Kit Berry (–2021)

Dark, mysterious, spellbinding... book 3 of the Stonewylde Series is definitely the best to date, and I love them all as you'll see if you read my other reviews.

The series are full of folklore, wildlife, pagan rites and natural magic, with Yul drawing on the magic of Mother Nature and the Earth, and the shining Sylvie drawing strength and magic from the power of the moon. The gripping story of Yul and Sylvie fighting for the well-being of the manorial and village community of Stonewylde is gripping in its intensity and beautifully written throughout.

In book 3 Yul and Sylvie face one of the darkest moments in the history of Stonewylde, the run up to the winter solstice at which the prophecy that Mother Heggy made sixteen years ago might come true... or could even fail... It all rests in hands of young Yul and Sylvie, who are fighting against the dark force of the Magus.

I've loved these 3 books and in a way I wish they ended here, as the author originally intended, but apparently there are another 2 to come. That said, I'll be the first to rush out and buy them when they're published! I can't recommend them enough - easy-to-read fantasy for 12+ ages.… (altro)

[This is a review I wrote in 2008]

Brilliant sequel to 'Magus of Stonewylde'... I just couldn't put it down until I'd finished - that's another late night and no sleep thanks to the Stonewylde series, and now I've started on Book 3 I can't put it down either!!

Sylvie and Yul's destiny is magically intertwined and has been foretold by a prophecy, but prophecies can be beaten and Sylvie and Yul are up against some incredibly dark and powerful forces.

Magus has discovered Sylvie's secret of moongaziness, her unique ability to channel the magical powers of the moon, and he has now lost his source of Earth Magic, which has chosen Yul as its' new receiver. Magus wonders if he can make good use of this moongazy girl to help him strengthen his own resources of power...

Incredibly powerful stuff. A great book, but start with Book One, the 'Magus of Stonewylde'.… (altro)

[This is a review I wrote in 2008]

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.… (altro)

There is a hidden place within England, a place of magic where people follow the old ways. And that's where this story takes place.

Sylvie is poisoned by modern society and comes to Stonewylde. She is weak, but she slowly finds strength and her way. Still at one time I did fear her going tstl on me as she become friends with someone she had seen do something bad. But then again she is just that nice.

Yul, is a village boy who I felt sorry for. This is not a nice society. I quickly saw the faults through his eyes. The Magus who is in charge can say whatever he wants to but this is a feudal society where some reap the benefits of the sweat of others backs. Poor Yul, he is just so broken.

Yes this may seem like the perfect place, but there is a darkness over it all too. I also felt like some are pushed too much when it comes to a certain ritual. But I shall say no more. It's the old ways and it makes it to one good story. Darkness and light.

The book may end with a glimmer of hope but it's far from over and it made me want to jump at the next one at once.

A YA fantasy/paranormal story that will bring you friendship, injustice and budding romance.… (altro)