The great king, Meldryn Mawr, is dead, and his kingdom lies in ruins. Treachery and brutality rule the land, and Albion is the scene of an epic ... read full description
reviews
Jan 09, 2012
Eyebright
rated it: 
The Silver Hand continues the story of Lewis Gillies, now called Llew a name he earned by noble deeds, and his task righting two worlds that are tied together. Prince Meldron, goaded on by Simon's treacherous words, is seizing all of Albion for himself, and bringing destruction and cruelty wherever he goes. His only quest now, however, is to slay Llew and assert his false claim to the kingship.
It is through the vision of Tegid the bard that we see these events happening. He has his ow More...
It is through the vision of Tegid the bard that we see these events happening. He has his ow More...
Apr 17, 2010
Annie
rated it: 
The Silver Hand is a continuation of a good story. It's told again in first person but from a different character's point of view which I found interesting. It is much darker and more violent than The Paradise War. Stephen R. Lawhead has created appaling characters and he doesn't hold them back. They are allowed to be cruel and vile and it makes for a dark book.
And yet, there is goodness and respite and peace as well. Stephen R. Lawhead seems to be exploring farther ideas of sov More...
And yet, there is goodness and respite and peace as well. Stephen R. Lawhead seems to be exploring farther ideas of sov More...
May 15, 2011
X_x
rated it: 
This review has been hidden because it contains spoilers.
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Feb 16, 2011
I finished this book the day my youngest sister was born. I had attempted the series and struggled with the open section. The first few (actually more than a few) chapters are downright boring. The author drags us through a long narration setting the scene for the two main characters in the books.
My Dad had noticed the books and took this one to the hospital while we waited for the birth. My Dad share a long history of reading the same book together. Every time he put it down I would p More...
My Dad had noticed the books and took this one to the hospital while we waited for the birth. My Dad share a long history of reading the same book together. Every time he put it down I would p More...
Aug 20, 2011
Branwen
rated it: 
Lewis has come back to Albion and finds himself caught in the middle of an epic struggle that will shake the foundations of not only Albion, but our world as well. Meldron has named himself King, going against all the laws of sovreignty in the land. Only Lewis (now called Llew) and his friend Tegid the bard can overcome the tyranny and save the land.
What can I say about this book? It is the second book in probably one of the best fantasy series I have ever read. The writing is so des More...
What can I say about this book? It is the second book in probably one of the best fantasy series I have ever read. The writing is so des More...
Feb 07, 2010
Nicholas
rated it:
I didn't know until after I read these books about the actual mythos involving the silver hand in Celtic lore. That makes it much cooler. I did really like the idea of the hero fighting back from being the bottom of the barrel to becoming high and mighty. I was a little disappointed by the fact that he was the big,bad leader and yet he was kind of a wiener. I mean, think about it, he never really did anything. He just kinda showed up and was like, alright, I'm king. He didn't fight any great bat
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Nov 08, 2010
Katherine
rated it:
I liked this second book in the trilogy, I just wish I didn't have to try so hard to get past a few of the the author's annoying writing quirks. I understand why Lawhead felt the need to switch narrators for this portion of the tale, you can't have the protagonist touting his own kingship without him coming across as egocentric, unfortunately it's an awkward choice since the narrator is blind and we have to constantly read about his view shifting to inner sight to have the action related to us.
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Sep 19, 2010
Jordan
rated it:
I finally finished this, and am SOOOO glad I did. <3 It was really, REALLY good. Very vivid landscapes, and amazing characters. I was mad at first because the main character from the first book, Lewis, ISN'T the main charrie here. Tegid is, and he's *mild spoilers* blind through most of the story. But it actually adds a different view on Lewis's personality, adding to his personality, and it's interesting going from the view of a blind man. And there are twists to his blindness.
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Aug 04, 2011
Jeremy
rated it:
The Silver Hand is a necessary companion to The Paradise War, but I think it does not do what it sets out to quite as smoothly. For one, the switch to a "native" viewpoint character undercuts a lot of the tension built in the first one about whether or not Lewis should stay or go, and while that's less the focus of the story, it detracts from Lewis's character - his reluctance to take the lead becomes petulant rather than justified, and he becomes a cipher rather than a three-dimensio
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Nov 15, 2009
Graham
rated it:
My review from http://grahamchops.blogspot.com/2009/10/...
(Whole trilogy reviewed)
This one is over a year in the making. I first read The Paradise War last summer on audio when my mom got me the book for my birthday. I'd read Lawhead's Hood and Scarlet and totally loved them, so I wanted to get into his backlist. The cool thing about this trilogy is that, unlike his other books (which are all period pieces about King Arthur, Robin Hood, Saint Patrick, etc), this trilogy is More...
(Whole trilogy reviewed)
This one is over a year in the making. I first read The Paradise War last summer on audio when my mom got me the book for my birthday. I'd read Lawhead's Hood and Scarlet and totally loved them, so I wanted to get into his backlist. The cool thing about this trilogy is that, unlike his other books (which are all period pieces about King Arthur, Robin Hood, Saint Patrick, etc), this trilogy is More...
Apr 28, 2009
Stacy
rated it:
I have read almost everything Lawhead has written and this is one of my top 5 favorite books, period. If you are familiar with his writing style, his triolgies and sequels almost always change narrators with each book so you come to expect it. And I feel with each of his trilogies...the first book is good, the second is excellent, and the third book is awful. Being a big Celtic fan myself I love the history that is brought into this series, but the story of the underdog hero is always a winne
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Mar 26, 2009
Mary
rated it:
Never thought I'd say this, but this book was depressing as all fuck, to the point where I began avoiding it halfway through.
