Elizabeth Cunningham, Magdalen Rising

Magdalen Rising

Elizabeth Cunningham

Monkfish, Apr 2007, $24.95

ISBN: 0976684322

On the Shining Isle Tir na mBan of the Otherworld, Maeve is sired by the God Manannan Mac Lir and mothered by eight warrior witches. The women raise her with love and affection until the wise ancient one Cailleach insists the girl's destiny is in the mortal realm. Reluctantly the despondent octet sends their beloved ward to attend the Druid College on Mona. There she hopes to meet the Mysterious one who haunts her dreams.

Instead she meets Esus of Jerusalem, who becomes her best friend and rival as they argue over everything and anything. However, it is her power that stuns the Druid faculty and her peers as Maeve is able to heal the dying by placing her heated hands on them. No one quite has her skills, which seems to be a cross between witchcraft and druidism. Maeve begins to believe that she and Esus are offspring of the Gods and soon feels they belong together amidst the mortals. He disagrees, but this is only the beginning of their relationship at a time when Lovernius the Druid is fasinated by both of them.

MAGDALEN RISING is a stupendous prequel to the insightful THE PASSION OF MARY MAGDALEN. Readers will appreciate the young Maeve and equally youthful Esus as they constantly debate. The storyline provides insight into Ancient Celtic mythology and makes an obvious connection to the early days of both protagonists in their pre-Christianity days. Readers will enjoy the delightful discussions between them as night and day while wondering what Lovernius plans for the pair even as the Romans are coming. This is a superior Christian historical tale.

Harriet Klausner