I want to live in Stonewylde.
If you haven't heard of Stonewylde before, it's a fictional, modern Pagan community in the Stonewylde book series by Kit Berry*. I just had the opportunity to read the first book in the series,
Magus of Stonewylde. The series will include five books total, with the first three having been released in the UK, and the first being released in the US. This book is fiction, not fantasy - the people of Stonewylde follow the Old Religion; there are no flashy spells or magical beasts.
Stonewylde is a community nestled in rural England, hidden from Outsiders. The inhabitants of Stonewylde live in harmony with nature and celebrate the Pagan sabbats with joy (though there are some customs and traditions that are unique to Stonewylde). Earth magic abounds. It should be a perfect refuge for Sylvie, a girl with failing health who catches the eye of Sol, the current leader of Stonewylde - the Magus. He recognizes Sylvie as a descendent of one of the Stonewylde families, and convinces her single mother to come live and work at Stonewylde.
At first Sylvie sees Stonewylde for what it should be: an idyllic Utopia full of healing energy, magic and acceptance. After befriending Yul, one of the village boys, she comes to realize that Stonewylde is a modern feudal system, in which the Villagers are kept in their places: uneducated, lacking modern conveniences, with little chance to move up in the world, or to even ever leave Stonewylde. Though the Magus is kind to Sylvie and her mother, she realizes that he has another, darker side and that it's often focused on Yul.
I don't want to give too much about the book away, because this really is a must read. For anyone who loves the Harry Potter, Lord of the Rings, or Narnia series, this is right up your alley. For anyone who follows a Pagan path, you will love this book and wish that you could find your own Stonewylde to live in. Magus of Stonewylde is so well written, so encompassing of so many great themes (romance! conflict! magic! coming of age!), that the only people I can see not liking this book are those who think that the Harry Potter series is going to turn all our children into witches, lol! Yeah, those people will really hate this book. (Doesn't that make you want to read it even more?) I was
completely enthralled with this book!
To find out more about the Stonewylde books, the author and how to purchase the books, check out the
Stonewylde website. You can sign up for newsletters that correspond to the sabbats, find book club discussion topics, and find links to the author's Twitter and blog sites.
Make this one a Yule present to yourself (if you can wait that long to read it - I suggest getting it today ;O) or get it for your teen. If they liked Edward and Belle, they are going to love Yul and Sylvie!
* I received a copy of this book from the author for review. I was not paid for a positive review, it was freely, honestly and happily given!