From Publishers Weekly
At the center of this slight fantasy novel is a brief romantic episode of 11th century England. A young Norman knight carrying a message in the dead of winter is set upon by outlaws and wolves. Stephen wakes in Saxon Hafwynder Manor, where the lord's daughters, blonde Alison and dark Wildecent, are both attracted to him. When the emboldened outlaws amass to attack the manor, Stephen gets word to his people, who come to the aid of the Saxons, their erstwhile enemies. In the meantime, adopted Wildecent finds that Stephen's Norman language unlocks memories of her mysterious origins. The magic sprinkled through the book is as weak as the sketchy illustrations, but young readers with a romantic bent might enjoy this.
Copyright 1987 Reed Business Information, Inc.
From School Library Journal
YA A fast-paced fantasy set in 11th-Century Saxon England. Fair Saxon Alison, last Druidic priestess of her line, and dark mysterious Wildecent, her foster-sister, are at the cutting edge of a new world: the old fading traditions against a burgeoning new culture; action instead of reaction; Norman enterprise and vigor against Saxon tradition; Druidic magic opposing Norman sorcery. Alison and Wildecent are the embodiment of these themes in a well developed if not surprising plot meshing the old with the new. Characters are vivid, well developed, and original. A book for fans of Marion Z. Bradley's Mists of Avalon (Knopf, 1984), but one that is not so complex. Annette DeMeritt, Houston Public Library
Copyright 1987 Reed Business Information, Inc.
