In the Shadow of Dragons

by Kathleen Cunningham Guler

Book Overview

It is said that long before the Dark Age king of the Britons called Arthur was ever heard of, his golden reign was prophesied, and after decades of invasion and civil violence had wracked post-Roman... This description may be from another edition of this product.

• Format: Hardcover
• Language: English
• ISBN: 096603712X
• ISBN13: 9780966037128
• Release Date: September 2001
• Publisher: Bardsong Press
• Length: 379 Pages
• Weight: 1.70 lbs.
• Dimensions: 1.2" x 6.5" x 9.2"

Customer Reviews

Extraordinary Adventure in Pre-Arthurian Times!

This is the continuation of the story of Marcus, Claerwen, and Myrddin Emrys (Merlin) with a few new characters introduced. Pascentius, the son of Vortigen, the high king hated for his Saxon alliances, desires the throne for himself. He engages Daracha, a practitioner of the "dark arts" to help him achieve his goal.This time Marcus and Claerwen are trying to prevent the asassination of the new high king, Uther. Along the way, things go wrong and they are falsely delcared fugitives by the people they seek to protect. They begin to trust no one but themselves but are alternatively captured, rescued and escape with great drama. Considering how many times they need to spy on their enemies, the ratio of them being captured is still very low. The ever prevalent risk of being discovered spying is what enhances the exciting action and makes this book a real page turner!This is an incredible novel, and just as riveting as the first in this four-book series. These books are not to be missed! Try it from the beginning with "Into the Path of Gods" and you'll be hooked! The third book in this series won't be released until sometime in late 2005, but I'm eagerly awaiting it, and am sad that I've come to the end of the series so far, it's like losing a friend...

Epic Adventure

This is an epic tale, taking place before the time of King Arthur, but at a time when his coming was prophesied. It's an enchanting tale of Celtic and Roman Britain, full of intrigue and suspense, adventure and romance, treachery and betrayal.The book revolves around Marcus ap Iorwerth and his wife Claerwen, who suffers from visions of the future, and Myrddin Emrys (Merlin of the tales). A good touch, I thought was that Myrddin was the illegitimate son of the high king and when he suspects that there will be an assassination attempt on the king's life, he calls in Marcus to help root out the conspirators. Marcus is a spy and master of disguise.Claerwen insists that she must go with her husband on his quest, due to visions she's been having, Marcus agrees reluctantly. He doesn't want to put his wife in danger. The original plot is discovered, but there are betrayals within betrayals. Claerwen and Marcus are falsely accused of treachery and must go on the run. They suffer sacrifice and profound personal loss on the quest to prove their innocence, but will their sacrifice have been worth it?The author hasn't just written a story here, she's weaved a tapestry of words that enchant you even as you read. The plot is infused with a wealth of historical detail, but so subtle that you hardly know it is there. The characters come alive, dancing off the page and into life.I've read quite a few Arthurian re-tellings, but this one is different, concentrating more on the time before Arthur united the Britons, where danger and treachery were ever present and maybe the prophesied future king was the only thing that kept people going.It's a great read, the second in a trilogy, but is a good stand alone novel as well. It's the sort of book you could read again and find something new every time.Highly recommended.Reviewed by Annette Gisby, author of Silent Screams

A compelling, entrancing, highly recommended high fantasy

The sequel to Into The Path Of Gods, Kathleen Guler's epic fantasy, In The Shadow Of Dragons, is the second volume in the "Macsen's Treasure" series and continues her superb blend of Dark Age Celtic myth and Arthurian legend in this devious tale of magic, politics, and intrigue. When the enigmantic druid Myrddin Emrys, known in fable as Merlin the Enchanter, becomes certain of yet another assassination plot against the rightful king, he summons a master of disguise to find and destroy the diabolical plots of hidden conspirators. Yet there are more layers to the woud-be coup than even a divine seer can foretell, and the fate of a monarch, his land, and its people lie in the knife-edge balance. A compelling, entrancing, and highly recommended high fantasy -- the kind of book so easy to pick up and so hard to put down!

Great hirtorical fiction

In 470 AD, Druid Priest Myrddin "Merlin" Emrys visits Marcus ap Iorwerth at the latter's home in Dinas Beri, Gwynnedd to obtain his best spy's special services because a major conspiracy to kill the High King has surfaced. However, Marcus' wife Claerwen, gifted with the sight of visions, insists she must accompany her beloved spouse on his quest to stop the assailants. Marcus acquiesces to Claeri and accompanies him on the dangerous mission in which payment is in goods for his clan. Marcus and Claeri soon discover that Pascentius, the son of dead King Votigern, is leading the plot to unseat the king. Pascentius is using Octa and his Saxon mercenaries and has control of Macsen's Spearhead, one of the items that make up the legendary High King's five piece Macsen's Treasure set, to validate his claim to the throne. However, before Marcus and Claeri can stop Pascentius, someone cleverly sets the intrepid duo up as fugitives, forcing the couple to prove their innocence. Book two in the Macsen's Treasure series, IN THE SHADOW OF DRAGONS continues the romantic saga of pre-Arthur Britain. The story line is fast-paced and filled with non-stop action that enables readers to glimpse a troubled nation. As with the first novel, INTO THE PATH OF GODS, this tale belongs to the lead characters, Marcus and Claeri. Their bravery and devotion to their country and to one another provide a strong anchor for a powerful tale. Kathleen Cunningham Guler is quite a bard with refreshing look at the Arthurian legend.Harriet Klausner