Magus Of Stonewylde

Apr 16, 2010 GaryandRuth rated it 4 of 5 stars

Shelves: fey, fiction, paganism

This is the first book in a series of three (although the author does say at the back of the book that there will be five!) centred on the magical village of Stonewylde, hidden within a private estate deep in the heart of Dorset in the West Country. Stonewylde is a pagan community that has survived almost untouched since the Norman Conquest and jealously guards its independence from the outside world. Sylvie and her mother are invited into this community and the story revolves around Sylvie, her...more This is the first book in a series of three (although the author does say at the back of the book that there will be five!) centred on the magical village of Stonewylde, hidden within a private estate deep in the heart of Dorset in the West Country. Stonewylde is a pagan community that has survived almost untouched since the Norman Conquest and jealously guards its independence from the outside world. Sylvie and her mother are invited into this community and the story revolves around Sylvie, her mother, and two other very strong characters: one of whom, a boy of Sylvie's years has many problems to contend with and the other, the leader of the community, is a very-complex, multi-faceted character.

The book seems squarely aimed at young adults and the plot seems to rush along with the strength and gay abandon of running youths. There is always something happening that keeps them all on their toes. Sylvie's slow awakening (no spoilers here) is enthralling and I'm sure that Kit Berry has invented a new word in this book that definitely should be in the English language.

To the adult reader, many of the plot elements may seem predictable (the obligatory bully, for example) but they are deeply involved with the plot and I'm anxiously waiting the next two books to see how the situations resolve.

Where this book really shines is in its depiction of the pagan society of Stonewylde. Rarely does the author resort to the raw displays of power that are found in works of fantasy, but instead, she draws the reader into a world where the energies of the Earth, Moon and Sun interweave in the lives of the participants at an almost subconscious level, only surfacing in a tremendous outpouring of joy at the time of the great Festivals. These are depicted as a mixture of surviving, and recently faded, folk-customs blended together with the beliefs and practices of modern pagans.

I really enjoyed this book - it was a lot of fun. For a book targeted at the young adult audience, I was half-afraid to find it a mixture of Buffy-esque monsters, displays of magic and angst-ridden romance. This, however, could not be further from the truth. The story is very much plot-driven, and in superlative fashion all of the above elements are present and correct, but understated rather than taking centre-stage leaving the reader to be carried along with the relentless rush of the story itself.

A very worthy read!(less)

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Jan 01, 2012 Wildbriar rated it 2 of 5 stars Recommends it for: Fans of pagan lifestyles and earth magic, I guess?

Shelves: a-tad-creepy, characters-to-be-keelhauled, disliked, fantasy, freaky-mindgames, in-and-out-of-the-real-world, magic-and-mayhem, nastiest-characters-ever, reviewed, shallow, somewhat-pretentious, sounds-interesting, the-umbridge-award-for-injustice, where-the-real-horror-lies, writing-that-makes-me-cringe

Magus of Stonewylde, you have the honour of being my first 2012 book. But I wish I'd started the year off on a better note. This is a book I disliked on two main levels:

1. It's not badly written as such. It's just disgustingly, sickeningly sweet, a lot of the nature/magic words repeated ad nauseam. What was quite an interesting story was drowned in a dripping syrupy goo of pagan rituals and nature-loving. It's a shame, because the prose actually does conjure up quite vivid pictures, it's just a...more

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Jun 02, 2011 Amanda rated it 3 of 5 stars

Shelves: series, fantasy, review-copy, self-published, ya

I honestly don’t know how to review Magus of Stonewylde. I know it is one of the self-publishing phenomena that has now garnered a traditional publishing deal. I know that many people rate the Stonewylde series incredibly highly (of which Magus of Stonewylde is the first). There were many favourable aspects of the book for me, but a lot of it simply didn’t work in my opinion.

