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This Present Past
The long-awaited prequel to Traci Harding's much-loved Ancient Future series Before he was Taliesin of Lynn Cerrig Bach, he was Gwion of Lynn Tegid, bumbling his way through this Present Past. Born in Powys, the son of a lowly wood merchant, Gwion is enchanted by the comely Creirwy - daughter of Tegid Foel, the Giant and his wife, Keridwen, the goddess witch of Lynn Tegid.During a brush with the Sons of the Long Knives, Gwion earns the trust of Keridwen and is offered employment at her Castell in Gwynedd. There the goddess is brewing a potion of prophetic insight and secret wisdom, destined for her monstrous, shape-shifting son, Morvran. But an ill-timed accident on the final day of his task sees Gwion inherit all the potion's supernatural abilities.In a shapeshifting battle, Gwion is swallowed by Keridwen and upon her return to human form, the Goddess discovers that she is pregnant. A punishment imposed on her by Gwyn ap Nudd, Lord of the Otherworld, dooms the goddess to carry the babe in her womb for decades.Twenty three years later, in the weir on the Afon Dyfi, a child is found by Prince Elphin of Meirion, and due to the light radiating from his brow, is named Taliesin. An exceptional lad, Taliesin's presentation at court, sparks a nasty feud with King Maelgwn of Gwynedd, that threatens to bring rebellion and the downfall of all the kingdoms of Cymru.
448 pages, ebook
Published November 19, 2018
24 people are currently reading
157 people want to read
About the author
Traci Harding
46 books469 followersTraci Harding, is an Australian science-fantasy author who currently has twelve books in publication, on the Voyager label of HaperCollins Publishers Australia.
Her work blends fantasy, fact, esoteric belief, time travel and quantum physics, into adventurous romps through history, ulternative dimensions, universes and states of consciousness.
The Ancient Future Trilogy
Book 1 -The Ancient Future 1996
Book 2 -An Echo in Time 1997
Book 3 - Masters of Reality 1998
Stand Alone Novels
The Alchemists Key 1998
Book of Dreams 2002
Ghostwriting 2003
The Celestial Triad
Book 1 – Chronicle of Ages 1999
Book 2 – Tablet of Destinies 2000
Book 3 – The Cosmic Logos 2001
The Mystique Trilogy
Book 1 – Gene of Isis 2005
Book 2 – The Dragon Queens 2007
Book 3 – The Black Madonna 2008
Triad of Being
Book 1 - Being of the Field 2009
Book 2 - The Universe Parallel 2010
Book 3 - The Light Field 2012
The Time Keepers
Book 1 - Dreaming of Zhou Gong 2013
Book 2 - Forthcoming
Book 3 - Forthcoming
The Ancient Future is currently listed on both the Dymock’s Top 101 Books. Along with The Alchemist's Key, The Ancient Future has been published in Complex Chinese for worldwide release.
The first book of the Mystique Trilogy -Gene of Isis is now to be published in Russian, Czech, Slavic, Greek and Romanian, as is book two The Dragon Queens.
Her work blends fantasy, fact, esoteric belief, time travel and quantum physics, into adventurous romps through history, ulternative dimensions, universes and states of consciousness.
The Ancient Future Trilogy
Book 1 -The Ancient Future 1996
Book 2 -An Echo in Time 1997
Book 3 - Masters of Reality 1998
Stand Alone Novels
The Alchemists Key 1998
Book of Dreams 2002
Ghostwriting 2003
The Celestial Triad
Book 1 – Chronicle of Ages 1999
Book 2 – Tablet of Destinies 2000
Book 3 – The Cosmic Logos 2001
The Mystique Trilogy
Book 1 – Gene of Isis 2005
Book 2 – The Dragon Queens 2007
Book 3 – The Black Madonna 2008
Triad of Being
Book 1 - Being of the Field 2009
Book 2 - The Universe Parallel 2010
Book 3 - The Light Field 2012
The Time Keepers
Book 1 - Dreaming of Zhou Gong 2013
Book 2 - Forthcoming
Book 3 - Forthcoming
The Ancient Future is currently listed on both the Dymock’s Top 101 Books. Along with The Alchemist's Key, The Ancient Future has been published in Complex Chinese for worldwide release.
