The King's Druid, by G.R. Grove - APRIL 2022 LTER
Talk Reviews of Early Reviewers Books
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Disclaimer: An electronic copy of this book was provided in exchange for review by the author, via Library Thing.
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G.R. Grove sets The King’s Druid in the Sixth Century AD, at a time when Druidic influence was fading among the Irish kings as the Catholic Church gained popularity and converts. Mixed through the story are fictional creations, historical characters, and a few that may draw from both camps.
It follows the life of Fráechán mac Tenusán, who determines as a very young boy to become a powerful Druid – in fact, “the King’s Druid”, even though the custom was falling into disuse at that point. Fráechán does ultimately achieve his goal, three-quarters of the way through the novel, only to find that the duties he must perform for his king, Díarmait mac Cerbaill, are often contrary to the spirit of the discipline to which he has devoted his life.
Grove paints a realistic picture of the land and the daily lives of its people, but the level of detail and quotidian events make for a glacial pace. Perhaps of more concern to the reader, we never really quite understand Fráechán’s drive for the position. At one point, the character says he wants to “ensure that the tales of the land and its heroes and of the gods he served, were not entirely lost and forgotten” – an admirable goal indeed, and one which many would feel he attained by becoming the Archdruid, cross-trained in the healing arts, in Druidic magic, and in the bardic craft. He works hard to master his arcane craft, he makes good friends and suffers deep losses, but we never get to dive beneath the surface. We know more about the horses he rides and the robes he wears than we do about the secrets of his heart.
In addition, readers who lack the Gaelic would much appreciate a pronouncing gazeteer in order to keep from being yanked out of the story every time they come across unfamiliar (and essentially unpronounceable) character or place names.
This is an exquisitely researched piece of work, but it never manages to engage the heart.
~ ~ ~ ~ ~
G.R. Grove sets The King’s Druid in the Sixth Century AD, at a time when Druidic influence was fading among the Irish kings as the Catholic Church gained popularity and converts. Mixed through the story are fictional creations, historical characters, and a few that may draw from both camps.
It follows the life of Fráechán mac Tenusán, who determines as a very young boy to become a powerful Druid – in fact, “the King’s Druid”, even though the custom was falling into disuse at that point. Fráechán does ultimately achieve his goal, three-quarters of the way through the novel, only to find that the duties he must perform for his king, Díarmait mac Cerbaill, are often contrary to the spirit of the discipline to which he has devoted his life.
Grove paints a realistic picture of the land and the daily lives of its people, but the level of detail and quotidian events make for a glacial pace. Perhaps of more concern to the reader, we never really quite understand Fráechán’s drive for the position. At one point, the character says he wants to “ensure that the tales of the land and its heroes and of the gods he served, were not entirely lost and forgotten” – an admirable goal indeed, and one which many would feel he attained by becoming the Archdruid, cross-trained in the healing arts, in Druidic magic, and in the bardic craft. He works hard to master his arcane craft, he makes good friends and suffers deep losses, but we never get to dive beneath the surface. We know more about the horses he rides and the robes he wears than we do about the secrets of his heart.
In addition, readers who lack the Gaelic would much appreciate a pronouncing gazeteer in order to keep from being yanked out of the story every time they come across unfamiliar (and essentially unpronounceable) character or place names.
This is an exquisitely researched piece of work, but it never manages to engage the heart.