I will say that Kit Berry writes with great skill and warmth. Despite my issues with Magus of Stonewylde, I still had an e...more I honestly don’t know how to review Magus of Stonewylde. I know it is one of the self-publishing phenomena that has now garnered a traditional publishing deal. I know that many people rate the Stonewylde series incredibly highly (of which Magus of Stonewylde is the first). There were many favourable aspects of the book for me, but a lot of it simply didn’t work in my opinion.

I will say that Kit Berry writes with great skill and warmth. Despite my issues with Magus of Stonewylde, I still had an enjoyable reading experience and looked forward to when I could pick up the novel. The simplicity and grace of the prose is a great strength.

Berry also clearly has respect for the English countryside. Where her descriptions of the flora and fauna dominated, I felt all my scepticism receding and thoroughly enjoyed the read.

I also want to remark on the characterisation. Sylvie is a sweet and passionate young girl; Yul is an incredibly well-drawn protagonist for whom I felt an enormous sympathy; and, in the form of Magus, we have a wonderfully sinister individual who professes to have the best interests of his people at heart (much like Mayor Prentiss from the Chaos Walking trilogy by Patrick Ness).

My issues stemmed with certain aspects of the plot. First of all, I think that the Stonewylde series would have succeeded thoroughly as a YA fantasy, rather than as some odd mish-mash of contemporary and mysticism. If the community of Stonewylde had been a place from a fantasy world, I would have had no issues whatsoever. I found it very difficult to reconcile the idea of this remote community with our modern day. There were glaring references to the Internet and computers in a place where a feudal system is still in place; I did not like this.

I also disliked the contrived manner in which Sylvie is brought to Stonewylde. Her mother, Miranda, is presented as a clever individual, and yet succumbs in a naive fashion to the blandishments of a man she has never met before. She gives up every aspect of her ordinary life and the access to doctors on the words of someone who tells her that her daughter might be okay by moving to the countryside. I’m afraid my scepticism abounded at this point.

Miranda, herself, is one of my issues. SO frustrating! I guess this could be equated to good writing on the part of Berry, if it is intended, but it damaged my reading experience. Miranda seems so strong and capable, but then becomes this lovelorn woman whenever Magus is around – despite his cold treatment of her, and his use of her as a broodmare to bear his children. I never appreciate doormats in my reading.

Speaking of the broodmare aspect – ye gods! This book was just FULL of inappropriate sexual references. The idea that these Villager women were being used by the Hallfolk to bear their children. Sure, it was presented in the form of pagan ceremonies, but it made me feel enormously uncomfortable. As did the fact that everyone seemed fixated on menstruation. Oh, and don’t get me started on the fact that Miranda was raped to bear Sylvie – this was referenced casually and never brought up again. I sincerely hope that this is explored in a later novel, otherwise Berry is just using it for sensationalism, which is appalling.

This last point might be very much a personal problem, but Berry also uses the word ‘moongazy’ a lot, which I find incredibly cutesy, and I ended up gritting my teeth every time it was referenced. This might just be me, however!

Altogether, I found myself reading avidly, but at times not being entirely sure why, hence my very mixed-up review. I definitely think that Kit Berry has talent as a storyteller, but the Stonewylde series requires just TOO much suspension of disbelief for my liking. D’you know the problem? I liked it *just* enough that I want to read the second book in the series, but I suspect I shall find the same irritating issues with plot in that one! Worth reading in terms of writing skill, and to judge whether this self-published author should have been picked up by Orion. (less)

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Oct 07, 2012 Blodeuedd Finland rated it 3 of 5 stars · review of another edition

Shelves: ya, paranormal, paranormal-romance

There is a hidden place within England, a place of magic where people follow the old ways. And that's where this story takes place.

Sylvie is poisoned by modern society and comes to Stonewylde. She is weak, but she slowly finds strength and her way. Still at one time I did fear her going tstl on me as she become friends with someone she had seen do something bad. But then again she is just that nice.

Yul, is a village boy who I felt sorry for. This is not a nice society. I quickly saw the faults...more

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Jul 29, 2011 Carole-Ann rated it 3 of 5 stars · review of another edition

Shelves: ya-goodies, fantasy

Previously printed as a self-publish book in 2005, this story fits in well with current YA genres.

