The Anvil Stone (Macsen's Treasure, Book 3) (Hardcover)

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Editorial Reviews

Review

A marvelous and breathtaking world awaits the reader in The Anvil Stone--violent and passionate and totally compelling. -- Jane Guill, author of Nectar from a Stone

A marvelous and breathtaking world awaits the reader in The Anvil Stone--violent and passionate and totally compelling. -- Jane Guill, author of Nectar from a Stone<br /><br />A marvelous and breathtaking world awaits the reader in The Anvil Stone--violent and passionate and totally compelling. --Jane Guill, author of Nectar from a Stone

Product Description

In fifth-century Britain, only a few souls believed Merlin the Enchanter’s prophecy, that the “once and future king” called Arthur would one day rescue them from fierce and deadly Saxons. In a world where “king” simply meant “warlord,” many wondered: would there even be a Britain left for Arthur to rule once he was born and old enough to wield a sword of his own?

One man refused to let that dream fade into nightmarish despairÂ…

“Freedom is all that matters.” So says spy and master of disguise Marcus ap Iorwerth of his greatest dream. For years, he has courageously struggled to unite Britain’s feuding internal factions and derail the ever-encroaching Saxon threat that has made his homeland a deadly place.

So when a mysterious stranger delivers a gruesome, bloodstained effigy fashioned to look like him, Marcus immediately knows it’s both a warning and a challenge. He and his wife Claerwen—whose gift of second sight makes her a target as well—run headlong into the daunting fray. Rival factions are instigating war both among themselves and with the Saxons, and while Marcus sets out to quash their treachery, Claerwen discovers another crisis. Those same factions have mounted a desperate search for one of Britain’s most cherished symbols—a magnificent sword of the ancient high kings that has been lost for decades. She knows the sword must be found; it is part of Britain’s future and will pass to a great king called Arthur who has been prophesied to come. With battle about to erupt all around, Marcus learns the stranger, an assassin bent on killing him, may be one of the last sources that could lead him and Claerwen to the sacred sword.

The Anvil Stone brings the volatile tribal nature of Dark Age Britain to life and deftly interweaves it with its mystical Celtic roots and the promise of hope found in the Arthurian legend. A stunning display of the storytellerÂ’s craft, this book is the third in the spectacular four-part MacsenÂ’s Treasure series that began with Into the Path of Gods and In the Shadow of Dragons.

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Product Details

• Hardcover: 416 pages
• Publisher: Bardsong Press (March 1, 2006)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0966037154
• ISBN-13: 978-0966037159
• Product Dimensions: 9.1 x 6 x 1.2 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1.5 pounds (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.8 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (5 customer reviews)
• Amazon.com Sales Rank: #655,095 in Books (See Bestsellers in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

4.0 out of 5 stars Suspenseful battles, romance and excitement, May 20, 2006

By	Allbooks Review (Canada) - See all my reviews

Genre: Historical Fiction

Title: The Anvil Stone

Author: Kathleen Cunningham Guler

Marcus ap Iorwerth and wife Claerwen are battling the Saxon invasion of Britain in the fifth century; an interesting couple that most readers will take to heart. Marcus is a spy with an alter ego The Iron Hawk, while Claerwen is blessed with the second sight, also known as "Fire in the head." The two are embroiled in the search for the sacred sword. Meanwhile the Princes of Rheged are battling amongst themselves while a much greater threat is approaching. Will the sibling rivalry cause the loss of their land to the Saxons or is the elder head of Rheged still in charge? Will King Uther pull himself away from the love of his life, another man's wife and join the defenses? These are just a few of the questions readers will ask as they journey through the countryside with Marcus and Claerwen. During a major battle the two are separated and a long and excruciating separation begins. Will Marcus and Claerwen ever be reunited or will the assassin, Handor kill them both?
Each chapter is filled with suspenseful battles, emotional heart wrenching decisions and the underlying romance of Marcus and Claerwen. Extensive research makes the story realistic and the scenes believable. Although the use of the Welsh names does distract from the plot in that the pronunciation is foreign to most readers, the story is well written and brings life in fifth century Arthurian times to life. A good read for historical fiction fans, especially those enthralled with King Arthur.

Author Kathleen Cunningham Guler is the author of the four-part Macsen's Treasure series, which won the Colorado Independent Publishers Award for fiction in 2002. This book is the third in the series. She is a descendant of the Celtic nations of Scotland and Wales, a member of the Historical Novel Society and the International Arthurian Society.

Highly Recommended by Reviewer: Shirley Roe, Allbooks Reviews.

Title: The Anvil Stone
Author: Kathleen Cunningham Guler
Publisher: Bards Song
ISBN: 0-9660371-5-4
Pages: 410Price: $[...] April 2006

5.0 out of 5 stars A Great Reading Experience, April 10, 2006

By	Richard R. Blake (Bridgman, Michigan) - See all my reviews (TOP 500 REVIEWER)

Kathleen Guler has given me a whole new appreciation of the historical novel. She has integrated the elements of romance, adventure, mystery and suspense in this fifth century narrative. Guler has captured the suspense and action of today's most popular contemporary adventure writers.

Political assassins and spies, monarchs and townspeople, make up the cast of characters in this spellbinding work. Swords and daggers replace hand guns and switchblades as the weapons of choice. This is a story of the battle to survive in an era of violence.

A thread of tender affection, romance, and passion is skillfully woven into the story.

Mysticism, magic, prophecies, visions, dreams, and nightmares, are intertwined into the well developed the plot. These add to the sense of danger faced by Marcus and Claerwen. I often found myself experiencing their pain and the loneliness of their separation. I became hopelessly captivated right up to the dramatic surprise ending.

Enchanting settings from Britain's history are brought to life though Guler's word pictures and descriptive phrases. The book has been thoroughly researched. Kathleen Guler is well qualified to author this compelling novel.

I highly recommend this book to both the scholar and casual reader of Arthurtian England. This highly acclaimed series is a great place for the modern reader to take a step back in time to unearth the pleasures of reading another genre of novels. A great reading experience.

5.0 out of 5 stars An extensively researched historical novel depicting the tale of spy and master of disguise Marcus Ap Iorwerth, April 8, 2006

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

Book Three of the "Macsen's Treasure" series, The Anvil Stone by Kathleen Cunningham Guler is an extensively researched historical novel depicting the tale of spy and master of disguise Marcus Ap Iorwerth, his wife Claerwen, their confrontations with rival factions and the Saxons. As the story progresses, Claerwen, with her sense of secondary vision manages to grasp an understanding of the legendary sword which will be lifted and possessed by a future king Arthur, but the sword must first be found. The Anvil Stone is an outstanding tale and very highly recommended, especially to all fans of medieval literature and lore focused on the Arthurian era and Dark Ages in fifth-century Britain for its highly accurate and enthralling depiction of an already intriguing tale. Also recommended are the two previous books of the Macsen's Treasure series, "Into The Path Of Gods" and "In The Shadow Of Dragons".