This book seems to be nothing more than another retelling of the Arthurian legends. But it is so much more than that. It majestically weaves colorful characters and intriguing storylines with a fresh plot. I highly recommend it for any fans of Celtic legends and certainly any Arthur fans.

In what has to be one of the most original takes on the Arthurian mythos, Patricia Kennealy-Morrison places Arthur's early years in Keltia, as a rising star and prince in the struggle to free the Keltic worlds and Keltia from the Theocracy and the Death-Druid that has taken power. All this seen though the eyes of Arthur's foster brother, who becomes one of Keltia's greatest bards and mate to Arthur's sister, Morgan. Very well done - and leaves you wanting more.

I have been a fan of Arthurian legend forever. This series is my favorite of all time. The characters feel like friends you've known or you wish you had known. The places come alive like no book I've ever read. I knew how the story was to end but cried anyway. PKM's books are my favorite of all time. I recommend this series as well as her other series. She is a great author and shame on the publishers for not continuing with her work, the way she AND her fan/consumers wish.

This is the second book in Patricia Kennealy-Morrison's Celtic science fiction. The series started with "The Grey Hawk's Feather" which introduces you to all the famous characters, Merlyn, Arthur, Ygrawn, Uther, Gweniver, and the somewhat passed over, in other tales, Taliesin. In this particular telling Taliesin, the greatest bard ever known to Keltia, narrates in bardic style the story of his friend and fostern Arthur. Morrison does away with the more annoying parts of Arthurian legend, Lancelot for one, and concentrates on a very different telling of the tale in space upon a planet far away. The second book encompasses the arrival of Arthur and his army on Tarra, the home of Ederyn the then traitorous "King" of Kelts, through Arthur's eventual victory over Ederyn, (I don't think I'm giving too much of the story away), and his leaving of Keltia to visit far off worlds as well as his eventual return. The truth of Talyn's mother is finally revealed, with shocking implications.

Now, just let me say, I LOVE THIS SERIES! I especially love the character of Taliesin. He is my favorite from all of Morrison's books and possibly from any others I have ever read. His voice is exceptionally distinctive in the telling and very consistent. He is a very unassuming character, terrified out of his wits most of the time and sure that everyone knows it, yet is completely honest about this fact. I love the style of these books too. The prose is perhaps a bit cumbersome when you first begin reading but it is defiantly an epic tale, every event fraught with dan from now 'till nevermass, and all the characters with the seeds of greatness in them, Arthur most of all. I love this particular universe because it is so imaginative, Celtic legend mixed with sciencficiton in a successful blending.

Now, the Kirkus reviewer has a point when he says that Patricia Kennealy-Morrison has a "general air of self-importance". He hits the nail right on the head. She is continually prating on the virtues of the Kelts. How they are so much more evolved than "other societies I could name" in that they have magical arts, no rape, varying marriage laws, and women are considered equals. It is an attitude hard to avoid throughout her books, but this is the only detraction I will make and, you will admit, not a very serious one.

Patricia continues the great storytelling of the previous books of the Keltiad in this novel. We are transported first person to the land of arthur (for a twist this land is outer space) and told Arthur's life story through the eyes of his bard and close friend Taliesan. This book moved me to tears at some points. The love and friendship bonds that the book builds are remarkable! I couldn't put it down.

If you have read the Copper Crown and its counterparts you will be intrigued when you discover that the writing style is completely different from the first triology. This is writen in first rather than third person. It is rare that an author has such talent as to switch styles. The style change means that you will never tire of the Keltiad. Instead of boresdom you will find love for the lore as past history links all the books together.

I have highly enjoyed all of the books in this series, and I also agree with the above reviewer that there are some inaccuracies in the Kirkus review that lead one to believe that the reviewer did not give it his or her full attention. In all, if you love fantasy, Celtic myth or Arthurian legend these books are well worth a read.

