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Pangur Bán Celtic Fantasies #3
Finnglas and the Stones of Choosing
"On, Cloud–Clearer, on!" screamed Princess Finnglas. But she knew her horse was already pouring out all his strength. And the rival black stallion was still ahead. Finnglas is riding for her life and the crown. If she loses, she will die and the Summer Land will fall into the grip of evil powers. But this race is only the first of the Seven Trials. There are more terrifying tests ahead.
176 pages, Paperback
First published January 1, 1989
About the author
Fay Sampson
67 books35 followersFay Sampson graduated in Mathematics, and trained as a teacher. Combining teaching with writing, Fay's children's books were frequently featured in 'Children's Books of the Year'. When she became a full-time writer, she turned to writing novels for adults, based on history and legend. She now lives with her husband in a Tudor cottage in mid-Devon.
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Displaying 1 - 2 of 2 reviews
March 13, 2022
Her dying father named Finnglas to rule the Summer Land after him, and many of the nobles swore allegiance to her. But the druids do not want the realm to turn to the ways of Arthmael, the dancing dolphin and are determined to thwart the crowning of Finnglas.
When the Stones of Choosing do not ring with a single name, Finnglas must face seven trials - set by both old friends and old enemies. She must show her knowledge of the old ways in order to win her people to the new.
She must choose one horse amongst many - and die if she picks wrongly.
She must sing a song of healing, and die if there is a single false note.
She must choose a sword from amongst an armoury of them - and die if she is wrong.
She must drive a chariot through a trackless marsh - where every false turn means death.
She must choose one stone from thirteen on a hill by knowing the ancient star-lore. And, of course, the penalty is death for a wrong choice.
She must choose the cup of life and love amongst eight of hate and death.
She must choose to take a life - or lose her own.
Throughout her trials, her friends help - and, feeling helpless, go for help when they would have been better staying with her.
The ending has faint echoes of Patrick's daring paschal fire on the hill of Tara in defiance of the druid's ban on light and flame.
When the Stones of Choosing do not ring with a single name, Finnglas must face seven trials - set by both old friends and old enemies. She must show her knowledge of the old ways in order to win her people to the new.
She must choose one horse amongst many - and die if she picks wrongly.
She must sing a song of healing, and die if there is a single false note.
She must choose a sword from amongst an armoury of them - and die if she is wrong.
She must drive a chariot through a trackless marsh - where every false turn means death.
She must choose one stone from thirteen on a hill by knowing the ancient star-lore. And, of course, the penalty is death for a wrong choice.
She must choose the cup of life and love amongst eight of hate and death.
She must choose to take a life - or lose her own.
Throughout her trials, her friends help - and, feeling helpless, go for help when they would have been better staying with her.
The ending has faint echoes of Patrick's daring paschal fire on the hill of Tara in defiance of the druid's ban on light and flame.
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October 16, 2015Delightful, delightful book. It dips from the Cauldron of Story without being a recapitulation. Horses, challenges, legends - who could want more? I am enchanted to read a tale of the New God's way rising and the Old Gods passing that has a joyful hand and makes me glad to welcome the New God.
I recommend for ages 8 to 12, and am giving it to the nieces and neffies for Yule.
I recommend for ages 8 to 12, and am giving it to the nieces and neffies for Yule.
Displaying 1 - 2 of 2 reviews