Which is funny, because my edition had an author interview in the back, where Lawhead said "I don't think this story was particularly depressing." Oooookaaaay. . .
I liked how he switched main characters from the first book to the second, which doesn't happen often in a series. As in the first one, his characters are by far the strongest
Which is funny, because my edition had an author interview in the back, where Lawhead said "I don't think this story was particularly depressing." Oooookaaaay. . .
I liked how he switched main characters from the first book to the second, which doesn't happen often in a series. As in the first one, his characters are by far the strongest
Jan 05, 2011
Jane
rated it:
I found myself skimming which is seldom a good sign. There's something in the narrative style of this series that tells rather than shows character development. It takes the spark right out of the action scenes. I'm a fan of Lawhead's Hood and Arthur series, but I may just read the last chapter in the third book of this series to find out what happens and let it go...
May 05, 2010
John
rated it:
Great book! It started out much quicker than the first one did, and it contained much of the creativity that I enjoyed in the 2nd half of the first one.
Minor Complaints:
The book changes perspectives, and its kind of confusing. In the interview at the end the author says he changes perspectives so that we can see Llew as having king like characteristics without him seeming as an egomaniac who likes to enumerate his king-like characteristics. I didn't really find Llew to be much o More...
Minor Complaints:
The book changes perspectives, and its kind of confusing. In the interview at the end the author says he changes perspectives so that we can see Llew as having king like characteristics without him seeming as an egomaniac who likes to enumerate his king-like characteristics. I didn't really find Llew to be much o More...
Apr 05, 2010
Mark
rated it:
The book has a strong unique plot. Unfortunately the suspense factor was disappointingly low and I rarely felt a strong pull to continue reading like I have with other books. The author spent a good deal on poetry and flowery language which I don't care for. Others might enjoy such writing styles but I tend to easily bore from it. It was mildly amusing.
Nov 11, 2011
"Stuart Langton reads with a poetic voice well suited to a storytelling bard."-AudioFile
Listen to The Silver Hand on your smartphone.
Listen to The Silver Hand on your smartphone.
Nov 12, 2011
Sheryl
rated it:
This is the second book in the trilogy. It is a book you just have to keep on reading to see what is going to happen next. If you don't like Lord of the Rings type books you would not like this. I quite enjoyed it.
Mar 01, 2011
karen
rated it:
Not quite finished with it yet, but the characters from the first book made me like this one right away. Author is interested in exploring the concept of sovreignty rather than trailblazing into new SciFi-land, which is nice. Still very Celtic.
Jun 06, 2011
Brian
rated it:
Best book in the series. I think this book affected me emotionally more than any other fiction in a very long time! Takes a while to get in to the series but it's totally worth it!
May 16, 2011
Anne
rated it:
All of Stephen Lawheads books I have read so far are terrific. This is the second the the "Song of Albion" series, which takes place in early Scotland, when it was still divided into several kingdoms. A young studend it transposted through a cairn in present day Scotland, where he becomes a warrior for the good king, Meldryn and fights his friend from the modern day, who came too and has decided to join with the evil son who kills his father. Some of the parts are violent, but the stor
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Sep 14, 2009
Dax
rated it:
Extremely well written. Safe for younger readers. Published by Thomas Nelson, but not necessarily Christian. Has God under tones. Well written action scenes. Great story.
Aug 05, 2009
Annette
rated it:
I continue to enjoy the "Song of Albion" series. This second book, narrated by the Tegrid rather than Lewis / LLew, puts our heroes through the wringer when the bard's attempt to name Llew king of Prydain in place of the murdered king's son draws serious reprisals. Although their faith is challenged, they eventually discover that the "Gifting God" has something even better in store for them than what was lost.
The writing is good: I think Lawhead is best when speakin More...
The writing is good: I think Lawhead is best when speakin More...
Jul 22, 2011
Suzanne
rated it:
Hard to put down! Here's some quotes:
p. 263 "In the steep path of our common calling,
Be it easy or uneasy to our flesh,
Be it bright or dark for us to follow,
Be it stony or smooth beneath our feet,
Bestow, O Goodly-Wise, your perfect guidance;
Lest we fall, or into error stray."
p. 334-5 "All praise to the Swift Sure Hand
for his deliverance at need;
All praise to the Word-Giver,
for Truth's Three Pillars;
All praise to th More...
p. 263 "In the steep path of our common calling,
Be it easy or uneasy to our flesh,
Be it bright or dark for us to follow,
Be it stony or smooth beneath our feet,
Bestow, O Goodly-Wise, your perfect guidance;
Lest we fall, or into error stray."
p. 334-5 "All praise to the Swift Sure Hand
for his deliverance at need;
All praise to the Word-Giver,
for Truth's Three Pillars;
All praise to th More...
Jun 29, 2010
Mike
rated it:
Book 2 of the Song of Albion. The main character goes back to Albion to try to prevent another person from destroying it.
Jan 29, 2012
This volume started off much better than the previous book and cased so much out rage that I had to keep reading.
Dec 11, 2010
Janet
rated it:
This is turning into quite an exciting series! This one had a lot of darkness and dispair, but the ending was climatic and victorious. Looking forward to the final in the series.
Mar 27, 2011
Eric
rated it:
I just got the third one and I am sure it will be worth the time. Very good imagery and character building.
Apr 13, 2009
Brucie
rated it:
Second in a trilogy...I'm really enjoying this set. I like the "doors between worlds" aspect, and the fusion of modern corruption and its influence on Celtic mythology.
Jun 19, 2010
The Silver Hand: Book Two in The Song of Albion Trilogy by Stephen R. Lawhead (2006)
Jan 17, 2009
A. T.
rated it:
The second book in Lawhead's best series. Must reading for fantasy fans.
