jbronderbookreviews

The Learn by Tony Halker

Blending reality, history and legend, about a time when women were considered as important as men, taking power in an oral society that worships the Goddess. A whole Celtic Druid world is laid out before us, incorporating beliefs, technology and the natural environment.

A Celtic boy, a beach scavenger, is pledged to the Learn, a life of endurance, a path to become sworn Druid: scholar and warrior. Young women and men progress, becoming Priests and Druidii. Friendship, affection, passion and care develop as novices mature, confidence emerging.

Seasonal battles of winter and summer bring rich festivals when seeds of men are taken by women in pleasure to prove fertility. Small damaged, hurt peoples on the margins of Celtic society blend in and out of vision.

At frontiers with Nature, dependent for everything on what the earth gives or takes, an emotional response to the natural environment defines who people are and the values they live by.

A lyrical novel resonating with modern readers through portrayal of character, language and history; arising from a landscape of today, yet centred in the Celtic Bronze Age of North Wales.

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Author’s Bio

Born in London, one of five children of mixed Scottish, English and Welsh parentage, of people who had hard lives.

A life long avid reader of fiction, I am in awe of those who create worlds with words that we can escape into and learn from.

My main hobby other than reading fiction, has been mountain biking for over twenty years: off road on trails over woods, hills and mountains. Walking is an obsession in any terrain, particularly the beaches, mountains and hills of North Wales, hence the setting for my debut novel.

With degrees in Geology and Business Administration; I worked as a geologist for seventeen years; now “lapsed” but trying. I worked in underground mines, surface exploration and geophysics.

A world traveller for work and pleasure through the UK, Europe, Asia, Africa, North America and Australasia, I lived overseas in a number of countries. Favourite places always to return to are North Wales and Western Scotland.

Following my life in Geology I developed a career in business management, working in hi tech marketing and as Product Manager, Chief Executive and MD, as well as becoming an entrepreneur in my own right.

I am privileged to have known and worked with people of different cultures, backgrounds and views of the world.

Website

My Review

5 stars

Owayne is the son of a beach scavenger. One day an object is found and his mother takes it to the Druid Merle. She convinces Merle to take Owayne and teach him how to be a druid. What follows is Owayne’s Learning about being a druid, from how to properly chose sides in a fight to the Goddess, and everything in between.

But it is a pivotal time for the Celtic Bronze Age. New things are being discovered, like a wooden wheel. Owayne has to learn to balance the traditional oral histories and bring his people into the new world. And for all changes, there will always be those that don’t want to leave the old ways.

This is a great history of the druids and their role in this world. I loved following along with Owayne and learning about how important it was to be a druid. This is a great history and you will learn a lot.

On the other hand this book is pretty steady, truly melodic in its telling. But because of this, if you like action packed thrills; this book may be a bit slow for you. But over all I enjoyed the story. It is easy to tell that the author has a love for this time period and has done his research.

I received The Learn as part of the 12 Days of Clink Street from Authoright for free. This has in no way influenced my opinion of this book.