The mythic quest - in space this time. Following the clues written by Keltia's greatest Bard, Aeron goes off to gain the tools and knowledge needed to reclaim the Keltic throneworld - and gains allies and an empire in the process.

Loved it! This book proves what many readers know but seldom see; a book CAN have complex characters and plot; one doesn't have to be sacrificed for the other. Plus detailed cultures, and lots of action. You get a real FEEL for the places and the people. Character and location names were a bit difficult, but don't let that faze you; read it!

I thought this was a great follow up to the previous book, the copper crown. Aeron's journey ties this trilogy and the tales of Arthur trilogy together while advancing the story. I can't wait for the next Aeron book.

While this one was published 3rd in the Aeron series, it's actually first in order. The characters are strong, and you see the groundwork for the next two, (Copper Crown and Throne of Scone) The glimpses of Keltic life and culture are also quite well done.

I have been interested in these books since I first heard about them several years ago. I finally bought The Silver Branch and decided to give them a try. I finished the book in record time and immediately went hunting for the rest of Patricia Kennealy-Morrison's books.

This story is amazing. It's not just the plot, although that gets my highest praise for being so intricate and well-written. But, the world that has been created around the plot is so stunning and beautiful that I can't describe it. You just have to go there for yourself.

I really loved this book. It is basically a prequel to two other books within this trilogy but it can be read first.
Enough background-- what I really want to say is how much fun this is to read, how smart it is, and how well written it is as well. The characters come to life for the reader and stay with them long after you finish reading the book. Dare I say "a classic"? (NOTE: This is all coming from someone who is not a sci-fi/ fantasy nut but someone who reads all genres of literature.)

I'll admit, the very concept of this book had me hooked from the start. The idea of Celts in space and an intergalatic power struggle sounded like something that would make for a good read. Unfortunately, it all went downhill from there.

The novel's main flaw is that almost all its characters are made of cardboard; the Good Kelts vs. Nasty Imperials. Most of the Kelts (and other characters) are so insufferably perfect in almost every way that one can hardly tell they're human at all. This in the end means that its hard to at all identify with them or get swept up by their various trials and triumphs, and that is a fatal flaw in any story. There are some scenes that hint that there is a possibility of much, much more to these characters, but they are far too few. I have not read the sequel yet, and can only hope that the characters' depictions improve as the story goes on. However, this novel itself is average at best.

The Copper Crown is the first in the series of Keltaid books and sooo worth the read (you’ll be hooked). It is a sweeping tale of Aeron (Queen of Keltia) you get to know her and her world in a way few authors can describe. Great to read a book with a strong female lead, especially a sci-fi fantasy type one (though don’t let that put you off there’s enough to like here even for those who don’t normally read those genres). PKM’s talent and imagination are shown here in a rich world full of entrancing characters, well worth the search to get your hands on this book.

A must read for those who like sci-fi which is well developed. This isn't hastily slapped together, the writer goes into great detail in describing the society, background, core beliefs, political structure and culture of Keltia. The amount of detail is in itself facinating. You have a vivid picture of the setting - both time and place, which in turn brings the characters, their motivations and the setting to life. It puts me in mind of the Star Wars universe in the amount of detail established. The Copper Crown is a great place to start, though my favorite is its sequel - The Throne of Scone. The tales of Aeron, Fionbarr, Arthur and Brendan are wonderful - 5 stars!

It grieves me to say some of this stuff, seeing as how this series came very highly recommended from a friend (who told me to read the Arthur books, then the Aeron books, and finally the two standalones--and, given the kind of reviews Blackmantle is getting from you, my dear fellow reviewers, I do NOT think I shall be reading that one).

This is a series that simply didn't work for me. I've been told that Kennealy considers this to be a sci-fi series more than a fantasy, and yet, there isn't any actual science in them. Ships and the rare computers are controlled by crystals. Horses still seem to provide 99.9% of transportation. Bedding is made of fur. There are no paternity tests, apparently (an important plot point). This is not a scientific world. It is a fantasy, pure and simple.

