Product Description

"Magus of Stonewylde" is the first title in a series of five. Written in an untapped genre, it's contemporary fiction set in an authentic pagan context. The book appeals to both males and females, from young teens to senior adults. Stonewylde is an alternative community, a vast country estate hidden away in Dorset and enclosed behind high boundary walls. Ruled by the charismatic Magus, life here is simple and seems idyllic. Into this magical world come Sylvie and her mother, trying to escape the stresses of modern inner-city life. Sylvie suffers from chronic eczema and a strange malaise, but soon begins to heal in the peace and tranquillity of the beautiful Dorset countryside. She and her mother are entranced, both by their new life in a place where time seems to have stood still, and by their attractive benefactor.But then Sylvie befriends Yul, a dark and rebellious Village lad, and slowly she begins to see that Stonewylde, and particularly Magus, are not quite what they appeared to be. Why is Yul so damaged? What secret is he trying to protect? And is the old crone on the hill a powerful wise-woman or simply a demented hag bent on destroying the equilibrium with her wild prophecies? Sylvie and her mother Miranda are initiated into the community at Beltane, which is celebrated in a great Stone Circle hidden amongst the oak trees. They take part in the pagan festivals that are an element of everyday life here, and Miranda is introduced to the full moon rituals by Magus himself. Sylvie has her own problems to contend with at the full moon, which has always affected her in a strange way. She discovers a special standing stone where the hares dance to the moon and with Yul's help realises that she is in fact moongazy.But this brings the wrath of two men on Yul's head, and the boy is taken away for punishment of a barbaric kind. Sylvie must learn to fight, and Yul must learn to bide his time. As the young pair's friendship deepens into something more, Miranda realises she is expecting Magus' child. The old crone's ramblings take on a new meaning and Sylvie realises the full extent of Magus' ruthlessness, and just how much danger Yul is in. Only she can save him. If not, the boy will be destroyed by the dark forces that Magus has at his command.The first book in the "Stonewylde" series ends in an exciting and satisfying manner, and yet leaves the reader longing for the next book to take the story further. Meticulous research ensures authenticity to every detail of rural Dorset life, which makes the dazzling setting seem so real. Earth energy, moon magic - strange stuff, and yet all seems possible at Stonewylde. 2008 sees the launch of a strong media and PR campaign promoting both the "Stonewylde Series" and the author Kit Berry, and builds on the success of 2007. This title has also been published in the USA.

Product Details

• Amazon Sales Rank: #65396 in Books
• Published on: 2005-10-01
• Original language: English
• Binding: Paperback
• 320 pages

Review
"Powerful stuff - disturbing and dramatic! Allow this story to grab hold and it may not let you go! Kevin Crossley-Holland This is one of the few books I have read over the last few years that has grabbed me so completely. I felt unable to put it down until I had finished it, and then wished I hadn't as I felt desperate to get hold of the next in the series, which meant waiting for months - agony! I felt the pain, joy, sadness, exhilaration & all the powerfully conveyed emotions of Sylvie & Yul as they embark on their path, their lives inexplicably drawn together. Set in an amazing part of the Dorset countryside, bursting with magic & mystery, Stonewylde seems to be the perfect place to live, watched over by the charismatic & enigmatic Magus, but the foundations of this idealistic community may not be secure. Beautifully woven tale of magic, nature, intrigue, ego, love, hate, & the human condition, I defy anyone read this book & not be sucked headlong into Stonewylde & be desperate to get hold of Moondance. Well done Kit Berry KE I've just finished reading Magus of Stonewylde. I really enjoyed this book, it is so different to the run of the mill books of the moment. It was hard to put down and I couldn't wait to get back to it to read more of the people in Stonewylde. I loved the 'magic' of the book, it was easy to believe that Stonewylde does exist. The mystery, power, and magnetism of Magus is enthralling. I can't wait to read the next book. WJ I've converted many friends, adults and teenagers alike, to the fantastical world of Stonewylde. It is an incredible book that defies you to put it down - imaginative, original and emotionally charged. It blew me away and I loved every minute of it. I've counted the days to the release of the sequel. LB This is one of the most beautifully written books I've ever read. It makes you wish Stonewylde was real and you could go and visit. JZ (car mechanic) It's well good. The story enthrals you, you gulp it down too fast but can't digest the sweetness and excellent texture! YOU WANT TO SAVOUR IT but then it's finished. You've swallowed it and you grow hungry for more. DI aged 11 There is an enchantment, both to Stonewylde and to the writing, that is hard to put into actual words. The place lives; breathes; whispers on the wind; as if the reader were actually there experiencing everything that the characters are. There is an enchantment in the air; in the beautiful descriptive passages of the book; in the magic that takes place in and around its borders; in the dusk of the full moons; and the cold light of dawn. It's a descriptive fiction fan's dream. Fabulous writing, beautifully evocative, and thoroughly enchanting. Every character is rounded enough to be convincing, and intriguing enough to make you want to explore them further and plummet their depths to discover their motivations. CP From the moment I opened the cover the enchantment began, as if by magic I was gradually transported into a Pagan community, characters that were changing shape, gripping and drawing me into their world. Dark forces and sparkling light weave together to leave you totally spellbound. RM I'd always considered myself a man of science. But I'm delighted to say that I'm smitten by the magic of Stonewylde. GW"

