Nectar from a Stone

by Jane Guill

Book Overview

It is 1351 in Wales, a country subjugated by England, beaten down by superstition, war, and illness. Elise, prone to strange visions and the sole survivor of a plague-ravaged family, has fled her village for distant Conwy with her servant Annora, running from a murder she was forced to commit in self-defense.
On the road, they cross paths with Gwydion, a moody Welshman seeking to avenge his murdered family and reclaim his estate, and are...

• Format: Paperback
• Language: English
• ISBN: 0743264797
• ISBN13: 9780743264792
• Release Date: March 2005
• Publisher: Touchstone Books
• Length: 464 Pages
• Weight: 0.90 lbs.
• Dimensions: 1.0" x 5.6" x 8.1"

Customer Reviews

Riveting and enthralling!

Nectar from a Stone got my attention because of its setting of Medieval Wales. I couldn't put this novel down! The adventure, suspense and romance captivated me from beginning to end. And the descriptions of the time period made this an even bigger treat. The year is 1351. Elise is a young woman with a very unique gift -- she is a clairvoyant, someone who foresees certain events before they happen. When she is forced to kill her husband Maelgwyn, Elise, along with her woman servant, flee the crime and move into a place where they can work and live in anonymity. During this time, Elise has several encounters with the honorable nobleman Gwydion, and an attraction ensues between them. In a twist of fate, Elise and Gwydion have an enemy in common: the disarming Sir Nicholas. There are various twists throughout the novel. I loved this novel set in fourteenth century Wales. As mentioned earlier, the time setting is described vividly throughout the novel and I felt as though I was there with the characters. The author has an eye for historical detail and it shows when she illustrates the underbelly of wars and plagues. I also enjoyed the paranormal aspects with Elise's visions. This part of the novel reminded me a great deal of author Libba Bray's wonderful gothic series. The story is one of the best I've read in quite a while. I loved Elise, Annora (the servant) and Gwydion are three compelling, intricate characters who are flawed in many ways, yet you find yourself caring for them and wishing them the best. My favorite character is Gwydion. He is the epitome of a great male protagonist and I fell in love with him. The secondary characters are also wonderful. Jane Guill is a gifted storyteller and I look forward to giving her future books a whirl. In the meantime, I am hoping for a sequel. I want to read more of Elise and Gwydion!

Enthralling and Enlightening

I found this novel enthralling and enlightening. Set in 1351 in Wales, its characters spring to life and exhibit depth and complexity while at the same time, stay true to their basic nature. Guill's truly repugnant villains remind the reader that life in the thirteen-hundreds was rough and death, from abuses, the "Pestilence" (bubonic plague) even highway robbery, was a constant threat. Guill's mal-dispositioned characters leave little room for sympathy, yet one can understand how they became who they were. Elise and Annora restore a belief in ultimate goodness and loyalty-and victory over evil. Guill's secondary characters skillfully support and enhance the personalities of her main characters. A map, a page titled "On Welch Pronunciation," and a glossary promote readability since the area and language may be unfamiliar. Guill's descriptions of sights, sounds, scents, textures and colors, serve to enlist the reader's active participation. Nectar from a Stone inspires awareness of, and interest in, Wales. The book brings to life its history, people, struggles, and successes and opens a new world for the reader to explore. Jane Guill is exceptionally skilled at characterization, description, and melding story and history. I look forward to her future books.

wonderful details, exciting story

Entertaining and authentic feeling. Not too awash in bloats of misery like some historical books, but it still felt thoroughly researched. Good characters. Some good fun humor to make a nice mix. I read to be transported to other worlds, and I was so much with this. I will take another chance on this author.

Couldn't put it down!!

I just reluctantly finished Nectar form a Stone by Jane Guill. I say reluctantly because I hated to say goodbye to the characters. Ms. Guill has given life to these people. They are so believable that they all stay true to their character by their words and by their actions. I knew right from the beginning that I didn't want to rush through this book. I wanted to savor every word. There were times that I didn't want to put the book down but I tried not to rush through. The descriptions of the scenery were so realistic that you felt you were actually there. Ms. Guill is a master of dialog. I can not recommend this book highly enough. My only regret is that I have finished this book. I will just have to wait for Jane Guill to create some more magic and hope that someone will have the good sense to make Nectar from a Stone into a full length movie. I'm already casting the characters...

Beguiling insight

Medieval Wales with all its smells (good and bad), by-ways and castles comes alive in NECTAR FOR A STONE. NECTAR starts with disturbing events and there are plenty more to come. I particularly enjoyed (if that's the right word) the light she shines on the villains--Maelgwyn and Sir Nicholas--and their terrible deeds. There's a particularly appealing male lead character, as well. There's humour here, too, as befits a period that relished its jokes and riddles. And Jane Guill gives you so much of the flavour of the period that it's hard not to believe she actually lived then. The descriptions of the location and the painstaking details in the book make it a fascinating read.