Amazon http://www.authorsden.com/members/default.asp Category:  Historical Fiction Publisher: P L Crompton ISBN-10:  1434870030 Type: Fiction Pages: 307 Copyright: June 6, 2010 ISBN-13: 9781434870032 In Roman-occupied Cambria, a powerful druid does all he can to undermine Roman authority and influence the future. He claims a young girl as novice because she has the Sight, but her sight opens into the past and she wonders how she can be of help to him. When the answer comes, it is not what she expected. In Roman-occupied Cambria, a powerful druid does all he can to undermine Roman authority and influence the future. He claims a young girl as novice because she has the Sight, but her sight opens into the past and she wonders how she can be of help to him. When the answer comes, it is not what she expected.   Excerpt With a deep breath, Ninian began: "The thud of hooves filled the warrior woman’s ears and drummed in time with the war beat in her heart. Beneath that thunder, she was aware of the creak of the wattle chariot and the grinding of the wheel hubs as they charged at breakneck speed across the moor. In response to each jarring jolt, she adjusted her stance with an inborn grace no invader could match. "Behind her, the scream of the carnyx pierced the wild cries of her warriors. Beside her, the ligaments of the charioteer’s hands rose like ropes as he fought the sweat-blackened leather and whipped the lathered flanks of the horses. The matched pair bolted forward, barely keeping abreast of the ragged line of Britons. "She braced herself, one hip pressed to the chariot’s side as the platform bucked like an unbroken stallion. With the ease of long practice, she checked the straps holding the burnished shield to her forearm. Satisfied, she raised the shield breast high and reached for her spear. Hefting it to her shoulder, she cried: Death to the Eagle!" The words that poured through Ninian were not her own. Words like the bards used. Words she knew were beyond her understanding, yet the scene was so vivid they tumbled from her mouth with abandon. The warrior-woman’s sweat beaded her skin. Her heart burned with the same pent-up anger, and beneath it all, Ninian knew the heavy stone of fear in the pit of the woman’s belly. Ninian faltered to a halt and opened her eyes. Before her, Rona clutched Iolau to her breast so tightly the younger child wailed and fought for breath. Behind Rona, Gwyneth sucked her thumb. "Go on. What happened then?" Geraint’s face shone with anticipation. Ninian bit her lip and hugged her knees to her chin. "They . . ." But the woman in the chariot was gone and the bleak moor given way to a sun-dappled glade. "They threw their spears at the eagle and Buddug hit him. He fell out of the sky and Buddug’s daughters plucked and cooked him." Geraint gave a grunt of disappointment and Rona eased her grip on Iolau who fisted her and hunkered away. Only Gwyneth still stared at Ninian, eyes large as robins’ nests. She removed her thumb long enough to utter one word: "Hungry." "We should go back," Rona suggested. At twelve, Rona was five years older, but Ninian was the chieftain’s daughter and they deferred to her. Ninian sighed and took up the basket of blackberries. The story ending disappointed them, but the dream she recalled vividly came to her when she looked into the still water of the woodland pool faded with Buddug’s cry. Often, people interrupted the dreams and the endings were of her own invention. "We must be there when the druid arrives." Rona took Iolau’s hand in hers as they left the glade. "Seisyllt himself!" Geraint fell into step beside Ninian. "The most powerful druid in Dyfed. They say he’s looking for another novice."

Beautifully imagined,intriguingly told
A well-researched preface to P.L. Crompton's The Last Druid promises a realistic tale of Rome's retreat from the British Isles. British tribes are named, their battles, subservience to Rome, and secrets recorded; the Demetae live under their old religion, keeping themselves to themselves in the wilds of Wales while Roman occupation enslaves and rules. Then the story begins.

Ninian is an innocent young girl dreaming dreams and telling stories. She catches the eye of a passing druid and finds herself drawn into a vastly different world from the comforts of father's house and servant families. There's Seisyllt, her teacher, Myrddin the bard, and mysterious Gwynfyr. There's a learning of powers, coming of age, rejection, love, and gradual sensing of danger over all. And there's the wonderful way the author chooses names to evoke the legends of mystery, giving the reader an almost druidic feel of half-knowing, half-seeking the future distantly glimpsed.

Great things are afoot, Rome is under siege, the world of druids is failing under the weight of self-sufficiency and fear, and England's soon to be left defenseless as tribal warfare looms. Meanwhile Ninian grows to adulthood, watching and learning, innocent, eager, and devoted to the teacher who alternately delights and frightens her.

The Last Druid is epic in scope but beautifully tied to the person of Ninian. Details of her ancient world are brought to vivid life, as are the curious touches of druidic skill, Ninian's innocent wisdom and surprise, and surprising strength. Tragedy and hope weave their threads through the years of her coming of age, until the mystery of the "last druid" in the title is finally revealed, fully satisfying and delightfully real.

I read short books more frequently than long, but P.L. Crompton's The Last Druid is a long book I'll happily reread, so full of intriguing, enticing scenes, well-imagined and beautifully told with scarcely a word or symbol or image to spare. The plot, characters, location, history and imagination all mold into a really enjoyable book--definitely one to file on the "favorites" shelf.



A powerful gripping novel
A powerful gripping novel set in Roman occupied Wales.The story follows the early life of Ninian a young girl taken from her village in Wales in order to train to become a druid. P.L. Crompton's vivid descriptions coupled with exciting events make compelling reading leading to a totally unexpected conclusion.
I can thoroughly recommend it.