The first book of the Mystique Trilogy -Gene of Isis is now to be published in Russian, Czech, Slavic, Greek and Romanian, as is book two The Dragon Queens.
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Displaying 1 - 20 of 20 reviews
August 31, 2018
Reviewing courtesy of ARC copy received by Harper Collins Australia.
If you've read the Ancient Future Trilogy and all Traci's other books you must read this book! It is a prequel and follows the story of Taliesin, Ancient Merlin of Lynn Cerrig Bach. Following the story of his incarnation Gwion Bach, this tale tells of how Gwion came to be favoured by the Goddess Keridwen and sparked dozens of myths throughout the ages.
I loved visiting the dark ages again, and there was so much more to discover in this work - Traci really out done herself. There were certain moments where I had to stop and think exactly how the time lines flowed, but it all ends up fitting seamlessly together. Also seeing the Goddess from a more mortal stance was quite interesting. Definitely worth the read.
If you've read the Ancient Future Trilogy and all Traci's other books you must read this book! It is a prequel and follows the story of Taliesin, Ancient Merlin of Lynn Cerrig Bach. Following the story of his incarnation Gwion Bach, this tale tells of how Gwion came to be favoured by the Goddess Keridwen and sparked dozens of myths throughout the ages.
I loved visiting the dark ages again, and there was so much more to discover in this work - Traci really out done herself. There were certain moments where I had to stop and think exactly how the time lines flowed, but it all ends up fitting seamlessly together. Also seeing the Goddess from a more mortal stance was quite interesting. Definitely worth the read.
August 26, 2022
Fans of The Ancient Future trilogy would love this prequel to the trilogy. It tells of the beginning of the journey of Taliesin. And by the last third of the book, we begin to see some familiar characters from the trilogy. It's been a while since I read the trilogy and I really wasn't sure if I could reread and still love it the same but after reading this, I really wanted to keep going on with the story. I still have my trilogy set from the 90s ;)
I love the setting and the characters. I just felt that sometimes the jump between characters/timeframe was a little bit abrupt especially the last third of the book. It's almost like trying to finish the book very quickly and squeezing a lot into that last 100+ pages.
My thanks to publisher for this ecopy via NetGalley in exchange of my honest thought.
I love the setting and the characters. I just felt that sometimes the jump between characters/timeframe was a little bit abrupt especially the last third of the book. It's almost like trying to finish the book very quickly and squeezing a lot into that last 100+ pages.
My thanks to publisher for this ecopy via NetGalley in exchange of my honest thought.
March 25, 2023
It did have Merlin vibes.
Not too gripping as I ended up getting bored in the middle. I loved how Gwion's character had developed. I really enjoyed the beginning as it sounded like my type of fantasy with a dragon, a healer, a goddess, a witch and royalty. Until the dragon disappeared.
After a while though it seemed quite boring and the author (in my opinion) isn't very good with writing. It was all over the place and most of the time I hadn't a clue what was going on.
In the end I was very confused and stumped as to how the dragon had back under their control and how it had come back into their realm.
Not too gripping as I ended up getting bored in the middle. I loved how Gwion's character had developed. I really enjoyed the beginning as it sounded like my type of fantasy with a dragon, a healer, a goddess, a witch and royalty. Until the dragon disappeared.
After a while though it seemed quite boring and the author (in my opinion) isn't very good with writing. It was all over the place and most of the time I hadn't a clue what was going on.
In the end I was very confused and stumped as to how the dragon had back under their control and how it had come back into their realm.
November 21, 2018
If you love Traci’s other books you will love this. I as read as always. Was great to learn more about and spend time with Taliesin.
July 11, 2020
A great read
Once again I was sucked into the middle ages but meeting some new friends. Was lovely reading about the origin of Talisien
Once again I was sucked into the middle ages but meeting some new friends. Was lovely reading about the origin of Talisien
January 13, 2019
When a woodsman is drawn into a battle of magic and kings his life is changed forever. Apprenticed by a goddess, he is charged with befriending her son, but also falls in love with her daughter. Unfortunately, a deal with the god of the Otherworlds prevents this relationship from going ahead, at least in the beginnings. As time rolls on, deals made with gods and kings turn sour and the kingdoms are thrown into turmoil. The only solution is to tinker with time.
