hounds of Ardagh is an excellent read for YA or adults. Its unique in that the main character, Ginny, is saddled with a ghost to help her on her adventures rather than a live counterpart. The ghost is her old teacher Manus and unfortunately he died before he taught her everything a mage needed to know. Ginny also has her teacher's old terrier to hinder her in her adventures (and the author must be familar with the breed of constantly barking dog).

Mainly, Ginny finds herself investigating what has happened to entire village of people--all of whom have disappeared. She is chased by demons and a bloodmage who is on the hunt for a good sacrifice or two. It's a roaring good adventure in a medieval magical setting.

1 of 1 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars What a great fantasy!, October 24, 2006

By 

Margaret H. Bonham "skywarrior" (Montana, USA) - See all my reviews
(VINE VOICE)    (REAL NAME)   

This review is from: The Hounds of Ardagh (Five Star Science Fiction & Fantasy) (Hardcover)

I had to buy this book even though I received an advanced review copy. I loved the story.

The characters are both interesting and believable, even the ghost, Manus, who was killed by robbers after he got drunk. Ginny Ni Cooley is a mageborn who isn't quite a mage, but who has powers enough to thwart an evil bloodmage from her plots. Highly entertaining, full of magic and intrigue, this one needs to go on your shelf.