Customer Reviews

Priestess of the Forest: A Druid Journey

5 star:		(10)
4 star:		(2)
3 star:		(1)
2 star:		(1)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

A masterful written, fictional, love story based in third-century Ireland, this book animates the basic life style of the ancient Celts. Penned along the same lines as The Mists of Avalon by Marion Zimmer Bradley, Priestess of the Forest examines historical class systems, symbols and life passages as seen through the eyes of the Druid class.

The author, Ellen Evert Hopman, currently the co-chief of the Order of the Whiteoak (Ord na Darach Gile) masterfully moves from writing non-fiction to this historical fantasy. Her aim was to engage the reader while teaching the ways of Druidic practice, ancient Celtic daily life, rites and rituals.

The story begins with the main character, Ethne, alone in her woodland hut. Her peace is shattered when a seriously wounded Fennid warrior is brought to her for healing. As she battles to keep him from death, she falls in love with him and he for her as he regains his strength. Unfortunately for them, the world they know is being invaded by a new religion, one that demands they leave behind their own beliefs and practices.

As with all good narratives, there are good guys and bad guys. Ethne is asked by the high Priest and Priestess to become the King's bride. As Queen, they hope she will keep the Druidic ways strong in the land. Since we know the book is a historical fiction, the new religion of Christianity will win out in the end, but I kept hoping for a different conclusion. In the end the bad guys win, but Ethne's personal story has a happy, if bittersweet, finale.

I was fascinated by the brief author interview, which followed the story. Ms. Hopman goes into detail about historical Druids as well as their modern day counter parts. She hopes that this book will be used to further teachings of the rites and passages she included as samples throughout the story line. Also included in the book's back matter is a very useful recommended reading list of books divided by various categories.

If you are looking for some light reading, but want more than a bit of fluff, this is the book for you. This is a masterfully crafted tale that teaches as well as entertains.

Reviewed by W. Lyon Martin author of Ordinary Girl - A Magical Child, An, Aidan's First Full Moon Circle and Watchers.

The author has masterfully woven the current understandings of the Celtic Reconstruction movement into a beautiful and moving story. Her characters are engaging and real, her scholarship current, and her purity of intention leaves us with a reading experience that is both educational and entertaining. The rites and ritual actions presented in the book will be familiar to anyone who has studied/practiced any form of Celtic Reconstruction spirituality. By skillfully placing these elements throughout the plot, Ms. Hopman has effectively crafted the first work of fiction, to my knowledge, that incorporates CR spiritual principles into the lives and lifestyles of believable characters. This has the effect of "bringing to life" ideas that may have otherwise remained intellectual constructs with no practical basis. The description of Brighid and her associated lore presented on pgs. 145-146 is one of the most concise and beautiful descriptions I have read anywhere. For all of these reasons, I heartily recommend this book!

I have always love Ellen's work, but this is the first I have read of her "fiction" style. All I can say is I hope there is another book to follow this one!!

This book incorporates information from various accurately researched Celtic sources, yet does not make them out to be something other than what we do know about them. I mean she doesn't imply it has a special hidden usage, so therefore she is not misleading.

I know I would love to have had her go further in depth to share the ceremonies/rituals and such talked about, but in truth we don't know exactly how they were all done and that sort of leaves it up to the imagination and thus drives us to do our own research and work. She does give much though of her own views and a few shared views on the subject in a few of the scene's.

Ellen goes further in that she also accurately shares herbal knowledge and lore for plants that would have been found in those periods and the uses they might have been applied to in caring for those who are sick and injured. This also, I feel, drives one to want to learn more.

I devoured the book in under 3 days. Probably would have done it faster but I had to work too - so I can buy more books like hers! She has inspired me to view some of the works I already have, in new lights. She inspired me to look further into a few things I had a base knowledge of, and she also made me hope that there will be a second book that might go into the life of the characters after the "main setting" - I won't go into details as I don't want to spoil the ending!!

Overall I give this 5 stars. It isn't a "how to" book so to speak and it doesn't promise to be a historical document that one might say is fact, but it is a view of one who follows the path of the Druids and is an accurate attempt to give her view on how life might have been from all her studies. I wish we had more books like this!!

If you are looking for a book to tell you how the Druids of old did their magics and ceremonies and such, then this isn't the book for you. But if you want a good read that is a mind stimulant and thought provoker, this is an excellent source with some good resources on where to look for more.

