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  • Published: 3 July 1998
  • ISBN: 9780091835293
  • Imprint: Arrow Australia
  • Format: Paperback
  • Pages: 576
  • RRP: $14.99
Categories:

The Pool of Two Moons: Book two, the Witches of Eileanan

A dark fantasy series




The second book in the dark fantasy series Witches of Eileanan.

Dragonclaw was shortlisted for the Aurealis Awards for Best Fantasy - putting Kate Forsyth in the company of Sarah Douglass and Isobelle Carmody - and received rave reviews. Now the story of the Witches of Eileanan continues ...

At the terrible Day of Reckoning witchcraft was outlawed in Eileanan; witches were killed and their great towers of learning destroyed. Behind the persecution is the beautiful and mysterious Banrigh.

The Lodestar, the Inheritance of Adean wielded by the rulers of Eileanan, is lost. Jaspar, the Righ, sickens as he hears the Lodestar's song grow fainter and fainter. Not all the witches were killed on the Day of Reckoning, however. The wood witch Meghan leads the half-blackbird, half-man Bacaiche and the Scarred Warrior Iseult through the countryside to the safety of the Veiled Forest, where she hopes to meet up with Isabeau, her ward, whom she has entrusted to carry part of the precious Key of the Coven.

Once in the forest they are visited by the magical Celestines, and Bacaiche reveals his true identity. There are also other, less welcome visitors: the Banrigh's Red Guards may be easily repelled at the forest's fringes, but not so the deadly mesmerdean.

In the royal castle at Rhysmadill, Isabeau recovers from the rigours of her journey and falls into her role as serving-girl. There she observes the Righ's decline, and feels the sinister presence of the Banrigh's maid, Sani. Does Sani know that Isabeau has escaped from the clutches of the Awl? Most importantly, how is Isabeau to contact Meghan and join her piece of the Key with the others?

As Eileanan's ancient enemies, the sea-dwelling Fairge, take control of parts of the coast, trade grinds to a halt. In the countryside life is hard, supplies not always what they were, and the once-loved faery creatures cruelly hunted down. In the far reaches of swamp-bound Arran, Margrit makes her own plans. As does her son, Iain, whom she has kept a virtual prisoner in the Tower of Mists. Why does Margrit chose to make an alliance with the dour Berthildes of neighbouring Tirsoilleir?

Meanwhile Jorge the Blind Seer leads his group of tattered children to the rebels' camp deep in the mountains. The rebels plan to take the ancient city of Lucesere on Samhain Eve. If they do, and the Key can be joined, great magic can be invoked in their cause. At Lucesere is the remains of the witches' Tower of Two Moons and its magical pool. What secrets lie in the pool's depths? Can the Lodestar be freed and Eileanan live in peace once again?

  • Published: 3 July 1998
  • ISBN: 9780091835293
  • Imprint: Arrow Australia
  • Format: Paperback
  • Pages: 576
  • RRP: $14.99
Categories:

About the author

Kate Forsyth

Dr Kate Forsyth is an award-winning author, poet, and storyteller. Her most recent novel is
The Crimson Thread, a reimagining of ‘The Minotaur in the Labyrinth’ myth set in Crete during the Nazi invasion and occupation of World War II.

Other historical novels include Beauty in Thorns, a reimagining of ‘Sleeping Beauty’ told in the voices of four women of the Pre-Raphaelite circle of artists and poets; The Wild Girl, the story of the forbidden romance behind the Grimm brothers’ fairy tales which was named Most Memorable Love Story of 2013; and Bitter Greens, a retelling of ‘Rapunzel’ which won the 2015 American Library Association award for Best Historical Fiction.

Kate has a Doctorate of Creative Arts in fairy tale studies, and is also an accredited master storyteller with the Australian Guild of Storytellers. She has taught writing retreats in Australia, Fiji, Greece, and the United Kingdom.

Also by Kate Forsyth

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Praise for The Pool of Two Moons: Book two, the Witches of Eileanan

an excellent read for anybody who enjoys fantasy

HOBART MERCURY

a remarkable fantasy debut ... it sings with quality.

WEST AUSTRALIAN

Kate Forsyth has woven a stirring epic fantasy ... a writer with a sound streak of both imagination and talent.

Db MAGAZINE

superb! ... It has been quite a long time since I have read about such a rich, vividly described world peopled with such complex characters. The plot is complex and twists and turns in unexpected ways, making me most eager to read the next book in this series. I highly recommend this read to anyone who enjoys a good fantasy.

AUSTRALIAN SF NEWS

a complex, Tolkien-like story of witches, enchantment and deep dark mysteries.

NEW WEEKLY

a whopper novel ... this one'll set you off into your own personal fantasy world and should occupy more than a few dreary Saturday afternoons ... Great one for fantasy freaks.

THE MAG