Stonewylde is a gated manorial village in Dorset on the south coast of England. Sylvie and her mother move there to help cure Sylvie of her allergies to towns and 'normal' living, and she meets Yul, a villager, who always seems to be in trouble. However, Magus, the Lord of the Manor, forbids their association, and the story is about how Sylvie and Yul persevere in their friendship.

Stonewylde, its Vi...more Previously printed as a self-publish book in 2005, this story fits in well with current YA genres.

Stonewylde is a gated manorial village in Dorset on the south coast of England. Sylvie and her mother move there to help cure Sylvie of her allergies to towns and 'normal' living, and she meets Yul, a villager, who always seems to be in trouble. However, Magus, the Lord of the Manor, forbids their association, and the story is about how Sylvie and Yul persevere in their friendship.

Stonewylde, its Villagers and Hallfolk, is actually a pagan community, celebrating the equinox and quarterday rites in their worship of Mother Earth. There are various types of magical/spiritual things happening, along with the usual Them (Villagers) and Us (Hallfolk) differences, and the occasional bullying amongst the young boys and girls.

The premise of pagan rituals and 'organic' living is a good plot and they are woven into the story quite well.

However, two things bothered me - and are perhaps NOT YA in essence, so I would be reluctant to actually recommend this to a young teen.

The first is the Rite of Adulthood which each boy and girl undergoes at the age of 16. This is just another name for loss of virginity, either consensual or not; and there is no mention of birth control. Also, along these lines is the subtle indication that at each equinox celebration, boys, girls, men and women have unlimited sex with the sole intention of procreation - indicated several times in the story by the number of families with a large number of children, as well as mothers having children by different fathers.

The second worry is the rather harrowing descriptions of the bullying suffered by Yul; primarily by his drunken, sadistic father; then by a group of older boys; and both encouraged by Magus. These are not easy scenes to read, and would probably upset anyone of tender inclinations. Yes, Yul is the hero who survives because of his great spirit and love of the natural world, but I would much rather have had him achieve his ascendancy without the really horrid things he goes through.

I'm also a glutton for punishment so I'll read the following 3 books in this series :)(less)

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May 11, 2011 Andy Angel rated it 5 of 5 stars · review of another edition Recommends it for: suzie irby

Wow!! I picked this book up on recommendation from several online book sights, not thinking it would be 'my thing' - and I am so glad I did. You can pick up the general gist of the story from other reviews on here so I'll concentrate on the writing. In a nutshell, Kit Berry's narrative skills blew me away.
The descriptions of the people, environs and flora and fauna of Stonewylde mean you don't just read this book you live it. Ms Berry obviously has a feel for the 'old ways' and Pagan beliefs bec...more

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Sep 23, 2009 Emma Cooper rated it 5 of 5 stars

Shelves: fiction

Magus of Stonewylde is the first book in the Stonewylde series by Kit Berry. It opens in the real world - with the noise, pollution and lack of community in the inner cities making young Sylvie ill. But one of her doctors is Hazel, who comes from Stonewylde, and because of Sylvie's unusually blonde hair she and her mother are invited to join the Stonewydle community.

Stonewylde is a closed, rural community in Dorset that has remained virtually unchanged for centuries. The Villagers work the land...more

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Nov 14, 2011 Clare Marie rated it 4 of 5 stars

I read this book under the demand of a friend, who .. kept telling me to read it. I finally caved, and brought the book along with a few others, so that I had fall back options if I needed to. I honestly thought that the book would be pretty crap.

It wasn't. It wasn't something I was hooked in to, and I could put it down from time to time, but it definitely did keep my attention, and I do intent to, at some point, pick up the second book from somewhere and keep going with the journey. It was a d...more

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Apr 15, 2012 Heather rated it 4 of 5 stars · review of another edition

Shelves: all-challenges, contemporary, ebook, fantasy, first-in-series, suspense, ya

Death to cliffhanger endings!

