In the Shadow of Dragons (Book 2 of the Macsen's Treasure Series) [Hardcover]

Kathleen Cunningham Guler (Author)

Book Description

Series: Macsen's Treasure Series | Publication Date: September 1, 2001

When the mysterious druid Myrddin Emrys, known in legend as Merlin the Enchanter, is certain the high king of Britain is in imminent danger of yet another assassination attempt, he summons iron-willed spy and master of disguise Marcus ap Iorwerth to unearth the conspirators and destroy their plots. Marcus reluctantly agrees to help after his wife Claerwen, driven by her otherworldly gift of visions, insists that she must accompany him on the quest.

It is soon discovered that Pascentius, the youngest son of an earlier and well-hated king, is allied with dreaded Saxon mercenaries and readily poised to reclaim his father's throne. But before Marcus and Claerwen can spoil his plans, a second conspiracy of personal revenge closes in on them. Falsely declared fugitives by the very ones they had sought to help, they become trapped in a labyrinthine intrigue between their accusers and the traitors. In a desperate race against time, they must endure hardship and profound personal loss, while pushing Britain towards freedom, peace, and the future that would become King Arthur's golden reign.

In the Shadow of Dragons continues the spectacular four-part Macsen's Treasure series, blending Dark Age Celtic history, Arthurian legend and extraordinary original characters into an unstoppable, heart-thumping adventure.

Editorial Reviews

From Library Journal

Answering a call from the druid Myrddin Emrys, also known as Merlin, master spy Marcus ap Iorwerth and his magically gifted wife, Claerwen, embark on a journey to discover the identity of a would-be assassin and track down one of Britain's legendary treasures. Continuing the historical fantasy begun in Into the Path of Gods, Guler brings a new interpretation to pre-Arthurian legends. Blending characters from myth with fictional men and women, she creates a richly detailed Arthurian adventure that belongs in most fantasy collections.
Copyright 2001 Reed Business Information, Inc.

Review

"Compelling, entrancing, and highly recommended...the kind of book so easy to pick up and so hard to put down!" --Midwest Book Review, Dec 2001

"

This is a very original story, carefully researched and skillfully written." --Geoffrey Ashe, acclaimed author of "The Discovery of King Arthur"

See all Editorial Reviews

Product Details

• Hardcover: 384 pages
• Publisher: Bardsong Press; 1st edition (September 1, 2001)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 096603712X
• ISBN-13: 978-0966037128
• Product Dimensions: 9.2 x 6.5 x 1.2 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1.7 pounds (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.6 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (5 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #2,615,152 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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.

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

1 of 1 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Epic Adventure, May 3, 2002

By 

Annette Gisby "agisby" (UK) - See all my reviews

This review is from: In the Shadow of Dragons (Macsen's Treasure, Book 2) (Book 2 of the Macsen's Treasure Series) (Paperback)

This is an epic tale, taking place before the time of King Arthur, but at a time when his coming was prophesied. It's an enchanting tale of Celtic and Roman Britain, full of intrigue and suspense, adventure and romance, treachery and betrayal.

The book revolves around Marcus ap Iorwerth and his wife Claerwen, who suffers from visions of the future, and Myrddin Emrys (Merlin of the tales). A good touch, I thought was that Myrddin was the illegitimate son of the high king and when he suspects that there will be an assassination attempt on the king's life, he calls in Marcus to help root out the conspirators. Marcus is a spy and master of disguise.

Claerwen insists that she must go with her husband on his quest, due to visions she's been having, Marcus agrees reluctantly. He doesn't want to put his wife in danger. The original plot is discovered, but there are betrayals within betrayals. Claerwen and Marcus are falsely accused of treachery and must go on the run.

They suffer sacrifice and profound personal loss on the quest to prove their innocence, but will their sacrifice have been worth it?

The author hasn't just written a story here, she's weaved a tapestry of words that enchant you even as you read. The plot is infused with a wealth of historical detail, but so subtle that you hardly know it is there. The characters come alive, dancing off the page and into life.

I've read quite a few Arthurian re-tellings, but this one is different, concentrating more on the time before Arthur united the Britons, where danger and treachery were ever present and maybe the prophesied future king was the only thing that kept people going.

It's a great read, the second in a trilogy, but is a good stand alone novel as well. It's the sort of book you could read again and find something new every time.

Highly recommended.

Reviewed by Annette Gisby, author of Silent Screams

1 of 1 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars A compelling, entrancing, highly recommended high fantasy, December 13, 2001

By 

Midwest Book Review (Oregon, WI USA) - See all my reviews

This review is from: In the Shadow of Dragons (Book 2 of the Macsen's Treasure Series) (Hardcover)

The sequel to Into The Path Of Gods, Kathleen Guler's epic fantasy, In The Shadow Of Dragons, is the second volume in the "Macsen's Treasure" series and continues her superb blend of Dark Age Celtic myth and Arthurian legend in this devious tale of magic, politics, and intrigue. When the enigmantic druid Myrddin Emrys, known in fable as Merlin the Enchanter, becomes certain of yet another assassination plot against the rightful king, he summons a master of disguise to find and destroy the diabolical plots of hidden conspirators. Yet there are more layers to the woud-be coup than even a divine seer can foretell, and the fate of a monarch, his land, and its people lie in the knife-edge balance. A compelling, entrancing, and highly recommended high fantasy -- the kind of book so easy to pick up and so hard to put down!

1 of 1 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Great hirtorical fiction, October 31, 2001

By 

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

This review is from: In the Shadow of Dragons (Book 2 of the Macsen's Treasure Series) (Hardcover)

In 470 AD, Druid Priest Myrddin "Merlin" Emrys visits Marcus ap Iorwerth at the latter's home in Dinas Beri, Gwynnedd to obtain his best spy's special services because a major conspiracy to kill the High King has surfaced. However, Marcus' wife Claerwen, gifted with the sight of visions, insists she must accompany her beloved spouse on his quest to stop the assailants. Marcus acquiesces to Claeri and accompanies him on the dangerous mission in which payment is in goods for his clan.

Marcus and Claeri soon discover that Pascentius, the son of dead King Votigern, is leading the plot to unseat the king. Pascentius is using Octa and his Saxon mercenaries and has control of Macsen's Spearhead, one of the items that make up the legendary High King's five piece Macsen's Treasure set, to validate his claim to the throne. However, before Marcus and Claeri can stop Pascentius, someone cleverly sets the intrepid duo up as fugitives, forcing the couple to prove their innocence.

Book two in the Macsen's Treasure series, IN THE SHADOW OF DRAGONS continues the romantic saga of pre-Arthur Britain. The story line is fast-paced and filled with non-stop action that enables readers to glimpse a troubled nation. As with the first novel, INTO THE PATH OF GODS, this tale belongs to the lead characters, Marcus and Claeri. Their bravery and devotion to their country and to one another provide a strong anchor for a powerful tale. Kathleen Cunningham Guler is quite a bard with refreshing look at the Arthurian legend.

Harriet Klausner