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"Deep pre-Celtic Scottish romantic fantasy"

Young noble Bridei resides with powerful druid Broichan, who seems to be training the lad for some unknown intention that he fails to explain. Broichan treats the lad reasonably well and has earned Bridei's trust though the youngster would like to more about his past before coming here because he has no memory of it and he wonders what the Druid's plans are for him.

On Midwinter Eve Bridei finds an abandoned infant on their doorstep. Since the baby apparently comes from the fairie realm, Broichan wants to kill it as any trafficking with the wee folks, even with good intentions, usually mean trouble. Bridei persuades Broichan to let the child live with them. Over the years the wild child Tuala becomes a beautiful woman, who the studious Bridei desires, but Broichan fears she will prove to be the doom of his apprentice slated to one day unite the divided land under the one king.

THE DARK MIRROR is a deep pre-Celtic Scottish romantic fantasy. The cast is wonderful as opposites Tuala and Bridei fall in love while his mentor fears their relationship will lead to tragedy for his student and catastrophe for the people waiting for the one king to surface. This spellbinding tale is filled with strong characterizations and vivid descriptions of the era interwoven within a story line that contains plenty of action and can stand alone though trouble seems on the horizon in the next Bridei Chronicle for the hero and his beloved.

Reviewed by Harriet Klausner
Posted August 26, 2005

Reviewed by PNR Group Member
Posted January 24, 2007

In the mid 6th century, the homeland of the Picts in northern Britain was under threat from the Gaels, who had invaded the west coast and established themselves in their new kingdom of Dalriada. At the same time, the Christian faith was taking hold in the southern part of the Pictish kingdom, and the leaders of the northern realm were struggling to maintain their ancient traditions.

In young Bridei, a little-known son of the royal line, king's druid and powerbroker Broichan sees the perfect candidate for future kingship. The child is sent to him for fostering. At his remote forest home of Pitnochie, Broichan sets about training his protege in the ways of the ancients and in the all-important preparation to be a leader of men.

But Broichan has not allowed for the Good Folk, well-known workers of tricky magic. When young Bridei discovers a strange baby girl abandoned on Broichan's doorstep in the chill of the winter solstice, he takes her into the house. And the druid discovers that there is one power at work that may be too strong for him to control; one unpredictable factor that could become the death of his dreams.