Nectar from a Stone: A Novel [Paperback]

Jane Guill (Author)

Editorial Reviews

From Publishers Weekly

It's Wales in 1351, and across a plague-infested, often brutal landscape, Elise—a spirited young woman prone to visions—and her servant/surrogate mother Annora flee the scene of an unplanned crime: Elise has killed her evil husband, Maelgwyn, and dumped his body in a river. On the run, she crosses paths with a mysterious rider named Gwydion who immediately intrigues her with his lordly composure and brooding manner. As Elise and Gwydion's travels further converge, it emerges that they have an enemy in common: the repellent Sir Nicholas, who murdered Gwydion's father and sister and who, with his henchman Dexter, came perilously close to raping and killing Annora and Elise in a previous encounter. Gwydion's and Elise's interest in each other grows, and their passions are stoked when Elise tends to the wounded Gwydion. Meanwhile, it's revealed that Maelgwyn is actually alive and intent on vengeance. What works in Guill's debut is the nicely developed chemistry between Elise and Gwydion and the numerous historical details that create vivid snapshots of life in medieval Wales. But the book suffers from too many plot lines, over-the-top villains, heavy-handed symbolism and pacing hobbled by well-written but tangential sections. The plot twists also prove predictable. But the main characters are loyal and good-hearted—certainly likable enough to follow on a few adventures.
Copyright © Reed Business Information, a division of Reed Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.

From Booklist

Tinged with mysticism and set amid the craggy and often foreboding landscape of -fourteenth-century Wales, this haunting romantic saga features enough suspenseful twists to keep the pages turning at a rapid pace. After apparently killing her brutally abusive husband in self-defense, clairvoyant Elise is beset by disturbing visions as she and her loyal maidservant attempt to make their way cross-country to the city of Conwy, where they hope to secure work and anonymity. Vowing to avenge the murder of his father and sister and to reclaim both his birthright and his estate, enigmatic nobleman Gwydion crosses paths with the women several times, growing ever more attracted to Elise. Plagued by guilt for the horrific crime she believes she committed, Elise is unable to reveal her true feelings to a bitter Gwydion. As their parallel stories intersect, the two would-be lovers must both wrestle with the demons of their past before they can embark upon a future together. This authentically detailed historical adventure is irresistibly interwoven with elements of passion, intrigue, and the supernatural. Margaret Flanagan
Copyright © American Library Association. All rights reserved

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Product Details

• Paperback: 436 pages
• Publisher: Touchstone; Original edition (March 1, 2005)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0743264797
• ISBN-13: 978-0743264792
• Product Dimensions: 7.9 x 5.3 x 1.1 inches
• Shipping Weight: 13.4 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.5 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (35 customer reviews)
• Amazon Bestsellers Rank: #873,560 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

17 of 18 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Riveting and enthralling!, December 29, 2005

By	CoffeeGurl (MA) - See all my reviews (TOP 100 REVIEWER)

This review is from: Nectar from a Stone: A Novel (Paperback)

Nectar from a Stone got my attention because of its setting of Medieval Wales. I couldn't put this novel down! The adventure, suspense and romance captivated me from beginning to end. And the descriptions of the time period made this an even bigger treat. The year is 1351. Elise is a young woman with a very unique gift -- she is a clairvoyant, someone who foresees certain events before they happen. When she is forced to kill her husband Maelgwyn, Elise, along with her woman servant, flee the crime and move into a place where they can work and live in anonymity. During this time, Elise has several encounters with the honorable nobleman Gwydion, and an attraction ensues between them. In a twist of fate, Elise and Gwydion have an enemy in common: the disarming Sir Nicholas. There are various twists throughout the novel.

I loved this novel set in fourteenth century Wales. As mentioned earlier, the time setting is described vividly throughout the novel and I felt as though I was there with the characters. The author has an eye for historical detail and it shows when she illustrates the underbelly of wars and plagues. I also enjoyed the paranormal aspects with Elise's visions. This part of the novel reminded me a great deal of author Libba Bray's wonderful gothic series. The story is one of the best I've read in quite a while. I loved Elise, Annora (the servant) and Gwydion are three compelling, intricate characters who are flawed in many ways, yet you find yourself caring for them and wishing them the best. My favorite character is Gwydion. He is the epitome of a great male protagonist and I fell in love with him. The secondary characters are also wonderful. Jane Guill is a gifted storyteller and I look forward to giving her future books a whirl. In the meantime, I am hoping for a sequel. I want to read more of Elise and Gwydion!

10 of 10 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Beguiling insight, March 18, 2005

By	E. A. Graham "grheliz" (Oxfordshire, UK) - See all my reviews (REAL NAME)

This review is from: Nectar from a Stone: A Novel (Paperback)

Medieval Wales with all its smells (good and bad), by-ways and castles comes alive in NECTAR FOR A STONE.

NECTAR starts with disturbing events and there are plenty more to come. I particularly enjoyed (if that's the right word) the light she shines on the villains--Maelgwyn and Sir Nicholas--and their terrible deeds. There's a particularly appealing male lead character, as well.

There's humour here, too, as befits a period that relished its jokes and riddles. And Jane Guill gives you so much of the flavour of the period that it's hard not to believe she actually lived then. The descriptions of the location and the painstaking details in the book make it a fascinating read.

9 of 9 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Enthralling and Enlightening, September 19, 2005

By	Marian Lewis (Huntsville, AL) - See all my reviews (REAL NAME)

This review is from: Nectar from a Stone: A Novel (Paperback)

I found this novel enthralling and enlightening. Set in 1351 in Wales, its characters spring to life and exhibit depth and complexity while at the same time, stay true to their basic nature. Guill's truly repugnant villains remind the reader that life in the thirteen-hundreds was rough and death, from abuses, the "Pestilence" (bubonic plague) even highway robbery, was a constant threat. Guill's mal-dispositioned characters leave little room for sympathy, yet one can understand how they became who they were. Elise and Annora restore a belief in ultimate goodness and loyalty-and victory over evil. Guill's secondary characters skillfully support and enhance the personalities of her main characters.

A map, a page titled "On Welch Pronunciation," and a glossary promote readability since the area and language may be unfamiliar. Guill's descriptions of sights, sounds, scents, textures and colors, serve to enlist the reader's active participation.

Nectar from a Stone inspires awareness of, and interest in, Wales. The book brings to life its history, people, struggles, and successes and opens a new world for the reader to explore. Jane Guill is exceptionally skilled at characterization, description, and melding story and history. I look forward to her future books.