This ancient past is the prequel to the Ancient Future series. It explains how Talisen came to be an immortal wizard. With such a large cast, and difficult to pronounce Welsh names, I found the story difficult to follow even with a character list. The book is character driven and the plot is twisted, complex and at times slow moving. Harding clearly has a firm grasp of her world, but this is not explained to the reader with clarity. Even though this book was a prequel, I thought it should have begun with a preamble explaining who was who and how they came to be in the positions they were. I also thought a glossary of terms explaining concepts such as Grigory, would not have gone astray.
If you can do complex, the book is a good read and Harding writes well. I read her as much for the concepts she includes, as the story she writes. I love that she’s not afraid to include quantum and that she messes with time. I will be re-reading the next book and then continuing the series.
This ancient past is the prequel to the Ancient Future series. It explains how Talisen came to be an immortal wizard. With such a large cast, and difficult to pronounce Welsh names, I found the story difficult to follow even with a character list. The book is character driven and the plot is twisted, complex and at times slow moving. Harding clearly has a firm grasp of her world, but this is not explained to the reader with clarity. Even though this book was a prequel, I thought it should have begun with a preamble explaining who was who and how they came to be in the positions they were. I also thought a glossary of terms explaining concepts such as Grigory, would not have gone astray.
If you can do complex, the book is a good read and Harding writes well. I read her as much for the concepts she includes, as the story she writes. I love that she’s not afraid to include quantum and that she messes with time. I will be re-reading the next book and then continuing the series.
June 23, 2021
This is a completion of, not a circle, but an emblem of infinity.
A journey started in 'The Ancient Future' come to fruition, completion and, once again, beginning.
Truly one of the greatest literary adventures, through time, space, dimension and even a whole other universe, that, in essence brings one back to thy true self.
No other 'fictional' journey has taken me to the source of my being so completely. My emotion investment is as one of memory and experience.
I feel Traci, in bringing this tale into being, has tapped into a shared alternate reality that has connected her, and her devoted readers, in ways that transcend the ego focus of our current lives, our current version of reality.
For this I am boundlessly grateful. 🙏
Edwina Wren, as usual, has bought us the audio version of this tale masterfully and with true Grace.
A journey started in 'The Ancient Future' come to fruition, completion and, once again, beginning.
Truly one of the greatest literary adventures, through time, space, dimension and even a whole other universe, that, in essence brings one back to thy true self.
No other 'fictional' journey has taken me to the source of my being so completely. My emotion investment is as one of memory and experience.
I feel Traci, in bringing this tale into being, has tapped into a shared alternate reality that has connected her, and her devoted readers, in ways that transcend the ego focus of our current lives, our current version of reality.
For this I am boundlessly grateful. 🙏
Edwina Wren, as usual, has bought us the audio version of this tale masterfully and with true Grace.
March 10, 2019
It's been a long time since I read TAF books... but I have read them a lot, and loved them for years.
It was great to finally see 'the start', but a little confusing as I was out of practice with 'the times gifts and meanings' that you got used to in the original series. And there was also the little quirk of Talinsin having lied about his past in the other books... cause I was entirely current with them, I had a lot of ping ponging thoughts of what he had said about this before, or what had supposedly happened then, plus how 'the truth' would then effect the old story etc.
Still all good, I'd just suggest anyone into details would do well to have a reread of the original series first so that its fresher.
0319
It was great to finally see 'the start', but a little confusing as I was out of practice with 'the times gifts and meanings' that you got used to in the original series. And there was also the little quirk of Talinsin having lied about his past in the other books... cause I was entirely current with them, I had a lot of ping ponging thoughts of what he had said about this before, or what had supposedly happened then, plus how 'the truth' would then effect the old story etc.
Still all good, I'd just suggest anyone into details would do well to have a reread of the original series first so that its fresher.
0319
March 8, 2023
This is the Taliesin origin story (for those who've read her Ancient Future series). It was enjoyable, but I did feel there were a couple of continuity mis-matches from what we knew about him in the other series to what what was presented in this book. But it didn't detract much from the overall experience. Lots of early Brittania mythology was incorporated in this story which was really interesting.
November 30, 2019
Struggled to keep up with it a bit and it did drag to begin with. Its the first book I've read in this series so would have been better off reading the first to be released rather than the prequal first. Might give the next one a go and see how it is.