Wow. This book was really good. There was a level of emotion infused within the writing that bordered on uncomfortable. The number of issues tackled in this series is amazing, especially in how none of them come off as trite. Each of the characters has a distinct personality, from the main characters to the passing villagers. These personalities all try to work with the others but in the end the vast differences are only more apparent.

Issues:
The idea of a clean life...more

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Mar 07, 2013 Sarah rated it 5 of 5 stars · review of another edition

This is the kind of book that I absolutely love to read.

I suppose this is quite simply targeted at young adults, though. You might refer to other reviews that state how utterly predictable this is for adults.

Well, for me, the greatest appeal is the poetic language. Okay, it might've seemed excessive at times but I just love how beautiful it sounds. The characters are lovely too: I felt for Yul and I liked Sylvie's mysticality. Yeah, their relationship is predictable, but... hey, they have their...more

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Aug 29, 2011 Rebecca rated it 5 of 5 stars · review of another edition

Shelves: supernatural-series

This book may at first reading seem to be directed more towards the teenage reader but it deals with some deep adult issues of power, ove, freedom, rules of society, right and wrong and more importantly childhood. This of course is all discussed through some very fascinating characters (although having read first person narrators for so long it took me a while to adjust to this omniscient narrator) and set within the 'backwards' seeming village society and reclusive world of Stonewylde. A place...more

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Oct 06, 2011 R.J. Morse rated it 5 of 5 stars · review of another edition

Brilliant!! It almost made me cry at times, and I totally felt for Yul.

This story really touched my soul (I never thought I'd say that one day :), and it showed me how lucky we are in the world and how we are destroying it with all this modern stuff.

I also really liked Sylvie's character, she made Gossip Girl look all too posh and girly.

I hated when Magus got all creepy and was okay for the fact that Yul's father was beating the shit out of him for no dam reason (sorry for swearing). I know w...more

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Apr 06, 2010 Gary Colcombe rated it 4 of 5 stars

Shelves: fey, paganism, fiction

This is the first book in a series of three (although the author does say at the back of the book that there will be five!) centred on the magical village of Stonewylde, hidden within a private estate deep in the heart of Dorset in the West Country. Stonewylde is a pagan community that has survived almost untouched since the Norman Conquest and jealously guards its independence from the outside world. Sylvie and her mother are invited into this community and the story revolves around Sylvie, her...more This is the first book in a series of three (although the author does say at the back of the book that there will be five!) centred on the magical village of Stonewylde, hidden within a private estate deep in the heart of Dorset in the West Country. Stonewylde is a pagan community that has survived almost untouched since the Norman Conquest and jealously guards its independence from the outside world. Sylvie and her mother are invited into this community and the story revolves around Sylvie, her mother, and two other very strong characters: one of whom, a boy of Sylvie's years has many problems to contend with and the other, the leader of the community, is a very-complex, multi-faceted character.

The book seems squarely aimed at young adults and the plot seems to rush along with the strength and gay abandon of running youths. There is always something happening that keeps them all on their toes. Sylvie's slow awakening (no spoilers here) is enthralling and I'm sure that Kit Berry has invented a new word in this book that definitely should be in the English language.

To the adult reader, many of the plot elements may seem predictable (the obligatory bully, for example) but they are deeply involved with the plot and I'm anxiously waiting the next two books to see how the situations resolve.

Where this book really shines is in its depiction of the pagan society of Stonewylde. Rarely does the author resort to the raw displays of power that are found in works of fantasy, but instead, she draws the reader into a world where the energies of the Earth, Moon and Sun interweave in the lives of the participants at an almost subconscious level, only surfacing in a tremendous outpouring of joy at the time of the great Festivals. These are depicted as a mixture of surviving, and recently faded, folk-customs blended together with the beliefs and practices of modern pagans.

