The Circle of Ceridwen

The Circle of Ceridwen Saga, Book 1

By: Octavia Randolph

Narrated by: Nano Nagle

With Nano Nagle, 2018 Audie Award Nominee, Best Female Narrator - Silver Hammer, Golden Cross (Book 6)!

It is the year 871, when England was Angle-Land. Of seven Anglo-Saxon kingdoms, five have fallen to the invading Vikings. No trait is more valued than loyalty, and no possession more precious than one's steel. Across this war-torn landscape travels 15-year-old Ceridwen, now thrust into the lives of the conquerors.

Lost in the frozen woods, Ceridwen is discovered by the warriors accompanying young Aelfwyn, daughter of a Saxon lord, sold against her will in marriage as part of a peace treaty with a marauding Viking war chief. Their destination is the captured fortress of Four Stones, a ruin holding glittering treasure. There Aelfwyn must keep her vow and wed Yrling - and Ceridwen must do all she can to support her new friend in the rebuilding of the ravaged village and great hall.

But living with the enemy affords Ceridwen unusual freedoms - and unlooked - for conflicts. Amongst them she explores again her own heathen past, and learns to judge each man on his own merits. Yrling's nephews Sidroc and Toki, both formidable warriors yet as different as night and day, compete to win Ceridwen for their own.

Through both guile and goodness Ceridwen and Aelfwyn begin transforming the world of Four Stones. But the threat of full-scale war escalates, and a midnight party of furtive Danes delivers someone to Four Stones who destroys the girls' hopes of peace and contentment. Now Ceridwen must summon all her courage - a courage which will be sorely tested as she defies both Saxon and Dane and undertakes an extraordinary adventure to save a man she has never met.

Download the free accompanying PDF with maps, list of characters, glossary, and more: https://octavia.net/audiobook-accompanying-materials/

PLEASE NOTE: When you purchase this title, the accompanying PDF will be available in your Audible Library along with the audio.

©1995 Octavia Randolph (P)2016 Octavia Randolph

predictable

I just wasn't impressed. I hoped to be; I was looking for a series to suck me in. This wasn't it. The story isn't written in a way that keeps you on your toes; instead I always felt like I knew what was going to happen, which made the whole thing a bit of a slog. The realistic details of early anglo-saxon life were sadly missing for the most part, taking a backseat to the relationships between the characters, which were predictable and, well, boring. The narrator seemed to have a lot of difficulty with male voices, all rather terrible and unconvincing.

Eh

I really wanted to like it. But the plot dragged forever and the characters seemed so hopeless for so long. I couldn’t finish it.

A hopeful beginning for a promising epic.

I've enjoyed this story but I am left with that frustration that comes from a novel being on the edge of good and great. I am interested in how the saga continues. I found the historical details woven in well with the storyline. The narrator has a cadence that is difficult for me to get use to. I was never able to forget that I was being read a story, as it sounded at times during her narration that she had never seen the story before. Occasionally the narration was slightly annoying.

A good story.

I read the book first and loved it, then decided to read the rest of the series. I liked them as well. So I decided to listen to the book on audible. I was excited to listen to the pronunciations of the characters names and places. But the narrator was so bad I had to stop listening. The narrators voice was too monotone for me. It sounded like she was reading to children.

BRAVO

True story telling. Capturing, intriguing and interesting throughout. Very much invested in the characters, as each were introduced and developed and contributors. Again, BRAVO.

Love This whole Series

I have read and reread this series probably 5 times or more. The story and characters in these books are interesting and love all the history of the times. And the narration of Nano Nagle is outstanding. Cant wait for another one!

What I needed!

I needed to feel a book, to be part of a story that entertained, enthralled, enlightened and delighted me.
I needed history, but only for my mind, of another place and another time.
I needed exciting adventure tapered with truth, realism and the hope of positivity.
This book gave me all that and more.
Great writing, delivery and experience!

Riveting and Reflecting

Well researched with heart and amazing talent! I can't wait for the next book! Yes!!

Story held my interest

Good story I was able to enjoy while doing yard work and quilting. There were not so many characters that it became muddled and most of the main characters were well defined.

Free from tawdry drama

This is a great series that I can listen to in mix company as well as complete other tasks while enjoying story I am a weaver and historical details of daily life intrigue me. I am beginning the fourth time I’ve listened to this series. I like the characters and setting.