Customer Reviews

Keeper of the Crystal Spring

5 star:		(6)
4 star:		(3)
3 star:		(0)
2 star:		(3)
1 star:		(1)

 

 

I read the whole book in 5 days. 5 work days that is...I didn't have a lot of time to spend reading but I made time! Yes, there is a lot of historical detail in this book, but I find that gives it more spice. I found the plot somewhat see-through, but I cared enough about the characters to still not be able to put the book down! I only wish the authors had more books for me to read! Bravo!

...This story is the tale of Aldyth, goddaughter to the local healer/seeress, Sorina, and who has versed Aldyth well in the knowledge of herb lore and caring for the sick. There are many ills in the village, many caused by the vindictive and tyrannical ways of Lord Ralf, who runs the surrounding villages and even the nuns in the Abbey like slaves in the boondocks rather than peasants in a village.

Aldyth, like many villagers, puts up with Ralf's ways, in short because of their small band of Saxon resistence to the Norman invasion. The "Starlit Path", as it is known, is something of an Underground Railroad of second century Britain; helping fugitives from the Saxon/Norman battles to saftey overseas or in south England. Aldyth and Sirona are two helpers of this Path, as is the outlaw/rogue/dashing Bedwyn, a childhood friend of Aldyth's, who desperately pursues her in madness of love/lust, it is hard to tell some of the time.

Of course, a twist is thrown in the story as King William cracks down on outlaws and "runners", as the Saxon fugitives are known, causing holes in the Path and spies trying to collapse the last stronghold of Saxon resistence.

In the village, though, there is a new face, as the son of Lord Ralf- Gandulf- returns from France. Of course, this man- who is quiet, steady, and intense compared to the passionate, risk-taking, adventurous Bedwyn- falls head over heels in love with Aldyth. The brawling that takes place between Bedwy and Gandulf on May Eve is not so much idiotic as just plain amusing.

There are some lewd actions in the book, and, like me, you may not feel obliged to read them. I skipped over those pages, and the story picked up beautifully where it had before the...exchanges.

This book is a very satisfying read. The authors have most of their facts right, and even if you feel that in the first part of the book it is predictable, please, for the sake of a story well written, keep reading. Better the predictable book take an unpredictable turn then the unpredictable turn predictable.

A job well done, Naomi and Deborah Baltuck.

After just finishing a couple really good books, I must say I was a little skeptical about this one. You know how it is, after finishing a really good book, finding one to live up to your reading standards can be simply impossible. After searching amazon for a good book to read next, I am glad I stumbled over this one. Even though this book is set into some historical truth, it is by no means a boring description of history and neither an unrealistic fabrication. The story is exciting enough to keep you spellbound in reading, and long enough to let you enter the little world of Enmore Green. Almost wants me take a trip to Shaftesbury and see what it is like now. I recommend this one, it will be worth your while!

Ok, I haven't really read in about 15 year because of my busy life style but then I threw out my TV recently and said "Hey, lets get on with life before it's over!". Oh, I've tried reading books throughout the years and I have a pile by my bed to prove it but none of them caught my attention after the second page so there they've laid. I saw 'Crystal Springs' in a store that had a moving sale and bought it for $.50 and standing there reading the first paragraph, I was floored! It hooked me in a way that books used to in my 20's and I couldn't wait to get it home. I read it right after work for two days until midnight came and the majority of it on Saturday until my eyes would not stay open anymore (from 10AM to 12 midnight - 14 hours straight!! (well, except for potty breaks and food : ) and finished it Sunday morning. Folks, you will LOVE this book!!! I have already lent it out to my best friend and plan to pass it on to my sister afterwards. The only thing that I didn't love about it was that it ended! I promise you this, you will also love it. I just wish there was a sequel!!!

I quite enjoyed the book, however, I am not sure the sisters have their facts straight. For example a church cannot be called "St. Wulfstan's" when the saint himself was still alive at the time the book is set (canonized in 1203). But then again, Braveheart was a good rendition of the Wallace story, even though they also took liberties with the facts. I enjoyed the characters and their dynamics, and the creative, vivid, portrait of how life might have been in the 11th century. This is not an action-packed book, but rather a story of discovery.

I don't usually care far fantasy - I'm more into history and historical fiction. This book gives a picture of everyday people and everyday life in the time of the Norman conquest, with just a little fantasy thrown in to sweeten the pot. I could not put it down and read until the wee hours each night till I finished it, then wished I hadn't finished! I loved the details about healing with herbs and how the people managed to live thro the winter. It didn't dwell on just the wealthy. This is the kind of "history" that grabs my imagination.

A good read, but it seems as if the authors were trying to shove down my throat every little detail they could about the Norman/Saxon situation, especially at the beginning. Hard to keep track of the character's names. They all begin to sound alike after a while...

I can not say enough about this book. I Loved it. I had long since lost interest in reading books, More content to spend my time on my computer and on line. This Book brought me back and held my attention. The story has everything, Mystery, Romance, intrigue, and oh so much more. I did not want the story to end. It brought to life my imagination with its tale of Enmore Green and the Crystal Spring. I found myself drawn to this book every night and in my dreams. It made me laugh, it made me mad and it made me cry. I would recommed this book to everyone. I would love to see this book made into a movie.

I loved this book set in 11th Century England. The tension between the Goddess loving people of Enmore Green and the conquering Normans made that time period in history seem more real. The romance between Aldyth and Gandulf, and Aldyth and Bedwyn create just the right amount of tension. I couldn't wait to finish the book to see who Aldyth settles down with. I was also saddened to see the book end, and would like to see a sequel. Goddess willing!

I enjoyed this book in the sense of learning about Saxon England. The authors clearly did hours of research into their subject matter, and the excellent background stories and descriptions are proof of their hard work. Unfortunately, what would otherwise be a really good book is marred by a really annoying love story. The outcome of the triangle formed by Aldyth, Gandulf, and Bedwyn is entirely too predictable. Also, there is way too much sexuality in the romance for my tastes; this one is not for the kids, folks. If it were a movie, it would probably be rated PG-13 for all of the sex talk. The happy-ever-after situation at the end is sickeningly sweet; everything is just a little TOO perfect, even the children. I tried very hard to care about the main characters in this book, but it just didn't happen for me; I was much more interested in the secondary characters like Mother Rowena, Sirona, and Brother Ansgar. The book tries, it really does...it just doesn't make it.