I really enjoyed this book - it was a lot of fun. For a book targeted at the young adult audience, I was half-afraid to find it a mixture of Buffy-esque monsters, displays of magic and angst-ridden romance. This, however, could not be further from the truth. The story is very much plot-driven, and in superlative fashion all of the above elements are present and correct, but understated rather than taking centre-stage leaving the reader to be carried along with the relentless rush of the story itself.

A very worthy read!(less)

1 like · like · see review

Mar 25, 2013 P.J. Cadavori rated it 5 of 5 stars · review of another edition

Magus of Stonewylde is about the mysticism of a stone circle in Dorset and it is a modern interpretation of how the ancient pagans might have behaved in the religious/solstice celebrations. It centres around a modern “dropout” community but has all sorts of dictatorial undertones where freedom is fine, as long as it is authorised by the Leader. The writing is superb with wonderful descriptions of country living, ceremonies and the antagonisms which can happen in a rigorously defined class system...more

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Feb 06, 2013 Elena rated it 3 of 5 stars · review of another edition

I have recently read this book, I liked the setting and description as well as the story itself. however I felt that stonewylde was out of place in modern society and would have been better as a dystopian/fantasy book. however I found the book disturbing and upsetting, in my opinion the characters are too young for the story. Yul's treatment is horrifying and I find Silvie very naïve, which is irritating as she is suppose to be intelligent. the author does a good job of building hatred towards t...more

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May 15, 2013 Vivienne rated it 5 of 5 stars · review of another edition

Shelves: pagan, witchcraft, young-adult, fantasy, coming-of-age

I've heard many good things about this series by Kit Berry from friends in the Pagan and Wiccan communities. I also did meet her at the 40th Anniversary Pagan Federation Conference so she certainly is the real deal in terms of knowledge (and likley experience) about modern paganism and witchcraft. She has used that background to weave a dark fantasy about a community cut off from the modern world and the events that take place when a young woman and her mother come to stay there from the 'Outsid...more

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Dec 24, 2012 Book Chick City rated it 4 of 5 stars · review of another edition

Shelves: fantasy, young-adult

Reviewed by Andrea for Book Chick City.

I admit, I was drawn to this title from the moment I set eyes on the gorgeous cover. I know you shouldn’t judge a book by its cover, but I just can’t help myself! I’m a sucker for a pretty picture. But what’s really fantastic is that “Magus of Stonewylde” is as good as the cover predicts. If you’re getting a bit sick of vampire romance novels and want something a little different, but still with that hint of love and the otherworldly then this novel is for...more

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May 29, 2010 Mariah rated it 2 of 5 stars

Shelves: 2009-aquisition, fantasy, paganism, stonewylde, reviewed, authors-british, gave-away

I thought this was an interesting and suspenseful read, but at the same time the writing quality seemed to be only so-so. The author is British and it is set in modern Britain. The premise is that Sylvie, a young girl who doesn't fit in, has become very ill. Her doctors believe that she has become ill due to her environment, and simply given up on life. One of the doctors, Hazel says if only you could go to Stonewylde, the isolated country community where she comes from. Sylvie and her mother in...more

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Oct 01, 2008 Margaret rated it 5 of 5 stars Recommends it for: anyone who likes Pagan fiction and thriller.

I first heard about this book after I had been searching on Amazon one day for pagan novels, when this book was recomended. I looked at the reviews and saw how much people loved it and so purchased it.

I found myself unable to put the book down. I was gripped from page one and I totally loved the story. As I read I was able to easily visualize the characters in the book, and the environmental surrounding and I felt at home reading it.

I loved reading about the paganism within this book which I fel...more

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Jun 09, 2011 Sarah rated it 4 of 5 stars

Loved this, couldn't put it down bought the follow ups and read them. Was going through a pagan sort of phase at the time and will buy the 2011 follow up. Well thought out, great information about solstice and other mother nature style information. Storyline was a bit too much love story for me personally I don't want to ruin the story for others but would definately recommend if you'd like to transport to what at first sounds like an ideal hide away - if that makes sense.