Having enjoyed Morgan Llewelyn's "Druids", I have sought out stories featuring Druids and Celtic warrior-poets, and in "Priestess of the Forest" I found a delightful cast of characters whose compelling story takes place in a richly realized world. The descriptions of the healing arts in particular conveyed a deep sense of the author's connections to the natural world on both a material and spiritual plane. At points I was moved to tears, at others I was ready to join a warband and repulse the invaders! I could scarcely put the book down until I had finished, and no sooner had I read the last page than I starting wishing for a sequel.

The novelist, herself a Druid priestess, authentically recreates the Druid culture and history in pre-Christian Celtic Ireland. The ancient Druids may be mysterious to some, but not to this author who is well versed in the history and lore of these creative people. She has conducted considerable research on the subject and has traveled to many reputed Druid sites in Europe. An accomplished herbalist, she demonstrates a commanding knowlege of the herbs the Druids may have used in their healing rites, charms and spells.
The priestesses, members of an educated class, were powerful women and respected conselors to the Druid rulers as well as soothsyers in touch with the gods and nature. The author's own deeply felt reverence for the sacredness of the earth and its creatures is in harmony with the Druids' way of life. In her introduction Ms. Hopman confesses to readers that, during the intense experience of writing the novel "she felt the breath of the gods at her back."

The reader is drawn into the leafy landscaped world of Ethne, the priestess-healer wise in the ways of body and spirit. Her remote woodland haven overflowing with redolent herbs and the sound of her singing blessings enchants the reader. Despite her sacred status, Ethne embarks on a forbidden and dangerous adventure of the heart. The narration vividly depicts the historical aspect of the Christians' attempts, both gentle and harsh, to convert the Druids.
The author's nostalgia for the passing of the gentle way of life of the Druid people and her wonder at the world of nature permeate this atmospheric well-crafted novel.

I really enjoyed this book and once I got into it I couldn't put it down. The story is engrossing and very believable, and it's easy to become attched to the main characters - always a sign of a good book. I also found the level of historical accuracy impressive for a novel, the author was clearly trying to paint a picture of what life for druids would have been like at that point in time. It is a great buy as a novel but also contains a lot of valuable practices which could be easily adapted and used by any druid today. The author interview and biblography are also great resources, which make the book more than worth the money - I can't wait for the sequel!

Already well known for several popular nonfiction books on herbalism, tree lore, and Pagan spirituality, Ellen Evert Hopman ventures for the first time into fiction with her new novel, Priestess of the Forest: A Druid Journey. In a setting full of potential social and spiritual conflict, we enter the world of fourth century Ireland to follow the story of Ethne, a Druid priestess and healer, as she struggles to balance love and duty, choice and fate, during a time when an increasingly Romanized Christianity has begun to seep its way into the culture and politics of pagan Celtic society. Hopman presents her book as a "bardic teaching tale," striving to present an engaging and historically accurate picture of a thriving pre-Christian society, while also providing newcomers to Druidry with the kind of basic information, inspiration and guidance they might find in the typical Druidry 101 instructional book. Ambitious in scope, Priestess of the Forest struggles at times to live up to its aims, with neither the consistent artfulness of a seasoned storyteller, nor the reliable organization and clarity of a handbook; however, moments of moving ritual and historical insight do speak to Hopman's burgeoning talent that will, hopefully, come to full bloom in future works.

Priestess is an enchanting window into a bygone world and belief system. Engaging and touching, Hoppman uses the narrative to pass along a close up look into the fascinating 'Olden Ways' of a sacred earth, herbal medicines, and a Druid world celebrating the naturalist calendar. This is a delightful read and you will learn much. Good for ages 12 through 80!

Ellen Evert Hopman's "A Priestess of the Forest" is an excellent reminder of the beginnings of modern day religion. Though it is fiction, there is much truth to the broad story line. I gave this book 4 stars instead of 5 because Hopman seems to rush to tie things up in the end. Very important things happen and are only given a half a page of notice. This is one of her first fiction novels and she shows great promise to be a praised novelist.

I love this book! I couldn't put it down. I love how Ellen Evert Hopman intertwines Druid herbalism, tradition and ritual with the journey of the characters. A great love story with all the needed twists, battles and heroism to make it truly epic. I just received the next in the series and it is living up to the first. I definitely reccomend.