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Nectar from a Stone
It is 1351 in Wales, a country subjugated by England, beaten down by superstition, war, and illness. Elise, prone to strange visions and the sole survivor of a plague-ravaged family, has fled her village for distant Conwy with her servant Annora, running from a murder she was forced to commit in self-defense.
On the road, they cross paths with Gwydion, a moody Welshman seeking to avenge his murdered family and reclaim his estate, and are drawn into a bloody confrontation with another traveler. In its aftermath, Elise and Gwydion find themselves shocked by their developing feelings for each other, and they part.
As the women ultimately reach Conwy, a menacing shadow from Elise's past creeps toward her, and she must face it to find the peace she longs for, and help Gwydion recapture his home, and her heart, in the process.
In a dazzling narrative where mysterious visions, powerful desire, and dark secrets from the past converge, Jane Guill spins a masterful tale of romance, revelation, and breathtaking suspense.
On the road, they cross paths with Gwydion, a moody Welshman seeking to avenge his murdered family and reclaim his estate, and are drawn into a bloody confrontation with another traveler. In its aftermath, Elise and Gwydion find themselves shocked by their developing feelings for each other, and they part.
As the women ultimately reach Conwy, a menacing shadow from Elise's past creeps toward her, and she must face it to find the peace she longs for, and help Gwydion recapture his home, and her heart, in the process.
In a dazzling narrative where mysterious visions, powerful desire, and dark secrets from the past converge, Jane Guill spins a masterful tale of romance, revelation, and breathtaking suspense.
446 pages, Paperback
First published January 1, 2005
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 44 reviews
December 3, 2013
This book is billed as historical fiction, and I've got it tagged as historical fiction, but in the strictest sense, it isn't, not really.
This book is a romance, and to its credit, it is a step higher than a wallpaper romance. The author did seem to do some research on 14th century Wales, though most of that knowledge comes out in the preface or the glossary; the story itself reveals very little about the time period.
As for the story, well....it was pretty dumb. And what separates it from historical fiction is this: in really good historical fiction, the story of the characters is tied to the uniqueness of the time and the place. In this book, you could easily change the names of some people, places, things, and wars, and set the story in ANY time and place. The fact that they are in 14th century Wales makes almost no difference. Ultimately, the book couldn't decide whether it was going to be a romance or historical fiction, and so it failed at both and satisfied at neither.
Oh, and making Sir Nicholas a raving lunatic was a complete deus ex machina.
I never like it when books have those "book club" questions in the back, but this one is especially offensive, because of the implication that this book actually has enough layers and meaning to warrant such a thing.
...You know, the saddest part is, if this book had just labeled itself what it was instead of masquerading as something else, it might have gotten 3 stars out of me. As it was, I was too busy finding it ridiculous to like it.
This book is a romance, and to its credit, it is a step higher than a wallpaper romance. The author did seem to do some research on 14th century Wales, though most of that knowledge comes out in the preface or the glossary; the story itself reveals very little about the time period.
As for the story, well....it was pretty dumb. And what separates it from historical fiction is this: in really good historical fiction, the story of the characters is tied to the uniqueness of the time and the place. In this book, you could easily change the names of some people, places, things, and wars, and set the story in ANY time and place. The fact that they are in 14th century Wales makes almost no difference. Ultimately, the book couldn't decide whether it was going to be a romance or historical fiction, and so it failed at both and satisfied at neither.
Oh, and making Sir Nicholas a raving lunatic was a complete deus ex machina.
I never like it when books have those "book club" questions in the back, but this one is especially offensive, because of the implication that this book actually has enough layers and meaning to warrant such a thing.
...You know, the saddest part is, if this book had just labeled itself what it was instead of masquerading as something else, it might have gotten 3 stars out of me. As it was, I was too busy finding it ridiculous to like it.
May 25, 2018
While on GR it does seem to be shelved as historical fiction, this is definitely more historical romance (I would review Amazon's page for a more accurate idea about this book). I picked it for the romantic plot line and it was just the kind of romance I like - a love story (focusing on the emotional relationship between the leads rather than physical attraction) where the setting was as much a character as the hero and heroine. I learned a lot about a region/time that I knew little about before - 1300's Wales. I found myself invested in the histories, struggles and journeys of Gwydion, Elise and Wales. I was a little nervous about how the whole visions theme would play out, as I am not typically into fantasy, but I thought the author pulled it off well. She kept it simple, playing on the existing superstitions of the period. It felt authentic to the time.