Also, there are no surprises. Kennealy invokes "dan" (karma, fate, doom, whatever) at every corner, meaning that each and every major plot point is revealed well before it becomes an issue. I found myself rolling my eyes, wondering what the Kelts would think of us Terrans, who aren't given the opportunity to know EXACTLY what we'll be having for breakfast in forty years, much less EXACTLY how long we'll live, who we'll marry, what the names of our grandchildren will be, what our great and mystical destiny will be...

My friend was excited to tell me that there was no Lancelet figure in this series. Well, excepting Keils, there wasn't...but Lancelet is an important part of the Arthur legend. A very, very important part. Because, you see, it is mostly as a result of the whole Gwen/Lance thing that Arthur nanced off to get himself killed, and Camelot fell.

Last major gripe: there is no character development anywhere here. Oh, sure, characters grow up, and grow older, but they don't change must. (Okay, okay, Gweniver changes a bit, over the course of her hundred or so year lifespan.) No, Taliesin is the same person at 100 that he was at five. Donah and Loherin and Tarian and all these other character appear and move offstage without the reader ever having any insight into their being.

All of that said, there were some wonderful parts in this trilogy: the Yamazai were extremely cool, as was the whole "Hedge of Mist" idea, the idea of Taliesin's mother being from earth...probably the scene that moved me most was Arthur and company's demise, which I will not spoil for those of you intent upon reading this book.

Taliesin is a great character, and a great narrator, tempered by humor and anger and love and loyalty, and one is left with the impression that there could be no better bard to tell this story. If only the whole first HALF of this book didn't feel like such a death march to the end...

i couldn't put this book down for 2 days. the story of taliesin is a new one and the male point of view for kennealy is also new. this is much better than even "the hawk's gray feather" "the oak above the kings".

you'll love it. don't try to start one without having both of the others with you.

This entire trilogy is wonderfully written and the tales are vibrant with imagery. A must read for anyone. One warning once you go keltiad you never go back. :) Any book by Patricia Kennealy-Morrison is a must own.

I know I had read and enjoyed this (and its antecedent "The Copper Crown") before, so I read both again. Memory is not perfect, though. Though the conceit itself is interesting (Celts in Space!), and though this book is better-written than "The Copper Crown," Kennealy-Morrison is completely at a loss when it comes to describing action, location, a character's appearance (beyond the most superficial descriptions), or much of anything else. The faint whiff of racism doesn't help, either. These books are simply badly written, and much less appealing now that I'm now longer so starry-eyed about "the magickal Celts" as I once was. O.K. for a lark, but I'd check 'em out from the library rather than buy them.

The Throne of Scone is the conclusion to the series of Aeron Keltaid books and proves its ending is as entrancing as the beginning. The whole trilogy should be read, though you could still just read this and have an enjoyable read. It's awesome and per usual with PKM you have brilliant characters and luscious descriptions of the settings (makes you want to move to keltia). This book also makes you wish Aerons saga could just go on and on --it's that good! Well worth the trouble to get yourself a copy.

The Throne of Scone is an excellent conclusion to The Copper Crown, keeping you glued to the pages as you read. I would suggest that it's better to read the Silver Branch as the last of the three, even though chronologically it takes place earlier; I believe the author wrote it after Copper Crown and Throne of Scone, and you understand the detail more when you know more about Aeron's future.

I love tales of King Arthur and I generally like science-fiction. Ms. Kennealy combines the two poorly. The Celts come from outer space. they have psychic powers and faster-than-light-travel. They fight with swords and spears. This probably explains why the Romans beat them... These tales are a wonderous amalgamation of a bit of reading of the poorer end of Arthuriana, New Age literature, a liberal dose of odd drugs, and a sense of light fantasy. The characters are, at times, interesting, but for the most part incomprehensible. Again, this may explain why the Romans drove them off earth...