From the Publisher
Magus of Stonewylde is the first in a series of five books. Originally written for the young adult market, it has proved to be a runaway success with readers of all ages and tastes; from a retired nurse aged 86 to a male prison officer in his 30s, as well the intended teenage readers. It's quite compulsive reading - the two most voiced comments from readers are that they couldn't stop reading it and stayed up half the night to find out what happened next, followed by wondering when the next one will be published because they're desperate to carry on with the story! Read it for yourself and find out exactly why Stonewylde is such a different story - one that refuses to be categorised easily under mystery / romance / adventure / fantasy / horror / paganism - for it's a mixture of all these elements with a little extra magic thrown in. It's quite unique and will weave its own spell around you - see below what Kevin Crossley-Holland had to say about it.

From the Author
I wrote the Stonewylde series of books after a very magical experience in a labyrinth made of fallen autumn leaves one Hallowe'en. If you feel a little strange when you gaze up at the full moon - if you sense some greater power when you stand on a hilltop with the skies arching over you - if you feel the presence of something unseen when walking in woods - then you'll understand the pull of Stonewylde. And if you don't - then come with me and enter the world, and I'll show you what it's all about.

Customer Reviews

Brilliant book... 5 stars aren't quite enough!
What a captivating book. Mysticism, fantasy, spiritualism and a great story combine to make this book completely and utterly unputdownable!! With Kit Berry at the helm, enter the magical world of Stonewylde - an old-fashioned self-sufficient community set in modern day Dorset - and experience a way of life that combines ancient pagan rites and customs, with 21st-century living.

Sylive is 14 years old and lives in a block of flats with her young mum. Sylvie is very poorly and sufferes from every allergy, intolerance, and illness possible. She's spent a lot of time in hospitals and they don't seem to know what to do for her, or how to help her get better. That is, until Sylvie meets a doctor at the hospital who comes from Stonewylde and suggests that she try and arrange a visit there for Sylvie to see if the change of scene and environment helps her to feel any better...

Slyvie soons flourishes in the natural organic environment of Stonewylde and before long is full of vitality and energy that she has never experienced before, so she and her mum decide to stay. Stonewylde seems like a perfect place full of happiness and beauty, but something niggles away at Sylvie when she befriends a boy from the village, Yul - a boy she's not supposed to have anything to do with because he is a lowly commoner and she is supposed to be residing with the better educated people from the "hall", under strict orders from the Magus (or king). From here Sylvie discovers a darkness at Stonewylde which she and Yul come to battle against together, each of them discovering magical powers in themselves they never knew they possessed.

This is a magical and captivating story of friendship and endurance, and discovery. Beautifully written, I was hooked right from the first page and couldn't put it down until I'd finished (at 3am!). I'm really looking forward to reading the sequels.

a reader from weymouth
this is one of the most beautifully written books i've ever read. it sucks you in to the story, constantly making you question the characters and wonder at their intentions. you really start to care for some of the people in the story and end up hating some of the others!
kit berry manages to paint such vivid pictures in your head with her descriptions of the land, the views and the town. it makes you wish stonewylde was real and you could go and visit.

magus of stonewylde
The author manages to pull you into the world of Stonewylde from the start, you get deeply involved with the story and all the characters. The wonderful descriptions used by Kit Berry make you feel as though you are there and creates much sympathy for the hero and heroine of the story. I finished the book wishing I could dive straight into the next, I would have no probelem reccomending this to any of my friends. Fantastic first book from a terrific new author!!