For anyone that would write off this book based on the reviews here, I recommend you check out the Amazon reviews before you do - the average rating there is a 4.5 - just saying ;)
For anyone that would write off this book based on the reviews here, I recommend you check out the Amazon reviews before you do - the average rating there is a 4.5 - just saying ;)
November 4, 2007
You'd think a book that starts with rape, spousal abuse, and murder could only get more cheerful, but you'd be wrong.
December 2, 2008
A very disappointing story of a clairvoyant Welsh woman in a mixture of allegeable historical fiction with romantic fiction. Even if the background is based on Edward I era, after Wales conquest, the author don't convince the reader with her very diffuse characters.
January 22, 2009
I found this book to be a great disappointment. The idea is so promising: Visions! Religion! The conflict between the Welsh and the English and two people's struggle for identity! True love! All of that was sort of glossed over. Things happened, but I didn't really feel them happening. They happened because otherwise there wouldn't have been a plot.
I felt that the author missed a lot of opportunities to really explore a medieval world and conflicts that are not part of a modern world. What we really got was excessive violence and . . . some more violence! Also, the villains were all insane. I think insanity is a lazy way to write a villain, and it was just unbelievable that two people that crazy would come together in the same place at the same time.
On top of that, I found multiple historical errors. Minor things, but also things that a five minute Google search would clear up. Squashes in medieval Wales, via the Middle East? Uh, no.
All in all, it reminded me of a trashy sci-fi/fantasy novel, where there is massive, casual violence, or one of those "historical" novels from the '70s, where there is also massive, casual violence.
I felt that the author missed a lot of opportunities to really explore a medieval world and conflicts that are not part of a modern world. What we really got was excessive violence and . . . some more violence! Also, the villains were all insane. I think insanity is a lazy way to write a villain, and it was just unbelievable that two people that crazy would come together in the same place at the same time.
On top of that, I found multiple historical errors. Minor things, but also things that a five minute Google search would clear up. Squashes in medieval Wales, via the Middle East? Uh, no.
All in all, it reminded me of a trashy sci-fi/fantasy novel, where there is massive, casual violence, or one of those "historical" novels from the '70s, where there is also massive, casual violence.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
May 10, 2007
Some fun plot twists, likeable characters and an exotic setting in medieval Wales. What's not to like? An enjoyable ride.
February 18, 2019
Nectar from a Stone is highly readable and engaging, but it relies too heavily on tropes to be good historical fiction. Guill does try to flesh out characters and give them back stories to make sense of their behavior, but most of them end up falling into a clear and defined stock character category by the end. Though I had a good sense of the Welsh landscape while reading, Guill fails to illustrate a true sense of time, and instead resorts to bloody, graphic battles and misogynistic attitudes to describe fourteenth century Wales. Unfortunately, bloody, graphic battles and misogynistic attitudes are present throughout history, come off as incredibly cliché if not used well in historical fiction, and fail to give a lasting impression of a specific period of time. The romantic in me loved the love story, but the literary critic was disappointed that the whole story was so easily foreshadowed and that everything ties up so neatly in the end. Also, Guill made no attempt at showcasing the Middle English that would have been spoken in the fourteen century, which would have made the book less readable overall, but more authentic.
Nectar from a Stone is for readers who love romances thinly veiled as historical fiction. It’s not a bad book, and it is, for the most part, well written, but serious historical fiction readers will likely be disappointed.
Nectar from a Stone is for readers who love romances thinly veiled as historical fiction. It’s not a bad book, and it is, for the most part, well written, but serious historical fiction readers will likely be disappointed.
July 1, 2024
this was a thoroughly enjoyable read. the characters were so lovable & honestly this book was unexpectedly hilarious. i will say i’m a bit disappointed with the progression of the love story. that was the part of the book that kept me most of the edge of my seat & the pacing was just strange. at some points things were way too drawn out, but for the most part it felt really rushed leaving me wishing for much more attention to detail!!! i’m sad the ending didn’t leave me with a better understanding of elise & gwydion as a couple. but overall i really loved this book & it made me smile a lot :)
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
October 23, 2021
Multiple pages would be read to then realize what was written made no difference to the actual story. Finished it to be able to say it was done. What a disappointing egotistical outlandish piece of rot.
October 2, 2018
Although I found the Welsh names hard to pronounce, I really enjoyed this novel.
October 28, 2019
Nice historical romance/escapism. I needed a break.