The Athurian legend has been done and redone so many times that no one quite knows what's historical or not any more. Ms. Kennealy has built a mythical universe in which the Athurian legend is told with new flavor and color. She mixes traditional elements with aspects of a deeply spiritual nature. I found myself thoroughly engrossed the entire time. It is a mark of her talent, that even though I had foreknowledge of how the story went (it's written as a journal account), I found myself moved to tears in certain points. Her characters are vivid, three dimentional beings and as they move about her universe I feel for them. While I do not think this is quite as good as her Tales of Aeron (there isn't much that is), The Hawk's Grey Feather is a solid beginning to a completely enjoyable trilogy. I highly recomend it.

The Hawk's Gray Feather is the opening of an unusual and masterful retelling of the Arthurian legends by Ms. Kennealy-Morrison. Her graceful prose style has always reminded me of having my own Celtic bard retelling an ancient Celtic legend. Her use of connections are amazing and completely orginal. Of the 26 different versions of the Arthurian legends I own, this is my all time favorite.

How do we know how truthfull Kennealy's descriptions are in "Strange Days"? Easy. Buy "Rock Wives" by Victoria Balfour (as others have aready mentioned) and compare it to what Kennealy later wrote in her own book. You can bet what she said in "Rock Wives" is more truthfull than her own book, if it wasn't she would have torn Balfour's head off like she did Oliver Stone. But she doesn't even mention Balfour in "Strange Days", so you can bet it's the truth and Victoria must have their interview on tape. Some parts of "Strange Days" were interesting, but the author tends to rant, ramble, and go off on tangents! That gets boring fast. Yes, it's nice to read a book where Jim isn't portrayed as just a drunk jerk. However, "Jimbo" does make several appearances in this book. Let's not kid ourselves! This is no prince charming romance. The author puts on a tough act, but she was obviously star-struck in many ways and willing to put up with "Jimbo's" antics. Example: Jim invited a mental patient named Joanna on one of their dates, just to see what kind of reactions he'd get from both women! If this guy wasn't Jim Morrison, FAMOUS ROCK STAR, how many women would stick around for this sort of thing?! If this woman didn't keep reminding the reader how smart she is, you'd never guess it! Not after reading about all the bull she tolerated from Morrison and his shoddy treatment of her. This is no great love affair, only in the mind of the author. Very sad. The saddest part was the end of the book, where the author's ranting and raving reaches fever pitch. She states that Morrison loved her as much as he loved anyone, as much as he could. If that was true, why wasn't Patricia at least included in his will, along with Pamela Courson (his lone heir)? I don't buy for one minute that Jim was too "busy" to change his will. The guy was in Paris at his leisure, for crying out loud! I suppose it makes the author feel better to believe her own delusions though. This was obviously the love of her life, sorry to say. That she stretched no more than 10 meetings with Morrison into some kind of "relationship" is rather pitiful. Especially when you compare it to an actual relationship, like the one Jim had with Pam Courson. Interested people could also try finding and reading the article by Janet Erwin (the woman Kennealy calls "Tiffany" in her book) that appeared in The Doors Collectors Magazine Annual, issue #10 from 1999. Janet saw some very interesting things go down, and it's very different from Ms. Kennealy's "spin" on things.

patricia kennealy is a sorry soul. for thirty years she has done nothing but think about jim morrison, it's very sad that a fling on jim's part became such an important part of kennealy's life that she never moved on. one of the reviews by amanh from Chicago, IL said that kennealy had more of a relationship with jim than pam courson did. that is so untrue. pam and jim were together before he became famous, he stayed with her as well as she stayed with him. if patricia was the love of his life, why did he always stay with pam? why did he follow pam to paris? why did he leave everything he had, his entire estate to pam? come on people...kennealy is living in la la land. and tell me, how can you believe a book that gives you daily word for word conversations, exact wardrobe wearings and types of food, drinks, narcotics consumed over 30 years ago?? i don't care how many journals one keeps, they do not write every single conversation word for word! the book is a good read, but the contents are make believe. and another thing, if kennealy hates oliver stone so much and the movie made by him, why would she be in it? did she go into the movie blindly? not knowing anything about the storyline, the script, nothing? no way, if she's as intelligent as she claims to be, she would have known exactly what she was getting into. maybe she just wanted to see her narcissistic-self on the big screen!! oh yea...there are a few photos, and when you see a picture of this woman you will be shocked!! there is only one of jim and kennealy together, and it has to be the only one she owns, because if she had another phote of them i don't believe she would have used the one she did. SCARY! if you want to read a book about jim and his true love pam, then read a book that took four years to research called angels dance, angels die by patricia butler, it's a beautiful, true, tragic love story of jim and his cosmic mate (jim's words).

