Predestined (Mass Market Paperback)

~ (Author)

Editorial Reviews

Review

...fans of mildly sensual Celtic fantasy will be absolutely thrilled with this thoroughly enjoyable book! -- The Romance Studio, June 2005

A definite recommend for lovers of fantasy, Celtic history, paranormal, and gallant adventure. -- A Romance Review, June 2005

A spellbinding love story that captures the attention from the very beginning... -- Romance Reviews Today, June 2005

Hope wars with fear. Honor wars with love. This is a good book. -- Affaire de Coeur, June 2005

Readers who enjoy fantasy will want to put this on top of their to-be-read pile. -- Romantic Times BOOKclub Magazine, June 2005

Product Description

In an ancient realm of magic, love has a destiny of its own...

Abandoned at birth on the shores of a sacred loch, Bryna never knew her family or true heritage. She exists as a slave in the fortress of a Roman invader, her only friend an ancient, blind Druidess, Derine. Her life is bleak and without hope. And then Derina tells her she must rescue the prisoner in the dungeon.

Tynan lies naked, chained to a cold, stone slab, both body and mind tortured by the Sorcerer, evil ally of the Roman lord. The Sorcerer's purpose? To discover if this one, at last, might be the Dark Chieftain, the fulfiller of prophecy.

Even deeper in the dungeon, trapped by magical enchantment, are the faeries. They await their liberator, the one who has been prophesied.

And the Dark Chieftain awaits a destiny of his own . . . mating with the territorial goddess . . . a union that will set the land, and many lives, aright. First, however, he must gain his freedom and find her. And Bryna is on her way to the dungeon . . .

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Product Details

• Mass Market Paperback: 408 pages
• Publisher: Medallion Press (June 1, 2005)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 193281552X
• ISBN-13: 978-1932815528
• Product Dimensions: 6.8 x 4.2 x 1.1 inches
• Shipping Weight: 7 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 3.7 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (11 customer reviews)
• Amazon.com Sales Rank: #676,667 in Books (See Bestsellers in Books)

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

19 of 20 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars A Top Drawer Read!, June 4, 2005

By	Kristi Ahlers (Illinois) - See all my reviews (TOP 500 REVIEWER)    (REAL NAME)

"Predestined" is one of the best paranormal romances that I've read in a very long while. Bryna and Tynan were wonderful characters that truly reached out and pulled the reader into their story. This was a romantic but at the same time sensual read that held my interest until the final page. Without a doubt this is a "top drawer" read.

Bryna was orphaned and left along the shores of an ancient loch but was found by a healer named Derina. Derina never tells Bryna of her true ancestry and Bryna grows up feeling alone and lost. She is the slave of a Roman Centurion and is called "witcheyes." When Derina comes to her and tells her that she must fulfill her destiny and save the prisoner that is kept in the dungeon Bryna does as she says but does not understand how the Dark prisoner has any connection to her, let alone how he could be her destiny.

Tynan is known as the "Dark Chieftain" and he has a prophecy that he must meet. He is chained naked in a dungeon and suffering when a cloaked figure comes and despite the danger helps him to escape. It is not long before Tynan realizes that his rescuer is indeed the mate that he has been looking for. Bryna is Fey and she is the territorial goddess that is meant for him. Problem though is that Bryna has no idea who or what she is. Despite this she trust Tynan and is drawn to his dark beauty and the safety and home that he represents. Separate they are weak, but together they are strong. Will they be able to defeat the evil sorcerer and find peace in which to love? Or will Evil win?

Ms. Gray is an exceptional author and one that paints a vivid picture with her words. The reader won't be able to help but be drawn into her magical world, nor will they be able to help falling a little in love with Tynan themselves. This is a strong debut read and one that I have no trouble recommending. I look forward to reading more from this author in the future.

4 of 4 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars In a land of fantasy and magic, ancient promises must be fulfilled..., April 19, 2006

By	Kelley Hartsell "Kelley" (Irving, TX) - See all my reviews

Courtesy of CK2S Kwips and Kritiques

In a land of fantasy and magic, ancient promises must be fulfilled...

Tynan has been captured by an evil sorcerer in service to the Romans. Prophecy tells of the legendary Dark Chieftain who will claim the territorial goddess as his mate, free the faeries from imprisonment, and return magick and peace to the lands. When Tynan arrives, they suspect he is the one to fulfill the prophecy and desire to stop him at any cost.

Bryna is an orphan, abandoned at birth and slave to the Romans. She has no knowledge of her family and therefore knows nothing of her true identity. All she has learned was at the side of her beloved Druidess teacher. Fate has great plans for Bryna, beginning with the rescue of Tynan.

Now Tynan and Bryna discover a bond between them that was totally unexpected yet unable to be resisted. She does not believe Tynan when he tells her she is his mate for she in convinced her dreams tell her otherwise. They are meant for a destiny greater than she ever expected, but first she must accept her true nature and learn to harness its powers. Can Bryna and Tynan overcome the treachery set on separating them forever? What of her hidden spirit? Can she accept her Predestined fate in time to save Tynan's people?

Predestined by R Garland Gray is a fresh vision of the land of the Fae and its connection to the world of humans. Her concept of forsworn vows passed on through the generations by blood is fascinating to explore along with Tynan and Bryna. Magick plays a key role, as is typical of fantasy romance, but its effects on the land and its people is revealed in a unique way.

The action lulls in some places, and the conflicts can be somewhat anticlimactic, but this story is more character driven, which makes the slower pace work well. There are still enough surprises to the tale which will make readers eager to find out what will happen next.

Ms. Gray paints a vivid picture with her landscape of twilight beauty. Readers can see the stone fortress and brilliant moonlight and will feel the rain and wind in their hair. This world is one of magick and enchantment, which is reflected in the land and trees. One will long to travel along the feypaths and experience the life and festivals of Bryna, Tynan and company. Come along and enjoy their world, it is guaranteed to be a thrilling adventure.

(c) Kelley A. Hartsell, February 2006. All rights reserved.

2 of 2 people found the following review helpful:

1.0 out of 5 stars Needs focus and fleshing out, May 21, 2007

By	T&B, etc "Tea and Books, etc" (USA) - See all my reviews

When I see authors I'm not familiar with, but whose books I'd like to read before buying, I check the reader and critic reviews and try to borrow the books from the local library. Predestined and Fey Born weren't stocked at my library, so I waited several months before taking the plunge and ordering both books, primarily based on the blurbs and the mostly positive reviews here.

The result: I have to agree with the sole dissenter among the reader reviewers. I will not be buying (and likely not reading) more of this author's work.

Predestined's story line is meandering and leaves some loose ends; the characters are at times incredibly superficially drawn, waffling, and seemingly stupid; and the denouement, after a drawn-out pace, is over in a blink... but the story continues for a few more chapters to no purpose.

Fey Born is actually better written, although the plot and characterization remain weak.

My recommendations are (in no particular order): Patricia Briggs, Rachel Caine, Robin D Owens, Barb & JC Hendee, JR Ward, Lynn Viehl/SL Viehl, Michelle Sagara West, CE Murphy, Marjorie Liu, Kat Richardson, Nalini Singh, Alexis Morgan, Karen Chance, Kerrlyn Sparks, Kim Harrison, Angela Knight, Kelly Armstrong, Laura Anne Gilman, Herbie Brennan, Holly Black, Catherine Spangler, Jim Butcher, EE Knight, and many others.