January 7, 2020
Very well written and great/unique period piece. I wished the fight scenes and deaths at end a bit more drawn out. Good to have the pronunciation and map and glossary. Well done!
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
October 2, 2020
Reread this and loved the rich story set in Wales. Good writing, good characters, good plot and lots to learn about England and Wales. Ticks all the boxes for me.
March 31, 2021
Wonderful historical fiction. I am rereading it now, as an author, admiring the exquisite prose, character development, and heart-pounding action. I highly recommend it.
January 10, 2015
Wow! This book was brilliant. Set in 14th century Wales just after "The Great Mortality" has ravaged the land, "Nectar from a Stone" follows Elise (who's fleeing from her home after murdering her horrible husband) and her servant Annora - and Gwydion, a half English half Welsh nobleman who's back from France and, faced with the murder of his father and sister, is intent on revenge. The story focuses on what happens on what happens when they all meet. This novel isn't a rampage through the Middle Ages filled with lots of action, but in a way that's what makes it so great - because of the lack of action, Jane Guill goes into so much detail about the little - describing the smells in the inns Elise and Annora stay in, the way the mist hovers around the trees in the forest - and this enables the reader to fully immerse themselves in the era. Maelgwyn, Elise's husband was absolutely detestable - well done to Jane Guill for creating a character so vile! He's a wonderful villain, he actually made my skin crawl. Nicolas de Breaute was a great bad guy, in a sort of eccentric, camp way! I also thought that the ending of the book was really great.
July 3, 2014
I enjoyed this read. I felt the heroine and her companion were well developed.
I struggled sometimes with following the authors style of conversation and action. Let me be clear, this is not due to lack of careful reading, reading comprehension or understanding of dialectic language (as there was little). Sometimes it just seemed that it was hard to follow who was speaking and the thread of the conversation.
Also, I don't find this often, but a few times I actually felt that the writing style got in the way of the story. Overall, I still sped through the book and was kept engaged.
I give it three stars for an engaging, if not sparkling, story, but withhold two stars for awkward conversation style and coming across somewhat flat in terms of reaching the potential I think this story held.
I struggled sometimes with following the authors style of conversation and action. Let me be clear, this is not due to lack of careful reading, reading comprehension or understanding of dialectic language (as there was little). Sometimes it just seemed that it was hard to follow who was speaking and the thread of the conversation.
Also, I don't find this often, but a few times I actually felt that the writing style got in the way of the story. Overall, I still sped through the book and was kept engaged.
I give it three stars for an engaging, if not sparkling, story, but withhold two stars for awkward conversation style and coming across somewhat flat in terms of reaching the potential I think this story held.
January 15, 2012
Set in medieval Wales in 1351 - in a land devastated by plague, and alive with superstition.
Elise, a young visionary is shackled by a violent marriage, but fate intervenes and releases her from her miserable existence. Together with her servant Annora, Elise travels the North Wales countryside searching for peace and prosperity.Her journey will intercept with Gwydion, a moody Welshman who is seeking to revenge his murdered family, and reclaim his plundered family home.
Reminiscent at times of the work of Karen Maitland,this is a fascinating glimpse into life in medieval Wales. Set against the stark beauty of the Welsh countryside, medieval skulduggery is expertly explored,the characters come vividly to life, and the story bounds along at a cracking pace.
I enjoyed it.
Elise, a young visionary is shackled by a violent marriage, but fate intervenes and releases her from her miserable existence. Together with her servant Annora, Elise travels the North Wales countryside searching for peace and prosperity.Her journey will intercept with Gwydion, a moody Welshman who is seeking to revenge his murdered family, and reclaim his plundered family home.
Reminiscent at times of the work of Karen Maitland,this is a fascinating glimpse into life in medieval Wales. Set against the stark beauty of the Welsh countryside, medieval skulduggery is expertly explored,the characters come vividly to life, and the story bounds along at a cracking pace.
I enjoyed it.
January 18, 2016
I love to read novel's set in the medieval period as Nectar From a Stone by Jane Guill like eating candy. They go down effortlessly and are a real treat.
Nectar From a Stone is about clairvoyant Elise and her friend and servant Annora who must flee through Wales after murdering Elise's abusive husband. I was impressed that Jane Guill had retraced their journey while researching the book. I was less impressed that she used "easy peasy" a term that's first documented use was in the 1970's. It raised my eyebrows at the first use and by the second, I did some research.
This obviously is not a perfect book, but rather an entertaining way to spend a rainy afternoon.