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Apr 10, 2012 Marion Hogervorst rated it 1 of 5 stars

Boring, predictable and a totally wrong picture painted on paganism. I think the latter bothered me the most. I am a pagan and paganism is NOT about the medieval differences between people. The way Kit Berry describes the people who live at Stonewylde goes against all my believes and against all what pagans believe. The way Magus rules his people, brainwashes them and punishes them is all wrong. I won't be reading the next books in this series. I'm not interested.

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May 21, 2012 Sara rated it 3 of 5 stars

I read this as the book selection in the Pagan group here on Goodreads, as I wanted to participate in the discussion. I've also been looking for some good and interesting pagan fiction to read. Initially, this captured my attention, however as I got deeper and deeper into the book, I became less and less interested. I did manage to finish it. It was interesting for the ways in which it threaded pagan, mostly Celtic, tradition through the work. The struggle between the young boy and the establish...more

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May 02, 2012 Neill Smith rated it 5 of 5 stars

When Silvie is examined for environmental allergies her doctor recommends that she get in touch with a community at Stonewylde that lives close to the land away from the pollution of the large town in which she now resides. She and her mother discover an almost medieval pagan community, largely isolated from the outside world. As Silvie’s health improves she experiences advantages and disadvantages that arise as a result of the medieval stratified lifestyle and the almost cult-like adulation of...more

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Oct 07, 2011 Big Book Little Book rated it 4 of 5 stars

After meeting Kit Berry at a creative writing workshop and hearing about her Stonewylde series, I was excited and interested to start reading the books.

Stonewylde is a book about a critically ill 14 year old, Sylvie, who lives in the big city. She gets rescued by Magus of Stonewylde who takes her back to Stonewylde, the most beautiful place on earth. But after a while, she finds that everything is not as it seems. With twists and turns along the way, this shocking tale holds a suprise in every c...more

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Apr 08, 2012 Jeanette (jema) rated it 1 of 5 stars · review of another edition

Shelves: fantasy, kids-and-ya, vapid, 2012-read

Highly unlikable characters all around. Only in the last chapters does the main character get mad and decide to act on it. I am not even fond of how the pagan rites are described here, it seems to be a lot of robes, fire, deflowering of maidens and passing of green glowing magic. The maidens are all daft, the mothers just horny and the crones smelly and into black magic and poisoning.

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Jan 13, 2013 Tabatha marked it as to-read · review of another edition

Shelves: owned, owned-to-read

Quick pre-read review guys (:

Just met Kit Berry and she was super-sweet so bought the first two books in this series and am actually really looking forward to reading them..! I'll upload some pictures later of her dedication to me--her handwriting is seriously cute not to mention she added these pretty little stars..

EDIT*
__________________________________13/01/2013
Found the picture!

____________________________________________

Over & Out, T xx

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Aug 13, 2009 Ines rated it 3 of 5 stars

Shelves: fantasy-fiction

Even though this is clearly a 'coming of age' novel aimed at the teen witch genre, I found the characters well written & I still want to know what happens next - for me that is the sign of a good story.

Looking forward to reading the nest in the series.

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Feb 27, 2013 Jake rated it 3 of 5 stars · review of another edition

Shelves: contemporary-fiction, dark-fantasy, england, family, magic, romance, teen, commune

3.5 stars, really. And not that it's gritty or anything, but I think the only reason it's teen ficiton is because of the age of the main characters.
Very compelling, certain elements are creepy and frankly disturbing. Well developed characters, too, I thought.

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Dec 05, 2012 Sophie rated it 5 of 5 stars · review of another edition

this has to be one of my favorite books out there. got really hooked on sylvie and yul and their journey, you do feel everything their going through. this is a book that would make a great film :)

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Jul 13, 2009 Jay Blevins rated it 4 of 5 stars

Fascinating story, well written, hard to put down. Easy to read from the beginning. One of those books that frustrates you with the turns the story lines take but that you have to keep reading to see if it works out. I can't wait to get my hands on the next one.

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Magus Of Stonewylde (Stonewylde #1)

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