In the war-torn fifth century, after the end of Roman rule and before King Arthur's rise to power, spy and master of disguise Marcus ap Iorwerth diligently works to place the rightful high king in control of Britain. One of his duties, discrediting brokers of foreign mercenaries, leads him to Claerwen, an ethereal woman whose gift of visions draws him into the path of gods, a destiny as unshakable as the love they come to share. In time, they realize Claerwen has inadvertently become ensnared in a lethal conspiracy to locate the priceless sacred symbols of Britain's high kings. Known collectively as Macsen's Treasure and lost for decades, the symbols have become the target of a mazelike network of unknown enemies seeking power. Claerwen knows nothing of the treasure and Marcus makes every effort to protect her, but he is betrayed and disappears. Alone and homeless, Claerwen must decide whether to believe what everyone tells her, that Marcus is dead and she should go into hiding, or to follow her instinct and the path of gods on a daunting quest to find him and the truth of Macsen's Treasure.
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Editorial Reviews
From Library Journal
Fleeing the destruction of her village and an enforced betrothal, Claerwen encounters a pair of men destined to link her fate to that of gods and kings. This first novel by Celtic historian Guler serves as an introduction to a series of pre-Arthurian fantasies revolving around the search for five legendary treasures?symbols of the High King of Britain. Despite some lapses in continuity, this romantic saga of adventure and intrigue belongs in most fantasy collections.
Copyright 1998 Reed Business Information, Inc.
Copyright 1998 Reed Business Information, Inc.
Review
". . .this romantic saga of adventure and intrigue belongs in most [library] collections." -- Library Journal, February 15, 1998
"If you liked King Arthur's Britain, the March [issue of British Heritage], and you're honest enough to admit that you secretly revel in the pleasure of a good romance, you will certainly enjoy Into the Path of Gods by Kathleen Cunningham Guler. . .
"If you liked King Arthur's Britain, the March [issue of British Heritage], and you're honest enough to admit that you secretly revel in the pleasure of a good romance, you will certainly enjoy Into the Path of Gods by Kathleen Cunningham Guler. . .
. . .Guler proves herself to be a historian at heart. . .This is what elevates Into the Path of Gods above the level of the typical steamy grocery-store romance. Guler has definitely done her homework and produced an historically accurate piece of fiction that not only addresses the complex issues associated with pre-Arthurian Britain, but also attempts to answer them with her own fictionalized theories.
Best of all, the book retains the page-turning, all-absorbing, can't-put-it-down thrill of the romance. Fortunately, Into the Path of Gods is only the first in a series of four books. Guler is currently hard at work on the second novel, which will be ready none too soon for me." -- British Heritage, April/May 1998
"Into the Path of Gods is a superb historical novel. . ." -- Midwest Book Review, April 1998
"We find ourselves caught up in and enchanted by this tale that Guler has spun for us out of legend. . .Into the Path of Gods is part mystery, part love story and part-imagined and part- genuine history. . .Guler brings to her tale the talents of an able historian, painting vivid pictures of life in those times. . .Besides the captivating story, we learn from this book fascinating history lessons of what Sir Thomas Malory [Le Morte d'Arthur] called matters of Britain. . .Into the Path of Gods not only enchants us, it also transports us back into our ancestral past. I for one am eagerly anticipating the second book in [the] Macsen's Treasure series." --Keltic Fringe , Winter 1997/98
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More About the Author
Novelist Kathleen Cunningham Guler is the author of the multi-award winning Macsen's Treasure Series set in fifth century Britain. Drawing on a long background in history and literature as well as her Welsh and Scottish heritage, she has published numerous articles, essays, reviews, short stories and poetry. She has also edited two anthologies and was the assistant editor of a literary magazine for two years. The author is a member of the Historical Novel Society, the International Arthurian Society and participates in various writing organizations.