Nectar From a Stone is about clairvoyant Elise and her friend and servant Annora who must flee through Wales after murdering Elise's abusive husband. I was impressed that Jane Guill had retraced their journey while researching the book. I was less impressed that she used "easy peasy" a term that's first documented use was in the 1970's. It raised my eyebrows at the first use and by the second, I did some research.
This obviously is not a perfect book, but rather an entertaining way to spend a rainy afternoon.
December 10, 2008
Ah, a love story. Set in the 1300's - yup, you guessed it.
Nectar From a Stone is about a young woman, Elise, and her elder servant, Annora, whom narrowly escape the fate of Elise's murdered husband and flee to her nearby village in Wales. Along the way, paths cross with a Welshman, Gwydion, who is avenging the death of his father, sister, and her husband. And thus the story unfolds.
British humor is cast in this delightful tale along with medieval folklore, historical facts, and great character developement.
Nectar From a Stone is about a young woman, Elise, and her elder servant, Annora, whom narrowly escape the fate of Elise's murdered husband and flee to her nearby village in Wales. Along the way, paths cross with a Welshman, Gwydion, who is avenging the death of his father, sister, and her husband. And thus the story unfolds.
British humor is cast in this delightful tale along with medieval folklore, historical facts, and great character developement.
November 17, 2010
This book was so promising. It takes place in 14th century Wales, arguably one of the most fascinating time peroids and places in history. However, the characters and plot were so weak. The love story between Elise and Gwyddion was so shallow and unmoving as to be unbelievable. I had such high hopes about it in the beginning but the love story never played out.
While I was actually able to finish the book looking for redeemable qualities, it was such a dissapointment that 2 stars is a bit generous.
While I was actually able to finish the book looking for redeemable qualities, it was such a dissapointment that 2 stars is a bit generous.
July 11, 2015
Pretty much a love story but the time period is the 14th century. It takes place in Wales and for those two reasons it is very different from most of the historical fiction I have read. The most interesting piece is that it gives lots of information about how much superstition played into their lives and how they focused so much on their salvation through Christianity in some form or another. Lots of Welsh terms in the glossary which would have been super helpful if I had realized it was there before I read the book.
May 4, 2016
At the beginning, I enjoyed her writing style and thought it would be an enjoyable, interesting book. Most of the characters fell flat or were overly bizarre and/or predictable, too much of the action was coincidental, and in all it felt more like a teen romance (with some sex) than anything else. That was a bit disappointing. I did enjoy the tidbits about Welsh language and culture, medieval herbology, life back then, architecture, plague, and so forth but the story and characters could have been a lot more interesting.
July 16, 2008
If you are tired of novels that trip over themselves to deliver a message of deep importance, thereby losing the ability to tell a good story, read this. It is simply a good plot, with good characters, and even if you can see where things are going before they get there, you aren't annoyed because it is written so well. I'm glad there are still authors out there who want to entertain with a good tale.
September 9, 2008
I really enjoyed this little trip to 15th century Wales. The main character was endearing and I was definitely rooting for her. Some of the characters were unlikely, for instance the villain. But I enjoyed the lore about herbs and home remedies. This book made for a nice escape for reading on a plane or anywhere. chapters were fairly short and alternated scenes between characters. I will look out for other books by this author.
January 21, 2015
I think this book is a real stinker! I have yet to finish it but I knew from the first page I hated it. The antiquated prose is pompous and contrived and I think using unpronounceable words and names is a bit pedantic. We get it, you're Welsh. This being said, I will finish this book because I actually love to hate it. If I have any questions for the authoress I know I can find her at the renaissance fair.
July 12, 2010
While it's certainly not the deepest novel, it is researched well, has an enjoyable flow to it and allows the reader to become engaged in the characters. I'm reading again for the second time, and believe I'm enjoying it more this time around.
March 15, 2012
My goodness it's done and over with.
This book, though it sounded like an interesting plot of a woman in the 1300's and her abominable husband-was thoroughly BORING.
I skipped at least 6 chapters, to find the story still lumbering along with little progress.
This book, though it sounded like an interesting plot of a woman in the 1300's and her abominable husband-was thoroughly BORING.
I skipped at least 6 chapters, to find the story still lumbering along with little progress.
November 10, 2007
not a bad read but i was disappointed in the ending.
May 17, 2008
Fairly typical historical novel set in Wales in the fourteenth century.
May 29, 2008
I jsut couldn't seem to get into this novel. I made it past the first twelve chapters, but after that, I had to put it down.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 44 reviews