"Contains the author's previously published fantasy duology, "The dreamstone" and "The tree of swords and jewels," with a new ending that retraces the elfin warrior Ciaran Cuilean's struggle to defend his fairy homeland"

A very good fantasy about ancient magics, elves and humans. I recommend consulting the list of names and their meanings and pronunciations - it helped to keep the characters straight.

Reserved for jennymidget.

RELEASE NOTES:

Mailed to jennymidget.

Thanks krin511! Looking forward to reading this one!

Found out hubby already has this series in 2 parts - so I'll pass this one on to catsalive as part of a 3kg bookbag. Enjoy!

Thanks for my lovely baggy, jennymidget.

The Dreaming Tree: The Dreamstone (Arafel #1) & The Tree of Swords and Jewels (Arafel #2)

The Twilight of Faery. It was that transitional time of the world, when man first brought the clang of iron and the reek of smoke to the lands which before had echoed only with fairy voices. In that dawn of man and death of magic there yet remained one last untouched place - the small forest of Ealdwood - which kept the magic intact, and protected the old ways. And there was one who dwelt there, Arafel the Sidhe, who had more pride and love of the world as it used to be than any of her kind.

But fear of the world of Faery ran deep in the hearts of men, and when Ciaran Cuilean, Lord of Caer Wiell, a man with Elvish blood in his veins, found himself the object of increasing distrust and suspicion from his men, his king, and even his own family, he knew he must once again put his humanity aside and return to Ealdwood. For shadows of a newly awakened evil swarmed across both lands, and unless Ciaran reclaimed his haunted weapons from the Tree of Swords and joined Arafel, he would see this evil overtake not only the warm hearthstones of the mortal keeps but the silvery heart of Ealdwood itself.

This didn't hold my interest. Although I'm sure it's a very well-written tale, I've never been particularly interested in Irish mythology & tales of the Sidhe. I do like fantasy, & I do like the fantastic combined with mythology, but this one just didn't work for me.

Travelling companion to some other books. Read or release.

One of a number of surprises

I couldn't get into this. It may be me, I'm having trouble finding a book that grabs my attention this week.

Left on the book swap shelf.