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Most Helpful Customer Reviews
6 of 7 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars
Pre-Arthurian Adventure, Intrigue, Betrayal & Greed-WILD!,
By
This review is from: Into the Path of Gods (Book 1 of the Macsen's Treasure Series) (Macsen's Treasure Series/Kathleen Cunningham Guler) (Hardcover)
I was totally unprepared for this magnificent book! This is a sweeping epic of a story that will span four books in the series of the turbulent and exciting years before King Arthur's reign. The scope of this story and the way the author keeps you guessing from moment to moment, in suspense, to read the next passage is "magically" amazing. I was not prepared for such a wild ride! This is the story of Marcus ap Iowerth, Welsh spy and "master of disguise" and Clarwen, a woman touched by the "sight" or "fire in the head," as precognition is known. Their adventures are never ending and leave the reader breathless, craving more and more! The plot centers on Macsen's Treasure, which is composed of a crown, torque, sword, spearhead, and grail. Whoever has any or all of these in their possession can claim the high kingship of Britain as they carry a sacred history. Also, in this novel we are introduced to Myrddin (Merlin), Aurelius Ambrosius, Myrddin's father and High King and the mysterious loner warrior named, "The Iron Hawk." Read this book, otherwise you'll be missing out on a major talent: the author, Kathleen Cunningham Guler! She also has a second book published in this series, which I'm currently reading, "In the Shadow of Dragons," and am happy to report is just as exciting and surprising as her first novel! The following is an answer I received to a recent email communication with her: "Thank you so much for the kind words! I am working on book #3 at this time and about halfway through the first draft. I'm hoping it will be done so it can be released in late 2005."
1 of 1 people found the following review helpful:
3.0 out of 5 stars
Mary Sue falls from the machine--or--For romantic historic fantasy lovers only,
By Maggie Brasted "co-author of Wild Neighbors: ... (Maryland, USA) - See all my reviews
This review is from: Into the Path of Gods (Book 1 of the Macsen's Treasure Series) (Macsen's Treasure Series/Kathleen Cunningham Guler) (Hardcover)
The Romans have left Britain. Home-grown lords and Saxon invaders are fighting and conniving for power. The violence deprives a young girl of parents and home. But perhaps she and her village were not merely in the way when war came. Some unknown power-seeker seems to be specifically--and urgently--trying to find something her family may have possessed.
Our heroine, Mary Sue ... (Oh, sorry. My mistake,. There is a strong resemblance). Our "ethereal" heroine, Claerwen, is gifted (or plagued) with visions from undefined gods. Although rarely clear guides to action, she acts on them nevertheless motivating most of the plot. Sometimes the gods intervene even more directly then just sending visions. Indeed, the plot is littered with gods falling from machines; hardly any major plot development lacks one. This, and the adherence to all the usual clichés of fantasy and historic romance, makes the plot rather predictable. Claerwen suffers unjustly, meets a gorgeous and mysterious man (a prince, of course), they recognize each other as soul mates, their love ... Well, you've read it before. I got so bored and frustrated with the oh-so-perfect Claerwen and the obvious plot that I put this book down about half way through and left it a long time before finally reading to the (foreseen) end. However, I'm sure many readers will find it a satisfying read. The prose, clunky in places, has a few very memorable and telling passages. The hero, Marcus, has some depth and subtly considering his casting as what is usually the cardboard prince. And some of the secondary characters are interesting, if rather less than three-dimensional. A good bit of attention seems to have been paid to the setting and to making the historical details believable. This book just goes over very well-ploughed ground and never strays from well-used furrows. For readers who love historical romance and romantic fantasy, and want their reading to stay comfortably in the familiar with assurance that love and righteousness will be triumphant, this incarnation is reasonably well executed.
4 of 6 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars
Brilliant historical fiction and romance,
This review is from: Into the Path of Gods (Book 1 of the Macsen's Treasure Series) (Macsen's Treasure Series/Kathleen Cunningham Guler) (Hardcover)
During the fifth century AD, the hopes of most of Britain for a better life rest in the whispers of Arthur becoming the High King though some will refuse to cede power and will do anything to insure no one surfaces. However, as each year passes, the hope diminishes as no one steps forth to claim the crown. Needing assistance, Merlin recruits Welsh warrior, Marcus ap Iorwerth to work undercover in the search for the now legendary Arthur. Claerwen escapes from one bad situation to another until she meets Marcus. He helps her understand her ability to see what no one else senses. As they fall in love, her visions lead them to the symbols of the High Kings of Britain, Macsen's Treasure. However, their powerful, sly foes are many. They cause Marcus to disappear and Claerwen must find a way to locate and rescue her beloved. Medieval historical and Arthurian readers will enjoy INTO THE PATH OF GODS. The fast-paced story line vividly brings alive the second half of the fifth century in Britain. Marcus and Claerwen are a likable intrepid couple whose romantic elements will delight fans of that genre. The support cast adds depth so that the audience obtains a greater feel for the period than usually found in a novel. In her opening act of her four part saga, Kathleen Cunningham Guler provides a breathtaking panoramic view of the days leading up to Arthur's assent to the throne. Harriet Klausner
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