January 7, 2020
As a prequel, this novel is a thrilling addition to an epic-adventure spanning generations. Offering a tantalising and well-constructed plot-line that carefully edges into the genre with enough force to be noticed, and not too much as to be ignored.
February 21, 2020
Such a beautiful story. I couldn't put it down. I feel that way with all of Traci Hardings books. She's a wonderful story teller and creates s
the most fascinating tales and unforgettable characters.
the most fascinating tales and unforgettable characters.
November 28, 2022
Lovely to listen to Edwina Wren narrating another Traci Harding tale. Easy to slip back to the original world, the classic fantasy and the familiar characters, and to learn a little about their oft quoted origins.
A good listen.
A good listen.
November 14, 2018
I was lucky enough to get this ARC. I have come into this world having never read any of Traci Harding’s books. The world that has been created is wonderfully immersive. It is magical.
February 4, 2019
A brilliant prequel to The Ancient Future and its resulting Tales.
May 25, 2019
This was the best of the entire series, it seemed better put together than the others. Maybe because it was written later and the author had more experience.
March 11, 2020
Loved this book! So many surprises, twists turns, how did Traci Harding keep all this straight in her head!!
November 17, 2023
I am not sure if this just left me more confused rather than enlightened about the main characters journey through the ages. Will re-read the series it's a prequel for again and decide that way.
October 18, 2018
Thankyou to NetGalley, HarperCollins Publishers Australia, Voyages AU, and the autho, Traci Harding, for the opportunity to read an advanced readers copy of This Present Past in exchange for an honest and unbiased opinion.
I was so excited when I received my copy of this book. I loved the Ancient Future series, and I really, really wanted to read the prequel to what I believe is one of the best fantasy series I have ever read..
I was not left disappointed. As with the original series, I found myself truly absorbed by the storyline which was well thought out and written with characters that were engaging and intriguing. I lost hours of time while I was reading. It is not a book that can be put down once you have started. I had to finish it in one sitting. In my opinion, Traci Harding has delivered fantasy perfection once again.
Definitely well worth a read.
I was so excited when I received my copy of this book. I loved the Ancient Future series, and I really, really wanted to read the prequel to what I believe is one of the best fantasy series I have ever read..
I was not left disappointed. As with the original series, I found myself truly absorbed by the storyline which was well thought out and written with characters that were engaging and intriguing. I lost hours of time while I was reading. It is not a book that can be put down once you have started. I had to finish it in one sitting. In my opinion, Traci Harding has delivered fantasy perfection once again.
Definitely well worth a read.
January 6, 2019
“A whole galaxy in one little pot,” Tacitus commented. “What is a galaxy Lord?” “A nursery for stars,” he replied. “This little creation rather resembles the universe’s own way of seeding consciousness....Keridwen has never attempted magic like this before”
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This Present Past is a prequel to The Ancient Future Trilogy and follows the various incarnations of Gwion Bach from a young woodman to Taliesin, grand Merlin and magician. I enjoyed part 1 of the book where Gwion Bach is caught between the warring Saxon and Cymry armies and thrust into the inevitable reach of the Otherworld. Inspired in part by Roman and Greek mythologies, the world the author creates is immersive and convincing. At times I found some of the modern phrasing jarred, “use those smarts now, ya hear,” pulling me out of the story. The shifting time lines, as suggested by the title, required concentration and thought particularly in the third, more esoteric, part of the book. If you’re a fan of the original trilogy I think you’ll love learning a little more about these characters.
3.5 stars
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This Present Past is a prequel to The Ancient Future Trilogy and follows the various incarnations of Gwion Bach from a young woodman to Taliesin, grand Merlin and magician. I enjoyed part 1 of the book where Gwion Bach is caught between the warring Saxon and Cymry armies and thrust into the inevitable reach of the Otherworld. Inspired in part by Roman and Greek mythologies, the world the author creates is immersive and convincing. At times I found some of the modern phrasing jarred, “use those smarts now, ya hear,” pulling me out of the story. The shifting time lines, as suggested by the title, required concentration and thought particularly in the third, more esoteric, part of the book. If you’re a fan of the original trilogy I think you’ll love learning a little more about these characters.
3.5 stars
Displaying 1 - 20 of 20 reviews