Night Birds' Reign: Book One in the Dreamer's Cycle Series

By Holly Taylor

Book Overview

The High King is dead. The land is in peril. A child has been born to save his people. But a traitor lurks with evil in his mind and murder in his heart, dogging the footsteps of those who protect the... This description may be from another edition of this product.

• Format: Paperback
• Language: English
• ISBN: 1932815538
• ISBN13: 9781932815535
• Release Date: October 2005
• Publisher: Medallion Press
• Length: 506 Pages
• Weight: 1.22 lbs.
• Dimensions: 8.0" x 1.5" x 5.0"

Customer Reviews

Expansive, an absolute escape!

Taylor has written an amazing story. The characters are relatable and heroic, yet carry their own flaws and follow their own desires. She has created not only unique, interesting, and fully complex characters, but a wholly new world for them to exist in. A world with its own laws of nature, society, and morality. She draws the reader into this world and doesn't let go, building suspense with every page. Care must be taken to come back to reality gradually, though reluctantly.

NIGHT BIRD'S REIGN Is A Complex, Exciting "Historical" Fantasy Read!

This is primarily the story of Gwydion the Dreamer of Kymru. Different talents had specific titles and duties. There was once a High King but because of betrayal and treachery there hasn't been one for centuries. Arthur is born to Gwydion's brother, King Uthyr of Gwynedd and his Queen, Ygraine. He must first find a way to keep Arthur safe until he reaches manhood for then he will become the next High King of Kymru. Kymru is divided up into five subkingdoms: Gwynedd, Ederynion, Gwytheryn, Prydyn and Rheged each with their own kings and queens. Once Gwydion has made sure Arthur is being raised in safety he must locate Caladfwlch, the lost sword of the last, murdered High King of Kymru. Arthur cannot reign Kymru without it. However, in his quest to locate this exalted weapon he must have help from captains of these various kingdoms' war bands. Of utmost importance he must find and enlist the help of Rhiannon, a clairvoyant, also known as one of the Dewin who has been missing for several years. The book moved along at a rapid pace with intrigue and personalities that clash and mesh throughout the plot. The cast of characters is as immense as are their titles. There are multiple lists including a cast of Characters in their detailing their specific location and area of expertise as well as all of the ruling classes, Historical Figures, The Shining Ones and last but certainly not least the well-needed Glossary giving definitions of the Kymru words for the sixth day of the week to what November is called. It's a richly complex and detailed first novel which only serves to enrich the story. I'm eagerly awaiting the second in this trilogy titled: CRIMSON FIRE, release date: June 2007 and the third is titled: CRY OF SORROW, release date: June 2008.

Get ready for emotional dynamics!

reviewed by Sherryl King-Wilds for fantasynovelreview.com Welcome to Kymru, a land ruled by kings, queens, and the Y Dawnus (the gifted/magical folk: Druids, Bards, Dewin, and the powerful Dreamer). A mysterious enemy threatens Kymru. The land is in need of a High King, a being who can enhance the powers of the Y Dawnus and protect the land. The gods mark one child at birth as the next High King. As the Dreamer of Kymru, Gwydion ap Awst must ensure that this child remains safe from those who threaten Kymru regardless of whose heart is broken by his actions. Gwydion must also find the sword Caladfwlch, so the next High King might wield it. Rhiannon--a woman as bitter toward men as Gwydion is toward women--acts as a receptacle of the information necessary to obtain the sword, but she is in hiding and must be found. In addition, finding the sword might bring about the death of one beloved by Gwydion. This is an epic novel--fat in heft, rich on detail. The characters of Night Birds' Reign really grab the reader, and they do not--let me repeat do not--let go. A well-planned societal structure serves as the backbone of Night Birds' Reign. This strict societal structure will, as the narrative plays out, elicit a wide range of responses from readers, fulfilling the author's job of making the reader really feel all the pain and love weaving through the fabric of Night Birds' Reign. Also, it was nice for a change to see that female characters could inherit, hold positions of rank, and even think for themselves. Kudos to Ms. Taylor.

Night Birds' Reign

If you love J.R.R. Tolkien and C.S. Lewis and have ever wished, as I often did, that they were still coming out with new books, you will be grateful for Night Birds' Reign. Holly Taylor has created an entire new world for us as Tolkien did with Middle Earth, and Lewis did with Narnia. Ms. Taylor has painstakingly created a new land and culture from top to bottom, including language, social structure and mores. Her technique is superb, the culture, beliefs, and inner workings of the land are explained and reinforced by the rituals and storytelling interspersed within the novel. We begin to understand the culture the same way a child would, by being immersed within it. I lost myself in Kymru and refused to put the book down until I found out if the quest for Caladfwlch was successful. (Thank goodness it was the weekend!) I finished the last page with tears streaming down my face and was frustrated that I could not reach for the next book in the series and go back to the land that I've learned to love. I find myself wondering what happens next with Gwydion and Rhiannon and what adventures they will face on their next quest. I am eagerly awaiting book 2 of this series (HINT, HINT, Ms. Taylor) and you will as well if you read Night Birds' Reign.

strong fantasy with investigative and coming of age underpinnings

Two times before in Lleu a High King surfaced during a crisis in which the country appears on the brink of ruin and will be eventually betrayed. In 265 Chadfwich is the third time and history repast as his wife and her lover betray him, ultimately killing him. Over two centuries later, no High King has surfaced, but the Shining Ones task Gwydion the Dreamer of Kymru that the time has come to find the fourth Great One. Though believing he not ready for his quest, with the help of his aunt and his brother he sets forth to first find the lost sword possessed by the Lady of the Lake and only to be used by the High King who he thinks is the unborn son of his half-brother King Uthyr. However, he will soon learn the danger is not to his body as others try to stop him, it is to his heart and soul as he will soon learn the price of being this generation's Dreamer. NIGHT BIRDS REIGN is a strong fantasy with investigative and coming of age underpinnings though the hero is not a sleuth (amateur or professional) and is an adult. Instead Gwydion follows the clues mostly found in his dreams while slowly gaining confidence as he still grows into his power. The story line is action-packed and filled with adventure as there are some who prefer that no new High King surface as he would destroy the status quo power structure. Holly Taylor provides a stirring quest that fans will want to trek alongside of Gwydion. Harriet Klausner