I really liked this book. Much debate has been made over how "truthful" it could be in its descriptions of Jim Morrison and of his relationship with Kennealy, but since none of us were there, how can we know? Even if you doubt the truthfulness of the story, Patricia Kennealy is master story teller. If their love was anything like how she describes it, then it was one of those rare, Princess Bride-type-"true loves" that will knock your socks off. This aspect of the book is simply beautiful, and very moving. Just as interesting though is her perspective as a 60's female rock critic. She documents the music and the times with intriguing clarity, offering insight into the "Revolution," the state of rock, the Vietnam War, Woodstock, and the 60s and 70s in general. In a way this book could be called "A People's history of American Counter Culture." Anyone who loves rock music will appreciate this aspect of the book, most of all Doors fans. I do now know if the Morrison portrayed in this book is the "real Jim," but I liked the guy I read about. Most likely the "real Jim" was a composite of the images we have seen over the years: rocker, poet, prophet, sex god, Lizard King, alcoholic, jerk, racist, revolutionary, etc. This book is yet another portrait of Jim Morrison, and a very poignant one at that. I think most Doors fans will enjoy it, especially female ones.

This book is racist and full of screeching dogma. It's also badly written, with clunky prose and eleven-line sentences. The action has a pace like continental drift.

The least we could hope for is an interesting way to be offended, but nope. Don't waste your money. No worry you'd waste your time, because it's unreadable.

As much as I have enjoyed the saga of Keltia, particularly the tales of Aeron and Arthur, this book really turned me off. Kennealy-Morrison wanted the old religion to appear so much better than any other option around. However, she ended up sounding as didactic and intolerant as she accuses Catholicism of being.

Anyway, the story was okay, but not as riveting as some of her other books, certainly nothing in comparison to the Throne of Scone. It took too long to get away from Earth, and then didn't spend enough time in Keltia. I would have liked a lot more about Brendan's mother, Nia and for most of the supporting cast to have given a little more attention. If her books continue to be pagan propaganda, I'll stick with the first books and forget whatever else is planned. Which is too bad, because I have really enjoyed the Keltic saga until the past two books.

I have been an avid fan of the Keltiad since I first read The Copper Crown many years ago, and will probably continue to be. However, Blackmantle was quite disappointing, and The Deer's Cry was also definitely not one of the author's better efforts. I admit, I was somewhat uncomfortable with the vitriolic perspective on Christianity, but in all fairness, the Church has perpetrated some awful stuff over the centuries, and has usually been very successful in hushing it up, so it was very interesting to read a truly alternative perspective (even it did stir up some discomfort). My main beef with this book is one which has been evident in her others, but which is becoming more, rather than less, obvious: her characters are too black and white. They are either good/perfect/wonderful/admirable or evil/shallow minded/stupid. Let's face it: most of us are halfway in between the two. I think that Patraic would have been more believable had he been somewhat less hypocritical and less someone who deliberately and openly twisted facts for his own benefit (a religious fanatic who truly could not see the illogic of his beliefs is far more believable and would have achieved the same result); similarly Brendan would have generated more sympathy had the conflict been a little more evenly balanced. For one thing, if the conflict was as unsubtle as the author describes, why would the King and Queen have kept giving in to Patraic's demands? I think that the author's personal bitterness and anger is dominating more and more of her work, to its detriment.